I am reading a book "Too Soon Old Too Late Smart" by Gordon Livingston MD in one chapter he is talking about how he has people wanting to get medications. Here is what he tells them: The good news is that we have effective treatments for the symptoms of depression; the bad news is that medication will not make you happy. Happiness is not simply the absence of despair. It is an affirmative state in which our lives have both meaning and pleasure. He goes on to say that Medication is seldom enough. He says we are always talking about what we want, what we need, what we intend. He goes on to say that These are dreams and wishes and are of little value in changing our mood. Here is the profound part, we are not what we think or what we say, or how we feel. We are what we do. The 3 components of happiness are something to do, something to love, and something to look forward to. Think about it if we have useful work, sustaining relationships and the promise of pleasure it is hard to be unhappy. I can 'say' that I will take my pills but unless I do, I won't feel better, I can go to therapy, read books, study on the internet etc, but unless I DO these things they are just promises/dreams etc. I have been trying really hard to 'do' by taking my medicine, visiting my psychiatrist, seeing a counselor, doing my 'homework' from my counselor etc. I am super excited to see what she has in store for me and what assignments I will get. I have been doing my breathing exercises and working on anxiety stuff as well. It has been very helpful.
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