Anyone Else Battling Depression?
Replies
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What is the your reasoning behind not taking meds. I think that they can be over-prescibed and abused, but if you are already eating healthy, exercising (which are the most effective anti-depressants) and can not afford therapy, starting a light medication with a history of being weight gain neutral might be a course of action to think about.
Um, I've never been down with any kind of meds really. I rarely even take ibuprofen for headaches, etc. I just don't like pumping my body with chemicals. I'm going to try the natural way (vitamins/therapy/etc) and if that just doesn't work, and nothing else helps, I might consider meds. I just don't like the idea of them!
I'm with you, I hate taking meds. Especially pain killers. That way when I really need them, they tend to work well since I have no resistance. But consider this, if this is a depression brought on by enviornmental factors like upbringing or a past trauma, short term meds can bring you a little more stability until you have had the time (ideally therapy) to deal with the underlying problems.
If this is a hormonal or chemical imbalance, since the brain is an organ as is the heart, there is more likely a chemical solution. If you were having heart problems that was beyond the help of exercise and diet, would you take heart meds? Many people balk at taking meds for mental conditions like depression because of the stigma they carry. But an organ is an organ. Just something to think about.
I hope no matter what road you decide to take that you feel better soon.0 -
I've been battling depression for a while now and I've noticed that since I've started my weight loss journey it's really affected my emotions to the point of pretty dramatic mood swings/more commonly depressed. I'm wondering if anyone else has this issue? Support from others going through the same problems would be great, especially since you know how it feels.
Thanks
I've been recently diagnosed with bipolar disorder and i found my mood swings got extremely bad when i first started my weightloss journey and when i re-started after falling off. Since then i've been put on medication and so far its going pretty good (its only been a few days), but i have also found the exercise helpful. I think as well after i had settled into a routine that seemed to help alot, i think if you give it some time, do some exercise that should help a lot. and the support here is good too. i have been doing my exercises outside so its posible the vitamin d has helped me too - worth a shot at least since lots of other ppl have suggested it can help.0 -
I talk to myself when I'm crying, which makes it seem even more pathetic. Then I realize what I'm doing, think about how weird I am, and get over it. HahahaI was like this for a while. I would cry and wish like mad to feel better. I would tell myself I'd do anything to feel better. Then a voice in my head would say, "really? but you won't try meds?" I got over myself...
and yes, I talk to myself...
Same! I only take pain meds if I honestly cannot handle the pain any longer, and I've tried everything else (napping, relaxing, etc).I'm with you, I hate taking meds. Especially pain killers. That way when I really need them, they tend to work well since I have no resistance. But consider this, if this is a depression brought on by enviornmental factors like upbringing or a past trauma, short term meds can bring you a little more stability until you have had the time (ideally therapy) to deal with the underlying problems.
If this is a hormonal or chemical imbalance, since the brain is an organ as is the heart, there is more likely a chemical solution. If you were having heart problems that was beyond the help of exercise and diet, would you take heart meds? Many people balk at taking meds for mental conditions like depression because of the stigma they carry. But an organ is an organ. Just something to think about.
I hope no matter what road you decide to take that you feel better soon.
My depression isn't from past trauma (luckily) but I haven't been clinically diagnosed, so I'm not sure of the exact reasoning behind it. I bet environmental factors are a lot, but then again who knows! Thanks for your support.0 -
I don't think it's pathetic. But it's OK if you think I'm pathetic...I talk to myself when I'm crying, which makes it seem even more pathetic.0 -
I don't think it's pathetic. But it's OK if you think I'm pathetic...I talk to myself when I'm crying, which makes it seem even more pathetic.
No way! Don't tell me we're going to have a pathetic-off.. Like eating straight up frosting and crying..0 -
Another thought about light... I know the lightboxes are expensive (otherwise I'd probably have one too!) and I thought of something that might help... a UV lamp used for reptiles... my turtle is basking away under his right now which is what gave me the idea
I tend to sit by him sometimes The UV light is ment to mimic the natural sunlight and give them the Vitamin D which also helps them absorb the calcium... it actually seems really similar to a lightbox, though I'll keep reading up on it. You can get those things quite cheaply at a petstore or online. It might be worth a try. 0 -
Another thought about light... I know the lightboxes are expensive (otherwise I'd probably have one too!) and I thought of something that might help... a UV lamp used for reptiles... my turtle is basking away under his right now which is what gave me the idea I tend to sit by him sometimes The UV light is ment to mimic the natural sunlight and give them the Vitamin D which also helps them absorb the calcium... it actually seems really similar to a lightbox, though I'll keep reading up on it. You can get those things quite cheaply at a petstore or online. It might be worth a try.
Great idea! thanks.0 -
I don't think it's pathetic. But it's OK if you think I'm pathetic...I talk to myself when I'm crying, which makes it seem even more pathetic.
No way! Don't tell me we're going to have a pathetic-off.. Like eating straight up frosting and crying..
There's nothing wrong with talking to yourself. Is just a way of organise your thoughts to better understand them. 0 -
It's only bad if you answer yourself...which I do
There's nothing wrong with talking to yourself. Is just a way of organise your thoughts to better understand them.
