Has anyone here dealt with depression?

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

I found out from my doctor (medical doctor, not shrink) yesterday that I have been diagnosed with moderate depression. He prescribed some medication that he said would help me and referred me to a psychiatrist. I am hoping that seeing someone and taking the appropriate medication will help me.

My question is to those here that have dealt with or know someone that has dealt with depression. What did you do that helped you? What should I do? I am not sure what I should do next. I have had a nagging fear for awhile now that I might have depression (which is why I decided to go see my doctor) but that fear didn’t feel real to me until yesterday. I am kind of walking around in a daze right now. Any advice that you guys could give me would be appreciated.

2

It’s late and I must slay dragons on the morrow, so I won’t be long.

Yes, I battled depression many years ago, and recovered completely. It took time, and with that a commitment to developing a long term plan.

And, while I acknowledge that things have probably changed, I benefitted greatly from the hot stuff of the day, tri-cyclic antidepressants; in particular, Elavil.

I’m not going to prescribe any course for you, my friend. I’m just going to tell you that you can beat the demon. It took what seemed like a long time at the time, but really only a couple of years. Of steady commitment.

Really, in retrospect, not that long, once you commit.

Good luck, pal, it’s doable.

3

I think I’ve had depression most of my life, but was diagnosed only about five years ago (just before I turned 17). I have found therapy to be a big help, but it’s not exactly what most people on the outside think it is (i.e. it is not a venting session–you actually are required to work on issues). Medicine has not been quite so helpful–I’ve been on nine different medications, counting the mood stabilizers (my psychiatrist thinks I may have an atypical form of bipolar as well). Be an advocate for yourself, and if you feel yourself going into a downward spiral, try to reach out (easier said than done). I’d like to have better advice for you, but I wish you luck.

4

I was depressed my first year of college and didn’t realize it. It was brought on by a breakup and I just walked around in a daze for a few months. I got way addicted to the internet, too.

I shoulda been on something.

That said, I’d recommend a behaviorist/psychologist before a shrink. Just MHO, IANAD.

5

I’m a long-sufferer.

There’s not anything that you can do, a la snapping your fingers, and making it go away. You learn to live with it, and medications can be very valuable. They are for me.

6

I suffered from it for two or three years, during what would have, ideally, been the bulk of my time in college.

For me, therapy helped a great deal. I had stuff that needed working on, so I worked on it. I also took Wellbutrin. I feel that the Wellbutrin helped me a heckuva lot; it helped sweep the curtain aside enough so that I could see that the sun was still shining; I just had to use talk therapy to open the curtain the rest of the way.

It was terrible while I was in the midst of it, but I managed to make it outside, once I realized that I needed help. I think that you’ve taken the first big, scary step by being brave enough to go to the doctor. It’s not all that easy from here on in, but you’re on your way.

7

I’d had problems with depression ever since I can remember, and have a history of chemical depression on both sides of my family. My parents asked me several times if I wanted to talk to a psychiatrist/see about going on an anti-depressant…and for a long time I was afraid to, so I put it off. And they let me, mainly because I was only 12, 13, and they didn’t want to see me have to go on an anti-depressant so young if they didn’t have to. Once I got a sample pack of Celexa, but I didn’t wind up trying them. I still wasn’t ready.

Then two years ago I had a really bad experience with some of my friends, and this guy I was dating. The depression from being screwed over by them happened to coincide with a heavy bout of the chemical sort of depression, and it was more than I could take. I kicked a hole in a wall one night, and had a big confrontation with my parents, and we eventually decided that I needed to go to a psychiatrist, and probably get on some sort of medication.

After taking a few tests, he put me on Zoloft. I went to see him maybe six times, once a week. We’d talk about whatever stress I had, the things that would set off depression, how often I’d get like that, how long it’d stay, and how I was adjusting to the Zoloft. Eventually the Zoloft kicked in and I was…fine. I mean, absolutely perfect, (well, except for a few days around my period). I’d had times when I’d just sleep and sleep and sleep, and not talk to anyone, horrible headaches, and a few times I’d just start crying for literally no reason whatever. Nobody knew about a lot of it.

