Antidepressants

[Guest griever]

السلام عليكم

I am someone who has been diagnosed with depression and social anxiety disorder due to serotonin deficiency. I have seen that antidepressants (SSRIs) work for me but when I take them I feel like I'm a different person. I also feel less inhibited and may even consider Islamic things less important.

I notice that when I am depressed I spend more time in prayer and studying Islam because in a depressed state I am more introspective and conscious of my role as a mortal creation and of the despair that is inherent in a life without Allah from whom all Hope is derived.

I don't know what to do. I feel like I'm in a state of constant suffering and though Allah provides me just enough strength to overcome it so that I don't fall to utter perdition in terms of suicide or complete social withdrawal (though I contemplate it at times, especially the latter), this medication can boost me up in an easier way. The struggle, the burden is lifted without any effort, but in the process I lose "me" and I feel alienated from my "soul" and its realization of the rights Allah has upon it.

I apologize if I can't articulate myself properly. I just don't know whether I should be "me" and face this struggle or take a medication to assuage all my discomforts in one fell swoop. 

If you have any advice or know of any ahadith the Aimmah عليهم السلام said about the constant struggle of depression or any struggle that seems futile from a worldly perspective, I would greatly appreciate it.

Thank you

في امان الله

[Islandsandmirrors]

I know how you feel. I'm bipolar and on a mood stabilizer.

sometimes, if you've been depressed for a while, you tend to think of it as your identity. You believe your more spiritual when you are depressed, which is similar to how I felt. 

But understand this is not true. Your spirituality doesn't come with depression.

[salman1]

As-salam-un-alykum brother/sister,

 

Thanks for sharing your story. Yes, it is true that SSRIs are prescribed for Social Anxiety disorder and depression. But, you need to understand, that SSRIs are part of the treatment regimen. The other half is CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy). Unless, you have other conditions such as bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, where the medications are a necessity, you should not be relying purely on medications. The goal should be to use the medications as a stepping stone, while you simultaneously undergo CBT. By using CBT, you can gradually taper down your medications.

I encourage you to get in touch with a psychiatrist who will assist you with cognitive behavioral therapy. Your primary care provider/family doctor/GP may have the prescription power to write you a prescription, but they are not trained to CBT. Ask your Doctor about Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) and ask for a referral for a psychiatrist if the Doctor does does not do CBT. Yes, it's true that SSRIs do have their side effects. But they are a better choice vs other meds, which have a poorer safety profile.

 

Inshallah, I pray things work out for you.

 

Salman

Edited May 4, 2017 by salman1

[hasanhh]

Did you have your blood sugar checked?

Hypoglycemia -like from plasma glycogen- will produce aspects of depression.

l question if you really are clinically depressed if you study in a focused manner.

@starlight --Critique my post,