Posted by Viridis on March 30, 2004, at 22:32:57
In reply to Does anyone feel weak for taking ADs?, posted by lexman on March 29, 2004, at 19:54:13
As others have already pointed out, there's nothing "weak" or even particularly unusual about taking medication for a medical condition, including depression. The stigma against ADs seems to have diminished a great deal over the last decade or so, and many people talk casually and openly about their AD use nowadays.
A few months ago, I went to a clinic to get some vaccinations for a trip. The doctor (a woman who must have been in her 60s) was very knowledgeable and professional. She looked at the list of psychiatric drugs I take and said something like "Oh, I see you're on a few medications". I was slightly defensive, I guess, and said "well, I need them". Her response was that this was not a criticism -- instead, she felt that people who recognize these disorders and seek appropriate treatment may be some of the sanest people around. She added that she wished more people would acknowledge problems such as depression and seek medical help, and that if they did, society would be better for it.
An interesting perspective from someone who has a lot of experience, yet must have been trained in "old school" medicine and been exposed to older attitudes about mental disorders.
poster:Viridis
thread:330047
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20040329/msgs/330579.html