There have been no side effects whatsoever…(except sometimes my hands will shake a very little bit, if I’ve been typing or have had them in a weird position, but that is a trade off I’m thrilled with). It is so amazing to just…be normal…and to think that the whole time, the problem could have been fixed by taking a half a pill every day.

Granted, there are all types of depression, and different ways it manifests itself. That was how it worked for me. Compared to a lot of people, I had it incredibly easy.

Talking to your doctor was a good first step. When you’re ready, I’d either see a psychiatrist to discuss therapy/going on an anti-depressant, etc, or at least talk to your regular doctor at length about your options. Best of luck, And that’s the bottom line.

8

Take your meds. The time for learning to live without medications is when you have been recovered for a very long time, and you are willing to go back under a doctor’s care during the time period when you taper off the dosage. Don’t just stop.

Get a calendar, and fill it in down to the increments you are currently not using. (mild depression is probably a daily calendar. Severe depression, it comes down to a day planner with half hourly slots.) Put down eating, bathing and stuff like that. Really simply stuff, and don’t assume that you don’t need that sort of guidance. Have it with you, and follow it.

Depressed people spend a lot of time not doing anything. While they are not busy with that, they think about how much it sucks that they can’t get out of the hole they are in. Don’t do that. Schedule yourself to do stuff. Pick stuff that will help you improve your life situation. Education, exercise, task training, resume writing, job hunting, all those things. Schedule them. Then when you are not scheduled to be doing them, don’t do them.

Don’t forget to schedule some stuff that just helps you feel good. That doesn’t mean that you indulge in expensive habits for long hours, it just means that recreation is an item on your schedule, and it is an important one. Do it. Play your favorite sport, or join a garage band, or something. Something that involves other people, and laughing and feeling good, and happens on a regular sort of schedule. Spontaneous is great, if you are not depressed. If you are depressed, spontaneous has a good chance of being miserable.

If you bowl, join a league. If you like drama, join a theater group. Use activities you like to increase your socialization opportunities. Don’t spend a lot of time with support groups for depressed people. You need to associate with folks who are not depressed. If you need such a group, schedule it, and keep in mind the rule that you do stuff when it is scheduled, and don’t do it other times.

Eventually you will have a day planner that you use just like other people do, and you won’t have such items as eat, sleep, bathe, dress, and such. But for now, put those in their proper places in your schedule. Keep regular hours, even if it means lying in bed without sleeping for a while. Get up, suit up, show up for life. It is a good policy.

It isn’t fair.

Yes you can.

Nothing is a choice, and if you choose nothing, you can have it.

Sorry if this isn’t all that warm and fuzzy. Being depressed really sucks. Getting better is hard, and it takes a long time. Get on with it.

Most people who are depressed do get better, by the way. That too is a choice.

Tris

9

I have long-term depression which is treated successfully with medication and counselling. Medication doesn’t work with everyone, but the medications of the last ten or fifteen years are even more successful than before.

Some things you should know:

  1. Most importantly, having depression is not your fault. It is not a character weakness. It is an illness.

  2. It may take a while for your medication to start working. It took mine about six weeks. It was gradual. The medicine is not a “happy pill.” It doesn’t change your basic personality. It allows you to be who you really are.

  3. If, after a few weeks, you and the psychiatrist haven’t “clicked,” ask to be referred to another. You have to find the right match for you.

  4. Depression can affect your energy, your sleeping patterns, your appetite, your outlook, even your ability to concentrate. Sometimes physical illnesses increase also – headaches, indigestion.

  5. It isn’t about feeling “blue.” Sometimes you may feel disconnected and confused.

  6. People will not understand why you can’t just cheer up or pull yourself out of it. Again, it is not your fault that you can’t.

  7. There are some things that you can do to help you feel better. Exercise is good – especially walking. Anything that gets you out of the house for a while. Be very easy on yourself. Do things that make you feel good. Make yourself a priority.

