not at all at first i didnt want to take pills to make myself feel normal but in the end i decided to give everything a go in order to get better

No, its not irrational. Some people prefer to deal with things like that without using medication and that is perfectly OK. That's a personal choice. A person doesnt need to pop a pill if they dont want to, but shouldnt ignore the problem either. They just need to deal with the issues in their own way.

probably not, because you feel like you should just "shake it off"-right? no can do, buddy. its an illness. it has medication. its ok.

I have a hard time to take medication.I never knew where that came from as my mother was ok with medication. Since she has passed away my father and I have gotten closer and he tells me more things. The other day he said he stopped taking his high blood pressure pills and high cholesterol pills for a full month. He was fed up with taking them and thought he could control it all with diet. My father is very health concious and eats well and excersies. He went for the blood work and all his results were sky high! He immediatley went back on the pills and said he will stay on them. It was important for him to try it and just as important for him to realize that he needs them.Try both ways for yourself.But in the end you may need the pills.I wish you the best of luck!And happy thoughts are sent your way by me!

No, I think it is wise to seek alternatives to medication. I know someone who avoided medication for a long time, she was afraid of long-term effects and possible addiction.

nope, absolutely not. some people are able to successfully treat their depression without medication. it is, however, important to keep an open mind, as sometimes medication IS necessary, depending on the cause, type, and severity of one's depression.

no...drugs is what screwed my life up completely so why would i want more?

not at all, the natural way is the best way. dont be a zombie

No not at all. Medications scare me in a way, I've always been wary of depression medications myself, and still believe there are other ways to get help, and relieve depression.

No, it's a perfectly normal feeling. Medications do more harm than good.

who can be rational when one is depressed? that is why we have shrinks so they can make rational decisions for the irrational.

Not at all, but from some of your comments, I feel that you are under some misconceptions about anti-depressant medications. The right medications, prescribed by the right professional, should not make you feel drugged but rather like you're coming back to yourself. You will feel like a weight has been lifted. You will be better able to cope with any issues you have in your life. You are not "broken." Depression is an illness and there should be no shame in taking medication for it. If you had a heart condition, would you reject medication? The bottom line is doing what you have to do to have a life worth living. I know that I probably wouldn't be here today without anti-depressants.

I believe it completely depends on the causes of the depression. Some are manageable as long as the events that led up to it are remedied. In some people the cause is a chemical imbalance in the brain. There's no wishing that kind away. There's no positive thinking that can fix it. It requires other chemicals to restore the proper balance.

No, not at all. If you know you are depress, then it's a progress already because you acknowledge that you have a problem. Constantly surroung yourself with happy people and talk to them, open yourself up. Engage in activities that won't make you sad. Go to the gym or give aerobics a try. When a person do exercise, endorphins are released into the body. Endorphins make people happy.

I had goraphoiba for around 11 year's, couldn't go into any a store, church, anywhere were there was people aroung, it was hell, do finally after all that time I broked down and went to a doctor. I have had enough. He put me on Lazrapam (small dose) and I've been great ever since. I totaly recommrnd it. You might have to sample some to get the right one But life is so good with it. I have my life back now AND not all weired out. Take it from me if one has this tell them to get help.

I thought I could get rid of my depression without medication. How wrong I was. Sometimes medication is the only way. When the depression gets so bad with memory loss, confusion, lack of motivation etc, only meds will help you. I would love to be off my meds but they keep me functioning normally. Without them I hate to think what would happen. Good luck. :}

nope. i didn't want it. i still don't. and most of my symptoms have become minimal and been less of a problem in my day to day life, thank goodness.

No, I think sometimes medications make you feel worse with side effects, then there's always the weeks of weening off one to find another that works. If you can manage depression, maybe see a therapist, then if your not clinically depressed, I think one could manage without any meds.

it works though so why not take it.

No, many times, meds only mask or make people feel like a zombie and for them, that's no life. There are many other ways to try first if you don't want to go the meds route. Try herbs, try Bach's Flower remedies. Try EFT.

