Depression:
Yes, an increasing number of people are taking anti-depressants, in part because we’re realizing how common depression is in our society. Medication is not always required to treat depression. It depends on the severity of symptoms and often the dedication of the client to exercise new skills. I support medication when it is medically indicated. This cannot be prescribed by a counselor but more likely your family physician or a psychiatrist.
If you are trying to determine if you are depressed, there are a few questions you may want to ask yourself. Is your sleeping pattern disrupted? Have you lost or gained 15-20 pounds of more in recent weeks, or within a couple of months? Do you have suicidal thoughts or do you harm yourself to try and feel better? Have you become more isolated from friends or family? Are your thoughts leading you to believe your situation is helpless? All of these and others are signs of depression. Many people overlook anger as a feature of depression because it appears to be an emotion that represents power, which is not indicative of what we believe depression is “supposed” to look like. Depression is not always the person who stays in bed for three days, but it can be. To determine if depression is a part of your situation, seek out a professional. Depression is treatable.