Your depression story
- Thread starter eminenz2
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Hi Clare,
I know that when I took Prozac & paxil, the sexual side effects were a killer. Wellbutrin & Lexapro don't seem to cause that problem for me, thankfully. Lexapro is like a spinoff of Celexa, more concentrated so you take lower doses, less side effects. I took Celexa for a month or so, but I can't recall the side effects.
Gina
I know that when I took Prozac & paxil, the sexual side effects were a killer. Wellbutrin & Lexapro don't seem to cause that problem for me, thankfully. Lexapro is like a spinoff of Celexa, more concentrated so you take lower doses, less side effects. I took Celexa for a month or so, but I can't recall the side effects.
Gina
candi
Cathlete
Bipolar disorder, Schizophrenia, Psychosis, are definitely organic.
Depression and the Anxiety Disorders fall into a different category. As stated, not all depression is from an organic cause, dysthymic, cyclical or otherwise. The brain will sometimes rewire itself after emotional trauma or chronic stress/abuse (for example, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) or there can be a hereditarial influence either inate or environmental (for example, learned behavior from a chronically depressed parent).
Studies have shown that talk therapy is just as effective if the client actively pursues recovery. The irony is that with depression, motivation is lacking so talk therapy is not the best option. The best option is medication and talk therapy combined. Family participation is ideal because depression of a loved one also affects family members.
Different approaches for different types of depression AND different approaches for different types of people.
Depression and the Anxiety Disorders fall into a different category. As stated, not all depression is from an organic cause, dysthymic, cyclical or otherwise. The brain will sometimes rewire itself after emotional trauma or chronic stress/abuse (for example, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) or there can be a hereditarial influence either inate or environmental (for example, learned behavior from a chronically depressed parent).
Studies have shown that talk therapy is just as effective if the client actively pursues recovery. The irony is that with depression, motivation is lacking so talk therapy is not the best option. The best option is medication and talk therapy combined. Family participation is ideal because depression of a loved one also affects family members.
Different approaches for different types of depression AND different approaches for different types of people.
Hello Susan:
I also suffer from depression. I think I have had it all of my life, but it got worse a couple of years ago when I just had my baby boy. Two months after that my husband left me, and the month prior I lost my job. So, I was home (his)with a baby, no job, no husband, no money, and a big depression took over. Plus, I went through early-early menopause, which I was unable to figure out, I thought it was just because of the stress. My doctor (which I adore) prescribed some meds, and I took them on and off because first: didnt want to rely on meds to solve my problems, and I had no medical insurance to help pay for it. I now realize that I will be taking meds for a long time.
After a year, I got a new job, which paid much less than the one I had lost, but it has great benefits, life insurance, med insurance for me and my boy. I had to leave the house because it belonged to my ex, and we had a prenup...so he got the house too. He sold it only to agravate me, since he refused to sell it to me allegedly because he was moving in. Anyway, I have been on Wellbutrin for about a month, and have noticed some improvement. Finally decided to lose weight. I have to lose about 15-20 pounds more, I am now at 132, and I am only 5 feet. I preordered Cathe's new beginner workouts, and I cant wait for them to arrive!!
Thank you Susan for sharing...It motivated me to finally tell about me. I never talk about this. I feel shame about taking meds, which is really stupid, since they are necessary for me to function normally. I am afraid my son will suffer from depression, I pray to God he doesnt.
Welbutrin makes me sort of cranky, and I have trouble sleeping, I dont know if its just the thyroid medication or the Welbutrin. Welbutrin makes me less anxious, but I cant sleep. I only sleep a couple of hours every night, then the next day I overdo the coffee.
I also suffer from depression. I think I have had it all of my life, but it got worse a couple of years ago when I just had my baby boy. Two months after that my husband left me, and the month prior I lost my job. So, I was home (his)with a baby, no job, no husband, no money, and a big depression took over. Plus, I went through early-early menopause, which I was unable to figure out, I thought it was just because of the stress. My doctor (which I adore) prescribed some meds, and I took them on and off because first: didnt want to rely on meds to solve my problems, and I had no medical insurance to help pay for it. I now realize that I will be taking meds for a long time.
After a year, I got a new job, which paid much less than the one I had lost, but it has great benefits, life insurance, med insurance for me and my boy. I had to leave the house because it belonged to my ex, and we had a prenup...so he got the house too. He sold it only to agravate me, since he refused to sell it to me allegedly because he was moving in. Anyway, I have been on Wellbutrin for about a month, and have noticed some improvement. Finally decided to lose weight. I have to lose about 15-20 pounds more, I am now at 132, and I am only 5 feet. I preordered Cathe's new beginner workouts, and I cant wait for them to arrive!!
Thank you Susan for sharing...It motivated me to finally tell about me. I never talk about this. I feel shame about taking meds, which is really stupid, since they are necessary for me to function normally. I am afraid my son will suffer from depression, I pray to God he doesnt.
