Christy, I didn't take your questions or comments personally in any way. You aren't that type of person, so I honestly don't take your posts that way. You are the type of person who is openly trying to get info to form a judgement, and that is refreshing.

Steve'sgal, when I say judged, I mean by people, especially the moms I talk to and get to know; definitely, once again, I wasn't thinking of you or anyone here. I guess it's because I see them happy, find out they are on meds (that's not why they are happy, though!! It's just that the meds help them with what they need help for, if that makes any sense), and I feel they think I didn't really try, when I was under the direction of one of the top Drs. in town. Maybe they are trying to help. But even yesterday, the neurologist I'm seeing for completely different reasons (but maybe the 2 are tied!), also thinks I should try again.

Mama2mygirls said it very well. And look at that beautiful smile on her! You'd never know she battled depression. It's not a fun condition to deal with. Y'know what's worse? When it's not treated. It runs in my family, and I really feel our lives would have been different if my family members were treated. When you are depressed, one of the ways to describe it is like being in a hole that you can't climb out of, not matter how you try. Even when you are doing something you enjoy, having "fun", you aren't truly happy. Yet, I have been happy, euphoric, so I know what it is. I also know that after I became ill physically, I simply never recovered from the depression that occasionally occured. It's quite scary to think my children could be cursed with this.

But it comes down to: some people have a genetic predisposition to depression and even ADD/ADHD. I do agree that meds are prescribed too often for both, but there are definitely those who indeed have had all the testing done before doing the meds. Personally, if a Dr. suggested meds before finding out an entire history, I wouldn't have much faith in them.

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Make someone's heart smile today.

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Completely none of my business, but I felt compelled to ask this because we may share this in common:

Do you think your condition is more at the forefront because of your lifestyle as a military spouse?

I had a SEVERE funk a few years back and one of the first series of questions my doc asked me was concerning the lifestyle of the military: moving around, detaching; making and breaking friendships; deployments; etc.

Cool. Thanks for getting back to me. I figured you knew what my intentions were but also felt I should clarify my position for those reading this posts and who may not know me as well!

Thank you for starting this post! I recently went back on Zoloft for a number of reasons but had much guilt over it. It isn't anything I don't think anyone really wants to have to be on (medications) but if it means a better quality of life not just for yourself but others around you then it is soooo worth it.
My experience has been that I was never a depressed person until my brother died almost 12 years ago. I went through such mental AND physical grief that I have not been the same since. Zoloft helped me get through the hard times (with counseling ) and when I felt better I went off of it. However, I do find that I tend to fall into depression during times of stress and really benefit from the medication. I definitely feel that there is still a stigma as I was afraid to tell my husband for a week. I don't like admitting to myself that I need it but it is was it is. It doesn't change my personality and I'm not like on a happy high. It just takes the "edge" off of stress and makes me feel even going if that makes sense. It is hard to describe.

The more I think about this is making me wonder if the years of qualudes (not sure if I spelled it correctly) and those other pills made it such a stigma about taking pills that affect your moods. Cause you figure when usually there is the pills out that affect your mood- a lot of people usually end up abusing them (as well as pain pills- actually more them then the other kinds on the market) and it gave a lot of medications a bad name.

I think that what makes it a taboo is that you figure we are still "growing" out of the don't talk about it generation where people kept most of their problems hidden inside. Obviously there are many out there who need this- but then again with life seemingly getting more stressful (the War, economy and etc.) I can see why it is being prescribed more often.

Just think- Thank God we don't live back in the late 1800's and early 1900's when opiates and the other stuff were so readily available and out their as medication to treat all different kinds of ailments! The parents would give their kids the cough syrups and stuff to calm them down so they could deal with the other stuff they had to do! That is why so many children died back in those years- from overdoses!

You know, I really don't know. I have noticed that I have a harder time catching it early when dh is gone than if it happens while he's home. I manage it better with full support than I do when I am basically acting as single mama. It really helps that I've made close friends here who can sometimes sense me slipping and help out extra/encourage me to manage it, etc.

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Vicki
Mama to Princess, 5 and Wild Thing, 3
Progress Since 1/6/09:

Thank you.

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Vicki
Mama to Princess, 5 and Wild Thing, 3
Progress Since 1/6/09:

In my circle of friends I'd say 9 out of 10 take them. I have been on them before but I am pregnant now and don't take them during pregnancy. It does seem to be much more common.

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Alyssa
Wife to Greg (7.5 years) :heartsm:
Mom to Baker (4 years), Lily (9 months) and Baby #3 on its way in July.

I think this is huge too. If you just move somewhere and haven't met anyone yet, it can be overwhelming (for me anyway). I remember just after having my 2nd ds, we moved two months later. I was going through baby blues, dh's long work schedule, being at home with two toddlers and having no friends in a new house in a new city. I was completely overwhelmed and in a huge funk. I found a MOMS Club at my lowest point and I swear to this day, it has become my anchor in life! Every time we move now, it's the first thing I look up; to see if there is a chapter in the area where we are moving too. So I agree. If you have people around you, who know you and recognize the problem, it does help!

Can you imagine? Yikes!