I have been on Anti-Depressants on and off for about 10 years. My DR decided to give me a life time perscription because I suffer from chronic depression, where it always comes back and never goes away. I like to blame my ex for that. Anyway, They do make you feel numb and the side effects the first week are unpleasant but they usually go away. If they dont you need to talk to your DR. The side effects that you get when you miss a pill suck to, you have to take them everyday at the same time. Your DR will decide what is best for you and what dosage. They worked for me but not for everyone

If it's irrational, than call me irrational. I prefer to deal with periods of depression or other extreme emotional states as naturally as possible. I have very strong personal beliefs that human beings should experience these feelings from time to time as a part of life. If there was a medical "solution" to every emotional crisis or extreme that we faced in our lives, we'd end up being empty, emotionless robots with no character or any of the rich and extreme experiences that make up a life.

Not irrational at all. You have to weigh the benefits against the side effects and decide for yourself if you feel that you must take them. :)

I think it makes a great deal of sense not to want them, especially since some of them can make one suicidal. I'd suggest the herbal route as Galeanda suggests or talking to a therapist which I did. A good therapist will ultimately give one the means to deal with any future episodes of depression on one's own.

Sometimes it's the only solution to control severe up's and downs. Seek professional help.

Not irrational. I'd say, it's pretty damn rational. Medication (for depression) doesn't solve the problem. It just covers it up.

No it's not irrational. Just watching the commercials about them on T.V. would make me scared to try anything like that. What would be irrational is knowing you have a problem and not doing ANYTHING at all about it.

I don't think so. I think it's normal.

I know of someone who was bipolar & refused to take medications until she realized that she was making herself and everyone in her life miserable. She is now back on them & it's a difference between NIGHT and DAY.

Not at all! that's what I deicded to do. I'm saving meds as my last option.

Quite the opposite. Someone rational enough to attempt overcoming depression without medication might eventually recognize the irrational thinking that fuels depression and improve their mental health. Might not be necessarily easy, but it can be done. (I've done it.)

No, it is not irrational, big pharma wants you to dependent on their expensive legal drugs.

I don't think it's irrational, but I don't think it's the best line of thinking either. Medicines can have some serious side effects, but so can not treating depression. There are different levels of depression, some are minor and people's lives are together enough that they can look to things to make them feel positive, and they may have a loving family to help them work through tough days... but not everyone has that. Not everyone can succesfully overcome the feelings that come along with depression. By the time it is realized that they cannot overcome them without medication it is too late. This decision to attempt to overcome depression without medicine should not be made without regular consultations with your doctor. You need an objective yet qualified medical professional to assess your progress and intervene should you begin to spiral deeper. Chemical imbalances are hard to control without the chemicals being put back into balance. The quickest and most effective way to 'fix' a chemical imbalance is with medication. But I do not recommend self medicating. Do not let the cost of the medicine drive your decision to try it without medication... your well being and that of your family are worth more than that.

No it is not irrational at all and medications can sometimes save your life if you have major depression. I had quit my antidepressant and it took a call to the National Suicide Hotline one late night to realize that my meds were keeping me safe and alive. It is no shame to use medications that you need in a sensible way. My antidepressant took me about 2 weeks to get used to them and now I am happy and live a normal life and no one knows I even take them unless I tell them. Hope this helps.

It would be irrational if you were unable to ask any one and most importantly your self if it would be irrational to take medication. But if you are unable to do anything to make your self happy and time seems to fly by and nothing changes but the depression starts to push every thing and person that were important to you.But is hypothetical, but if that were me not you, I would seek some one I could trust and have someone on your side unconditionally. Take the time to investigate the potential effects of depression.And if I were in that situation I would surround my self with a lot of light and try to avoid isolating, closed off from the world. But thats only me. Remember that you have your uncoditional friend to call if any thing gets a little to much. Peace be cool

Not really. You can try non-medicinal routes of treatment, such as therapy and counciling. I did during the early stages of treatment before realizing that I did need assistance with my depression. It's irrational not to do what you can to treat the depression properly.

