Anti-Depressants: Adversary or Ally ?

I really don't think the use of medication to alter mood is a good idea. I've seen a lot of people become so dependent that it ends up hurting them much more then helping.

Everybody gets stressed and feels depressed, and unless you truly do have a severe hormonal imbalance, you usually don't need meds.

The journey to find the true root of these problems, or even just learning how to live with them, will only grow us as people.

 

Hi AClearLife,

Don't let fear of relapse prevent you from doing whatever you need to do to get healthy in the long run. A healthy brain is better at self-control than a sick brain. Good mental health will make your struggles easier, with NoFap and other stuff too. It's a snowball effect. Better moods lead to healthier actions, healthier actions promote better moods, and so on. Okay, it might take years before you notice improvement. Some things you try won't work, and you'll have bad days (weeks, months). But keep your eyes on the big picture.

Imagine a person who's been in a bad accident and needs to re-learn how to walk. Staying in a wheelchair means no falling down, a setback-free day. But the only way to recovery is to stand up, risking a fall. With effort, and over time, the risk diminishes and the benefits become more and more enjoyable. Getting better mentally is like that too. You have to take setbacks in stride. Don't settle for a life of quiet desperation when there is something better waiting for you, if you're willing to go after it.

 

don't feel awkward about telling your shrink about PMO. it might be awkward to you be trust me, those dr. hear far worse thing than that.

 

Medication is fine to a certain degree, but the dosage needs to be dropped after a while and then you just need to stop taking it after a while when ready. For me personally, I avoid them nowadays. They only cement in my mind that I'm depressed. Depending on how bad the depression is, they should be a last resort.

 

Dear AClearLife,

I am trying to make some sense of this. You seem to be "great" with your motivation better than it's ever been. Yet you claim you have a "depression" looming over you, which has no impact on your daily functioning

You are taking an anxiolytic which, you say, has been working very well but you are having therapy (unspecified reason) and want to see a psychiatrist (presumably to address the depression

Bizarrely, you think that finding the right anti-depressant might lead to another relapse(?) and you don't want your psychiatrist to know that the likely cause of your gloomy outlook is your sex addiction

I take two antidepressants for clinical depression and I had a paid job on an acute psychiatric ward as a peer support worker. But, most of what you have said so far is contradictory. Could you have another shot at it so I can understand and possibly address your concerns.

Many thanks: IGY

 

Anxiety and depression are two different things.

 

It does make more sense, lol - thanks. You certainly have a lot to contend with! If your depression is, by your own description, 'mild', you could consider going without medication. The reason I say this is because low mood can occur when trying to give up these addictions to masturbation and pornography. You might have a rough road to travel for a while but things will improve. However, if you do want antidepressants, bear in mind that they usually take 4-6 weeks to start working. On the other hand, they are not addictive. In contrast, drugs often prescribed for anxiety usually are addictive - diazepam for example. Ideally, they should only be prescribed for a couple of weeks at a time to get you through a crisis.

There are ways that you can help yourself to be less anxious and depressed. Some form of exercise (even brisk walking) is a case in point. If you can combine this with an enjoyable activity - badminton, for example - your mood and confidence will be boosted. Please ask if you want more information: IGY

 

"I have recently been starting some therapy and I set up an appointment with a psychiatrist. I've been taking some anti-anxiety medication recently and I've found that to work very well ! But I've been very very depressed lately ..."

Exactly. I would not recommend long term use of anxiolytics, your overall depressive outlook might get worse. Anxiolytics work well for specific tough situations. You need to speak to your upset boss, for instance. But eventually you should learn to cope with difficult situations without drugs.

"I feel that I might be able to affirm and meditate myself out of this gloom and doom depressed state of mind. But then again I worry that I may relapse if I don't figure out this depression. I surely don't want to mention PMO to my psychiatrist because it would be too much awkwardness to deal. However, I'm willing to do about anything at this point."

Develop good habits:
- meditation (e.g. vipassana)
- sport (ideally an hour a day)
- charity and compassion (active commitment to alleviate suffering of others)
- learn reflective optimism (the books of Martin Seligman are the best here)
- eat well: a lot of salads, at least five fruits a day, nuts, etc. avoid processed food, glucose-fructose, etc.
- add you favorite here

"I'm concerned that finding the right anti-depressant might lead to another relapse and that is literally the last thing I want."

I don't think it would.

"I surely don't want to mention PMO to my psychiatrist because it would be too much awkwardness to deal."

You should. Unfortunately, the reaction might be the reverse: he might think this is not a big deal. Then don't argue with him but don't accept the no-big-deal view.

Also, eventually, as MelancholyWeightlifter already pointed out, you should not take any medication. Eventually. That should be the goal. Most people, after they develop good life habits, don't need medication.

Hope this helps, I am not a psychiatrist nor a clinical psychologist but a philosopher. In Antiquity we also treated mental disorders, now some of us try to get back into this business

http://www.amazon.com/Plato-Not-Prozac-Applying-Everyday/dp/0060931361

 

You are very welcome AClearLife. However, I cannot advise you on specific antidepressants. Even a psychiatrist would not do so without taking a detailed medical history. It is generally best not to ask for or put much stock in armchair experts on this site or elsewhere. I must say, your variety of activities is excellent and will help you to keep a good state of mind.

However, if you are diagnosed with a depressive illness - I have recurrent depressive disorder - you may have need of antidepressants long-term to enable your daily functioning. Even when the psychiatrist tells you what's what, you are not obliged to accept it there and then or at all. Go away, read up on the drug(s) he suggests and decide in your own time what you would like to do.