“The pharmaceutical industry doesn’t create cures, it creates consumers.”
While in the past few years I have also began to look on pharmaceutical companies with distaste and desire for reform, I have become extremely thankful for one thing they have produced: antidepressants.
Let me explain, I am not another person in their 20-somethings looking for a cure to make the bad days better. I have struggled with my own mental health my whole life. Growing up, I knew something was wrong but I did not know how to communicate what I was feeling to anyone. Finally, I explained what I had been going through to my family doctor who diagnosed me with general anxiety disorder and major depressive disorder. After 18 years of confusion and frustration I had finally gotten my answer to the countless panic attacks, unexplained sadness and dread and other physical symptoms. But that’s not what this article is about. What I want to talk about is one of the many things that have helped me through my disorders: my antidepressant medication. While I do hate telling people I take these medications (and writing this article has provided some major anxiety) I want to let others know that they should not feel embarrassed, ashamed or any other negative feelings about taking antidepressants.
It’s pretty easy to feel ashamed. Regardless of how much attention mental health receives these days, those diagnosed with depression still face the stigmas. I can’t tell you how many times I have heard “just get over it,” “what do you have to be depressed about,” “it’s all in your head,” or the worst, “just relax.” Then, when people ask what you do for your disease and you answer with your medication, there are the numerous voices telling you, “Your antidepressant will not cure you.”
I realize that. I understand that there is no cure for the way I feel. There are still bad days, and there always will be. But what people do not understand is an antidepressant is able to help you handle those bad days better. For me, it helped tremendously. Before my diagnosis I was extremely quiet, shy and would become depressed extremely easily. I faced almost daily panic attacks, had extreme social anxiety and had a hard time making and keeping friends. Unlike those who claim mental health drugs turn you into an emotionless robot, it helped me be more comfortable with being myself. It calmed most of my negative voices and allowed me to face life with less anxiety. Before my antidepressants I had tried everything -- exercise, homeopathic remedies, breathing exercises and alcohol -- but nothing enabled me to become comfortable with myself. Antidepressants allowed me to be comfortable in my own skin. I don’t think I would be here without them.
Now I am not saying everyone with depression needs to be on an antidepressant. For some, the side effects make them worse off than if they were to not take anything at all. What I am saying is there should not be a stigma surrounding antidepressants. If you are someone with depression, anxiety or any mental illness you should be able to find whatever way you can to maintain your symptoms and allow you to live a comfortable life. And if you ever need to, talk to someone and remember you are never as alone as you feel.