Medication in relation to mental health is usually only ever a temporary solution that doesn't help in long wrong.

not at all. some depression is caused by chemical imbalances in the brain and can only be helped with medication but thats SOME not all. i used to be really depressed and what helped me was getting myself out of the rut i was in like going out more, and trying my best to be more outgoing and it sounds kinda bad but i kinda focused a little more on my looks, when i take care of myself, eat well, work out, i just feel better in general and is a great boostof confidence.

No, it isn't irrational. It's totally normal! No one WANTS to take meds every day of their lives. Not taking the medication might be considered irrational, though, if your symptoms control you and negatively impact your day-to-day emotional health and/or activities.

Considering the side effects anti-depressants can have and that there are other alternatives such as nutrition, exercise and therapy, yes.

I have tryed 8 or 9 different meds for depression. None have worked, some have made me sick..I think you're predisposed to depression. I have a hard time with all chemicals, even pain meds, they just don't work! There are many people that don't want to be on depression meds, it's not irrational, it's your choice to make.

NOT AT ALL. Medication can help some people who struggle with depression, especially they have been diagnosed with a chronic mood disorder such as Bipolar Disorder or Major Depressive Disorder. BUT for most people it is normal to experience at least one bout of depression in their life and requires no medication as it should only last up to a couple weeks. If your depression is interfering with your ability to go to work and fulfill other responsibilities, then you should at least try some counseling and then look into antidepressants. Some people find medication helpful so that they can function while they attend counseling to figure out what the underlying issues are that cause their depression. In my experience depression comes on when I'm angry at someone and not willing to express the anger or when I'm having a hard time accepting something in my life...

No not at all, it has been found that cognitive behavioural therapy is extremely effective as a therapy for depression, for some people and with the right therapist it can be better than medication. As has been mentioned, yes drugs are extremely effective in a lot of people but they are scary to think about and thats normal i think. They do help a hell of a lot of peopple, thought I was on them for a year and they made me worse...

irrational? that depends on whether you've tried medicine and it works and you've tried no-medication trials which have failed, and, now, you choose to not want medication. exceptions - if those medicines have worked but you have suffered unpleasant side effects. i think that most of us would like to accomplish things without the help of medicines. there's a book that was written by victor frankel, a neurologist and psychiatrist who lived in germany during world war 2 and he survived living in auschwitz for something like 2.5 years (the average "lucky" soul relegated to work detail in auschwitz survived maybe 6 months). after losing his entire family, he wrote a book, "man's search for meaning". it's one of the 3 books that have really shaped my life ...

if it is a one time or one week medication then its a good one... if it is a supplement you will have to take for the rest of your life... i would look for other opportunities

The answer depends on if the depression is biological or situational in nature. If it is due to a normal grief response, then my answer is no. However, if you have a true biological depression, and you refuse to try medication that can help... that IS irrational.

Many people who are bipolar reject medication.

If your condition puts yourself or others in danger, I think it is irrational not to use medication until another solution for you is found. I battle depression, and while I do not take my meds every day, I do use relaxation and meditation to help me stay balanced.

No not at all. Many antidepressants have scary side effects. I think there are other, healthier ways to relieve depression. Including counseling and exercise.

Sometimes, medication helps the condition. Sometimes, it makes it worse. My grandfather had been taking a new medicine for his manic-depression, but his mind was slipping faster! You don't know whether or not the medication will improve your condition. And you have to question if it's worth the side effects that come with it. But there is always the one truth that if you take it, you will be dependent on it--possibly, for life. And that just bites. I eat fruit for my moderate depression. It works, but I wouldn't suggest it for severe/clinical depression. But I feel a little bit better about myself. My attitude has improved, even though my life hasn't. Good food makes a body FEEL good. I wish more people *cough*dad*cough* would realize that.

No way. I used use to work as a research scientist for a major drug company. Believe me, they don't have your best interests at heart. They just want to create a product and get you dependent on it for life. They say the drugs aren't "physically addictive". Most people think that means it's easy to quit. That's not what it means. The scientific definition of "not physically addictive" is that there are no physical symptoms of withdrawal. Just feeling suicidally depressed is a psychological symptom not a physical one. A lot of antidepressants are highly addictive and they're just as bad for your health as most of the illegal drugs out there. Prozac has been linked to suicidal impulses. The drug companies are aiming to have 50% of us on this shit by 2025....

