Need help with depression

[Growth&Courage]

Thank you for posting all these well thought out replies to my post. I did some thinking about you’re question (Growth&courage ) “Are you depressed because you're bored? Or Are you bored because you're depressed?” I think I’m board because I’m depressed but hopefully by making small changes I can pull myself out of this dive, I’m going to see a new doctor next week and talk about treatment with both meds and therapy.

I have thought about just selling everything I own and moving away to start again, I have very few ties here anymore, and I know sometimes major change is good but I’m not going to make any decisions like that in my present condition.

I really appreciate all the ideas, input especially MikeMartials success story, which almost cracked a smile on my face and gave me hope.

Thank you,

Outset2

There are plenty of people that are suffering much more than you, think of them too when you start to put everything into perspective and move forward.

Also, small changes are great, just as long as it's going towards the goal of your life - in acheiving the "joy of life".

Be strong and courageous in the low times of life. Things will be better because nothing is fixed, life is dynamic - it is always changing, so change will take place.

 

[bigtbone]

see a psychologist insteas=d of a psychiatrist. psychologist cant prescribe any medication they use other methods to help...usually much more effective then meds as well

WHAT!!! Okay, don't listen to that. Psychiatrists are much more qualified than psychologists. That's just wrong.

The most likely reason your psychiatrist focused on psycotherapy is because it sounds like you may fit the criteria for dysthymic disorder. It is a chronic and less severe form of major depression. It requires a minimum of 2 years of chronically depressed mood most of the time. Associated symptoms include changes in appetite and sleep, fatigue, decreased concentration, and hopelessness. At times, major depressive episodes may co-occur and we call it double depression. Treatment is similar to major depression except that psychotherapy may play a larger role. The problem with Dysthymia is that it can be chronic and is often treatment refractory meaning treatment is difficult or ineffective.

My suggestion is to resume therapy with a pyschiatrist (a new one if you prefer).

Good luck

 

[benny1970]

I agree with Canadian Cutie, get out and get some hobbies. Start competing in sports, find something that motivates you and allows you to set goals in. Get into running/Cycling/swimming, etc., anything healthy that you could start competing in, meet new people.
Get some friends together and go travel. Go away on a ski trip for a week, or a week in the sun somewhere. Then come back with a new plan, new hobbies and goals.
You only live once, so get busy living!!! Remind yourself that 10 years from now you'll wonder why you wasted so much time sitting around starring at the tv..
Do you have health coverage that pays for some of the psychologist stuff? If yes, I wouldn't give up on it. At least you won't be sitting wondering whether or not you should be seeing one...
Best of luck. Depression is no fun, but you can absolutely beat it.

 

[markshark]

im only 22 and have had sleep problems for a year now. ive been taking xanax for the last few weeks and it has calmed my nerves and helped me get sleep. i feel 10 times better getting 7 hours of sleep from xanax than 2-3 hrs of sleep without it. is this bad? will this affect my workouts? although i do feel groggy sometimes, my strength hasnt really decreased from taking the drug, but still unsure of long term side effects, or short-term for that matter. any comments?

 

[BrothaBill]

Just go with the electro shock therapy for depression, its works wonders.
Its now called ect or electro convulsive therapy. check it out. Or going on meds and thats done by a Psychiatrist, not a psychologist which helps you change the way think about things and changing behaviors. Psychiatry works hand in hand with a psychologist for best results.

 

[MikeMartial]

Just go with the electro shock therapy for depression, its works wonders.

Yes, it may work, and there is some published studies quoting positive outcomes, but it still is EXTREME treatment---as in, nothing else on the face of the earth works.

I can imagine inducing seizure-like activity would jump start your brain into producing decnt levels of serotonin and other neurotransmitters, but I'm sure not all the effects would be positive.

I've assisted anethesiologists while doing ECT; it's not a pretty sight. Unless you've exhausted all other courses of treatment, I wouldn't recommend it.

 

[BrothaBill]

Yes, it may work, and there is some published studies quoting positive outcomes, but it still is EXTREME treatment---as in, nothing else on the face of the earth works.

I can imagine inducing seizure-like activity would jump start your brain into producing decnt levels of serotonin and other neurotransmitters, but I'm sure not all the effects would be positive.

I've assisted anethesiologists while doing ECT; it's not a pretty sight. Unless you've exhausted all other courses of treatment, I wouldn't recommend it.

LOL, I was joking, ECT would never be performed without exhausting most possibilties prior to this. But it has made somewhat of a revival as a treatment to severe depression. Like just rebooting the brain. Certainly not advocating its use as a first line course to depression, just having a lil fun.

 

[lovemoney]

a year ago i would have said screw the meds,i dont need that shit.my phychatrist gave it to me after talking out my problems with my psychologist.he gave me paxil.i dont think pschos can write scripts,they just talk shit out with you.the paxil changed my life.like someone said before its nite and day.before paxil i could hardly be out in public.i would swing at you for the slightest thing.it got so bad i thought a was becoming a diabetic because my addrenalin rushes would fuck up my sugar levels.i feel great on paxil.try a second opinion.if they suggest meds try it.more people take them than you think.i think you made the first step by posting here and talking about it.good luck

 

[Nicorette]

My opinion on some drugs...

Paxil: Helps you sleep, sometimes too much. Also, be prepared to gain some weight and have a hard time getting off of it. Withdrawal is intense.

Wellbutrin: if you think falling asleep is hard now, wait until you try this stuff. But it definitely helps lift depression and lose weight. It is also easy to come off of.

Zoloft: it’s all right. No side effects.

Lithium (mood stabilizer): it gets a 10/10 but the side effects are insane.

Tegretol: Didn’t do shit except add 5 Lbs

Klonapin: great for sleep but highly addictive and tapering off is EXTREMELY difficult.

I'm manic-depressive so my list gets longer than this lol so I think I'll stop here.

Drugs suck but depression is worse. In most cases you can't bring yourself out of a depression and so they become necessary. Depression is a serious mental illness. Most people who suffer from it can barley get out of bed so telling them to get a hobby or meet new friends isn’t the best advice.

Take care.

 

[powerhouse972]

If you aren't livin good travel wide