Are Antidepressants Necessary?

Dear MamaJen,

You’ve always given good advice that I’ve noticed. My antidepressant causes me to lose time, if I have even three beers. Do you have any suggestions?

Depressed Beer Lover

Dear Depressed,

Let me start this by saying that I am not a doctor, I am in no way medically trained, and that I do not have any kind of legal authority or backing in giving out medical advice. Anything that I say from this point on had no educational backing, and is only based on my own experiences, both personal and second hand.

I know a lot of people that take medicine for clinical depression. I have seen people with very good experiences right off the bat, and people that have taken many tries to get to the right drug for them. And I know a few that were able to not need drugs after a certain amount of counseling.

I am not perfect; I have ridden the medication roller coaster. And much of that was mis-diagnosis. First, I was treated for depression, which went poorly. Then I was treated for bi-polar, which went better, but never felt right. I was still uncomfortable, and the side effects really messed with my system and life-style. So I stopped.

I became difficult to be around. I lost friends. I didn’t like myself. But most importantly, I didn’t like the parent I had become. Eventually I was diagnosed with anxiety problems, and counseling got me to a decent place, but I was still not very content. I still had moments of overwhelming helplessness and times of total panic.

It was pretty much an accident that I found the right medication for me. I went in for one problem, and the doctor prescribed a medication for that issue, that also happened to be a low level anti-depressant and anti-anxiety.

And then my world improved greatly. I liked myself, my fiance noted the difference, and I have better enjoyed my son. The medication I’m on is one that takes a toll on the liver, and I simply choose not to drink. Then again, I’ve never been a very hard-core drinker, so that one wasn’t a hard choice for me.

Are antidepressant necessary? Well, for whom? I know that when I accidentally miss a dose, I am much worse for the wear the next couple of days. I’m afraid and snappish and no fun to be around. Is that the case for you? Only your doctor, your loved ones, and your own experience can help you answer this question.

I do recommend that you see a doctor about these concerns. I think “mixing medications” is a valid concern, especially if you are a connoisseur of brewed beverages. And that if that doctor doesn’t take you seriously, go to the next. You deserve happiness. Isn’t that the point?