I have been living with depression since a teenager and after so many years, I recently finally started receiving psychotherapy (CBT). While I’m already seeing some modest changes in my thinking patterns, my therapist noted that in the last few weeks the severity of the condition is worsening and it might be a good time to talk with my primary care provider about antidepressants as a combination therapy.

This got a reaction out of me, specifically that I don’t like the idea of chemically altering my mental state and losing access to what “I really feel” (as I perceive it).

I know that the logic behind this sentiment is not very solid, but we can’t reason ourselves out of our feelings that easily. For me this is also challenging because I don’t take any recreational substances that affect my mental state, so I can’t tell to myself that it’s like e.g. smoking weed only more targeted and supervised.

I’m curious if this sentiment is familiar to anyone else, and how you dealt with it (

  • agrammatic@feddit.deOP
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    3
    ·
    1 year ago

    What makes you feel that your current state is what you “really feel”? Who decides that?

    That may be the most crucial question my therapist should ask me. The answer that’s top of mind is “this is all I ever was since I can remember, so it has to be real even if it’s bad”. I can tell how shaky the logic is but it’s convincing to me.

    Thanks, you provided me with some great questions and I’ll discuss those with my therapist.