  8. Depression can affect your entire perception. You may think that everything is going downhill when it’s really not.

  9. If you ever get to the point where you feel utterly overwhelmed or out of control, you must let your doctor know.

There are so many of us here who have or have had depression. Reach out to us if you need us!

You are going to be okay and the world will turn right-side-up again.

10

Gee, Orange, you sound just like me.

Long history of depression, just like my father (who remains untreated) and my paternal grandmother (never treated) and my younger brother (on meds). Strangely, no one in the family ever mentioned it until I was diagnosed.

For me finally being diagnosed was a relief. I kept hearing people saying that they didn’t normally feel the way I always did, but didn’t really believe them. To find out that there was actually something wrong and I didn’t have to feel that way was an enormous weight off.

So, as has been said, take your meds. Take them everyday. Over time, you will feel better. Keep taking your meds, even when you feel great, as you have not been magically cured. Talk to your doctor. You may only need to attend therapy for a few months before you are back on track.

Your meds may have to be fine tuned. Zoloft did wonders for me but may not be right for you. You may go through a few different meds before finding the one that works. Do not give up on it.

Do not be afraid. There is absolutely nothing to be afraid of. If you are sick, you go to the doctor for medication. That is what you are doing. Depression does not carry the same stigma it did a generation ago. It does not mean you are crazy.

Go back and read Zoe’s post. There is a lot of good solid advice there.

11

Though I always suffered from depression, it became much worse about nine years ago, leading to dropping out of University and losing a string of jobs (no matter how well you do the job, bosses don’t like employees who weep while they work) and started manifesting itself in compulsive behaviour. Eventually, after much encouragement from friends, I went to the doctor to see if anything could be done, and he prescribed a long-term course of Citalopram/Cipramil. This has done wonders; no more obsessing on unimportant little things, no more bursting into tears for no reason, no more being unknowingly distracted by stuff going in my head.

My major qualm about taking medication was “if this stuff alters my thought processes and moods, will I still be me?” As it turns out, the answer is “only partly”. Everything I defined myself by has gone; but I still share memories with who-I-used-to-be. But, as I was almost suicidal before (being too much of a coward (will it hurt? what will other people think? what about the people who might think themselves to blame?) to actually do anything about it) the replacement of the old me with the new me is beneficial to both of us.

If you do go the medication route, be prepared for the possiblity of becoming someone else (but someone happier), especially if you currently (as I did) tend to define yourself in terms of yuor depression. Also, watch out for any side effects - there are quite a few different treatments now, and if one causes side effects in you you may well be able to find another which doesn’t.

12

I have to echo Zoe’s advice to find another therapist if you do not click 100 %. I was diagnosed with clinical depression at the end of high school, and saw a therapist who was not very good, but I did not realize I could go and find another one. The meds helped, but if you experience side effects, TELL YOUR DOCTOR. There are lots of meds out there, and you can find one without unpleasant side effects. Also, your meds may work for a while and then seem to stop. This can simply mean you need a different dosage, or that you need a different medication. Be sure and communicate with your doctor.

When you’re depressed, the absolute last thing you want to do is get up and get out of the house. It is torture to make yourself be around people sometimes, or go work out or engage in some activity other than wallowing. However, this is ESSENTIAL. When you least feel like going and doing something productive is the time when you most desperately need to do so. I recommend running, for a good solo activity you can do at any time, or kickboxing for a great way to get out those aggressions or anger. Exercise produces endorphins and boosts your seratonin level (an effect similar to what the class of anti-depressants known as seratonin re-uptake inhibitors do).

You can beat this. In my case, my depression ended when I (finally) made some good decisions and got out of an abusive situation. Yours could be situational, or chemical, or a combination of both. I recommend a book called The Noonday Demon, the author of which escapes me at the moment.

Finally, find a group of friends to talk to. You need someone you can call and say, “I really don’t need to be alone right now. Can you come over?” You can always come here to the SDMB, but it’s important to have a group of real, live people also.

Good for you for seeking help. That’s the hardest part.