Welbutrin makes me sort of cranky, and I have trouble sleeping, I dont know if its just the thyroid medication or the Welbutrin. Welbutrin makes me less anxious, but I cant sleep. I only sleep a couple of hours every night, then the next day I overdo the coffee.
Hi, everyone,
Thank you all so much for disclosing such personal, delicate stories with everyone here ~ we've all had our bouts with one thing or another.
I've suffered two major depressive episodes - one was my senior year in college and the other was just about a year ago (I was 25). Both times, the symptoms came acutely and very suddenly, with virtually no warning. I lost about 10 pounds in one week, didn't sleep past 4am, had incessant heart palpitations, was overanalyzing EVERYTHING and obsessing (I have also suffered from a form of the Pure Obsessive Disorder), crying at the drop of a hat, etc. I really thought life was completely devoid of meaning.
Each time, I was prescribed Zoloft and each time, it took about 3 weeks (no more than that) to kick in. I literally awoke one morning feeling like I wanted to get out of bed and face the world. The aliveness was almost unbelievable... If anyone has read "Prozac Nation", it depicts depression so accurately it's scary. I highly recommend that book.
During my last episode, I was also extremely anxious. I couldn't get my heart to settle down no matter what I did, so my doctor prescribed Xanax, which helped in about 24 hours. That was a relief.
As for side effects of Zoloft, the only thing I remember is nausea in the very beginning and I'm often battling fatigue throughout the day and night (aren't we all, though?). It sure beats what I was experiencing before I took it, though.
I also went to different therapists each time... They helped a lot, but only after the meds kicked in and I was able to see life as something worth living and experiencing. I had to get back to that functioning level before I could tackle other demons.
I'm a strong proponent of medication when you are so low you think there is absolutely no hope. If the right ones are prescribed, meds can return a person back to a place that feels much closer to normal.
I'm now almost 27, pursuing my Master's in Counseling Psychology (I want to work with eating disorder sufferers) and working part-time at a law firm. I have an incredible family, an awesome boyfriend, a great apartment, and everything seems to be falling into place. One day at a time...
Take care, everyone,
Amy S.
Thank you all so much for disclosing such personal, delicate stories with everyone here ~ we've all had our bouts with one thing or another.
I've suffered two major depressive episodes - one was my senior year in college and the other was just about a year ago (I was 25). Both times, the symptoms came acutely and very suddenly, with virtually no warning. I lost about 10 pounds in one week, didn't sleep past 4am, had incessant heart palpitations, was overanalyzing EVERYTHING and obsessing (I have also suffered from a form of the Pure Obsessive Disorder), crying at the drop of a hat, etc. I really thought life was completely devoid of meaning.
Each time, I was prescribed Zoloft and each time, it took about 3 weeks (no more than that) to kick in. I literally awoke one morning feeling like I wanted to get out of bed and face the world. The aliveness was almost unbelievable... If anyone has read "Prozac Nation", it depicts depression so accurately it's scary. I highly recommend that book.
During my last episode, I was also extremely anxious. I couldn't get my heart to settle down no matter what I did, so my doctor prescribed Xanax, which helped in about 24 hours. That was a relief.
As for side effects of Zoloft, the only thing I remember is nausea in the very beginning and I'm often battling fatigue throughout the day and night (aren't we all, though?). It sure beats what I was experiencing before I took it, though.
I also went to different therapists each time... They helped a lot, but only after the meds kicked in and I was able to see life as something worth living and experiencing. I had to get back to that functioning level before I could tackle other demons.
I'm a strong proponent of medication when you are so low you think there is absolutely no hope. If the right ones are prescribed, meds can return a person back to a place that feels much closer to normal.
I'm now almost 27, pursuing my Master's in Counseling Psychology (I want to work with eating disorder sufferers) and working part-time at a law firm. I have an incredible family, an awesome boyfriend, a great apartment, and everything seems to be falling into place. One day at a time...
Take care, everyone,
Amy S.
candi
Cathlete
Gina,
Thank you for your sweet comments. The Masters degree was actually the idea of my DH. He was my boyfriend at the time and asked me a very intense question, "What have you always wanted to do with your life?". I said to help other people the way Sandy (my counselor) helped me. Then he reminded me there was nothing stopping me. I guess I needed permission. He went back to school with me and got the same degree and we graduated together. His undergrad is in Mechanical Engineering but he saw this degree as a way to learn more about himself and how to relate better to other people. The real kicker is, he actually left Engineering in 2001 and worked at a Mental Health facility counseling adolescents with all sorts of issues. In January, he took and passed his licensure exam as an LMHC in the State of Florida. He has since returned to Engineering to earn more $$$ for awhile but he loved working with the kids. With our psychology education, when we have arguments (excuse me, discussions) it's always an in depth analysis. Makes life very interesting.
