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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 PrincessWorkstooMuch on November 24, 2003, at 12:30:51
Hello Everyone,
I just was wondering how everyone functions on a daily basis with the plastered smile (this is me) trying not to let anyone know whats really going on on the inside? I haven't been very successful lately. I have a job working midnights standing on my feet that isn't good for me but what would happen if I leave it behind along with my medical insurance? I take prozac and xanax....it saved my life. My doctor has also prescribed topomax since I have gained sixty pounds on the prozac.
What I would like to know is how do you function? Hold down a job? Overcome all of the cruel people in the workplace? I am at the end of my rope trying to hang on. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. thanks.
Posted by MamaCindy2000 on November 24, 2003, at 15:23:20
In reply to How Do you PRETEND PRETEND PRETEND to be OKAY?, posted by PrincessWorkstooMuch on November 24, 2003, at 12:30:51
A young person on the board posted "for evey smile I fake, I cry a thousand tears". and that should sum it up, its the story of my life. I work everyday. I have a three year son. I am solely responsible for him. His father doesnt help, Im single.
3 weeks ago I had to move back in my parents. I had a "meltdown" as I call it. Humiliating to be 27 and still this way. It takes every bit of energy in my body, mind and soul to get through my day. I have crying spells at work, i go in the bathroom and say to myself "keep it together,keep it together, keep it together" Im doing a good job right now, keeping it together. My eyes well up just writing this. My boss' daughter is bipolar, I think that is the only reason I still have my job. Wellbutrin,Darvocet,and sometimes alcohol,pot, and xanex help. Since on the Wellbutrin, I use the others considerably less.
Posted by MamaCindy2000 on November 24, 2003, at 15:25:52
In reply to How Do you PRETEND PRETEND PRETEND to be OKAY?, posted by PrincessWorkstooMuch on November 24, 2003, at 12:30:51
I almost forgot, my PDoc prescribed a low dose of trileptal last week. Maybe its helping.
Best Wishes,
Cindy
Posted by Waterlily on November 25, 2003, at 8:59:50
In reply to How Do you PRETEND PRETEND PRETEND to be OKAY?, posted by PrincessWorkstooMuch on November 24, 2003, at 12:30:51
When my meds are not working, I just keep to myself and don't try to be chipper. Fortunately I can do that since I work in a laboratory where I don't have to interact with people a whole lot. The people I work with are nice and most of them know that I struggle with depression at times. It really helps to know that they're sympathetic (decent people wouldn't think badly of someone who's depressed). When I have extreme anxiety I wonder how I'm even going to make it to work, let alone get through the day. Fortunately that's not often, but sometimes I have to take a sick day or take off early because of it.
You know how people ask "how are you?" as kind of a greeting? Kind of makes me sick when people always say they're doing great or fine. One time I asked a nurse how she was doing and she said "like cr**". I almost died laughing because there are so many times I would have liked to say that.
If you are continually having trouble working because of your depression and anxiety, then perhaps there is a better combination of meds out there for you.
Posted by ratgrrl on November 25, 2003, at 22:40:34
In reply to Re: How Do you PRETEND PRETEND PRETEND to be OKAY?, posted by Waterlily on November 25, 2003, at 8:59:50
I don't pretend. I'm lucky not to have to. I am a grad student. I can't tell you how happy I was to get to grad school and get an office with a door and officemates who know and understand. If I can just keep from crying/freaking out long enough to get to my office and close the door, the damage is minimal.
I'm also lucky to be in a field (mathematics) where pretty much everyone is a little off. My academic advisor has similar uncontrollable emotional overreactions to me, and she is tremendously successful and famous in our field. It gives me hope that I can actually get somewhere even though I'm a little (a lot?) off some of the time.
I shouldn't make it sound like it's easy though. With every new professor or student I work with, I have to decide how much to disclose and most likely they will see me overreact to something or get manic and then I have to "mop up" so to speak. I still worry about being "too crazy" and losing the respect of my professors and peers. On average though, for me in my particular situation, I think its easier to be open than to expend the amount of energy necessary to pretend to be fine.
--ratgrrl
This is the end of the thread.
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