Depression

[LightHeart]

Anyone else go through this?

[vervilledeb1]

Anyone else go through this?

Hi LH! Yes, I have had bouts of depression. And I believe I have family members that do also. I am also a firm believer in the fact I tend to get more depressed in the winter. I'm not sure if it has to do with the sunlight issue or just the fact that I am not getting out as much. I do know if I get out and walk or do something out of the house I will feel better.

[vervilledeb1]

Also did you know that most people that suffer depression also have anxiety symptoms? I am seeing new meds that treat both in one single dose.

[ScarlettRuby]

I was on Zoloft for a year. My doctor prescribed it because I complained about having low energy. I thought I was losing my mind on that drug. I will never do that again. I got worse instead of better.

Now if I feel low I don't bother to mention it to my doctor. Instead I go shopping. Retail therapy I call it! I think that everyone gets depressed sometimes. Life is stressful and its our way of shutting down a little. I can handle it now better I think because I see it as something normal and natural that will pass.

[Destiny]

I find getting into a hobby or taking a small break will help me. Sometimes we just need a break from our everyday routine to "unwind". Remember, exercise and eating healthy make a huge difference.

[Jeannie in a Bottle]

Anyone else go through this?
Yes, I'm presently going through one of the worst bouts I've ever had.

[Destiny]

Yes, I'm presently going through one of the worst bouts I've ever had.


Hi Jeannie! Maybe you could explain what this is like? Or someone on the board. I think I may have been in a depression a few times also but I am not 100 percent sure. I'm sure there are others out there that are unsure like myself.

[vervilledeb1]

Does anyone here think maybe hormones have alot to do with this? I know sometimes with me I think it plays a major role.

[LightHeart]

Does anyone here think maybe hormones have alot to do with this? I know sometimes with me I think it plays a major role.

I think hormones play a big part. It's weird with me, I have my high days when there is nothing that can bring me down, and I have my low days where I don't even want to get out of bed.

Of course my husband thinks it has nothing to do with hormones, he thinks I dwell on my past to much. Which I guess I do on my low days. And I agree Debby with the anxiety part. On my low days I find myself
hyperventalating alot.

[vervilledeb1]

Thanks Lightheart...so it's not just me. I find at certain times of my "cycle" I tend to get dragged down much easier. And when I am tired every little thing seems to just bother me more. Which I know is normal but I tend to dwell on them more I guess. And just the stress of everyday life can almost seem like too much at times. The house, school, kids, and whatever else seems to all go wrong at the same time.

[LightHeart]

Hi Jeannie! Maybe you could explain what this is like? Or someone on the board. I think I may have been in a depression a few times also but I am not 100 percent sure. I'm sure there are others out there that are unsure like myself.
In my case, I know when its hitting me, I start off worrying about everything. I wake up in the middle of the night in a panick and can't get back to sleep. I can't eat, and I get very quiet. It's a very helpless, hopeless feeling.

[Jeannie in a Bottle]

Good wishes to you all. I hope it gets better for you.

[NicoMoon]

Good wishes to you all. I hope it gets better for you.

That's sweet of you, Jeannie!

I think one way out of depression is doing what you just did, thinking about others. I don't mean to be simplistic, I know that depression is a serious situation. It's something we all face from time to time for sure.

From a biochemical perspective, it's good to avoid sugar and get lots of excercise when we feel depression coming on. I find it to be amazing how different my problems seem when I'm feeling healthy, exercising and eating well, as opposed to when I'm in couch potato mode. Considering the difference, I do have to blame my body for depression as much as I do my mind or my circumstances.

A good book on the topic is "Beyond Prozac" by Michael Norden, MD, in which he discusses "natural Prozacs" like light therapy, vitamin and herbal supplementation, sleep patterns, etc.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060987073/103-5829506-7964607?v=glance&n=283155

[vervilledeb1]

I found this while reading through the new health news. I thought some may find it interesting. I asked somewhere in one of my other posts if anyone else thought hormones could also be related to depression.



"Two separate studies show a woman's risk for a first bout with depression rises sharply as she approaches menopause."

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060403/ap_on_he_me/menopause_depression;_ylt=ArCM29mjdYraBoMkjU4G34HV JRIF;_ylu=X3oDMTA5aHJvMDdwBHNlYwN5bmNhdA--

Hmmm, gotta love those hormones!

