Medications for Mental Illnesses?

       Depression has a complex image in today's society. While we're beginning to have a widespread understanding of what it is (and what it isn't), we still have some pushback. There are still those who think depression is no more than a simple attitude problem, and a crutch for people to make excuses and not work hard or push through. The stigma around using prescription medications is even more toxic and restrictive. I wanted to address this, bring forward some facts, and hopefully make those suffering from depression feel better about taking care of themselves.

What is depression? Also known as major depressive disorder, depression is a mental disorder which causes suffers to feel immense sadness, loneliness, hopelessness, emptiness, and sometimes unexplainable loss. It also manifests physically, causing issues with sleep, appetite, an immense loss of energy, slowed thinking or speaking, and habits such as hand-wringing. 

       There are three big neurotransmitters talked about when discussing depression; dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. Dopamine mostly deals with the physical drive-doing things, being present, and feeling pleasure. Serotonin deals a little more with emotions and sleep, and norepinephrine is also associated with being awake or being asleep, being mentally present and focusing, and your general attitude. 

       For those of you who don't have depression, let me put it simply. Imagine you are in a situation where you should feel excited! Maybe even overwhelmed with joy! This is one of the greatest moments of your life, something you've worked hard for or looked forward to for years and years. Now imagine, while experiencing this event, you aren't capable of feeling that joy. You recognize it's supposed to be a positive thing, and maybe you feel a little relief that it finally came, or have even cracked a smile-but you aren't capable of really feeling that deep, full joy. Imagine you just didn't have the physical capacity to have your emotions respond appropriately to various stimuli. That's exactly what depression is. 

       Sufferers of depression aren't just in a bad mood because they don't know how to be. They have brains that are wired differently than most others. They are lacking certain neurotransmitters and have too many of others. Scientists have found that those who suffer from chronic clinical depression actually have a smaller hippocampus (memory) and thinner right cortex (mood). They recognize that something is wrong, but they can't fix it with willpower alone. 

The benefits of psychotherapy: Psychotherapy is the type of therapy we see in all of the TV shows. You sit down with a psychologist or psychiatrist and discuss how you feel and what's going on in your brain. Talking with a therapist is half the battle-this helps us to recognize negative thought patterns we've fallen into and gain healthier coping habits and insight. Any past traumas and toxic influences that are inflaming our disorders can be resolved and breakthroughs can happen! However, this doesn't cure the chemical imbalances we're dealing with. 

The benefits of medications: Medications can help ease and even correct the imbalances found within the brain. If you can't produce your own neurotransmitters, store-bought is just fine! These medications allow for the brain to form healthier connections and the patient can live a healthier, happier life. Antidepressants can help bridge the gap that is left by using psychotherapy alone. Addressing the cognitive disconnect along with supplying the brain with the chemicals it needs and isn't producing naturally could lead the patient to living a relatively normal life!

       Some believe that antidepressants cause users to become emotionless zombies-they're just being sedated so their families don't have to suffer the pain of losing them. This is false and in my opinion, a symptom of just how awful depression can be. Incorrect doses and incorrect meds can have a negative impact, this is true. Finding the best medication and dosage is often a process of trial and error. However, when you find the right combination, the ability to function as you'd like to and be healthier overall is completely worth it! 

Why the negative rhetoric and refusal of acknowledgment is toxic: Having witnessed many friends and family suffer while trying to find the right balance scared me to death. I was in denial about being depressed for a long time, because I didn't want to be talked about the way others talked about them. I didn't want to be labeled as whiney and asking for an easy ride in life, and I definitely didn't want to be called "crazy". After hearing about how meds were just "crutches" and completely unnecessary, I didn't want to have anything to do with them. Watching people get rushed to the hospital from serotonin syndrome and have mental breakdowns was horrifying. Enough finally became enough, and I was blessed with enough wonderful and supportive friends to help me feel okay about doing whatever it took to take care of my very real illness. 

       However, not everyone is so lucky as to find the strength and support to seek medical care. Many people are shamed into suffering in silence. These people struggle for so long to find their footing and catch a break, and this often results in suicide or failed attempts. The awful truth is, those suffering from mental illnesses like depression often get bullied by friends and relatives (though neither party may see it that way) into going untreated. Untreated depression results in brain damage and of course can be life-threatening.

       Discrediting someone's illness and discouraging them from seeking treatment and taking care of themselves could cause things to go south. Real fast. It's important that we not allow pseudoscience, old wives tales, fear, or apathy blind us from being there for those who need us. Making the conscious decision to choose empathy, kindness, love, and respect is always better, and very well could save a life. 

The reality: Depression is real. While it may be over-diagnosed or hard to understand, it's very real and very dangerous. It is not glamorous. It's lacking energy and will-power and feeling absolutely alone and overwhelmed and hopeless. It's wishing you could die or were never born. For some people, it means losing interest in things which once brought you to life. For others, it's a year without brushing your hair. Tragically, there are those for whom it will mean taking your own life.

       Making the decision to do what's best for you and treat the whole disease is an important and personal decision. This is something you decide to do in your own time, under the advisory of a qualified medical professional. Finding the right medication and feeling okay about taking it can be along, winding road. No matter how hard, that very decision to allow yourself to go forward with treatment could just be the decision that saves your life and preserves you for a beautiful, fulfilling future that your illness won't allow you to foresee at this moment.