Depression

iuparrothead · Post by **iuparrothead** » February 2, 2005 4:14 pm

ejr wrote:Two points to make here:

1) There is a difference between being depressed, and having depression. All of us get depressed from time to time. True depression is something far different that that, and far more encompassing.

2) One of the things I have learned from friends, and from my reading, is that successful treatment of depression involved both pharmaceutical and psychological treatment--not just one or the other.

Right on. You so smart ejr!

Agreed. The key is how chronic and debiliating the blues are... if it begins keeping someone from their daily routines then that's a big red flag.

ejr · Post by **ejr** » February 2, 2005 4:32 pm

iuparrothead wrote:
ejr wrote:Two points to make here:

1) There is a difference between being depressed, and having depression. All of us get depressed from time to time. True depression is something far different that that, and far more encompassing.

2) One of the things I have learned from friends, and from my reading, is that successful treatment of depression involved both pharmaceutical and psychological treatment--not just one or the other.
Right on. You so smart ejr! Agreed. The key is how chronic and debiliating the blues are... if it begins keeping someone from their daily routines then that's a big red flag.

It's that Chicago/IU/Buffett thing!

PA PAR8 HED · Post by **PA PAR8 HED** » February 3, 2005 11:44 am

DonnaKayDunbar wrote:I dealt with Seasonal Affective Disorder every winter when I was living in Michigan... upon moving to Florida I haven't had a day of it.

Maybe you need a change in latitude?

Can you really attribute your change to the move? I have been wondering if that would make a difference.

ph4ever · Post by **ph4ever** » February 3, 2005 1:38 pm

PA PAR8 HED wrote:
DonnaKayDunbar wrote:I dealt with Seasonal Affective Disorder every winter when I was living in Michigan... upon moving to Florida I haven't had a day of it.

Maybe you need a change in latitude?
Can you really attribute your change to the move? I have been wondering if that would make a difference.

considering Florida gets tons more sunshine and is tons warmer than Michigan I can see it happening.......

MelliJellyBean · Post by **MelliJellyBean** » February 3, 2005 4:44 pm

ph4ever wrote:
PA PAR8 HED wrote:
DonnaKayDunbar wrote:I dealt with Seasonal Affective Disorder every winter when I was living in Michigan... upon moving to Florida I haven't had a day of it.

Maybe you need a change in latitude?
Can you really attribute your change to the move? I have been wondering if that would make a difference.

considering Florida gets tons more sunshine and is tons warmer than Michigan I can see it happening.......

yes me too!

LaTda · Post by **LaTda** » February 3, 2005 8:13 pm

wow (((Melli)))

I've been fighting it too so I hear ya. I Even get anxiety attacks that wake me up sometimes. I've been affected by SAD for years also & that is a big part of why I really want to move to Florida. Some of my friends from BW have probably read between the lines in some of my posts at how f'd up my life can get from time to time. I tried zoloft & it didn't help at all but gave me all the side affects. I guess I should try something else.
Just remember youre not alone & if you ever need to talk to someone who can relate pm me at ************

It does help to talk about it, I guess that is what brought me to this thread & got me to say these things in front of strangers.

iuparrothead · Post by **iuparrothead** » February 3, 2005 8:24 pm

On a note about anxiety... I've had sporadic bouts of intense anxiety attacks where I get 6-8 a day for a couple days in a row & then I don't have them for weeks... my doctor suggested I take a low-dose Ativan when the anxiety hits (which in higher doses they give to highly anxious, near psychotic patients in the hospital) and it's worked great. I don't need to be medicated every day, but having something that helps me chill out when I have more intense days has been good for me.

LaTda · Post by **LaTda** » February 3, 2005 8:28 pm

that's awesome info, thanks iup
likewise, I'll get them 5 nights in a row then I won't for a few months..

ph4ever · Post by **ph4ever** » February 3, 2005 8:29 pm

LaTda wrote:wow (((Melli)))
I've been fighting it too so I hear ya. I Even get anxiety attacks that wake me up sometimes. I've been affected by SAD for years also & that is a big part of why I really want to move to Florida. Some of my friends from BW have probably read between the lines in some of my posts at how f'd up my life can get from time to time. I tried zoloft & it didn't help at all but gave me all the side affects. I guess I should try something else.
Just remember youre not alone & if you ever need to talk to someone who can relate pm me at ************
It does help to talk about it, I guess that is what brought me to this thread & got me to say these things in front of strangers.

I would say you need to talk more to your doc sweetie

iuparrothead · Post by **iuparrothead** » February 3, 2005 8:38 pm

I think finding the right internist for you is important too. I see 6 different specialists that all suit me just fine, but I've had a hell of a time finding the right internist. I'm on my third different one right now, but I'm about to switch to a new one. You have to be able to have an honest and open relationship where your doc really listens to you and makes recomendations based specifically on your condition... and I've yet to find one since I've moved to Chicago. The doc that helped me with my anxiety problems was back in Indiana. Remember, you're the customer and if your doc isn't helping you find a satisfactory course of action then try a new doc.

ph4ever · Post by **ph4ever** » February 3, 2005 8:44 pm

Very well said Ann. I've encountered doctors that had the worst attitude - it was if what you said and how you felt did not matter. They knew more about how you were feeling than you did.

msu#1 · Post by **msu#1** » February 3, 2005 8:50 pm

Ive known people on meds, they got off them and the thing that worked best was talking with counselor. I've often been tempted to go, but its to much money and spring breaking it with friends or the tanning booth works for me and its both cheaper.

