5 Reasons To Take Antidepressants And 5 Reasons Not To

A prescription for antidepressants is like the new little black dress: Everyone needs one. Well I’m here to tell you that sometimes, you really need them and others times, you’re just being a little bitch. Yes I said it. You’re being a little bitch.

Antidepressants are too often used as a quick fix to mask symptoms of a bigger problem that you’re just too lazy or scared to take charge of. To be frank, a “happy pill” isn’t going to tell your wife you want a divorce, fix your teenage daughter’s drug problem, find you your dream job, or get your six pack back.

The following are examples of situations that I feel warrant the use of chemically-induced help.

Reasons to use antidepressants (if all other options have been exhausted)

1. Tragic loss of a loved one

The first example of a situation which is out of your control. A tragic loss such as a child can prevent your ability to function at work, at home, and in your daily life. You can’t change what happened and if you need to take something (for a certain period of time), it’s understandable. Why wait until all the pain turns into a bigger problem like binge eating or illegal drug use. I’m not saying that will happen to everyone but if you feel those negative behaviors coming on, talk to your doctor.

2. A bad divorce

Okay, so this technically may have been within your control because you married the wrong person, but like they say, hindsight is 20/20. Anyways, divorces can be LONG, painful, and well, depressing.

3. Rebounding from addiction

So you’ve just spent the last 3-4 years using methamphetamine and the pleasure centers of your brain are pretty much drained. In this case antidepressants may provide you the stability you need to achieve long term sobriety.

4. Fighting a life-threatening illness

When my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer she was obviously sad. She knew she had a LONG battle ahead of her. It would be at least a three year fight to save her life and build her body back up. Although she chose not to go on antidepressants, the doctor made her aware that they were an available option.

5. Traumatic event

There will be no joking around for this one. A traumatic event can be anything from being abused as a child or coming home from war and not being able to make it through the day without flashbacks; either way medication is an option you could always discuss with your doctor.

Reasons not to use antidepressants (the following things you have control over, so get off pills and fix them)

1. You have no friends (or lover) and you think everyone hates you

Sitting in your parent’s basement snorting your Zoloft and masturbating isn’t a great long term solution to this problem. Going on antidepressants to take the place of lasting, loving relationships is just about the worst idea I could possibly think of.

2. You gained 30 pounds

Who wants to admit that that’s the reason they’re depressed? Not me! That’s way too embarrassing. So a much better idea is to blame it on a chemical imbalance. This way you can start taking pills and numb all those negative feelings towards your body. Thus preventing you from having to do the hard work it takes to address the issue so you can feel comfortable in your own skin again.

3. You hate your job

So you hate your job? Perfect. I bet there is a chemical imbalance in your brain that you have no control over that makes you sit at a desk for 12 hours a day HATING every minute of it. Yea, you definitely have no control over it (NOT).

4. You hate your spouse

This is my favorite reason that people claim to be clinically depressed. Ask for a divorce, not a prescription.

5. You hate yourself

This is the saddest reason people claim to be clinically depressed. Before turning to medication, ask yourself why you don’t like yourself. Can you fix the problem on your own? The answer (in my opinion) is YES you can. It’s trial and error, and there is no quick fix.