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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by kevinp_au on January 19, 2001, at 21:55:19
This is a little long just so we stay on track. Since separation in 1996. I have been on Zoloft, Efexor, Aropax 20, Dothiepin, and now Aurorix, Moclobemide.
- None have done any good. It terms of lifting me out of depression. I drink, (to sleep) and I smoke (addictive personality.)
Now trying hypnotherapy - best effect so far. Plus valium although doctors don't seem to want to prescribe it.Of course living alone doesn't help and you become a burden on your friends.
PUZZLE
Depression has 2 sides:
a) anxiety, restless, insomnia, lack of concentration, hyper activity etc.
b) depressed, miserable, worry, suicidal, crying, can't cope.
Questions
1) Is above generally right?
2) What is the normal we are trying to achieve
3) What is the best way to 'come down' from this state?Also
1) What is bipolar?
regards
and a better new year to all.
Posted by Gracie2 on January 20, 2001, at 1:05:53
In reply to Depression - 2 sides to it - normal??!, posted by kevinp_au on January 19, 2001, at 21:55:19
In my own humble opinion, you have pretty much described a bi-polar personality. If there's a "happy" side to manic depression, I don't see it myself. To me, the insomnia, anxiety and hyper-activity describe mania. In this state, I over-do everything. I'm not a mall rat, but I can go to the grocery or drugstore and buy everything in sight, including fish food for fish that I don't have yet but plan on getting probably.In a depressive state, I'm incapable of doing anything. Just getting out of bed is a huge chore that is almost beyond me; I simply can't handle it, can't face another day. I'm so disappointed to find myself awake and not dreaming, it makes me want to cry.
I imagine that "normal" means you are actually capable of celebrating the day; you wake up and have things you want to do, goals you want to meet, people you want to see. You care about what's going on in your world. I would give up my dream house, the one overlooking the ocean, if I could wake up every day and feel like that.
Carpe diem-
Gracie
Posted by allisonm on January 20, 2001, at 13:18:05
In reply to Depression - 2 sides to it - normal??!, posted by kevinp_au on January 19, 2001, at 21:55:19
I agree with you that depression has two sides, but I think they are different from what you describe. I have experienced depression with all of the symptoms you describe: anxiety, worry, insomnia, restlessness, lack of concentration, depressed, suicidal, crying, can't cope.
From what I have read from the posts of others, I think the other kind of depression is the kind wherre one doesn't feel like doing anything. It is a major effort just to get out of bed in the morning. Some would prefer to stay in bed all day. I have never felt this.
How do we get out of it?
The right medications paired with good psychotherapy, exercise, an earnest attempt to do things that interest you, all can help. Depression can lift by itself, too. That said, my depression appears to be chronic and treatment resistant. This week I've started my 8th med in three years. While they have helped, none of the combinations has been completely successful.
From reading your brief post, I might make a couple of suggestions: 1. Separation and divorce can be difficult to deal with. If you still are unhappy about your life as it is since the separation in 1996, maybe there need to be more changes in your life. Since my separation in 1998 (my husband left me), I have learned to like living alone. It took a long time to get used to it, and I really hated it at first, but now I see the advantages. Have you tried cognitive behavioral therapy?
2. If you are becoming a burden to your friends, maybe they aren't really friends.
3. Drinking alcohol to sleep is a bad idea. Drinking alone is a bad idea. Alcohol actually hinders good sleep patterns. It's also a depressant, which isn't good if you're already depressed. If you are having trouble sleeping, I would suggest Remeron or Serzone. Currently I'm taking Neurontin, a mood-stabilizer, to help me sleep.
4. If the drugs you've taken have not helped at all, I would suggest trying others and finding a psychiatrist who is more aggressive in finding a treatment. Four years is too long to wait for some kind of relief.
I don't know a lot about BP. there are many on this board who do. You'll also find information on Dr. Bob's enpsychlopedia and links pages. I think Dr. Ivan Goldberg's page has descriptions.
Take care.
Allison
Posted by dj on January 20, 2001, at 16:23:35
In reply to Re: Depression - 2 sides to it - normal??!, posted by allisonm on January 20, 2001, at 13:18:05
> 2. If you are becoming a burden to your >friends, maybe they aren't really friends.
A sign of depression can be excessive dependancy on ohters and expecting too much of your friends and family and not enough of oneself which can lead to alienation just as depression is alienation from self. Alienation is a legitimate symptom and a potential response which may just mean that you've placed too much on your friends and families plate to grapple with, so they've chosen not to...and the negative feedback loop goes on and on...
Posted by allisonm on January 20, 2001, at 19:37:05
In reply to Re: Depression - friends..., posted by dj on January 20, 2001, at 16:23:35
Thanks, DJ.
I guess I was speaking from my own experience. I tend to go in the opposite direction -- worrying constantly that I am a burden to others, or insisting that I never become a burden in the first place.
Over the years, I have found that friends have fallen away -- partly because I haven't had the energy to keep up the friendships, partly because I didn't know what to say anymore. I felt I wasn't able to identify with my "friends" anymore, nor they with me. I couldn't react "normally" to their banter, and they didn't know what to make of my flat reactions. The friends I have now, or those who are left, are those who care about how I am, whether they understand it or not. I try not to talk about my depression. I try not to "burden" them with details when they do ask, but sometimes their questions require more explanation. They have stuck this out with me and I will always be grateful.
This is the end of the thread.
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