MelliJellyBean · Post by **MelliJellyBean** » February 10, 2005 1:26 pm

i'm having such an overwhelming day and i'm not sure how to calm myself *sigh*

IsleReef · Post by **IsleReef** » February 10, 2005 1:36 pm

MelliJellyBean wrote:i'm having such an overwhelming day and i'm not sure how to calm myself *sigh*

Deep breaths.............. Take a few deep breaths and think of something happy............. I've been weening off of my anti-depressent and am having some bad days................There are a few monkeys I need to shake off my back and its not a fun process......... I'm with ya Mel........

big hat carmen · Post by **big hat carmen** » February 10, 2005 2:06 pm

MelliJellyBean wrote:i'm having such an overwhelming day and i'm not sure how to calm myself *sigh*

One of my primary stress, anxiety & depression "cures" is listening to Jimmy's music and talking to my friends. But you need to find what works for you. Anyone who tells you that there is one easy answer is wrong.

Melli, you have a double dose of problems, you need a doctor or therapist who can relate to both sets of symptoms, this is not easy to find. Ann's advice to keep looking for the one who can relate to your individual problems and you can relate to, is great advice.

On the issue of medication, my opinion (occupation psychiatric social worker)
is that meds will off take the edge off of the symptoms so that we can concentrate on learning new coping skills and making some changes in how we look at things. Rememvber that anxiety and depression are illnesses, try not to be so hard on yourself, you are in good company. I work at a community mental health center and I am amazed at the number of people inpacted by these problems. My knowledge of medication and how it works is both professional and personal.

Feel free to PM me, if you want.

Take care of yourself.

PHBeerman · Post by **PHBeerman** » February 10, 2005 2:17 pm

Melli I think you will find that many of us suffer from the same problems. I have been on Wellbutrin for a couple years, and it has helped. But it cannot do it alone. When I am hit with a really bad day, I make sure I work out. This will release endorphins which help alot. (At least this works for me.)

IsleReef · Post by **IsleReef** » February 10, 2005 2:19 pm

PHBeerman wrote:Melli I think you will find that many of us suffer from the same problems. I have been on Wellbutrin for a couple years, and it has helped. But it cannot do it alone. When I am hit with a really bad day, I make sure I work out. This will release endorphins which help alot. (At least this works for me.)

Troy is right on with that............... It may be easier said than done, but when I am having a bad day, I go to the indoor town pool and do a few laps and sit in the sauna................. It does help.......

MelliJellyBean · Post by **MelliJellyBean** » February 10, 2005 2:19 pm

PHBeerman wrote:Melli I think you will find that many of us suffer from the same problems. I have been on Wellbutrin for a couple years, and it has helped. But it cannot do it alone. When I am hit with a really bad day, I make sure I work out. This will release endorphins which help alot. (At least this works for me.)

I haven't gotten the chance to work out yet today, but I've been excercising like fiend. It helps for a little while, really.

big hat carmen · Post by **big hat carmen** » February 10, 2005 2:32 pm

MelliJellyBean wrote:
PHBeerman wrote:Melli I think you will find that many of us suffer from the same problems. I have been on Wellbutrin for a couple years, and it has helped. But it cannot do it alone. When I am hit with a really bad day, I make sure I work out. This will release endorphins which help alot. (At least this works for me.)
I haven't gotten the chance to work out yet today, but I've been excercising like fiend. It helps for a little while, really.

I applaud the courage that many people are showing. You have done so much to help me in my job and to remove the stigma of mental illness.

I remember feeling funny when I filled my first prescription for Prozac, only to learn the local pharmacy was out of it. That is when I realized just how many of us are getting the help we need.

MelliJellyBean · Post by **MelliJellyBean** » February 10, 2005 2:40 pm

big hat carmen wrote:
MelliJellyBean wrote:
PHBeerman wrote:Melli I think you will find that many of us suffer from the same problems. I have been on Wellbutrin for a couple years, and it has helped. But it cannot do it alone. When I am hit with a really bad day, I make sure I work out. This will release endorphins which help alot. (At least this works for me.)
I haven't gotten the chance to work out yet today, but I've been excercising like fiend. It helps for a little while, really.
I applaud the courage that many people are showing. You have done so much to help me in my job and to remove the stigma of mental illness.

I remember feeling funny when I filled my first prescription for Prozac, only to learn the local pharmacy was out of it. That is when I realized just how many of us are getting the help we need.

I agree - I hate this idea that you are weak if you are depressed and that you aren't really sick. But it is an illness. i feel so embarrassed sometimes.