It can be good to address it medically, if there's no other options. Depression and ongoing stress are actually bad for your brain and mind; you stop generating new neurons and start to die back a bit.
A lot of people are resistant to using psychiatric meds, but as someone who has been forced into taking them and has PLENTY of valid complaints about much of the pharmacopeia there and how it's often issued, there are still good reasons for someone to think about taking something at least temporarily. So many people either just assume it's all bad and horrible, or feel like it says something about them personally if they take such things. It's painful and frustrating to see, and I hope you'll be open to the possibility.
*nestle*
And of course, aside from that there's other stuff like therapy and other forms of intervention -- the important thing is just to use what resources you can get access to.
Depression and ongoing stress are actually bad for your brain and mind; you stop generating new neurons and start to die back a bit.
It can also lead to fibromyalgia, which - PLEASE believe me - you do NOT WANT. I hope you don't think I'm exaggerating, but I'm watching my husband's experiences with it and it's horrible. It seems to be a progressive disease, and there's no cure.
Even if meds don't resolve the underlying REASONS for depression, they can at minimum take the edge off and help you deal with the stress. I've seen firsthand the benefits antidepressants can bring.
And like Pazi said, there is stuff like talk therapy, meditation ... but whatever you decide to do, please take care of yourself.
Chronic depression sucks. Situational things can contribute to the depression, but i don't believe they're the sole cause - many people face their lives with optimism even in terrible situations. Meds don't work for everyone, but they do help for a lot of people, and they're usually covered under insurance in the US, which makes it a good first option. If you can get therapy that could be worthwhile too. Life is too short to spend most of it feeling empty and hopeless.
no subject
Date: 2011-07-11 08:51 pm (UTC)It can be good to address it medically, if there's no other options. Depression and ongoing stress are actually bad for your brain and mind; you stop generating new neurons and start to die back a bit.
A lot of people are resistant to using psychiatric meds, but as someone who has been forced into taking them and has PLENTY of valid complaints about much of the pharmacopeia there and how it's often issued, there are still good reasons for someone to think about taking something at least temporarily. So many people either just assume it's all bad and horrible, or feel like it says something about them personally if they take such things. It's painful and frustrating to see, and I hope you'll be open to the possibility.
*nestle*
And of course, aside from that there's other stuff like therapy and other forms of intervention -- the important thing is just to use what resources you can get access to.
no subject
Date: 2011-07-12 02:05 am (UTC)It can also lead to fibromyalgia, which - PLEASE believe me - you do NOT WANT. I hope you don't think I'm exaggerating, but I'm watching my husband's experiences with it and it's horrible. It seems to be a progressive disease, and there's no cure.
Even if meds don't resolve the underlying REASONS for depression, they can at minimum take the edge off and help you deal with the stress. I've seen firsthand the benefits antidepressants can bring.
And like Pazi said, there is stuff like talk therapy, meditation ... but whatever you decide to do, please take care of yourself.
no subject
Date: 2011-07-12 05:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-07-12 11:27 pm (UTC)