Depression

[Guest]

I'm so depressed. I have nightmares continuously while I sleep and cry myself to sleep often. Life just doesn't seem worthwhile. Usually coming here cheers me up a bit, but it's just not working lately.

Sorry. Just wanted to vent.

 

[Bluenose]

Did you ever think of getting professional help

 

[lavender]

 

[Guest]

I've seen 3 therapists and just had the dosage on my meds doubled. Nothing seems to work. But thanks for not flaming me. I was kind of scared to post under my regular name.

 

[Never]

I'm so depressed. I have nightmares continuously while I sleep and cry myself to sleep often. Life just doesn't seem worthwhile. Usually coming here cheers me up a bit, but it's just not working lately.

Sorry. Just wanted to vent.

It's okay to vent, and Lit is a good place for it but it's also good to speak with your friends and family about things like these. I know having people in RL who care for and support me and understand what I'm going through has always helped.

 

[Guest]

Thank you, Never. Maybe I will do that.

 

[lavender]

 

[Never]

lavender, it's impossible for an unregistered user to PM another person.

 

[lavender]

 

[miles]

It's very common to tweak the dosage before they take effect. It sounds like you have a good doctor who is doing just that. Antidepressants take time before they begin working. A few days for some people, one to two weeks for others. Just hang in there - you WILL feel better. Been there and done it, but didn't get the t-shirt.

If you'd like to talk, PM or email me.

 

[morninggirl5]

Depression is a disease, I think we're all mature enough to recognize that fact and act accordingly.

That said, if you need a shoulder or just want to talk to another human being, PM or e-mail me.

 

[se detruire]

Thank you all for your kind words and advice.

 

[Starfish]

Well, I sure know why you opted to hide you identity.

My mother suffers from depression and it is so overwhelming.
Meds usually end up causeing dependancy and more suffering from the side effects.

I had some depression as a teen and it comes and goes now. I don't see a doctor for it, because pills arn't an option I am willing to take, so I do things like paint, craft other stuff, garden (get out for walks), take bubble baths while listening to good, relaxing music. As for sleep disturbances... here is a miricle that few know about, and although you may think it is weird, I gaurentee it will help calm your nerves, if not knock you out into a great sleep....

A cup of hot Catnip tea. Just take regular Catnip and steep it in boiling water and then strain out the bits when it is golden colored. Add honey and you are in for some solid rest that is really refreshing.

My friend started to have sleeping problems, and I have always had them, so upon trying this, I was cured of insomnia. What is great is that there are no side effects, and you really feel refreashed when you wake. Not drowsy and gross, like sleeping pills can do.

I really wish you luck.

 

[Starfish]

MG, nothing personal cause you are so cool, but depression is a disorder, not a disease.

Depression is caused by chemical imbalances in the brain associated with improper neurological transmission and even can be brought on by improper nutrition... especially that of a vit B6 and B12 deficientcies which can lead to imbalances, such as Cortizone, Saratonin and Melatonin




Depression FAQ and Help page


Supplimental Help

More supplimental help


Psychiatrist want you to believe that their 'cures' are the only way. This is utterly false... considering that most depression stems from deficientcies....

Diet is very important in maintaining mental health!!!!!!!!

 

[morninggirl5]

MG, nothing personal cause you are so cool, but depression is a disorder, not a disease.

No problem, Starfish. And you're right, it is a disorder. My problems with the term "disorder" due to my psych background have resulted in an avoidance of the term as much as possible.

 

[shadowsource]

More solutions

Yes, seek help, by all means. But try to exercise regularly. It has a fabulous way of circulating oxygen, esp. in your brain. Yoga's extremely useful and relaxing as well. You'll feel more in command of yourself, more in touch, and you'll be flat-out stronger in every way. It's worth the effort, but don't set up a regime and then dis yourself for failing to achieve it - that's another depressive trick. Essentially, be nice to yourself by getting into motion.

 

[nasty]

Depression SUCKS

BELIEVE ME!!!!! I was never very good at making friends in school, so consequently, I don't have much of a social life. Just be happy with the fact that your alive and kicking. Although, I know it's hard to get up if you don't have much to look forward to. TRUST ME, I've spent over 15 hours in bed, because getting up to a life that isn't exactly their is almost IMPOSSIBLE!!!!!!!! But you MUST ALWAYS remember, as much as life doesn't seem "worthwhile",(I've contemplated suicide,)IT IS WORTHWHILE!!!!!!!!!! And, it will get better. NEVER forget, "Life is what you make of it." You must think positive NO MATTER WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[batter]

depression

the mrs suffers from depression and takes her meds daily for it.
the way i see it is you need a good doctor who can spot it and then the trick is to find the right kind of med or combination of meds to help control it.
close monitoring of the meds by the doctor is important to make sure the meds are doing what they are supposed to do.
some meds work better for others obviously which is why a knowledgeable doctor is vital.
support is key as well so "coping skills" are learned and able to be used by the sufferer.
the mrs started out on Prozac which helped and then didnt, and was switched to Paxel (?) which didnt do so well later on and now is on Effexor (?). it has done great for her for a long time.
she still suffers from depression, but the periods of when she has her bouts with it are farther and farther apart.
being a sufferer is NOT anything to be ashamed of and there are lots of support groups on the net.
although it is rough on the sufferer, it is also tough on family and friends as well and takes a lot of patience and understanding for all.
things do get better. there is always a light at the end of the tunnel.