No way! Don't tell me we're going to have a pathetic-off.. Like eating straight up frosting and crying..
I don't think it's pathetic. But it's OK if you think I'm pathetic...I talk to myself when I'm crying, which makes it seem even more pathetic.0 -
I echo that exercise, nutrition, and sleep are VERY important when dealing with depression. Vitamins, and the right amount of carbs, fat, and protein are all equally important. Sleep enough but not too much. Try to exercise every day. Although it is different for everyone, my personal experience with depression is that when I exercise every day, I pretty much never have depression symptoms. You do have to monitor what is going on in the rest of your life though. Eliminate sources of stress that are feasible to eliminate. Create/seek a support system-in person, on the phone, online-use all resources! There is excellent information online about depression too, as well as forums.
If proper diet, sleep, and exercise do not help you, you may have to consider medication. Sometimes, depression is just a chemical imbalance and medication is neccesary. Keep in mind that it can take up to 6 weeks or more for a medication to start working, and it may take a few different ones to find one that works for you. Drs often have samples you can try. Hopefully, with exercise, etc, you may not need medication (for me, exercise is better than medication, because a side effect of pretty much all antidepressants, for me, even at low doses is that I feel a bit like a zombie. That is not the case for everyone, but it does effect me like that, and I am a pretty passionate and animated person, I like to feel the highs and the lows, as long as I can manage the lows! Exercise helps me a lot).
Make a commitment to yourself to do things that make you happy-EVEN if you don't feel like it or you feel like you don't have the time.
Oh and I saw another poster said going gluten free was helpful-same for me. Gluten free and dairy free especially was awesome. Depression is actually a symptom of a gluten or dairy intolerance. I eat dairy again now, but very little of it.
Good luck! Depression is a tough road to walk, but if you figure out what works for you it is totally manageable and you can be entirely symptom free. I feel amazing since I've kicked my depression out the door!0 -
Um, I've never been down with any kind of meds really. I rarely even take ibuprofen for headaches, etc. I just don't like pumping my body with chemicals. I'm going to try the natural way (vitamins/therapy/etc) and if that just doesn't work, and nothing else helps, I might consider meds. I just don't like the idea of them!
I used to feel the same way, until I ended up in a bathtub of my own blood and decided that I liked my life more than I hated the thought of medicine. Medication saved my life.
After participating in several research studies, it was determined that I have 3 physiological factors resulting in major depressive disorder. A genetic mutation has rendered my body unable to bind serotonin efficiently, efficiently synthesize serotonin from tryptophan, or channel serotonin to the appropriate places in the brain. There's no way to un-f@ck that without medicine. All the talk therapy and vitamins in the world will not undo genetic mutations.
For many people, depression is episodic, and results from lifestyle choices and stressful / traumatic / depressing events. Not everyone has a physiological explanation for their depression. But if your depression exists because your brain doesn't work properly, you're SOL without medicine.0 -
Um, I've never been down with any kind of meds really. I rarely even take ibuprofen for headaches, etc. I just don't like pumping my body with chemicals. I'm going to try the natural way (vitamins/therapy/etc) and if that just doesn't work, and nothing else helps, I might consider meds. I just don't like the idea of them!
I used to feel the same way, until I ended up in a bathtub of my own blood and decided that I liked my life more than I hated the thought of medicine. Medication saved my life.
After participating in several research studies, it was determined that I have 3 physiological factors resulting in major depressive disorder. A genetic mutation has rendered my body unable to bind serotonin efficiently, efficiently synthesize serotonin from tryptophan, or channel serotonin to the appropriate places in the brain. There's no way to un-f@ck that without medicine. All the talk therapy and vitamins in the world will not undo genetic mutations.
For many people, depression is episodic, and results from lifestyle choices and stressful / traumatic / depressing events. Not everyone has a physiological explanation for their depression. But if your depression exists because your brain doesn't work properly, you're SOL without medicine.
True. That's why I want to be checked out and actually be diagnosed so I can go from there.0 -
True. That's why I want to be checked out and actually be diagnosed so I can go from there.
You may have to really work with your insurance company and doctor to get that to happen. Because the DSM-IV doesn't require any "hard" diagnostics to prescribe treatment for depression, you likely won't get those diagnostics covered. The simple ones are serum and urine serotonin assays. More expensive is a PET scan that can. Any other diagnostics are really above and beyond what any insurance provider would pay for. I just happened to live down the street from Harvard, and they were doing a study on self-harm at that time.0 -
True. That's why I want to be checked out and actually be diagnosed so I can go from there.
You may have to really work with your insurance company and doctor to get that to happen. Because the DSM-IV doesn't require any "hard" diagnostics to prescribe treatment for depression, you likely won't get those diagnostics covered. The simple ones are serum and urine serotonin assays. More expensive is a PET scan that can. Any other diagnostics are really above and beyond what any insurance provider would pay for. I just happened to live down the street from Harvard, and they were doing a study on self-harm at that time.
Oh wow. Unfortunately I don't have insurance, so this will be all out of pocket. Guess we'll just start with a therapist and go from there?0 -
Oh wow. Unfortunately I don't have insurance, so this will be all out of pocket. Guess we'll just start with a therapist and go from there?
