Depression in America. Is medication the easy way out? - By chanele "therockstar" lovelace

Depression & Anxiety are words a lot of people throw around. I have talked to several people in the baby boomer generation who literally think its a trait for my generation to be labeled as depressed. That its one of the new fads and a excuse that my generation has for not putting in effort to manage when we are sad, mad or angry. Through my research I have had been told by a alarming amount of people who's heritage isn't rooted in America that its a American thing, pop pills to feel better. The easy way out and I have even been told that its an excuse to not parent your children. This is all prior to me doing to hard research on the facts. I can tell you that it seemed the majority felt that this whole depression and anxiety thing was just a hoax. So, I got on the Internet and called some therapist and was very startled to find out that America is the highest country of individuals that actually get a prescription for anti depressants & anxiety medication. Which does indeed back up the majority of those I have already talked to claims.

Yet, the interesting thing I found out is yes, we are the highest basically with a paper trails -- yet in a lot of other countries you can go down without a paper trail and purchase the prescription drug without a prescription. That the reason the facts show America in a dark light is because America is one of the few countries in which are being responsible and holding both doctors and patience accountable to make sure the right treatment is being given for the right illness. Illness, sickness, & disease is a very common word amongst both patients & doctors. A word I have grown to respect and is now second nature is saying when referring to these growing problems. Although allot of people who don't have these types of illness usually disregard it, as being a disease. I have learned that these are serious sickness' that need to be treated and acknowledged. Doctors have explained and shown me just as much if not more scientific proof proving depression and anxiety are diseases, as they do about proving HIV, Aids, Cancer ...Etc are diseases. Yes, I find the need to reinerate I have been shown just as much proof that anxiety and depression disorders are a disease. So, just as we wouldn't disregard. Cancer, nor should be disregard Anxiety & Depression disorders. It's not fair to just hear the words from my mouth. Admittedly it is hard to get people to talk on tape or camera about this sensitive subject. The stigma that has been portrayed by this "growing trend of pill popping lazy loonies" --AJay. Has made people shameful and hidden. Sounds very similar to gay/lesbian people coming out of the closet. However, I did a very impacting interview, that best displays the importance of both therapy and medication. That displays it isn't a hoax. Understandably Sharon age 29 from: as she describes a little bit of everywhere, would like to remain as anonymous as possible.

I would like to explain it is hard to get people to talk on tape or camera about this sensitive subject. The stigma that has been portrayed by this "growing trend of pill popping lazy loonies" --AJay. Has made people shameful and hidden. Sounds very similar to gay/lesbian people coming out of the closet.

Here is the interview verbatim:

Chanele "therockstar": If there isn't anything you don't want to answer feel free not to. Okay?.

Sharon: yeah

Chanele "therockstar": For the audience can you tell us, why are you taking medication and going to therapy?

Sharon: I have been diagnosed with Bi-polar disorder.

Chanele "therockstar":And what does that mean?

Sharon: My mood and feelings changes from being extremely happy and likeable to extremely depressed and suicidal.

Chanele "therockstar": and why is it because of a bad day, family issues boyfriend, what?

Sharon: honestly there isn't a reason for it. If am not taking my medication regularly the chemicals in my brain aren't balanced and I don't react to things normally.

Chanele "therockstar": What do you mean normally? Describe to me a situation.

Sharon: Well, I have had several bad situations but, the worse happened about a year ago, I found out my father had passed away and I became very light headed, dizzy and extremely angry. At that time I didn't know why I was so angry but, after having time to look back it was because he left me and I hadn't seen him since I was 10 years old and he had the nerve to up and die To leave me again but, this time forever. I was in a fog I went out to a party and refused to drink because for some reason I wanted to feel this anger. I went to the bathroom and threw up but when I went to the sink to wash my face. I punched the mirror broke it, picked up a big piece and started cutting deep into my thighs and arms. Not to kill myself to feel something anything other than being mad at him. I kept cutting until I woke up in a hospital bed strapped down. I didn't even remember it happening for 3 days it was like a dream where you only remember parts of it.

Chanele "therockstar": wow, how did your mom feel about this?

Sharon: She was angry, said I just wanted attention. A doctor there tried to recommend I go to a therapist since I tried to kill myself. I told him didn't want to kill myself, and my mom kept interrupting him saying no one tries to commit suicide they do or they don't. She didn't she just wanted attention. She always acts out.

Chanele "therockstar": Did you go to a therapist or doctor?

Sharon: They kept me under suicide watch at the hospital and I some counslor but, I just told them what they wanted to hear so I could go home.

Chanele "therockstar: Did anyone mention being Bi-polar?

Sharon: Yeah, but they also thought I was schizophrenic too. So, I figured I just had another bad day. The next month I was just so, happy I met a guy and when started dating. He was very understanding and didn't judge me. I figured I was so, happy because I was in love. Everyday I was super happy about everything, like a natural high.

Chanele "therockstar": So that is good doesn't sound like you suffer from depression.

Sharon: I was going into a manic mood change, I still had no focus I was still in a fog but, this was a happy fog. So no one cared. I was so happy and even though my grades were slipping and house cleaning wasn't getting done my mom and I was having the greatest relationship ever. We went out shopping which we hadn't done since I was young. I began to uncontrollably cry and couldn't stop. I didn't know why but, I was so sad. She then decided to take e to a therapist.

Chanele "therockstar": Did the therapist put you on medication immediately?

Sharon: Yes. I took it for 2 weeks and still felt the same. My boyfriend broke up with me and I stop taking the medication. One day I decided I wasn't going to leave my bed ever. I was going to stay there what was the point. My mom tried to talk to me and asked if I had been taking my pills I threw the bottle at her saying NO! I didn't eat or drink for 2 days, then I found a bottle vodka under my bed I drank all of it, about a litter. Then I began trashing my room throwing up and crying. It was a bad night my mom came home found me crying in a corner under a coffee table and took me to the hospital. Sharon: From then on I have been medicated and go to my therapist regularly.

Chanele "therockstar": So would you say the medication would work without the therapist?

Sharon: Yes because it is pill that balances out the chemicals in my brain. But, I still need someone to talk to. I don't feel I am ready to do it on my own.

From this interview of many with others very similar, should show that these are diseases that deserve to be acknowledge and treated as any other disease. With understanding, caring, compassion and no judgment.

written by: Chanele"theRockStar" Lovelace http://arockstarproduction.blogspot.com

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