13

chiming in here to offer my off-the-wall stuff:

I was on Zoloft for several years after being diagnosed with depression. I never saw a shrink, but DogDad provided invaluable service in that area (having graduated with a degree in Psychology. Yeah, I know, shouldn’t treat relatives etc. but it worked for us.) The biggest benefit I got from the Zoloft was finally feeling NORMAL - and finding out what “normal” felt like for long enough that I can now tell when I’m starting to spiral down.
I am currently controlling mine with diet and exercise. I can ALWAYS tell if I don’t exercise for a day or two - even if it’s just a walk, I need to do SOMETHING nearly every day. I’ve also cut out high-fat foods, and increased the amount of protein. These things do seem to help, but they’re not for everyone.

A lot of sugar, caffeine, or fats on any given day WILL trigger a depressive episode. I’m lucky in that I can usually deal with them by realizing it’s there, and working on “having a normal day” despite the depression. It does get better.

I’d like to reiterate Zoe’s point #6: People who do not suffer from it will not understand. I’ve lost count of the people who have told me to “just think happy thoughts and it’ll go away.” (I finally did lose it with one and tell him, “This isn’t Neverland and I’m not trying to fly, for pete’s sake!”) I also had one person who informed me that essentially DogDad was on a “deathwatch” because of course all people who suffer from depression are suicidal 24 / 7.
It’s really tough to understand it if you haven’t “been there”. Some people do honestly mean well. It really can get tiresome listening to all their advice about “happy thoughts”, but do not allow this to drive you away from people. Socializing and just being around people is essential. Being by yourself gives you WAY too much time to dwell on your depression.

Good for you for trying to break the cycle. It really is the toughest part. It’s not forever, and you WILL feel better eventually.

14

Last year, I had an anxiety attack. I had a nightmare, and every insecurity, grief, misgiving, thing I hated about myself, and fear manifested themselves and came at me all at once. My subconsious really kicked my ass that night. I was so rattled from the dream I called in sick for 2 days and looked up a psychiatrist.

After meeting with him for a few weeks, he concluded I had been depressed since childhood. I won’t go into detail here as to why, since I’ve never liked burdening anybody else with my problems. He recommended I go to a psychologist and get medication. The psychologist gave me a prescription to Effexor.

The first few days of Effexor, I felt worse, then all the sudden SNAP! I felt like a million bucks! I couldn’t believe how good I was feeling. It was like a weight I’d been carrying for the past 30 years went away. I no longer felt like I was swimming through mud. Since then I haven’t felt nearly as euphoric, but I haven’t felt depressed either.

I continued seeing both doctors for the past year. The psychiatrist asked me what my goals were, and he helped me plan strategies to meet them. I feel more confident in myself nowadays, but I’m still slow to do things but it’s because I’m lazy (hehe). I’m now on “will call” status with the psychiatrist and seeing the psychologist 2 times a year for prescription refills.

Just remember, the depression is primarily a chemical/neural problem. The nerve endings of your brain have become inured. That’s why you have little desire or motivation for anything. The medication helps restore the nerves. It’s not because you didn’t think enough happy thoughts.

You’re doing the right thing, bottom line. Things will get better for you. My shrink thinks that 95% of the people who suffer from depression can be cured with proper medication.

Weird thing about Effexor: if you forget to take it, the nerve endings in your brain will go apeshit. They go crazy if they don’t get their treatment. In my case, I’m unable to sleep that night because my brain is active and I’m in a constant waking dream state. Moreover, the dreams I do have are incredible. They’re epic multibillion dollar productions. I just wish I could remember them. I’m thinking this is the “madness” state that some artists and writers claim to achieve when the muse strikes them and they churn out their most creative work. I’m thinking of purposely going “mad” for a few days and seeing what happens on paper. [insert Krusty laugh]

15

AMEN! You’ve done the right thing and I am so happy that you’ve taken this step. You and I have never talked about it directly, mostly because I was too chickenshit and see you too rarely to feel comfortable bringing it up, but I’ve been hoping you’d choose to do this; Mom and Dad agree that it’s right, too, whether or not they have communicated that to you (I don’t know how private you chose to keep this).

It took real courage, Tor. I’m proud of you. Call or email me any time if you want any non-parental-unit support.

