Posted by linkadge on December 19, 2010, at 18:44:40
In reply to Re: *Not* Thinking in terms of meds, posted by morgan miller on December 19, 2010, at 13:59:46
>The problem is, when we go out to the coffee >shop and feel so uncomfortable that we can't >really fully enjoy it and get the most out of >the experience, we then start to say, "Damn, no >matter what efforts I make, I don't seem to feel >right without the right medication".
It doesn't matter if you fully enjoy it or not. We are so focused on needing to enjoying things. Its all about me, what will this do for me? I was feeling miserable last week and wanted to take the day off. I didn't take the day off, I went to work and felt miserable most of the day. But, after I was done I felt great. I didn't just give up and call it quits on the day.
I do believe there is something wrong with depressed individuals, but I believe we feed the illness. When we are told that "it is all in our heads", part of us dies. When we believe this, we stop working on trying to feel better and want to sit back and expect the medications do all the work (which they never will). And when something small goes wrong, we have to "change medications" or augment with this or that.
>I think most people here are hyper-focused on >medication because they have tried getting out, >exercising, and doing other positive things >without a consistent positive response and >consistent relief of symptoms.
Nothing will being consistent symptom relief.
>Linkage, have you ever thought that maybe the >things you struggle with are not as severe as >many people here?
I don't think that is anything you are qualified (me being here, and you being there) to question.
I think that I have had some severe problems, but I think that there are beneficial brain regions that can be strenthened, if you care to strenthen them.
Did you know that practicing juggling for a month significantly increases grey matter volume in certain areas of the brain? Even the process of "acting" well, when you are not feeling well, probably helps to strenthen the circuits involved in normal emotional function. I think the worst thing you can do is *give up* on engaging potentially adverse situations just because you don't like the way they make you feel.
If you continue to throw yourself in situations that put you outside of your comfort zone, your brain will grow, adapt and respond. If you sit around and expect drugs to fix all your problems, your brain will atrophy.
>Still, I have heard you speak of being able to >go run and get relief, something I and many >others here cannot do.
B*llsh*t. You don't want to do it. If there was a crazy axe murderer chasing you, you'd move. Quit thinking about what makes you feel good. Just do it, and watch yourself respond.
Linkadge
poster:linkadge
thread:973794
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20101218/msgs/974031.html