Depression

[leftofthedial]

talk to me.

[SeattleGirl]

1. Diagnosed over 15 years ago, and taking meds.

Stopped once, under the common misconception that I was "fixed." NOT. Probably gonna be on anti-depressants the rest of my life, but that's cool. Whatever works, I say.

[leftofthedial]

6. other than the hassle of taking drugs daily,

what are the downsides to anti-depressants if any?

[Jade Fox]

54. On some people...

they seem to act a lot like speed. I've got a co-worker on some sort of anti-depressant, and she is either so up she's a little scary, or she's crashing.

It's hard not to think this woman might be better off simply dealing with her feelings un-medicated than how she is. She isn't happy when she's up, just cranked. But, it's easy to diagnose others, so I'll stop.

[wildhorses]

2. been battling it since I was 4

I had a strange childhood...

[leftofthedial]

7. are things better?

[wildhorses]

12. I have my good days and my bad days...

I have not been officially diagnosed (yes, I am the one vote that is getting help from alternative sources....ahem)


A lot of mine has to do with the situation I find myself in at this juncture of my life...



BTW this place helps a lot



thanks for asking
:hug:

[leftofthedial]

30. I'm at a weird, depressing juncture in my own life

and DU does help

:hug:

[BikeWriter]

3. You called?

[leftofthedial]

9. is it just me, or are the night owls more liely to be depressed?

[BikeWriter]

17. Depressed people are nore apt to be up all night.

[Spider Jerusalem]

4. Diagnosed, unmedicated...

mainly because most of the medications I was prescribed were shite. Effexor was the worst...it raised my blood pressure to worrisome levels and caused orthostatic hypotension (dizziness/lightheadedness/momentary blackout on standing up).

Not currently taking any medication, but I DO need to see about getting something like Xanax for my anxiety.

[leftofthedial]

8. definitely don't be in pain or misery if medication can help

[Nicole]

5. Other: Was diagnosed & took meds

for 6 months. I wouldn't hesitate to take them again if needed. That was over 5 years ago so hopefully it is well behind me.

[ScreamingMeemie]

10. Only a mild version of post partum...more like the "baby blues" even

though I detest that name. Nothing serious at all, that a smile from my babies didn't take care of. :)

[khashka]

11. Diagnosed, unmedicated

My choice.

The side effects of the drugs were fucking awful!

Also, contrary as I am, I prefer being suicidal. At least I understand that! I'm used to it. Happiness? Contentment? I have no clue how to deal with those!

And no I'm not making one of my sick jokes. This really is the god honest truth.

Khash.

[Deja Q]

15. Hmmm...

I recall times in my past when I felt happy.

But within 24 hours I felt just the opposite; as if I didn't deserve to be happy.

It's like for every minute of happiness, we get a minute (or two) of rotten despair.

[leftofthedial]

28. not to make light, but in other words

the truth hurts

[kiraboo]

38. Khaska, that is horrible to read.

I've suffered from depression on and off for as long as I remember. Recently, after seven years depression-free, I had a bout that almost ended my life. Medication and counseling has helped to turn things around. If you are truly somebody who thinks regularly about dying then getting treatment could change your whole world for the better. Just a thought from somebody who knows.

[khashka]

40. It's not as horrible as it used to be

Things are getting better. Therapy and medication made it worse. I finally realized my problem is not biological, not brain chemistry (although my doctors have said that my neurological disorder may be a factor and anyone with my prognosis is bound to feel depressed).

My problem is anger. At the way I was mistreated, abused (sexually, physically, emotionally). But I couldn't express it. I turned it all inward. Against myself.

Surely if this was happening I must deserve it. And if I must deserve it then I must be irredeemably evil. And the only way to get rid of the evil was to get rid of me. I still feel that way, sometimes. But not so much anymore.

And if I'm never truly happy.... well that's OK. At least without the meds, I'm me. And being me ain't so bad.

I wouldn't advise anyone else follow in my footsteps. As you pointed out, meds and therapy can truly save your life. But this works for me. Feeling suicidal is like having coffee in the morning - just one of those everyday things. And I haven't tried to off myself in years.

