I’ve been vegan for 5 yrs and I also have a lot of health issues as well such as anxiety, depression, and ptsd! The medication I have to take for this is in a gelatin capsule and it comes in no other form. I’ve been through different types of treatments for many years and this is the only thing that helps. I cannot get off of it as it would be really bad for me. Veganism means doing the best you can, it’s impossible for anyone to be 100% vegan as there are some things that contain animal products and you either are unaware or cannot avoid it. But one important thing is that you HAVE to make exceptions for your health! Such as one of the top people in PETA has to take insulin, and she’s gotten called a “hypocrite” for it, but this is simply not true that she’s a hypocrite! People do not understand that health exceptions are 100% ok and needed to be done. Plus the better health you are in, the more you can fight for animals. <3

I’m in the same boat and have learnt to accept that I have to take medication to live, but by continuing to live I can help even more animals

Also, I make myself feel better by realising that just by being vegan I’m doing a lot more than most people when it comes to not exploiting animals.

veg soul sisters… … … I LIKE IT!
Woowoooo! You go lady! *high-five*

I’m so happy i’ve stumbled upon you! who knows, the ways of the universe just may have brought us here, veg soul sisters…. with a couple loose screws. ^_^
Thank you, if only it were just that. You come out of it so much stronger, and I suppose that is an aspect of depression that is beautiful.
Lol, let me give it a try…..
IM A LITTLE FUCKED UP IN THE HEAD AND IM OKAY WITH IT!
Feels pretty liberating so far heh
And I’m also here if you need to talk, I may just message you right now! I must get to know you more!

*hug* I have a theory… that we might be the same person. lol
I relate completely to everything you just said.
“You can’t be the voice for those who can’t speak for themselves when you’re mind is in such a dark place that you don’t even have a voice of your own” You worded the feelings of depression beautifully.
(p.s. I’m always here if you ever want to talk. It really does help to know you’re not as “crazy” as you think everyone thinks you are. I only just got to the point in my life where I really accepted it, and can stand tall -or slightly hunched over- and say “Yeah. My brain doesn’t work the way it’s ‘supposed to’. SUCK IT!” lol)

But yeah, it definitely comes down to a matter of “the greater good”.

Ah, I’m so glad to hear that I’m not the only one with this self-conflict. And Styna I understand where you’re coming from, I am on the meds right now, unfortunatley trying to hop off the happy pills put me in a state of mind that landed me in an emergency room trying to overdose, a nice little stay at the local loony bin because I was at such a risk to myself (twice, sigh:/), selfmedicating, and a very rough year spent in rehabs and psychiatrist offices. I wish it wasn’t the case and I could deal with it on my own, but I can’t. You can’t be the voice for those who can’t speak for themselves when you’re mind is in such a dark place that you don’t even have a voice of your own. The pros definitley outweigh the cons, to fight for animals rights I have to want to be here for them. I think I’m going to try and wean off the medications that i don’t absolutely need, tryout some alternative medicines. More meditation and exercise, things like that. Prozac will have to stay for now, still wish I didn’t have to take a pill to feel like I can get out of bed in the morning. I shouldn’t complain about anything that is helping keep me emotionally and mentally stable so I can see that there is something to fight for- the love and respect of all living beings on mother earth. This definitley turned into me babbling and venting, but I feel better getting it all out and knowing that i’m not the only one. Stay strong lovely ladies, and thanks for the advice and support. VEGANISM IS THE FUTURE

@erinmoretz I agree with Styna. I have type 1 diabetes and need insulin to live. Insulin used to be from pig pancreases and now is made synthetically, but a lot of animal testing was done for that result. Being vegan isn’t about being perfect, but being as compassionate to animals as much as you can. If being off your medication is too much you may have to get back on it. Maybe try homeopathic remedies?

Major Depression Severe w/ Psychotic Tendencies, Generalized Anxiety Disorder, PTSD, EDNOS, Fibromyalgia, and IBS. I feel you.
The way I see it, it’s not alright that our only option is to take medication that has been tested on animals. It’s not our FAULT that it is our only option. At least while being ON the medication, we are giving ourselves a chance to fight for other vegan options. Whereas (if you’re anything like me) without the medication, it wouldn’t happen at all. I get very suicidal without my medication. I can’t help save the animals and fight for alternative medicines if I’m dead.

I have depression, anxiety, hypothyroidism, and a few other illnesses myself, so I know what you mean. I hate that I take all these medications, and I’ve tried removing them from my life, but that just isn’t going to work unfortunately. I’ve googled a few homeopathic treatments, but they’re only slightly helpful. For now, personally, I’m just waiting for something better to come around. It sucks, but depression kind of sucks more sometimes.

I’ve been working step-by-step to veganize all aspects of my life, food, clothing, cosmetics. All that cruelty-free jazz. One major issue i’m having is with prescription medications :/ Unfortunately, clinical depression and thyroid problems run in my family and i’m on Prozac, Synthroid, and an ADD pill called Vayrin (Yes I know, I have a lot of issues xD, I’ve accepted myself okay?). I have tried getting off all the pills before and it did NOT go well, at all. I stayed off for about 3 months and things got progressively worse. Its killing me inside that I’m taking something that exploits animals in some way to take care of my own issues, but on the other hand I am so exhausted, careless, and just overall miserable without the medications, as pathetic as that sounds. Anybody else been in my shoes for this, and if so what did you do? There has to be another way…