Yer ever-lovin’,
Weedie

16

I’m too depressed to deal with it.

17

I suffered from severe depression for a number of years, but have been free from its deadening clutches now for about three. Strangely enough, I was a ‘functional’ depressive, managing to get up each day to work and look after the kids: my depression did not include the routine of huddling under the bedclothes for days on end, but it was still incredibly difficult.

I did the rounds of doctors and shrinks trying to find a medication/counselling regimen that would be effective but nothing worked for me. I spent some times in hospital, and even had a course of ECT to try to knock some happiness into my thick head! Even that didn’t work as prescribed…it was about three months AFTER the treatments (combined with some hefty doses of Prozac and some intensive therapy with a fabulous psychologist) that I woke up one morning not feeling like I wanted to die.

It was the most incredible feeling…I remember walking around all that day (and the days and weeks that followed) wondering when the black dog was going to bite me again. Finally I realised that it had really GONE. And it is only when it HAS gone away that you realise just how sick you were in the first place. Apart from brief periods when I get a bit ‘down’, the clinical depression has never returned. I pray it never does.

Good luck with your journey, and I hope you find the right Doc to help you through.

18

I have had quite the trip with it.

See, like, through my childhood, I had lots of problems:

I had like one friend till 6th grade… the rest constantly made fun of me. My dad was an alcholic, and my parents got divorced. I was sexually abused for like 2 years. Those were my main probs.

So, like, I was always a bit on the unhappy side.

Shortly after I turned sixteen (May 2000), I got mono for about nine months, and didn’t feel right even like a year later. I tried the gynocologist… He put me on BC to help with my perid and PMS… It helped my periods, but I still had insane mood swings and horrible depression.

Any time I got upset, I’d cut my legs with a razor blade. For stupid-ass stuff… like my bf went to play D & D. I’d have frightening episodes where I’d feel like I couldn’t breathe, my heart rate would increase drastically, and my muscles would all tense. I’d become unaware of everything, and eventually lose conciousness for a few minutes. I later discovered these were panic attacks. I also had anxiety attacks.

In January 2002, I went to get counseling. In March 2002, Iwas put on Celexa. First 10 mg, then 20, 30, 40, 60. In November 2002, I had a really bad reaction to my meds. So bad, I went to the ER.

Bad move there. I ended up being coerced to sign myself in. (Had I not, they would’ve put me as AMA- Against Medical Advice, and my insurance wouldn’t have covered my $600+ ER visit.) That sucked hardcore. I was in for 5 days, when I only was supposed to be in for three. They rediagnosed me as Bipolar and put me on Depakote ER, which made me puke everywhere for about a month, before they switched me to Zyprexa and Welbutrin. Those two were like taking freaking placebos… They did nothing.

I eventually got fed up, left the bf, stopped my counseling and medicine on my own.

I’m not entirely fine now, but I’m much better off than I used to be. I have no clue if this is because of the meds or not. I’d reccommend trying just the therapy… try to put off drugs as long as possible… there’s a good chance you do not need them… Dr’s are just drug happy now adays.

19

[quote]
Dr’s are just drug happy now adays.**

You almost never hear that with illness which are not labelled “mental” illnesses.

My depression is handled with medication and a 20-30 minutes session with a psychiatrist once a month. That’s because the medications are sufficient in correcting my brain chemistry in my case.

It’s usually best to let the professionals decide. BTW, don’t ever stop taking your medicines suddenly. It needs to be done under a doctor’s supervision.
Appropriate treatments vary from person to person.

20

You might be in a daze because (just as I used to), you thought that people with depression are paralyzed by the disease; that they’re pulling a Brian Wilson or are on the brink of suicide all the time.

But as you’ve learned, you can be a depressed person and still be functioning. You’re just not functioning at your best.

Whatever route (therapy or meds) you take, give it time. My experience with meds are that you have to put up with some wicked side effects for awhile, but they get better. It’s just hard to wait through that part. And if they don’t taper off, you have to start over with something different. That’s a drag, but when they start to work you’ll be stunned by the difference.