The Stigma of antidepressants

Many people simply refuse to even consider taking antidepressants despite the fact that they are seriously struggling with their moods. If a doctor, family member or friend suggest that an antidepressant might help getting over the rough bits, they not only get angry, but also feel insulted. How dare anyone insinuate that they need “shrink-pills”!
Males are particularly reluctant to consider medication. They see it as wimpy and not something a real bloke does. Often they will strenuously deny that they have a problem. “Just a bit low, that’s all, mate” they’ll say and wear their hard-nosed approach to their frequent mood swings, irritation and snappiness like a badge of honour. In the meantime their family will be walking on eggshells.

Unfortunately the still widely held public opinion that suffering from depression is due to some sort of personal weakness is preventing many people from seeking help. The stigma attached to antidepressants is even more pronounced and the people who do take antidepressants are often very hesitant to admit it to friends for fear of being ridiculed. I take antidepressants. Am I ashamed of it? No. I have the same attitude to taking antidepressants as I have towards taking medication for a migraine. If there is something that will alleviate my pain why should I refuse to take it? That would be stupid.

I see this all in the context of what I want in life. Do I want to go through life having to struggle with my moods every step of the way and hardly making any progress at all? Do I want to spread the suffering of depression to my partner, my children and the people around me? Do I want to set them up to one day also suffer from depression because I am forcing them to live with my depression? Do I want to be consumed by the thoughts and emotional anguish of depression 90% of the time every day, every week, every month and every year? Do I want to function only at 10% of my capacity because I refuse to take antidepressants? Do I want to waste my entire life and future and give up on my dreams, sacrifice all the things I could be achieving because I need all my energy to keep myself from drowning in my depression?

I have answered “No” to all these questions and antidepressants have become one of the many tools that help me manage my depression. Today, my depression only takes up a fraction of my time and then only periodically. Oh I still experience normal lows that we all experience from time to time. Antidepressants have not made me numb against all feelings. Actually the contrary has happened, antidepressants allow me to experience the wide range of emotions without being overwhelmed by them. Whereas before I took antidepressants I used to suppress all feelings, good and bad, so that I could survive somehow. I am no longer totally consumed by paralysing negative feelings.


I live in the present and look towards the future. Since I have my depression under control with the help of antidepressants I have lifted my head from the ground and noticed the little things in life that make it so enjoyable, such as a bird singing in the tree. I have thrown off the shackles of public opinion and decided that if Scientists have spent decades and millions to find a medication that will help me live a more fulfilled life then why should I not take it?



Note: Talk to your doctor about antidepressants and make sure he or she explains the possible side effects in detail. Some side effects, such as nausea or light-headedness, usually only last until the body gets used to the medication. Antidepressants take a couple of weeks to work at full capacity so don’t be discouraged if you don’t feel better immediately.