Thank you for mentioning my sister. I'm sure she's going to be all right eventually. I'm just glad she feels she can call and talk to me openly. My neice's death was from complications from a virus she caught. Went into Pneumonia immediately. I flew up to Atlanta to be with them cause my Mom needed to be with my Dad (he was in critical care at the time on a ventilator). By the time I got there, my neice was already on a ventilator and sedated. She was then put on a heart/lung machine where she lingered for about a month before she died. It was traumatic for my family. Jessica was a beautiful, intelligent, vibrant human being so it's so hard for us to understand...
Amy S.,
When my anxiety symptoms started in 1976 they were acute and without warning also. Then I would go in to a depression that left me feeling completely empty. Kind of hard to describe. I also lost weight, could not sleep and had obsessive thoughts. I used to get a tightness in my chest and thought I was having a heart attack. Could not make a decision to save my life and lost all faith in myself. If I didn't have a daughter to raise at the time I could have easily withdrawn into Agoraphobia but I made myself do what I had to do because she relied on me. Man, lots of bad memories. But through much research (because back then, nobody talked about Anxiety disorders), I found my counselor and the rest is history. I've been fine since about 1990. Anxiety started to recur a few years ago but luckily I had a doctor that recognized it as symptoms from peri-menopause. I went on a low dose birth control pill and I'm fine now.
You will be so happy with your choice of degree. The world needs more people like you who want to help. I think because you've experienced mental illness and it's suffering, you will have a great capacity to empathize with your future clients. You will be a wonderful counselor.
Thanks for letting me ramble again. Therapy for me!
Thank you for your sweet comments. The Masters degree was actually the idea of my DH. He was my boyfriend at the time and asked me a very intense question, "What have you always wanted to do with your life?". I said to help other people the way Sandy (my counselor) helped me. Then he reminded me there was nothing stopping me. I guess I needed permission. He went back to school with me and got the same degree and we graduated together. His undergrad is in Mechanical Engineering but he saw this degree as a way to learn more about himself and how to relate better to other people. The real kicker is, he actually left Engineering in 2001 and worked at a Mental Health facility counseling adolescents with all sorts of issues. In January, he took and passed his licensure exam as an LMHC in the State of Florida. He has since returned to Engineering to earn more $$$ for awhile but he loved working with the kids. With our psychology education, when we have arguments (excuse me, discussions) it's always an in depth analysis. Makes life very interesting.
Thank you for mentioning my sister. I'm sure she's going to be all right eventually. I'm just glad she feels she can call and talk to me openly. My neice's death was from complications from a virus she caught. Went into Pneumonia immediately. I flew up to Atlanta to be with them cause my Mom needed to be with my Dad (he was in critical care at the time on a ventilator). By the time I got there, my neice was already on a ventilator and sedated. She was then put on a heart/lung machine where she lingered for about a month before she died. It was traumatic for my family. Jessica was a beautiful, intelligent, vibrant human being so it's so hard for us to understand...
Amy S.,
When my anxiety symptoms started in 1976 they were acute and without warning also. Then I would go in to a depression that left me feeling completely empty. Kind of hard to describe. I also lost weight, could not sleep and had obsessive thoughts. I used to get a tightness in my chest and thought I was having a heart attack. Could not make a decision to save my life and lost all faith in myself. If I didn't have a daughter to raise at the time I could have easily withdrawn into Agoraphobia but I made myself do what I had to do because she relied on me. Man, lots of bad memories. But through much research (because back then, nobody talked about Anxiety disorders), I found my counselor and the rest is history. I've been fine since about 1990. Anxiety started to recur a few years ago but luckily I had a doctor that recognized it as symptoms from peri-menopause. I went on a low dose birth control pill and I'm fine now.
You will be so happy with your choice of degree. The world needs more people like you who want to help. I think because you've experienced mental illness and it's suffering, you will have a great capacity to empathize with your future clients. You will be a wonderful counselor.
Thanks for letting me ramble again. Therapy for me!
eminenz2
Cathlete
Once again can I just say, "WOW!" to all of you who are facing your depression/anxiety and making your lives work for you! All of you are dealing with problems much greater than mine, and your successes make me reallize that I can get through this too.
I know that sounds hokey and corny, but I really do mean it.
It seems to me the more we talk about it, the less shame/taboo there will be connected to depression. Not that we should spread our business to everyone and anyone who will listen, but that people who don't have these kinds of issues will see that the rest of us who do have them DO live happy and productive lives.
I agree about the meds/therapy thing. Sometimes the meds are just the boost you need to even make you feel like participating in the human race again. It hard to think about getting to the counselor when you don't even have the strength to get out of bed.
Thank you thank you thank you for sharing your stories.
Susan L.G.
I know that sounds hokey and corny, but I really do mean it.
It seems to me the more we talk about it, the less shame/taboo there will be connected to depression. Not that we should spread our business to everyone and anyone who will listen, but that people who don't have these kinds of issues will see that the rest of us who do have them DO live happy and productive lives.
I agree about the meds/therapy thing. Sometimes the meds are just the boost you need to even make you feel like participating in the human race again. It hard to think about getting to the counselor when you don't even have the strength to get out of bed.
Thank you thank you thank you for sharing your stories.
Susan L.G.