I am also very reluctant to use drugs and have avoided them as much as possible. It seems like a slippery slope to me. However, I wonder if I am just suffering needlessly. Have you investigated any more "natural" remedies?
I am a very disciplined person, so I keep working, doing errands, etc etc but I feel like a robot... I am surrounded by natural beauty, opportunity.. and I feel disconnected. Sound familiar?

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I can relate to whatyou r feeling and was leary of taking something. But I havey been on paxil for about 8 months now and i know it has helped. Not a fix your life but more help u cope, with control. As far as side effects, I can't tell any. But I only read them once, I figured my body would let me know and I do feel better, its ok and worth taking.

I was diagnosed with depression in 1997 and without medication, I doulbt if I would still be here. Medication is an *absolute* necessity if you are depressed and wish to recover. I am constantly amazed by depressed people who complain about their symptoms, yet refuse to take any medication. Depression will NOT resolve on its own, so how else can one expect to recover? People who are so reluctant to take medication also seem so willing to take "alternative" therapies, not realizing this is also a type of medication. Perhaps it is simply their illness that makes them think medications are somehow harmful when they're not. -the key is finding the *right* medication for you. I had to try several types before I got relief and even now, I still have to change medications every 5 to 7 years because they can stop being effective. But this doesn't mean you shouldn't try them. Also, all horror stories about depression medications are the result of a patient stopping treatment *cold turkey*. You must be slowly "weaned off" these types of medication or you will suffer complications. Depression is a TERRIBLE illness, but you CAN feel better if you follow your doctor's recommendations and faithfully TAKE YOUR MEDICATION. Try it, what do you have to loose? Except perhaps your depression...

What would happen if patients with diabetes decided to quit their meds? To me it's about the same thing...the body is not producing the correct chemical (insulin or serotonin. So why are people reluctant to accept the medications offered for depression?

Medication is not an "absolute necessity" for people who are depressed although the drug ads might make people think that is the case. The recent SMART studies show that medication only works for 1/3 of the people and for minor to moderate depression meta-analysis shows that it is no better then placebo (which is because placebo has a very robust response).

Many forms of counseling such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy are just as effective without the side effects of medication and in severe cases should always be included in the treatment plan (vs medication alone) .. in some cases a RX can be life saving but treatment should always take the patients personal preferences and values into account,

In terms of alternative medicines and treatment options for mild to moderate depression exercise and physical activity (walking) is actually effective and is even listed on the Mayo site

Mild depression may not need medication, but I doubt most people who post here only have a "mild" case of depression. Most people with Major Depressive Disorder will not find relief from"exercise and physical activity" alone and anything that can be treated with something as simple as "walking" should be discussed in a separate thread. Most people who come to this type of message board are looking for support because their condition is causing them unimaginable pain and they are trying every way they can think of to help alleviate it.

For anyone who has been diagnozed with severe depression, medication *is* an absolute necessity and to believe otherwise is to simply delude oneself. It has nothing to do with "drug ads" and to post that medication isn't necessary on a site like this is sheer irresponsibility. A person doesn't know if medication is effective for them until they try it. If, as you say, it shouldn't work for them, then alternatives may be considered, but medication should always be included in an initial treatment.

Yes, therapy is helpful if it is in *addition to medication*. And yes, a person has a right to refuse medication, but if they do, they cannot expect to find relief. The analogy someone posted about diabetes is excellent - it's like a diabetic refusing to take their insulin. Or refusing to take an antibiotic if you have an infection. People should stop listening to foolish advice they find on the web and listen to trained medical professionals instead. Doctors aren't just about money, no matter what you read on the internet.

Why do you believe "natural" remedies aren't also drugs? Herbal treatments have side effects, just like traditional drugs, so what's stopping you from trying medications that have been proven to help depression? You shouldn't suffer needlessly, so go discuss your options with a doctor. And then, whether you choose herbals or prescription medications, at least you'll be doing something to help you feel better. After all, living with pain isn't really living...

HI Hopeful, I appreciate your thoughts.....the problem for me is that I have suffered with depression for as long as I can remember. My husband was dealing with a short term depression due to circumstances and he was put on anti depressents and he killed himself 2 months later. He was not a person that would ever do anything like that. Well liked by so many people, a leader at work, a strong person who was always into working out, eating right.........that scares me to know that those medications did something to his thinking. 🙁

livedriftwood, I have live with depression as far back as age16. Im now 58. I tryed every kind of stinkn medicine out there. Yes, I feel angry at times and have attemped to end my life more than I can count. I back on Paxil Brand name, Depakote ER, for now. As some of you may have just read in my last letter, things were bad. and I wanted to give up. Well I was able to talk to a couple of Social workers that I decided to open up to. They said you need to go inpatient and get stabilized. I tell u the truth, I have been inpatient 2 times this year. Im realy trying hard to be strong and set an apt. with my Doc. to maybe ajust meds. I wish to God I didnt have to take any Meds. I tryed to go off them this year for one month because I wanted to prove I didnt need them. Also when a person is on Meds. for so many years it can do irreversable changes in your brain. I havnt research that yet to the full extent, but for now there is no holistiic remedy that is safe to take that I know of. I do know that the inviroment which we live in everyday has a big impact on our mental health. Im dong better today. I took a walk at 5 am. I was just laying in bed for the last 2 weeks in major depression crying and wanting to end it all. I quess your prayers worked, Thank you, I trying ,Love you all