Antidepressant Drugs: Yay or Nay?

In most of my life, I was put on antidepressant medications from Ritalin at age 4 to Prozac and Abilify at age 27 to most recently Lamotrigine and Lorazepam at age 33 last year by doctors my parents selected and they all were trial and error meds. Even vaccines and processed foods contain artificial additives that my body hates. Meds are even increasing in cost that even insurance companies and GoodRx cannot make any affordable. Going the natural way might be best if I could find what benefits me most. I was even told by a couple of people not to take meds, while some say you must take some. Yay or Nay?

Talk to your doctor. It's like looking on WebMD because you sneezed only to be told you have cancer. A doctor is a doctor for a reason. Explain how you feel, ask about cheaper options, get a second opinion if you have to, but don't go to "opinions" from strangers online . I get that you're looking for info, but a doctor (as you know) will certainly be able to inform you much better. One question from me. Ritalin at age four? Why so young? You barely have a grasp on your own emotions at that age.

Ya, I seriously doubt we have many medical experts on here. And there are MANY people online who think they are medical experts, but are not in any way, shape, or form. It can be very dangerous to self medicate. @yaashat Not sure where you are from, but it not exactly uncommon for children in the US to be given Ritalin (they tried to put me on it when I was 6). The big drug companies are very big here, and actively bribe doctors to give out as many prescriptions as possible. Ritalin is often presented as a way to "correct behavioral problems" in young children here.

I was put on Ritalin at eight years old. I only ask because it's really hard to gauge emotions at that young. I wouldn't do that to my son. I was just curious since four is REALLY young for drugs like that. Remember, Ritalin is in the meth family. Not saying it doesn't have it's place, though. I grew up right at the beginning of the "Your kid is acting up? Gotta be ADD/ADHD. Better dope them up." era.