But here's the problem with putting depression treatment in the "non-essential expenses" category, unless your depression is mild. Having depression can bring your life to a screeching halt. It can make everything seem like a huge effort, like when you have a bad flu, and your cognitive abilities can suffer. Naturally, depression can seriously compromise your attitude and ability to rise above challenges.
Are you having trouble making ends meet because you lost your job? Trust me, job-hunting is infinitely more difficult if you're depressed. Job-hunting is a hell of a lot of work, and you have to have a positive attitude. Not going to happen if you're depressed.
Managing a tight budget takes a lot of concentration, and is in itself a lot of work. Searching for bargains, coming up with ways to stretch your money - all of these require you to be at your best. If you're depressed and can barely get through your day, you are at the opposite end of the competence spectrum from your "best."
To be honest, I would pay for my depression treatment before I'd pay for my MS treatment. (I'd just cross my fingers and hope that our financial situation would improve before too many lesions hit my brain). I know that if I'm depressed it will affect my day to day existence, my relationship with my husband and son and very likely my job performance.
Before you decide to cut out depression treatment, talk to your doctor. Maybe he or she has some ideas, and probably has enough medication samples to tide your over for a couple of months. There might be a local mental health clinic that works on a sliding scale (you pay what you can afford based on your earnings). There might be a way to get low-cost or even free medication.
Most of us are going to face enormous challenges till the economy improves. If you suffer from depression, don't cut out your treatment until you've explored all options, or you will probably find those challenges nearly insurmountable.
Links
Needymeds.com
Low Cost Depression Treatment