It's not at all irrational. Many people would rather not take medicaton and instead opt for therapy. There are a variety of therapeutic approaches; the most common of which is Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and focuses on how our thoughts and feelings affect our behaviour. It is a brief therapy usually only lasting about 6 weeks (of weekly sessions for around an hour) and has produced good results compared to taking medication alone.

Somewhat. There are so many helpful medications and you may be cheating yourself.

Not at all, there are many, many things you can do and natural remedys you can try.

depends on, in part, religious beliefs. depends on if you've tried each of the 20 antidepressants and they've failed. depends on if you've tried psychotherapy and it's failed. depends on if you've tried ECT and it failed. not irrational, but it could be a set up for failure. not all of us are comfortable taking medicines. the long term effects of many of them have not been proven.

I think that would depend on the source of the depression. If you know you have a reasonable cause for the depression and it will ease with time (you just had a death, divorce, job loss or move in the last year) it is reasonable to wait. However, if you know you are prone to mental illness, ie: clinical depression or bipolar, and it isn't going to get better without medicine, why wait?

i tried, but i can't make it work alone! And i felt really stupid if i'd have to look for some one who teached me that in my country.Probably had to travel to the other end to find him anyway...and dont have the money for that.

no, but I got help with theophosticprayer look it up on web.

no its not: try using St Johns Wort or there are some courses you can take - google "beating the blues" its online CBT(cognitive behavioural therapy)or if you're up to group work ask your doctor to refer you to a CBT group.

It isnt irrational, but the choices are limited. You can go to a therapist and try to find out why you are so depressed or go to a medical doctor before it gets any worse and begin taking the antidepressants you need. More people take them than you think.

I don't think it's irrational, I have bad experiences on antidepressants. They made me feel like a zombie, ill, photosensitive, suffer stomach upsets, put on weight etc. and I tried loads of different types but the side-effects made me feel that they just weren't worth it. I also tried St John's wort and although that was a natural alternative, it still made me photosensitive. I found the solution in the end with brainwave entrainment, I was able to overcome my depression and a 25 year addiction to alcohol. By listening to relaxing tones I was able to meditate, explore the causes of my problems and get off antidepressants for good and I'd recommend it to anyone who doesn't have epilepsy or heart problems. It worked wonders for me.. http://www.moonfish-design.co.uk http://www.addictvoice.com

Irrational... No. I personally believe that there is a way that you are expected to be to be able to fit into to society's expectaions of you. If fitting in is your aspiration, and you need that kind of help to do that, then no. If you are being told that is your only option as far as feeling whatever the hell normal is... Then yes, I do believe it is not only irrational, but ignorant. Educate yourself, be comfortable with yourself and love who you are. I have learned more from my own flaws than I ever have doing the things that were expected of me. If your feelings become threateing or harmful to you or anyone else and you cant control yourself. Sometimes that is the only option.

Well it depends on what the person thinks their depression is a result of. Honestly, I think I'm just depressed because I'm an idiot. I could be wrong but I don't think medication is going to do much for me.

No, a personal choice....Personally...well....I exercise daily to generate pleasure chemicals that counter feelings of depression...so my lows are not too low....I also chant daily for connectivity with the life forces that be...I hope this helps :)

No, since in some cases medication is just a bandaid to cover the real issue. Better to get counselling and get to the root. Obviously there are some cases where medication is necessary, BUT I personally think medication is overprescribed.

Not at all. I was depressed most of my life and was so against meds. I wish I had taken them. It helps you think better because the chemical in your brain go haywire when you are going some difficult stuff. For some we need meds to start us on the right foot again. They have meds with very lil side effects these days. With counceling and the right meds People seem to be able to start on the right road to recovery. Its all a personal thing.

No. I've been depressed in the pass and I have always managed to come out of it on my own steam with the love and support of my family. Atleast for me medication was never an option.

no but i was the same for awhile, until nothing else worked. medication was the only thing that worked for me. it allows me to have a normal everday life that i wouldnt have otherwise. its up to you if u want to treat it another way and try that first. some ppl respond to other stuff like therapy and naturopath stuff but i ddint.

