I agree with much of what you say but for every Grinch that hit rock bottom and turned it around after hitting rock bottom, there might be 10 that never found their way out of that hole. "The Grinch that Committed Suicide" is not quite as heartwarming. I think we should not dismiss pharmaceuticals as part of the prevention of terrible outcomes relating to depression and as a temporary aid to those struggling. Totally agree they are overprescribed though and then (perhaps worse) never weaned or thought about again.
In all fairness, Charlie Brown would just be receiving Ritalin or Adderall. Along with the rest of the Peanuts Gang -- all the kids, even depressive Charlie Brown, are going about self-organizing baseball games and other neighborhood play instead of sitting still at home or at adult-organized activities where it's SAFE.
I appreciate these stories - In general though, are you against medication for treating mood disorders as a rule, or is it the lack of proper care and over-prescription of the drugs? I'm genuinely curious, not trying to trick you or anything
No that makes a lot of sense... I was depressed for about 2.5 years (early 20s) before I started medication, and after a couple of weeks, I actually felt like myself again. I stayed on it for about 5 years, and then quit it cold turkey (whoops, bad patient alert) after changing careers.
The medication definitely helped me get out of my depression, but part of me wonders if I had been more reliant on God, maybe I (He through me) would have gotten myself out of the situation that perpetuated my depression (grad school - yuck lol) and I wouldn't have needed the medication because I would have come to my senses sooner.
Just trying to work out how medicine can be a gift, a crutch, or an idol and how that changes my perspective on mental health treatment and it's place in my own testimony.
I'm not a doctor, Rachel, but I have spent time talking to a psychiatrist in my early 30s. Six years, in fact. It was a long climb out of the mess I'd made of my life after a childhood with alcoholic parents, sexual abuse, and divorce, and the doctor I saw was, by the grace of God, just the one I needed. There are so many bad ones. My doc, at one point when I seemed to go into a real slump, suggested I try this new medicine that might help..Prozac. I turned out to be allergic to it. Would I try a med now if I had severe depression? I would hope not, but I know what deep troughs of anxiety and sorrow feel like, even now after coming to faith in Christ. I don't think there is one answer, maybe a med, though not ideal, for a period of time can break the back of a terrible depression as it did with you. But what saved me was the human, caring relationship I had with my counselor, and feeling safe with her. Your question touched me! God bless you! And Merry Christmas!
Yes, wholeheartedly agree. Thank you for sharing! I think a big difference for me is I just had a general practitioner prescribing my meds. She would see me every X weeks, I'd fill out another survey, and she'd fill my script again. Eventually, I got on anxiety meds as well this way. I think if I could go back and recommend anything to my old self, it would be to take the time to seek out a psychiatrist and get more oversight in my treatment. Who knows, my treatment may have been the exact same, but I think I missed that relationship part that was key for you. Thanks again for sharing!
There are a lot of shysters out there. I had consulted one before I found her. Yet even from that guy I learned a few things. But the trust took a long time even with the good doc. We really need to be praying for all people who are depressed and anxious. I pray God will guide them to the help they need.
I agree with much of what you say but for every Grinch that hit rock bottom and turned it around after hitting rock bottom, there might be 10 that never found their way out of that hole. "The Grinch that Committed Suicide" is not quite as heartwarming. I think we should not dismiss pharmaceuticals as part of the prevention of terrible outcomes relating to depression and as a temporary aid to those struggling. Totally agree they are overprescribed though and then (perhaps worse) never weaned or thought about again.
In all fairness, Charlie Brown would just be receiving Ritalin or Adderall. Along with the rest of the Peanuts Gang -- all the kids, even depressive Charlie Brown, are going about self-organizing baseball games and other neighborhood play instead of sitting still at home or at adult-organized activities where it's SAFE.
I’ve never heard of a Jesse tree. My husband reads the Bible to our kids every night. I think this adds fun and nuance to the season. I’m in!
I appreciate these stories - In general though, are you against medication for treating mood disorders as a rule, or is it the lack of proper care and over-prescription of the drugs? I'm genuinely curious, not trying to trick you or anything
Let’s start with the wild overprescription and work our way from there : )
No that makes a lot of sense... I was depressed for about 2.5 years (early 20s) before I started medication, and after a couple of weeks, I actually felt like myself again. I stayed on it for about 5 years, and then quit it cold turkey (whoops, bad patient alert) after changing careers.
The medication definitely helped me get out of my depression, but part of me wonders if I had been more reliant on God, maybe I (He through me) would have gotten myself out of the situation that perpetuated my depression (grad school - yuck lol) and I wouldn't have needed the medication because I would have come to my senses sooner.
Just trying to work out how medicine can be a gift, a crutch, or an idol and how that changes my perspective on mental health treatment and it's place in my own testimony.
I'm not a doctor, Rachel, but I have spent time talking to a psychiatrist in my early 30s. Six years, in fact. It was a long climb out of the mess I'd made of my life after a childhood with alcoholic parents, sexual abuse, and divorce, and the doctor I saw was, by the grace of God, just the one I needed. There are so many bad ones. My doc, at one point when I seemed to go into a real slump, suggested I try this new medicine that might help..Prozac. I turned out to be allergic to it. Would I try a med now if I had severe depression? I would hope not, but I know what deep troughs of anxiety and sorrow feel like, even now after coming to faith in Christ. I don't think there is one answer, maybe a med, though not ideal, for a period of time can break the back of a terrible depression as it did with you. But what saved me was the human, caring relationship I had with my counselor, and feeling safe with her. Your question touched me! God bless you! And Merry Christmas!
Yes, wholeheartedly agree. Thank you for sharing! I think a big difference for me is I just had a general practitioner prescribing my meds. She would see me every X weeks, I'd fill out another survey, and she'd fill my script again. Eventually, I got on anxiety meds as well this way. I think if I could go back and recommend anything to my old self, it would be to take the time to seek out a psychiatrist and get more oversight in my treatment. Who knows, my treatment may have been the exact same, but I think I missed that relationship part that was key for you. Thanks again for sharing!
There are a lot of shysters out there. I had consulted one before I found her. Yet even from that guy I learned a few things. But the trust took a long time even with the good doc. We really need to be praying for all people who are depressed and anxious. I pray God will guide them to the help they need.
Thank you!! A wonderful Thanksgiving to you and yours Sir!! 👍🏻🤓