![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JuanAntonioD on September 21, 2001, at 22:09:39
Hello, all.
I've been battling The Beast (depression) for several years, and, because of the seasonal change (Seasonal Depression) and the upcoming holidays (yikes!), it's rearing it's ugly head again. I'm open to any advice and help anyone can offer.
First, I'd like to ask if there is an online chat group/community for people with depression where we can all talk with others who understand that it's not as easy as 'just cheering up'.
Also, I'm interested in more aggressive treatments such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Electroconvulsive Therapy and would like to hear anyone's comments on these.
As for my medications, currently I'm taking Remeron 60mg and just added Nortriptyline, and am at 30mg, with my doctor suggesting that I go up to 60mg. I take 2mg Ativan and 10mg Ambien nightly for sleep.
Any input is so welcome. Thanks for listening.
Antonio
Posted by afatchic on September 23, 2001, at 13:09:48
In reply to This Depression Thing Sucks and Noone Understands!, posted by JuanAntonioD on September 21, 2001, at 22:09:39
Antonio,
You have a lot in common with many members of this board. Winter has always been my worst time of year. I OD'd in the month of November, 23 years ago. Since that time I have learned some excellent coping skills. Here is what works for me and many others:
- Exercise. Do it on a regular basis even if you have to force yourself in the beginning.
- Humor. Try to see the humor in everything, even your depression. Watch silly movies.
- Plan for the future. Find things to look forward to.
- Chat. You can try Psycho-babble Open. The link is at the top of this page.
afatchic
> Hello, all.
>
> I've been battling The Beast (depression) for several years, and, because of the seasonal change (Seasonal Depression) and the upcoming holidays (yikes!), it's rearing it's ugly head again. I'm open to any advice and help anyone can offer.
>
> First, I'd like to ask if there is an online chat group/community for people with depression where we can all talk with others who understand that it's not as easy as 'just cheering up'.
>
> Also, I'm interested in more aggressive treatments such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Electroconvulsive Therapy and would like to hear anyone's comments on these.
>
> As for my medications, currently I'm taking Remeron 60mg and just added Nortriptyline, and am at 30mg, with my doctor suggesting that I go up to 60mg. I take 2mg Ativan and 10mg Ambien nightly for sleep.
>
> Any input is so welcome. Thanks for listening.
>
> Antonio
Posted by Mitch on September 23, 2001, at 14:57:54
In reply to This Depression Thing Sucks and Noone Understands!, posted by JuanAntonioD on September 21, 2001, at 22:09:39
> Hello, all.
>
> I've been battling The Beast (depression) for several years, and, because of the seasonal change (Seasonal Depression) and the upcoming holidays (yikes!), it's rearing it's ugly head again. I'm open to any advice and help anyone can offer.
>
> First, I'd like to ask if there is an online chat group/community for people with depression where we can all talk with others who understand that it's not as easy as 'just cheering up'.
>
> Also, I'm interested in more aggressive treatments such as Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation and Electroconvulsive Therapy and would like to hear anyone's comments on these.
>
> As for my medications, currently I'm taking Remeron 60mg and just added Nortriptyline, and am at 30mg, with my doctor suggesting that I go up to 60mg. I take 2mg Ativan and 10mg Ambien nightly for sleep.
>
> Any input is so welcome. Thanks for listening.
>
> AntonioHi, I have got seasonal depression too, and the light therapy does help! You don't necessarily have to go the light box route if you live south enough (that sounds odd). I found that just going outside at midday for about a 1 hour walk every time you get the chance made a big difference. Walking in the snow in the middle of the day really helped.
Posted by Mitch on September 23, 2001, at 15:06:59
In reply to This Depression Thing Sucks and Noone Understands!, posted by JuanAntonioD on September 21, 2001, at 22:09:39
> Hello, all.
>
> I've been battling The Beast (depression) for several years, and, because of the seasonal change (Seasonal Depression) and the upcoming holidays (yikes!), it's rearing it's ugly head again. I'm open to any advice and help anyone can offer.
>Here are some links I dug up real fast on seasonal affective disorder
http://www.mentalhealth.com/book/p40-sad.html
http://www.sada.org.uk/
http://world.std.com/~halberst/contrib/sad.html
http://www.nmha.org/infoctr/factsheets/27.cfm
Posted by ChrisK on September 24, 2001, at 4:36:08
In reply to This Depression Thing Sucks and Noone Understands!, posted by JuanAntonioD on September 21, 2001, at 22:09:39
Get a light box - they really do work. I used one for the last two winters and felt much better than I had in almost any previous winter. They aren't cheap but they are worth it. Watch for one on e-bay - I've seen a couple of them there lately.
Posted by Mitch on September 24, 2001, at 11:15:48
In reply to Re: This Depression Thing Sucks and Noone Understands!, posted by ChrisK on September 24, 2001, at 4:36:08
> Get a light box - they really do work. I used one for the last two winters and felt much better than I had in almost any previous winter. They aren't cheap but they are worth it. Watch for one on e-bay - I've seen a couple of them there lately.
Chris,
What "regimen" with the light box do you follow in the winter? Also, do you think you could make one yourself and save some money? The reason I ask is I work in a big manufacturing facility and I can get fluorescent fixtures/ballasts all sorts of stuff (not stealing them).Mitch
Posted by Zo on September 25, 2001, at 1:10:07
In reply to Re: This Depression Thing Sucks and Noone Understands! » ChrisK, posted by Mitch on September 24, 2001, at 11:15:48
Mitch, you wanna borrow my lightbox and see if it works?
Posted by ChrisK on September 25, 2001, at 4:27:09
In reply to Re: This Depression Thing Sucks and Noone Understands! » ChrisK, posted by Mitch on September 24, 2001, at 11:15:48
I live in upstet NY and I'm a morning person so I'm usually up around 5 AM. My first hour is spent at the computer reading mail, news, newsgroups, etc so I set the light up next to my monitor. I would turn it on as soon as I sat down and leave it on for 30 minutes. That was usually enough although some days I wouldn't pay attention to the time and spend 60 minutes in front of it.
I've read of people making their own boxes with success but I don't know what kind of plans trhey used. There may be some help on a newsgroup for SAD. I don't have the address but it's probably something like alt.support.depression.seasonal. Thay may be able to answer your question better than me.
Chris
Take ZO up on the offer above. It can't hurt
>
> Chris,
> What "regimen" with the light box do you follow in the winter? Also, do you think you could make one yourself and save some money? The reason I ask is I work in a big manufacturing facility and I can get fluorescent fixtures/ballasts all sorts of stuff (not stealing them).
>
> Mitch
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Social | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.