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

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

My meds and situation were highly atypical. I did not find any of the regular anti-depressants to be of much use (which I think is atypical), and by the time I found a regimen that worked for me, I had (and still keep, to some extent) a lot of depressed habits, but I'd suffered from 10 til 22.

If this is atypical for you, keep moving forward. Treat yourself very, very well - make sure you get exercise, even if you can only do it for a few minutes, get enough fish oil and vitamin d (I think I the book is the Depression Cure?), keep regular hours. I think pushing through has been very helpful for me. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I had PPD. To manage it I started seeing a therapist. I thought about meds but honestly didn't want to be hooked on anything. Although I do think meds are good for those in severe depression having thoughts of suicide or hurting someone for example. My therapist helped me immensely. Also, exercise helped a lot. I started taking weekly yoga. I recommend getting an actual class and not doing it at home. I found the classes more effective than the at home dvds. I also worked a lot on changing my diet and actually started going to church more.

My DH, family, and most friends were useless. Only one friend understood and it was because she went through severe depression that was only controlled by meds.

[Anonymous]

First of all, and repeat this to yourself over and over again, depression is no different than diabetes or high blood pressure. I hate that people still put a stigma around it just because there isn't a simple blood test to confirm it.

I have struggled with depression for 25 years (I'm 35). I take a combination of meds and sometimes do therapy. It is absolutely possible to feel better with a combination of those. If you can find some time to exercise and eat less sugar that will help a lot too. Personally, when I'm really depressed and people tell me that I want to punch them in the face, but it's still true. Don't be discouraged if the doctor trys the lowest dose first and if you don't see improvement in your mood within two weeks you should keep looking for the right meds. The fog will slowly start to lift and you'll feel like it's possible to get through the day and even enjoy life again. For my own personal dialogue, I try to find something to be thankful for and think about that. I know it sounds corny but it works for me.

Please don't feel like there is no hope because there is. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

You don't "get hooked" on depression meds. You get treated.

My depression caused me to stop eating and sleeping. It was bad. Welbutrin gave me my life back.

[Anonymous]

I stopped talking to everyone, lost 10 lbs from not eating and couldn't sleep. I was just going through everything like a robot.

I was on meds before it started. Like most of these waves, I just try to ride it out and wait for it to pass. I wasn't in the mood to try add on drugs and have had bad luck with SSRIs and SNRIs.

[Anonymous]

OP, are you seeing a psychiatrist?

There are so many medications available, even if you plan on therapy, medication can help ease some of the debilitating aspects of depression. A psychiatrist can help determine which antidepressant might be best, because a lot depends on how your depression manifests.

You don't have to tell your friends and family what you're going through. And honestly, if they are judgmental, as you suggest, then I would suggest not telling them. Instead, find treatment.

There are also online resources. http://www.crazymeds.us/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HomePage
is a really helpful resource. Not only is the information comprehensive, but the guy who runs the site has a lighthearted way of discussing a heavy topic. There is a section for forums. Sometimes I think it's helpful to read through. It's almost like a support group.

When things seem really dark, simplify. Just focus on the basics -- getting up, showering, getting to work, eating, sleeping. Establish a routine and don't put a lot of pressure on yourself to feel better. I think sometimes the pressure to NOT be depressed can add to the depression.

Definitely explore treatment options. Medication can make a big difference in a relatively short period of time (usually a few weeks). Some people use meds just while they are working on things in therapy.

Don't give up.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for your responses. I haven't sought professional help yet, but know I need to. Just going to work every morning is an overwhelming task.

[Anonymous]

^Op here

[Anonymous]

I had PPD and then depression a couple of times after that. I take a low dose effexor. I take it because it is better for my family and I accept that I have depression. I feel as though I haven't had much luck with therapy but I think I have learned some things from going through therapists several times. It is indeed a deep dark place and I wouldn't wish it upon anyone. I only talk to a few trusted individuals that I managed to find out that they had depression. Most people I think just don't understand. Hang in there and keep picking yourself off the floor. This is a helpful website:http://www.cnn.com/interactive/2012/10/living/ireport-depression-stories/index.html?fb_action_ids=107858619372414&fb_action_types=og.recommends&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582

[Anonymous]

22:59 here.

OP, I would also caution you against telling friends.

I confided in a friend, and I've seriously regretted it, because she sees everything in terms of it. If I'm legitimately upset about something or angry about something that merits anger, I feel like it's discounted and sort of explained away.

People will label you, even people who pretend to be enlightened about such topics. I don't think you should lie if asked about it. But I wouldn't open up to a friend about it without knowing how that friend has handled such things with other friends.

Even people who think they understand depression don't really get it unless they've dealt with it either personally or as a professional psychiatrist/psychologist. But I have found that every friend who has taken an intro to psych course suddenly thinks they're an expert.

I've also noticed recently that more and more people are quick to conclude about other people "oh, he/she has mental health problems." It's dangerous when people start playing amateur psychologist and diagnosing everyone they know.

So my best advice is to bypass talking to friends and schedule an appointment with an actual psychiatrist and/or seek out support groups (online even) of other people who have actually gone through the same thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You don't "get hooked" on depression meds. You get treated.

My depression caused me to stop eating and sleeping. It was bad. Welbutrin gave me my life back.

People do end up relying on meds for years and even decades. I didn't want to be like this. I know because I've seen people on meds that have been on them long term. Even my own doc said try therapy and life style changes first. If those doesn't work, then try the medicines.

I do think meds are needed and great for many people suffering depression, they just weren't for me.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You don't "get hooked" on depression meds. You get treated.

My depression caused me to stop eating and sleeping. It was bad. Welbutrin gave me my life back.

People do end up relying on meds for years and even decades. I didn't want to be like this. I know because I've seen people on meds that have been on them long term. Even my own doc said try therapy and life style changes first. If those doesn't work, then try the medicines.

I do think meds are needed and great for many people suffering depression, they just weren't for me.

Are you implying there's a problem with that? Those people that you've seen on meds "long term," were they doing well? Maybe that means the meds help them. No one cautions diabetics about being on insulin "long term." No one with heart disease says, "I didn't want to try meds because I don't want to rely on them."

If therapy and lifestyle changes work, then it's likely you don't need medication. But there are many forms of depression that therapy and lifestyle changes don't cure.

I have also known people who have successfully taken medication temporarily in order to help get them enough out of the pit of depression that they were actually able to make lifestyle changes and give therapy a shot of working. And then they went off of those meds when they no longer needed them.

Some people experience depression so severe they can't get out of bed or eat or function properly. It's going to be pretty difficult to get them to successfully make lifestyle changes if they can't even get out of bed. Meds can often at least lift the depression enough to enable a person to then make other changes.

I also think your statement "I don't want to be like this" with regard to people who rely on medication long term is judgmental and actually offensive. You make it sound like a choice. No one wants to have to take medication. People with chronic illness or other issues don't want to be "like that," but you would never caution someone against seeking treatment for arthritis because they might rely on medication! It's absurd.

And it's exactly the reason, OP, you should be careful who you talk to. Go to a psychiatrist. They are medical professionals. They can help you carve out a treatment plan, with or without meds, with or without therapy.

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

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.