How do I get over the shame of having to take Prozac for the rest of my life?
Hi, there. How about realizing that millions of people are taking Prozac or other antidepressants? If you were diabetic, would you be ashamed of having to take insulin for the rest of your life? The worse shame would be letting depression go untreated. I'm pretty sure I'll have to be on medication the rest of my life - I'd rather not, but I'd rather not be depressed even more. You don't have to tell anyone, if it bothers you that much, except your doctors. Good for you for taking it! Thanks for writing in and let us know if we can be of any further help.
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Pizaluvr
Wednesday, November 04, 2009 at 02:15 PM
Hi, I totally agree with Juday. It is nobody's business what meds you take...duh. I use to take prozac, but my doctor gave it to me to try and help me loose weight. So you see, it can have many uses. But you do not have to tell people what meds you are taking, I would not. Or you could have some fun with it...I have a fungis want to shake hands; and watch them run
Tell no one, it is your business, just take care of yourself. sherry/smomdukes
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Pizaluvr
Thursday, November 05, 2009 at 01:43 PM
Smomdukes,
Thanks so much for your reply. I think it's a weakness thing with me! I'm working on it though. I appreciate the humor in your response! 
Mental illness is something people used to be ashamed of, but more and more it is becoming known as a real illness. It is not something we can help anymore than someone with cancer or diabetes. I take zoloft, and when I do tell someone, I almost always find out that they too are on some sort of anti-depressant or have had a time in their life when they were on one. It was so hard for me to begin taking it, but along with that, I am also working on A LOT of my issues, and taking a really good multi-vitamin, fish oil and b-complex for stress. I feel that eventually I will be able to wean from the zoloft and just do the natural way. For now with all of my issues from my past and the problems I have right now, I need this little tool to help me through. You may find that one day, with therapy and other things that you may be able to wean off too :) Good luck to you!
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You have gotten some great advice, arent you glad you asked. this may not help everyone but as a parent of a bipolar daugher, i found alot of answers and support by searching web for mental illness chats(as well as other info about)!!!!!!! it has really help me get thru my issues of FINALLY understanding and blaming myself for not seeing it LONG ago(lord knows the signs were there that she was SCREAMING out for help for many years) and now i am more able to be there for and support her!:-). its nothing to be ashamed of!!!! its an illness!!! Good luck
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Judy,
Thanks so much for your response. I have been on and off of Prozac for years. I guess I thought maybe I worked out my issues, and I'm "ok." What I didn't realize is that a lot of this is chemical. I can't help it. I really believe that the only reason I stopped taking it in the past was due to shame. I am working on that now. I have to figure out a way to overcome the shame so I don't put myself in that position again. I am actually going through it right now. I went off six weeks ago, and now I am going back on because I am so afraid of dealing with the anxiety again. I appreciate your response.