I hope that you will have the time to look through the Fluther archives, as depression and mental health services are discussed frequently, and you will find much food for thought and learn that many people have dealt with depression and related Mental Heath disorders.
Depression medications are controversial because what works for one person will be ineffective for another, or worse – might exacerbate their symptoms. It requires close monitoring by the physician, and full disclosure of any symptoms or side-effects by the patient.
I personally have tried medications for my chronic depression and have not done well with them, but that did not prevent me from permitting my son to take them for his anxiety/depression. My son is now 18, but he first was on medication in Junior High School. Earlier this year, he went through a major depressive episode and was hospitalized for a few days. He was reluctant to take medication, and I understood his concern… but here is how I explained it to him:
Some people have biochemical disorders, such as Diabetes, from birth due to genetics; others develop some biochemical disorders through life experiences. In both cases, medication can help regulate those chemicals, and both people will benefit from lifestyle changes and choosing healthier options for themselves. However, for one the medication will be needed always; while for the other, once the lifestyle changes have had time to impact their biochemistry, the medication may no longer be needed. The same statement is true for mental health disorders like anxiety and depression.
My ex-husband’s family history is riddled with anxiety, depression, alcoholism, drug abuse, suicide and overdoses (I don’t know which, if any, were intentional). So in his case, I believe that the disorder is genetic, and that alcoholism and drug abuse came about as a means to ‘self-medicate’. My son agreed to medication and did feel that even a low dose helped him feel better balanced. He chooses not to take it all the time, but now he has a better understanding of his symptoms and the warning signs. He and I talk regularly about how he’s feeling and coping with the stress in his life. At the moment he is doing well, but I know that he won’t always… so I keep a sharp eye on him.
Here’s one earlier post about depression that you might find helpful:
http://www.fluther.com/disc/9545/have-you-ever-battled-on-going-depression-and-if-so-how/
I hope that you will soon find an effective way to handle your depression and to help your parents open their minds to understanding that it is a chemical disorder… I hope the Diabetes analogy helps. Know that you have support here in the Jelly collective, and reach out to us via Questions or Private Messages whenever. Best wishes to you!