Antidepressants Save Lives

Mental health medications aren't for everyone, but they’ve helped millions of people.

Last week I posted a note that a lot of people reacted to: 

As mentioned, I was responding/reacting to a number of other posts I’ve seen recently that are critical of taking medication for depression. The people who write these posts mean well, I’m sure. But it’s a very misguided viewpoint to say that “natural” treatments can replace medication for someone who is seriously depressed. 

I’ll try to be concise here, and not end up writing thousands of words on the topic. In fact, some of the most helpful info comes straight from reader responses to my note. For example:

Medication isn’t for everyone, but it helps millions of us. (And not only in the U.S.) 📷

My Experience, The Short Version

At some point I might write a longer post about how I navigated the process of trying to take an SSRI, what I decided to take (and what I didn’t want to take). For now, maybe just one observation: when you take this kind of drug, you don’t always realize that it’s helping you. Some people feel remarkably better within a couple of weeks of starting a treatment. Other people don’t notice that they’re feeling better—or they attribute their mood change to something else—yet clearly something is still working. 

I noticed this during the first year I took Wellbutrin. I didn’t suddenly feel amazing, I just didn’t feel terribly bad, the way I had felt for weeks or months. I thought it was because of other changes I’d made, but when I tried to stop taking the meds for a while, I felt worse almost immediately. Surprise! It turns out it was doing what it was supposed to. I went back on.

(I later got off it and stayed off for more than two years, before starting something else. It’s important to monitor these things as you go, and of course consult with a doctor before starting or stopping any treatment.) 

But What About “Big Pharma?” 

I know a lot of people have concerns about pharmaceutical companies, as well as general skepticism about the wealth and influence of big multinational corporations. I get it.

But here is the thing: just because a big company profits from something doesn’t mean that thing can’t improve your life. 

Do you carry a phone around with you? Do you use any kind of social media? These things are not made by humanitarians. They too are made by big companies that are out to profit. In some cases, they encourage addictive, harmful behavior because it increases their bottom line. Lots of people have said lots of things about this.

But most of us understand that phones are still incredibly useful inventions, and it’s also nice to be able to connect with people online. You shouldn’t feel guilty about using an iPhone, or being on Instagram, or whatever else. 

It’s worth debating whether antidepressants and antianxiety medication are overprescribed these days. The same could be said of stimulants, like Adderall, Ritalin, and Vyvanse. It’s also true that not everyone responds to these medications. Fair enough!

But none of these things are the point. The point is that, for many people, these medications can help. And yes, they can even save lives. 

That’s the key takeaway, in fact. For a lot of people who are so depressed that they struggle with basic functioning, the boost from an SSRI or other antidepressant allows them to get other help they need, like therapy. 

Getting back to antidepressants or other meds, maybe you feel that you don’t need these things, and that’s fine. But please refrain from saying that other people don’t need them, or that “natural” solutions are just as effective. 

Lastly, if you ever find yourself in a place where you’re struggling, and it’s hard to find your way out—maybe it’s time to reconsider your overall perspective on medication. I did that, and was much better off. 

Comments are open, just be civil.