Depression. In it now? BTDT before? What are you or have you done?

[Anonymous]

Has anyone tried neurofeedback for depression and/or anxiety? I've had a few episodes of depression in my life, which is situational but can spiral out of control. I've learned behavioral and mindfulness techniques and can usually keep myself out of it, but lately it is bad again as my marriage is falling apart. One of my therapist's partners offers neurofeedback and I'm thinking of trying it before pills. I'd love to hear about anyone's experiences.

[Anonymous]

OP, when I was in the midst of my depression I felt exhausted, alone, and like I was watching my life though a thick glass window. Nothing brought me joy. I have always erred on the side of depression and anxiety, as I look back, but a combo of problems with my mother and a job where I worked from 4pm to 1 am sent me over the edge and into a state of frozen misery. I couldn't even really cry.

I went to a therapist and got on meds. Both things helped and once I was on the other side I couldn't believe how low I had gotten. I had even thought about ending my life "because honestly what's the point."

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are currently experiencing depression, or have in the past, how has it affected your life? What are you/did you do to help? What meds (if any) have you tried? Who did you tell in your personal life?

I'm in a dark place and need help. People in my life can be very judgmental. I was hoping to hear others' stories.

Affected my life: I was irritable, emotional, angry with those closest to me for real and imagined slights, felt hopeless that things would get better, considered drastic life changes (leaving my family, etc.)

What I did: sought therapy (helped somewhat but not much) and eventually went on Lexapro. Have not tried any other meds. Also made sure to exercise regularly (this helped, but not as much as the meds).

Who did I tell: spouse and close friends only. It's important to tell them that you cannot control your emotions and ask them in advance to be patient with your bad moods/bad attitude.

[Anonymous]

I went through a very dark depression in my 30's and in retrospect, waited far too long before seeking treatment. I was always angry, sad, you name it. When I finally did tell my doctor, after much urging from my mom and husband, she prescribed Prozac. It took about three weeks to gradually start feeling better, and then I realized that I finally felt like a normal human being again, the way I always used to feel. It was truly a miracle for me. I am a far better mother, wife, daughter, and friend than I was during that terrible time.

I think some people are under the mistaken belief that taking medication for depression makes you falsely "happy" about everything. That is so off-base. It simply replaces the seratonin your brain should be making but is not. Once your seratonin levels are normalized, you then feel and act like a "normal" person again. Of course, not everyone has severe enough depression to warrant taking meds, but for those of us who do, it's a godsend.

I agree with PPs who have said that depression is an illness and must be treated as such, much like diabetes or heart disease. I did gradually stop taking Prozac, about a year ago, because I wanted to see if I could go without, but I found myself right back in that dark place. I've realized that I'll probably be taking it (now taking the generic form) for the rest of my life and I'm ok with that. After all, if I was a diabetic, I would certainly need insulin for my entire life. And if my children look back and remember that I was a loving, kind person and not some shrew, than it is all worthwhile for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I have heard from people who tried to get off of anti-depressants and were not able to. Coming off of an anti depressant after long term use can actually be very dangerous for your health. It can make you very, very sick due to the withdrawl symptoms.

I am not being judgemental, but I think OP should know both sides. My doctor prescribed me an antidepressant and after doing some research, I decided against taking it and it turned out to be a wise choice FOR ME.

This is just plain BS, and dangerous BS at that.

Whenever you go off of a medication you need to do so under a doctor's care. There's nothing dangerous about that. Sure, if you are taking a higher dose and just stop, you will have problems. The same is true of many drugs.

And just because you need a drug for some time doesn't mean you are hooked. And doesn't mean you have "reliance." It means you still have the underlying disease and still need to be treated.

Yeah just like the lady down at the capitol last year whose doctor was helping her get off antidepressants for severe PPD. So she decides to go on a rampage in downtown DC and now she is dead. Pull your head out of your ass. Antidepressants aren't candy and they aren't easy for everyone to get off of.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I have heard from people who tried to get off of anti-depressants and were not able to. Coming off of an anti depressant after long term use can actually be very dangerous for your health. It can make you very, very sick due to the withdrawl symptoms.

I am not being judgemental, but I think OP should know both sides. My doctor prescribed me an antidepressant and after doing some research, I decided against taking it and it turned out to be a wise choice FOR ME.

This is just plain BS, and dangerous BS at that.

