I’ve seen an article floating around social media regarding how difficult it might be for people to wean off of antidepressants, and it worries me. Medication for depression saves lives, but we stigmatize it so much in our culture that people who could probably really benefit from taking them won’t even consider it for all sorts of reasons.

Yes, antidepressants may be difficult to wean from, particularly if the underlying issues are still there. Is that worry worth sacrificing a chance at feeling normal again? At feeling happy? Not for me. I take antidepressants and medication for ADHD; depression and ADHD are co-morbid in a lot of cases. I am a happier person, a better parent and partner, and a more effective teacher when I take my medication. There are side effects, some that I really wish weren’t there, but overall, I couldn’t imagine living the way I used to, before I realized what was happening. It makes me sad that there are people who could live a much better life, but won’t because they are afraid the medication will “change” them or get them addicted or whatever.

I have so much more to say about this, but my daughter, who is lovely, keeps talking to me about everything going on in her life. I need to go and listen to that while I still can, because it’s important. She’s telling me about who’s in her Hmong CLAnD class and what they are doing. I’m off to do that.