Like I told my ex, the one thing I am truly good at is surviving.

Khash.

[Redstone]

46. You're a textbook example of PTSD, then.

Yes?

We have that in this house, too. I know the beast well.

Having friends here helps, doesn't it?

Redstone

[khashka]

49. Yeah....

I am. Took me a while to figure that out.

I think I finally figured it out when I couldn't leave my apt because of the fear. Fear of nothing really! What was gonna happen? I was just going to work! And I couldn't do it.

And the severe depression, outbursts of irrational anger, extreme fear and panic.....


Picture this: me and my lover both with PTSD (and his reason and symptoms were so extreme it made me look like a little boy indulging in self-pity.) Talk about a nightmare scenario!

It does surprise me how many people here have PTSD. But it's good to talk and know that others will truly understand.

Khash.

(BTW, when are we gonna talk?)

[Redstone]

50. We'll talk whenever you want to. You sent me a number when I was

in total aggs, didn't you? (I'll have to check the inbox, because I do forget things.)

Or PM me with a reminder and I'll give you my number.

PTSD is genuinely bad stuff, and somewhat random. I should, by every measure, have it but don't. Though I do go off the rails now and again...maybe dealing with Mrs R's PTSD keeps me grounded, I dunno. Helping someone else with worse problems sure help you forget yours, indeed.

Redstone

[Mutley]

13. Very likely.

I don't take anything and haven't been to see anyone about it since I was a teenager.

[Deja Q]

14. Diagnosed; am sensitive to medications.

[supernova]

16. Possible undiagnosed

There is a lot in the med literature about heart patients and depression. I need to explore that further to see if it fits for me. I honestly don't know.

I often feel a will-sapping fatigue that most people don't see and it's worse if it happens during PMS. :P I don't know if meds would help that or not. By now, it's sort of a comfortable cloak of doom. It, however, does not prevent me from performing the activites of daily life.

[blue neen]

18. Diagnosed years ago.

I've tried many different medications and could actually write a book about the experiences! The best med for me at this time is Wellbutrin.

[jukes]

19. quandary:

how do you diagnose clinical depression if the patient has plenty of reasons to be depressed?

[leftofthedial]

29. that's what I wonder

sometimes it's natural to be depressed, although I don't know what purpose it serves

[no name no slogan]

36. Clinical Depression is also physio/medical, not just mental/emotional

Many people (like myself) experience very strong physical symptoms when they have episodes. I get flu-like symptoms where my body aches all over, and I have a stuffed up head. I also find it impossible to do some mundane physical tasks, like getting out of bed, doing the dishes, taking a shower, etc.

Depression is a medical condition-- it's not just a couple weeks of "feeling blue". It can be treated and managed like other medical diseases.

[MissMillie]

20. Diagnosed and treated years ago... no longer necessary

It's a miserable, miserable place to be. I hope I never go there again.

[Blue_Tires]

21. diagnosed years ago

meds seem to have on-off effectiveness

and my therapist is a moron (but bless him; because as a personal favor, he is the only person out there that will see me without insurance)

[seemunkee]

22. Not me but several family members - treated and doing well

Those of us who live with you suffer from watching you, thank goddess everyone in my family is doing OK right now. It been a long road for one person and has taken many different trials and errors to get something that works.
Peace to you all.

[bridgit]

23. nothing a pitcher of hefeweizen & a couple kamikaze's wouldn't...

go toward alleviating :-) :thumbsup:

[Redstone]

48. Sorry, m'dear, not true. Alcohol can make it worse. Not that I am

against alcohol (he says as he takes a sip of his Margarita), but it's contraindicated for a lot of depressed people.

Redstone

[windlight]

24. diagnosed--not taking medication

but i did try to talk to a therapist, and that didn't do squat... then i found Buddhist Meditation and that did wonders... now any time i feel depressed. I take some time out and SIT... after some time at that, I'm back to 'normal' and can get one with my day....

[terrya]

25. Took medication in the past, no longer taking any.

I was diagnosed several years ago. I was taking Welbutrin and Celexa.