Whenever you go off of a medication you need to do so under a doctor's care. There's nothing dangerous about that. Sure, if you are taking a higher dose and just stop, you will have problems. The same is true of many drugs.

And just because you need a drug for some time doesn't mean you are hooked. And doesn't mean you have "reliance." It means you still have the underlying disease and still need to be treated.

Yeah just like the lady down at the capitol last year whose doctor was helping her get off antidepressants for severe PPD. So she decides to go on a rampage in downtown DC and now she is dead. Pull your head out of your ass. Antidepressants aren't candy and they aren't easy for everyone to get off of.

Does it occur to you that the problem with that lady was that she went off of the meds? The problem was NOT that she should never have taken them. It's that she should not have gone off of the... much like someone who has diabetes shouldn't go off of insulin.

No, antidepressants aren't candy. They are MEDICATION for an ILLNESS. And if you have that illness, then yes, going off of the medication that treats the illness is going to cause a relapse, sometimes a dangerous one.

[Anonymous]

OP Depression is an illness. And one that can and is often fatal. People do not die from taking medication, they die through acts of depression, either accidental or on purpose. Some one who is clinically depressed does not have the best judgment at times. There are medications and doctors who can help -- even save your life. It does not matter what others think of your "weakness" in taking meds for depression. That is just ignorant, although it does happen that the ignorant will give their opinions. Best to discuss things with a doctor. There is not but so much that can be done for a clinical depression without medications. Medications that actually work for depression are a late 20th century miracle. One thing to do is to try medication, see if they work, then rethink things. BTDT I prefer a better life without depression. You do not become a drug addict through taking medications for depression.
I am very sorry that you are going through this and hope you are feeling better soon.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If you are currently experiencing depression, or have in the past, how has it affected your life? What are you/did you do to help? What meds (if any) have you tried? Who did you tell in your personal life?

I'm in a dark place and need help. People in my life can be very judgmental. I was hoping to hear others' stories.

Affected my life: I was irritable, emotional, angry with those closest to me for real and imagined slights, felt hopeless that things would get better, considered drastic life changes (leaving my family, etc.)

What I did: sought therapy (helped somewhat but not much) and eventually went on Lexapro. Have not tried any other meds. Also made sure to exercise regularly (this helped, but not as much as the meds).

Who did I tell: spouse and close friends only. It's important to tell them that you cannot control your emotions and ask them in advance to be patient with your bad moods/bad attitude.

This describes me also. I have been on meds for over 20 years. When I stop, the disease comes back. I am OK with taking meds for depression for the rest of my life.
Many people who are pulled back from the brink of suicide later say "It all seems like a dream. WHAT was I thinking?"

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, I have heard from people who tried to get off of anti-depressants and were not able to. Coming off of an anti depressant after long term use can actually be very dangerous for your health. It can make you very, very sick due to the withdrawl symptoms.

I am not being judgemental, but I think OP should know both sides. My doctor prescribed me an antidepressant and after doing some research, I decided against taking it and it turned out to be a wise choice FOR ME.

This is just plain BS, and dangerous BS at that.

Whenever you go off of a medication you need to do so under a doctor's care. There's nothing dangerous about that. Sure, if you are taking a higher dose and just stop, you will have problems. The same is true of many drugs.

And just because you need a drug for some time doesn't mean you are hooked. And doesn't mean you have "reliance." It means you still have the underlying disease and still need to be treated.

Yeah just like the lady down at the capitol last year whose doctor was helping her get off antidepressants for severe PPD. So she decides to go on a rampage in downtown DC and now she is dead. Pull your head out of your ass. Antidepressants aren't candy and they aren't easy for everyone to get off of.

Wow, you have taken the wrong lesson from that tragic event. She was obviously still quite ill and needed the medication. Think about cause and effect for a moment. A person has depression, a person takes medication for that depression and feels better, and person stops the medication and the depression returns. The same thing would happen to my GERD if I stopped taking my antacid. This is not a situation where the medication caused the depression -- the depression already existed.

I took effexor for anxiety for 9 months and the anxiety was gone even after I went off the effexor. I only needed a short term course of meds. But when I later developed debilitating depression I went on welburtrin and when I've tried to go off teh depression has returned. I have a lifelong chronic illness but fortunately it is completely controlled by medication so i feel great. (same thing with my GERD.)