Depression is real

[calibob]

.Depression is real, not imaginary. It's more than a feeling like when your team loses the game or your cat dies. I'm talking about it 'D', not 'd' It is a medical issue that effects our emotions and I have found, for ME, vitamin 'B' works better than any of the meds I have been issued.

I am not a doctor but I don't earn a living issuing pills either.

 

[calibob]

It's difficult to present yourself as positive, upbeat and sober when we feel as if we are empty inside, unwanted or just old. Am I the only one here that feels like this?

 

[LaVieEnRose]

It's difficult to present yourself as positive, upbeat and sober when we feel as if we are empty inside, unwanted or just old. Am I the only one here that feels like this?

No, but I think the first post kind of scared off those of us who take antidepressants. I got on Lexapro and it was one of the best things I ever did. I’ve always had a tendency to be depressed. I was “moody” as a child. Antidepressants are nothing to dismiss. We take advantage of modern medicine when our physical health is concerned, so why shouldn’t we do the same with our emotional health?

After the suicides of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, one of the ladies I used to go to church with, opened up on facebook about taking antidepressants, and then more Christian ladies recounted their depression and how medicine has helped us. It was a really empowering post as most of us had either denied having depression or were embarrassed as it would make us look like “bad Christians” since we were not always happy and the smiles were sometimes fixed.

There are many, many people who are depressed. If vitamins help you, great! But some of us have decided to take the traditional medical route. I know some people have found St. John’s Wort to be helpful, but I would suggest people talk to their doctors before taking anything herbal.

 

[calibob]

No, but I think the first post kind of scared off those of us who take antidepressants. I got on Lexapro and it was one of the best things I ever did. I’ve always had a tendency to be depressed. I was “moody” as a child. Antidepressants are nothing to dismiss. We take advantage of modern medicine when our physical health is concerned, so why shouldn’t we do the same with our emotional health?

After the suicides of Kate Spade and Anthony Bourdain, one of the ladies I used to go to church with, opened up on facebook about taking antidepressants, and then more Christian ladies recounted their depression and how medicine has helped us. It was a really empowering post as most of us had either denied having depression or were embarrassed as it would make us look like “bad Christians” since we were not always happy and the smiles were sometimes fixed.

There are many, many people who are depressed. If vitamins help you, great! But some of us have decided to take the traditional medical route. I know some people have found St. John’s Wort to be helpful, but I would suggest people talk to their doctors before taking anything herbal.

I understand, and when I tried to correct what I had written I used up too much time. I am diagnosed with major depressive disorder and I tried the pharma route first and became bi-polar and easily confused and or irritated, I even got lost taking the bus to school.

I don't reccomend anyone to stop taking their meds. Without consulting their doctor at least. Mine told me that he had great success with cognitive disorders, that can mimic depression, with folic acid and and thiamin and issued me some. Soon the fog began to clear, I could concentrate, I stopped feeling lost and could go places again. I made the decision to stop the meds because I have self control over myself now when depressed. When manic, no way.

I am a V.A. patient, and it takes 3 mos to get an appointment and the nearest walk in psych clinic is 90 miles each way, I don't have a car.
I know that it is neurological and I am not a bad person. But when I am lonely and depressed what I know dosn't help much.

Thank you. May I drop a line to you here sometime?

 

[LaVieEnRose]

I understand, and when I tried to correct what I had written I used up too much time. I am diagnosed with major depressive disorder and I tried the pharma route first and became bi-polar and easily confused and or irritated, I even got lost taking the bus to school.

I don't reccomend anyone to stop taking their meds. Without consulting their doctor at least. Mine told me that he had great success with cognitive disorders, that can mimic depression, with folic acid and and thiamin and issued me some. Soon the fog began to clear, I could concentrate, I stopped feeling lost and could go places again. I made the decision to stop the meds because I have self control over myself now when depressed. When manic, no way.

I am a V.A. patient, and it takes 3 mos to get an appointment and the nearest walk in psych clinic is 90 miles each way, I don't have a car.
I know that it is neurological and I am not a bad person. But when I am lonely and depressed what I know dosn't help much.

Thank you. May I drop a line to you here sometime?

I know I am bossy and what I say doesn’t really matter. But I really think you should be under the care of a psychiatrist since you are bipolar. Antidepressants did not cause you to become bipolar.

Bipolar patients who are not on their meds do not have as a high a quality of life as bipolar patients who are ON their meds.

Patients should NEVER take themselves off of medication, whether they are taking medication for high blood pressure or for being manic.

If you are not on medication, you will probably have manic episodes. You can not prevent them without medicine.

I worked in a mental hospital for five years, and my father has severe bipolar disorder and is paranoid. The difference between a medicated mentally ill person and an unmedicated one is like night and day.

I realize your former medications made you disoriented and drowsy, sometimes it takes a while to find out what medications you need in order to function. Since you have no transportation, I would suggest you call the hospital and ask to speak to a case worker to get you a taxi ride to the hospital. Tax payers provide money for this service. You are entitled to a ride to a psychiatrist.

You could respond, of course. But I will be a broken record, get under a psychiatrist’s care, and take your meds, and NEVER take yourself off of medication.

 

[calibob]

I appreciate your concern and advice but I never had a manic episode before I started taking them or since I stopped 8 years ago. They didn't make me drowsy, they made me hyper. Kind of paradoxical in a way having the extreemly opposite effect as intended. My doctors did know what I had done, they had issued me the vitamins to begin with from government stock.

But you are right about quality of life I am very dystopic that is why I am reaching out. Sure, if I call and threaten suicide they come take me away in an ambulance, not a taxi, and hold me for 72 hours. The hospitalization will be covered but it up to the VA to determine the doctor bill. Single men don't receive medicaid in Oklahoma.

last, I am not schizophrenic, and that is a common assumption, so I am not offended. I have unipolar chronic depression along with other more mundane discomforts like DJD, an artificial knee, hypertension, cervical spondilosis, etc.

Well I am NOT my favorite subject and its bedtime so goodnight...calibob