 

[miles]

Starfish

Meds usually end up causeing dependancy and more suffering from the side effects.

That's simply not true, and it's the type of statement that prevent some people from seeking treatment - they are afraid of getting "hooked" on their medication.

Anti-depressants ARE NOT tranquilizers or habit forming in any way.

 

[teresafannin]

Miles is correct about anti=depressants. I take Paxil for my depression & it has helped me immensely. I am lucky in that I have a wonderful therapist & a doctor who work with me to help me get through this. I resisted taking meds for 18 months & finally got to the point where I couldn't cope with anything. The 2 year anniversary of my son's death is coming up & I feel like I am better able to deal with the upcoming memorials. There are many good therapists out there, keep looking until you find one. You have to be honest with them, it took me awhile to feel totally comfortable with the therapist I see. My dad suffers from clinical depression & would not have survived the deaths of 3 of his grandsons without the medications.

 

[Merelan]

I just want to hug you all... each and every one of you. Hug you, stroke your head and make it all magically better.
Damn it. I am blessed, truly blessed to have found such a board as this. Jokes and humur, politics and anger...
Yet... when a fellow friend, stranger whomever reaches out for help. You all jump in and help.

You helped me just by answering their post. Made me smile a bit to know you are all mature enough to put diifferences aside and reach out when it matters.

Catnip tea huh? Hmm... eyeing the neighbors cats toy and her claws. Nope. Not taking hers away, not worth it. Have to find it somewhere else.

 

[CelticsHeart]

Self limiting

Well,

to offer up hope to you I want to tell you that Depression is a "self limiting" condition. What I mean is that a persons mood is like a wave, a happy peak an unhappy trough. In normal life we have peaks and troughs and cope with it, in mood disorders these peaks and troughs are greater than the body or the minds ability to cope. They are also bigger in magnitude. This is what leads to mania and depression.

There are two schools of thought on this:

1 That chemical intervention is a must. I can tell you that IN FACT these tablets do cause a dependancy of sorts. They artificially enhance the flow of chemical neuro-transmitters. They have to be discontinued over time, or the brain does not realise that it has to step up its own production to compensate for the withdrawl. They also have a psychological effect of some. By that I mean that there are people who rely on the crutch of the pill to ensure that they will no longer become ill.

2. That depression is a time limited disorder. It will improve all by itself, as the mood moves along its wave formation.

I am not just shooting shit here either guys - I was a Psychiatric therapist for 9 years prior to leaving the NHS to join the pharmaceutical industry ( marketing Anti-depressants).

I would like to say this too, members of my own family have suffered from depression and I urged they try whatever it took to lift the mood. Then I made sure that they continued to take it for 6 months post- recovery to make sure it would have the best chance of working. I am an advocate of ECT in some selected cases and would not hesitate to have it if I required to, although barbaric to some people I know it works.

I feel for your situation. The advice regarding exercise so good but how do you exercisewhen you can barely get out of bed?

Reach out to all around you and let them help you. Family, friends, Lit or anyone who cares, just remember there is an end to your road and a brighter day ahead!

Hugs,

Heart xxx

 

[miles]

Celtic

I don't know where you are getting your information. Depression is self-limiting for SOME people. Others have it for a lifetime and it does not go away by itself (dysthymia). I don't know of anyone nor has any doctor ever told me to discontinue using them to allow a brain to "Step up its own production" to overcome the withdrawal.

Please be careful what you say.

 

[desireswithin]

Thank you from the bottom of my heart...

Unregistered,

I want to thank you so very much for posting your message. I'm sorry that you have depression, but not sorry that you shared this by your post. What you have written has helped me tremendously and because of you and some of the responses that were made, I've made a call to my doctor and will finally do something about the way I'm feeling. I also want to thank Miles for his insight in regards to taking medication.

I have been scared to death to see a doctor because lots of times they have a tendency to think it's all in your head. Yes, I have a beautiful son, a husband, a wonderful family....I'm supposed to be happy all of the time.....then why am I feeling like this?

It seems that since the birth of my son, which is many years, I've been like this. I've also discovered that I'm in the wrong marriage, but am afraid to speak up. All of these things, along with being at the age when peri-menopause starts to develop is so overwhelming to me at times. There are some days when it's so much easier to not get washed or dressed. I have a difficult time leaving the house some days.

Thank you all for displaying warmth and caring with this posting...it's been a godsend to me. I feel like I'm not alone and that is a wonderful blessing. Thank you, again.

Desireswithin

 

[Tabby432]

How long do you wait until there's no doubt that you're not going to get better on your own?

I can't sleep, eat, I have nightmares, and I'll start crying for no reason. It doesn't take a brain surgeon to know I'm depressed. It's been going on for about a week and a half... that it's been this bad anyway... but when do you know that you can't deal with it on your own? I don't want to talk to anyone about it. I just want to get back to normal.

Anyone have any answers?