I'm Still Human: Understanding Depression With Kindness (Expanded Edition - 2021)

methods (page 122). To some, it may be easier to take medicines
than focusing on other methods that require more effort – it’s their
choice and we should respect the choice. I usually use both
methods; antidepressants for short term and the rest
(counseling/psychotherapy and non-medication methods) for long
term and relapse prevention.
Often in a Malaysian setting, by the time people are willing to seek
help from a psychiatrist; the depression is usually rather severe –
Antidepressants and other medicines are needed for stabilization
while working on other methods. So, if
you wish to recover fast from
depression without the use of
medicines - seek help early.
4. I don’t want to be addicted to medicine. I want to do be able
to do something besides taking medicine.
Antidepressants are NOT sleeping pills or tranquilizers
(which excessive usage can easily cause addiction). Antidepressants
are extremely unlikely to be addictive. Besides taking
antidepressants, there are many other things that you need to do
for recovery (page 122). So, you are not relying only on
antidepressants. In fact,
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