No longer taking any medication.

[djeseru]

26. Diagnosed, unmedicated night person.

Was taking Prozac, Effexor, various and sundry...I couldn't stand the emotional half-life anymore, not to mention the horrible side-effects. At least I knew my depression and despair were genuine and I wanted to become involved in life again...I'll never go back to the meds.

I've had the depression surface rather severe here lately but dealing with it rather than supressing it with meds seems a more human way of moving through the world now - for me. Meds may help someone who truly need them. I've found outlets that I can focus on now emotionally that help - a genuine friend, my art, gardening.

[skygazer]

27. Diagnosed bi-polar several year ago, not taking meds

I spent many years on several different meds until I found the right adjustment. I also spent a lot of time in therapy which helped as well. I'm a big believer in the combination - it's good to have someone to vent to.

I hate the term "Depression" for the illness. People who know nothing about it and who've never experienced it think from the name that it's just a feeling of sadness and wonder why you cant' just "pick yourself up." "I get depressed, too," I've heard many times - "I just don't let it get to me." Annoying. They have no clue.

My personal theory and what has helped me to maintain is that I was born this way. This was not caused by any outside factor and NOTHING is ever going to make me "normal." For me, this is normal. Some people would find that right there depressing but I find it empowering. It means that I spend less time trying to get better and more time finding ways to live with the condition I have. I've found many alternate means of coping since I don't have the coping skills so-called "normal" people do. Events that most people can handle without a problem have the potential to send me over the edge so I react to them differently in order to keep on an even keel. It's worked for the most part - in the last 7 years, I've not taken any meds nor have I had a serious episode of either mania or depression. I am not averse to taking meds if I feel I need them, though.

In an odd way, I'm grateful for having this quirk. I think it's made me more thoughtful and compassionate about others and given me insight into how others with bigger problems must feel. And it's made me who I am and I like who I am. Even if I am nuts.

[ghostsofgiants]

31. Other: Good Black Flag song.

[libodem]

32. I've hit several lows in the past

and my Dr. said that as we grow older and the depressions come more frequently and last longer and are more difficult to pull out of...that I should just stay on something. Wellbutrin SR has been good for me. Little side-effect. I was on that Effexor and HATED it. I barfed the first I took it. I have god-awful back pain and am all wound up about the possibility I can't go back to work. Even though we never have had any personal conversations I feel close to Hypno-toad, cuz I've had neck surgery too and can empathize with numbness and tingling and all that nerve pinching torture. Sorry, you felt blue yesterday hypno-toad, I had a funky psychotic mood day yesterday, as well. I always wonder if it is where the planets are?

[Writer]

33. Depression: One of the most painful chronic diseases.

And one of the most stigmatized. I have battled depression since I was 11, and I have learned never to speak about it to anyone else, especially as a woman. Others outside of the psychology realm believe a depressed person is an unstable person.

I have been on and off medication for the last five years (I was diagnosed about six years ago.) I'm not currently taking any, but I'm doing relatively fine. I managed to complete my Master's degree without a single dose and only short periods of therapy, which I consider a great accomplishment of mine. :)

[leftofthedial]

37. good for you

such long-term management of a problem like depression is hardly indicative an unstable person.

[WindRavenX]

34. diagnosed, not medicated

But in therapy.

[no name no slogan]

35. Diagnosed w/ major + episodical -- bio in nature. On meds

I have glandular problems, and the depression is just one symptom of it. I've been taking meds for over a decade and have been able to mostly manage it successfully.

[TimeChaser]

39. Other: Anxiety disorder and borderline depression.

Diagnosed and taking medicine

[maveric]

41. If I posted my adventures in depression the thread would be locked.

No health insurance and cant afford the script.
I want my life and my brain back!

[maxsolomon]

42. Depression is what we call living in 21st century Murka

if being a wage slave with barely any time to enjoy life didn't make you sad you would be a freak.

[TallahasseeGrannie]

43. Long history of it

along with anxiety, agoraphobia and some ocd.

Really struggling in the pits right now. Happens even on the meds.