No, there are natural ways to deal with most depression. Even simply exercising to the point that endorphins are released can often deal quite well with depression.

No it's brave and a good start in combatting depression. Medication is not the answer.

No. I discontinued mine and did better than I did before I got on them.

No, it's very common - many patients prefer various "talking therapies" to medication. While most pharmaceutical companies and psychiatrists tell patients that depression is simply a chemical imbalance corrected by medications, the reality is much more complex. Generally, medications alter the brain function further to produce a state mimicking (but different from) normality. Also, it is still not fully clinically verified that depression is a chemical imbalance at all in most cases - in some it certainly is, but how widespread this imbalance is is very debatable, and many psychologists believe depression is usually caused by a combination of adverse life events and problems with cognition (specifically, problems with the way one views adverse effects). I highly recommend "talking therapies" - in fact, some are clinically well-evidence to be just as effective as medication. I recommend cognitive behavioural therapy - most studies find it to be at least as effective as medication, and it takes a very short time (especially compared to other forms of counseling, like psychotherapy) to show results. It's the therapeutic gold standard in psychology today, and for good reason.

No. I remeber fighting with my parents when I was younger, because quite frankly, I "didn't feel it was right for me to have to take pills everyday to be normal and to function when 'everyone else' didn't have to" and I fought it and I fought it....eventually though, I got sick of feeling the way I felt everyday, and so I started taking medications, it took me nearly a year to find the right combination....but it was worth it. I'm now living the life I thought I had lost. I'm going to college, I have a steady job I've been at for 2 years, I'm also 2 years into a relationship, and I get along with my family.

It's not irrational at all. Many people are simply embarrassed that they may need meds, but they should, however, speak with their family doctor about it. Depression is not something that you can just WILL away. It's a serious illness that a doctor should handle. Let me put it this way : If you found out that you had a disease, such as Diabetes, would you say to yourself, I can make this go away on my own?, no, you'd get put on medication to control the Diabetes, right? The same goes for depression, it isn't something that's just in your mind, it can be caused by many different things in life, Eg. tragedies, chemical imbalances, etc.

Very logical even. Depression will pass the same. So there is no scientific reason to take them onl psychological to care for a shorter time of being depressed. Besides all anti-depressants have side effects, some of them even worse than depression itself. Believe me or not, I've been there, took them, they helped, but I regret it and will think more than twice to take them again and let nature do what it apparently expects from me.

No. A drugged up feeling is not fun. Sometimes though it is a better and safer solution than to go unmedicated.

Some medication can make you feel worse if not prescribed right. If therapy alone is not resolving your depression and the doctor prescribes medication. Ask if it really necessary. Maybe it can be fixed through relaxation exercises or through positive influences. If you feel that you can work through some of your issues with perseverance and determination. Go for it. I personally don't like putting anything into my body that doesn't belong, but sometime it may be necessary. Find a good support group and log your feelings daily. If depressive feelings are reoccurring, you should try what the doctor recommends for at least six to eight weeks before determining termination. Breath (In with the good, out with the bad), focus your energy and stay away from negativity. You are your own medication. Hugs

Depression can be cured by using your mind in positive ways. Medication doesn't work for doubt, I tried it for years and still had anxiety, stress and depression issues, until i started looking into self development and got got rid of my deppression and anxiety in only 2 weeks. :-S Funny how that works huh? The doctors kept saying I was ill but they were obviously wrong. What a bunch of dumb asses!! Nicholas Finnegan's stuff made the most impact for me: http://www.nicholasfinnegan.com/ I don't think anyone should take tablets until they try this first! Those doctors should start learning about the power of the human mind aswell because they leave people like us second guessing whether we would ever get better vs taking drugs for the rest of our lives :(

In the case of Bi-polar driven depression it can actually be a symptom of the disease in you NOT wanting to be medicated. But otherwise no... it is not irrational. Medication doesn't solve everything.

