Hi @adsactly, Depression certainly is one of the misunderstood mental illnesses! The worst part is when people tell you that it's time to pull yourself together and get over it! I went through a very bad clinical depression years ago. Being in that deep dark pit where you feel totally isolated despite having your loved ones around was absolute hell! I certainly am not a negative thinker so could not understand what was happening to me!
Anti-depressants saved my life for sure; I was on a 'maintenance dose' for a couple of years once I ‘normalised’. The medical experts say it's a chronic condition and some people have to take their medication for life. I was fortunate that I could stop, but with the help of a wise homeopath through counselling and homeopathic meds.
I do not take any meds for this condition today, so can say with much gratitude, that I am a survivor!
I believe that unresolved issues bring this horrible and sometimes 'terminal' illness on, as it sadly can lead to suicide, which was the case with my brother many moons ago.
So my question is, if you're a diabetic, should you stop taking your insulin?
Yet people say anti-depressants are bad for you, yet this is what can corrects the chemical imbalance in the brain! It still is an illness.
But one has to find the correct anti-depressant and I firmly believe that can only be done by a specialist in the field, and that is a Psychiatrist, definitely not a General Practitioner!
Further, one should not simply only rely on medication; go for counselling, take up some form of physical exercise/activity, walking, yoga and meditation are all excellent forms of therapy, eat lots of fresh veggies & fruit, do more of the things you enjoy, be it listening to music, going to the beach, etc etc
My best wishes for your recovery from this horrid illness which can be overcome even though it feels like that dark cloud will never ever lift!