[Beaverhausen]

44. I was lucky and found a wonderful counselor

She helped me through some very tough times and helped me turn my life around. She helped me gain the tools to overcome the horrible thoughts in my own head and remind myself that happiness is in my own mind and I have the power to make it so.

I don't have biological depression though, just 'situational,' so I know this path is not the right one for everyone.

:hug:

[Redstone]

45. I take an antidepressant, but it's for chronic pain. But that doesn't mean

that I'd not take antidepressants for depression in a heartbeat. Clinical depression is real, and it can kill.

I can't count how many peoploe I've lectured about depression being a chemical imbalance in the brain, just like diabetes is a chemical imbalance in the pancreas. There are SO many people who wouldn't hesitate to take insulin if they were diabetic, yet they think that depression is "weakness" and that they'll get "hooked on the medication."

It's an absolute tragedy.

Redstone

[Ariana Celeste]

47. Diagnosed as a teen, not taking meds today.

I had trouble with the meds I took as a teen, and I also have trouble taking a pill everyday (reason why I switched from the b.c. pill to the shot, in fact- lol!).
I've done (and do) things on my own to help myself- I know that doesn't work for everybody- but it helps me.... most of the time. I still have my occasional lows, but I honestly feel a lot better taking it into my own hands! When I was on meds, I felt like a zombie, my appetite was even worse then normal (low), and I had a tendency to get a little too excitable at times. And quite weird from what I'm told.

I was very lucky in that I had a chance to leave the environment I was in- and move out here to Indiana. My SO wanted me to move in with him, and I jumped at the chance. Being in a new environment, away from all the people I associate negative points of my life with- it's helped me tremendously. I have a dog that I take care of, and she really helps as well. Nothing feels better than knowing my dog is healthy and happy because of *me*.

When I have my low points, I force myself to become active if I can... and sometimes, I just let myself be depressed. I have a very understanding SO who goes through his own low points- we support each other, and we are both a lot happier about life having each other. We know that we can't help ourselves, that sometimes those low points just happen.

Now unfortunately- rather than being depressed all the time, my anxiety issues have been somewhat on the rise and I have trouble leaving my home (or rather, being anymore than a couple blocks *away*). I have even more trouble around crowds. But I figure, you win some and you lose some right? I may have some issues but in general I am a lot happier with myself, my life, and the direction I'm headed (whatever that may be.)

[Arkansas Granny]

51. Diagnosed, tried the meds, felt worse, quit the meds.

[lgreen]

52. diagnosed

diagnosed 6 1/2 years ago. was on Prozac, Zoloft, and Trazadone (to help me sleep) for 3 years, off for 1 1/2, back on for 1. Not on anything at the moment, my husband and I are going on fertility treatments and they pulled me off of everything. I will say that the meds and a good therapist who I still see pretty much saved my life.

[Nikia]

53. My therpaist thinks that I don't have depression but am down

Because of my anxiety disorders. If my anxiety were to lessen, I would not feel depressed.
Actually, a couple of things have made me feel less depressed. I am recovering from anorexia. Before I began eating right, I would want to run away and/or kill myself every morning at work. Once I started wating a decent breakfast, those feelings lessened quite a bit.
I have recently decreased the dose of the beta blocker that I have been taking for 4 years. I feel different, including not feeling as down.
As for the rest of the down feeling, I might feel better if I didn't have such severe anxiety. I go to work every day but I feel disabled. I worry about making it through the day at work every day. I have a hard time going places and if I go, I have a hard time enjoying myself because I am afraid. Maybe, she is right about this making anyone feel down.

[Iniquitous Bunny]

55. Depression in my teens.

I didn't take meds then. Prozac was just coming on the market. I wasn't suicidal, so I opted for therapy. I had post partum depression when I had my youngest son 5 year ago. It was the hormonal trigger initially, but in the process I had to face a lot that was wrong in my life at the time. I should have been on medication and wasn't fully functional (massive sleep problems in particular). I realize that now. I went through some therapy and took some steps to make my life better in multiple ways. I've felt pretty good for about 2 years now and things continue to get better. Definitely not depressed anymore.