My overall view is Tom is on the extreme end of a scale. Just because he may understand something of depression or disorders does not mean that everybody is suffering the same. I think depression needs to be handled on a case by case basis. Yes, depression can be handled without medication but sometimes long periods of stress and depression can turn off the 'feel good' chemicals in the brain and antidepressants can help to kick-start that process again so you can handle the climb back up. I am also aware of some mental disorders that need the regulation of medication so extreme swings are limited for daily functioning and safety of some patients.
I agree strongly with
raeanna74 &
Elphaba that too many times a pill is a quick fix. I believe there should be more focus on looking at the thought processes that produce the conflicts responsible for most situational depression.
My family has a history of depression. My father is on medication (although I think it's the wrong one for him and it is not helping him at all), my brother was a manic depressive, never diagnosed until after he shot himself in the head, and I have struggled with depression all my life.
I have not been one to take medication for it. I believe mine to be more situational and have turned to understanding my thought processes to handle it. It took a lot of work on my part, and I went through many psychologists... After five years and finding a psychologist I believed I could work *with* (because they can't fix you on their own
) I have not been depressed for over a year or two, and I'm not looking back! I believe I have won my battle...
