a more adaptive way to think of things

[quietann]

An insight about the SSRIs... Like a lot of people, I don't think the same way about psych meds as I do about other meds. Psych meds somehow indicate "weakness of character" or "craziness". And I know I am not crazy, so why do I need them?

But, I have had insulin-dependent diabetes for 27 1/2 years now. Although I have had some issues over being diabetic, I have never thought of having to take insulin as meaning anything other than that my body doesn't make it, so it has to come from somewhere.

To think the same way about SSRIs would be better.

Comments

[anotherjen.livejournal.com]

That's exactly the argument I use when trying to convince people to try anti-depressant drugs. I resisted it for a long time, partly because my own mother had been on them and I didn't want to be like her, partly because of the stigma. But after almost an entire life spent in talk therapy, SSRIs were the only thing that made me feel sane and normal and balanced. Now I feel like I wasted years - I didn't go on drugs until I was 25 or so. I've never needed a high dose. I really think my problem re. anxiety/depression/obssessive thinking is mostly one of chemical imbalance, and I agree with you that there shouldn't be any more stigma attached to that than to diabetic people taking insulin injections.

[hawkegirl.livejournal.com]

Sounds like a very healthy viewpoint!

Kudos to finding it!

[drglam]

Exactly!

(hugs, sweetie)

[quietann.livejournal.com]

*hugs* and more... I really really should come out (hah!) to visit you sometime...

[drglam]

Yes. Yes you should.

[awfief.livejournal.com]

I read a book about ADD that tried to convey that message by relating drugs to glasses. Nobody feels like a lesser person because their eyes don't function like they "should", and nobody feels like glasses are a "crutch" or whatever, and yet people feel the same way about psychiatric drugs. . .