It depends of what kind of depression you have. If someone has just died, you will be depressed for a time (situational depression) but then you get better. If you are down all the time and/or suicidal, see a psychiatrist. Antidepressant meds are for clinical depression and they help.

im depressed and would love medication if it would help me feel normal. im unhappy all the time and feel like im missing out on the best years of my life. my parents just think its a "phase" though so ill probably never get help

I can definitely understand why a person would want to avoid taking antidepressants if possible. The process of finding the right antidepressant and the right dosage for any one person can take years. During this process, a patient may have to go through several medications that don't help their depression, or make it worse. Although, for some people, it is absolutely worth going through this process to find a successful medication and dose. The decision to go on an antidepressant or an anti-anxiety medication is an important decision that should be made between patient and doctor. Every individual is different.

No its not irrational. I tried the medicated route and personally it just made me feel worse. Everyone has to find their own way in life.

I think a lot of people with depression are kinda... underestimatin themselves. its all in the head. Some people should get on their knees and pray and ask God to take it away. and He will :) Some medications make things worse. I have seen it. Especially from working in the pharmacy industry

NO Usually, depression indicates an underlying problem in your life. A very apt definition of depression is anger without enthusiasm. The best way of dealing with that is finding out what makes you angry, and dealing with it or raising your enthusiasm about it. And then dealing with it. Antidepressants can help. Calmer. less agitated. almost zombie-like. But they don't fix anything. Whatever is bugging you is still there. They're a band aid, and an obscenely expensive one at that. Strikes me as a better idea to fix your life. Probably much harder work, but worth it.

Your question is a good one. I have been on depression meds for over 30 years. I don't like it but they work. So let me say to you, if you had a bad heart would you take medication for a longer life? Or if you had diabetes would you take meds? I firmly believe if you can talk to a professional they can recommend the right meds. You will feel better.

absolutely not...sometimes medication just makes you worse

Nope. My boyfriend had had an incident with drugs. It really made his chemicals imbalanced. His mother fed him 25 natural supplements today, and his mood is controlled.

No, it's not irrational, your brain has a chemical deficiency and to compensate medicine has produced various pills that are created compounds to imitate existing chemicals to make you feel whatever lacking. Odd way of solving it but then again, there's not many options for solving such a problem.

No certainly not I'm depressed and no one I know knows about it . I would hate to take meds or even contemplate seeing a councillor/psychologist etc.

Yes it may be but I would avoid to just not waste more money on myself that way.

not if that is the only way to treat it.

No. No one wants to be medicated. it is not irrational but perhaps unwise.

No, it's not irrational at all. I went through 3 different medications, all with nasty side effects that made me feel even worse then the depression ever did. I did want to get better, so I decided to look up natural cures. Turns out that simple light therapy works for me. My depression was agony, and all it took was opening the curtains and turning on a few more lights to get me well again. I've been medication free for about 10 years now, no relapses at all. :)

No, it's not. You may want to find out why you're depressed. My thyroid was way out of wack and I was depressed. We got that fixed and I felt much better. Now menopause is setting in and my hormones are off. Depression is seeping back in. I need to get this fixed through natural methods and not anti-depressants. Many times something hormonal is causing it. Check into it.

Not at all! Nature didn't intend depressed people to take pills; human kind did. Nature knows best.

No. Many times depression is misdiagnosed. Doctors often find it an easy solution when they can't find the systemic cause. I know so many people who have been given prozac when they had thyroid problems or mineral and vitamin deficiencies. It's worth asking for a thorough physical and blood tests before taking anti-depressants.

Not at all. Antidepressants seldom work anyway.

meds help me

No, it's not at all irrational. Antidepressants are prescribed by psychaitrists without ever testing the person to see WHY they are depressed! They just give them drugs for any reason at all. And what is sad is that ANYONE can walk in a psychiatrists office and they will find a reason to give them antidepressants! There are many causes of depression that does NOT require antidepressants. Vitamin defiencies, food allergies/intolerances, parasites, candida, hormone and thyroid disorders, side effects of other medications, etc. I think you are VERY smart not to take them...first try to find out WHY you are depressed, and go from there!