It's kind of effed. They can give you medicine to treat a chemical imbalance without actually PROVING you have a chemical imbalance. I know. You just take a survey...and that's enough0 -
I as well have been battling depression (bipolar ll). I am 38 and it is still a struggle, my depression is pretty severe and have suffered since grade school. I have been on all the meds you can possibly amagine. I think the combo that I am on now seems to work the best. Talking to someone who understands your daily struggles helps and makes you feel like you are not alone..We can all give each other support in many ways.0
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Oh wow. Unfortunately I don't have insurance, so this will be all out of pocket. Guess we'll just start with a therapist and go from there?
It's kind of effed. They can give you medicine to treat a chemical imbalance without actually PROVING you have a chemical imbalance. I know. You just take a survey...and that's enough
Sheesh. I know my mom and I were talking about different options and that was one thing that was brought up. Just some doc putting you on meds cause they don't know what else to do.0 -
You're not alone. This time of the year is the worst.
If you have any questions feel free to message me. I hope you start to feel better soon.0 -
It's only bad if you answer yourself...which I do
There's nothing wrong with talking to yourself. Is just a way of organise your thoughts to better understand them.
No way! Don't tell me we're going to have a pathetic-off.. Like eating straight up frosting and crying..
I don't think it's pathetic. But it's OK if you think I'm pathetic...I talk to myself when I'm crying, which makes it seem even more pathetic.
well it would be awefully silly NOT to answer yourself. i mean who has a onesided conversation?0 -
I like anyone who makes me feel better about talking to myself...
well it would be awefully silly NOT to answer yourself. i mean who has a onesided conversation?
It's only bad if you answer yourself...which I do
There's nothing wrong with talking to yourself. Is just a way of organise your thoughts to better understand them.
No way! Don't tell me we're going to have a pathetic-off.. Like eating straight up frosting and crying..
I don't think it's pathetic. But it's OK if you think I'm pathetic...I talk to myself when I'm crying, which makes it seem even more pathetic.0 -
I like anyone who makes me feel better about talking to myself...
well it would be awefully silly NOT to answer yourself. i mean who has a onesided conversation?
It's only bad if you answer yourself...which I do
There's nothing wrong with talking to yourself. Is just a way of organise your thoughts to better understand them.
No way! Don't tell me we're going to have a pathetic-off.. Like eating straight up frosting and crying..
I don't think it's pathetic. But it's OK if you think I'm pathetic...I talk to myself when I'm crying, which makes it seem even more pathetic.
Well i have to justify it to myself otherwise I’ll think I’m crazy. But i mean who doesn’t tell themselves they are doing a good or bad job at times, or discuss plans and decisions... it is a necessity.0 -
Sheesh. I know my mom and I were talking about different options and that was one thing that was brought up. Just some doc putting you on meds cause they don't know what else to do.
I don't think it's because they don't know what else to do. I think they do it because its so effective. Even placebo effect is very effective. Keep in mind that there are a lot of different types of therapy (dialectical, psychoanalysis, cognitive behavioral therapy) and different things work for different people.0 -
Exercising IS the best thing you can do. It really is. Have tried meds and therapy but neither seems to work... Continuously (daily) exercising seems to be the only effective thing I have found that makes me feel somewhat more level.0
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Most of my friends are very surprised that I am Bipolar. I was diagnosed at 12 but was in therapy since age 3. I have also had years of experience as a manager for a non profit organization who assisted handicapped adults with daily living skills, many of them having emotional problems such as depression and bipolar disorder. I am very much in control of my emotions and have educated myself over a long period of time too.
Something that I learned fairly quickly throughout my life is that the more you resist help, the more suffering and pain you will go through. I have been on several medication over the years and I am not going to lie, they started piling them up on me. I had enough and went off all of them for like a year. I did really well too. Once winter came, I started falling into a depression again. I realized no amount of therapy (which I did) is going to change the physical chemical imbalance in me and needed help. There is no shame in admitting that part of depression is not under your control.
However, I do encourage you to take complete control of which medication you will take and which ones you wont. I am on only one medication and at a very low dose. They tried to put me on another medication and then another one to cover the side effects of the first one. I simply said "no, come up with another plan". You have that right. People don't get it but medication is within your control, this is your body and the doctors need to accommodate you. If they wont, find another doctor.
I think one of the biggest issues people have is that they think they wont be in control of their emotions anymore but that is so far from the truth. A lot of medications allow you so see things clearly and be more in balance. I mean, whats the worst that can happen? You take a medication for a few weeks, you dont like it and you stop. At least you know you tried and it is better then sitting there and doing the same things that are not working for you.
I have found exercise, going on birth control to regulate my hormones and exercising has done wonders for me. I have PCOS too and I think that had a major role in why I was having ups and down. Look beyond just the surface and really try to figure out what is causing depression whether it be physical, environmental or mental. Sometimes things you would never think of can have a major impact on your mood.
I hope this helps. Also, could it be Seasonal affective disorder? Do you only get depressed during the winter months? Being in Alaska, you might want to look into it.0
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