[jaescafe]

Depression has been a part of my life since I was about 18 or so. I have been on meds for the last 3 years and I still have my good and bad days. Lately, I've felt pretty down, but yesterday was better and today will be better that yesterday, right? It's always going to be a part of my life and I have started to realize it's a part of who I am. Good or bad this is me, live with it :).

[chameleon]

Hormones very definitely play a part in regulating mood, though more in some people than in others. My 16 year old struggles with mood disorder and panic attacks and has since she hit puberty and began menstruating. All of a sudden in seventh grade, she flipped from being a straight A student who was always described by her teachers as 'a joy to have in class' to a total Jekyll and Hyde. Everyone was totally baffled. Most of the time she was sunny, insightful, sensitive - the proverbial teacher's dream child. Then out of nowhere, she'd turn into hell on wheels, slam on the brakes, have violent temper tantrums, defy teachers and administrators, refuse to work - she'd just walk out of class because someone said something that ticked her off. It took us the better part of the year to recognize the pattern - she was suspended from school every single month on the day before her period started. She hates taking meds of any kind, so she still struggles with it - but at least recognizing where it's coming from lets her take a step back and realize that she's not going crazy... there's a physical cause for what she's feeling.

[vervilledeb1]

Hormones very definitely play a part in regulating mood, though more in some people than in others. My 16 year old struggles with mood disorder and panic attacks and has since she hit puberty and began menstruating. All of a sudden in seventh grade, she flipped from being a straight A student who was always described by her teachers as 'a joy to have in class' to a total Jekyll and Hyde. Everyone was totally baffled. Most of the time she was sunny, insightful, sensitive - the proverbial teacher's dream child. Then out of nowhere, she'd turn into hell on wheels, slam on the brakes, have violent temper tantrums, defy teachers and administrators, refuse to work - she'd just walk out of class because someone said something that ticked her off. It took us the better part of the year to recognize the pattern - she was suspended from school every single month on the day before her period started. She hates taking meds of any kind, so she still struggles with it - but at least recognizing where it's coming from lets her take a step back and realize that she's not going crazy... there's a physical cause for what she's feeling.

I really believe this happens more than people realize. I know even with myself the week before my period I become overwhelmed with things. The mountain of laundry seems like something I will never get through. I second guess everything that I am doing. Go through the "Is it worth me cleaning this house everyday when I am the only one doing anything?" At least as I got older I was able to recognize this and can deal with it easier. I wouldn't want to go back to being a teen for all the money in the world. Just dealing with the everyday issues with peers, school, etc is bad enough and then throw this into the mix.

[LightHeart]

I really believe this happens more than people realize. I know even with myself the week before my period I become overwhelmed with things. The mountain of laundry seems like something I will never get through. I second guess everything that I am doing. Go through the "Is it worth me cleaning this house everyday when I am the only one doing anything?" At least as I got older I was able to recognize this and can deal with it easier. I wouldn't want to go back to being a teen for all the money in the world. Just dealing with the everyday issues with peers, school, etc is bad enough and then throw this into the mix.
I just had this argument with my hubby last week, Why do I spend my days off busting my hump cleaning, when the days I do work they do nothing to keep it up. Grant it he has been busy with the political elections coming up in our district next week, but sheesh, is it even to much to ask or expect that when I get home at 10:00 at night that the pets be feed dinner. Last time I checked I didn't see that I open a can any different then the rest of them do.

And why is it so hard for a teenager to wash their bowl after having ice cream? I suppose that one way to fix that would be to stop buying ice cream, I don't eat it anyways. :D

[chameleon]

I think we all deal with that one. In my house, I'm the one working - I have three teenagers who go to school, and their father who is retired and on disability. I work at home, routinely putting in 10-12 hour days on various projects. But I am also the one who drops everything to chauffeur people around, attend school meetings, get kids to doctors appointments, expected to cook the meals (I can't tell you how often someone appears by my desk at 8 pm to ask 'what are you making for supper?') and while others WILL do dishes or pick up the living room, it takes me getting frustrated and totally losing my cool before anyone actually moves. Which usually happens when I'm in full PMS mode. At which point everyone wants to know 'sheesh, what are you so stressed about?'

Go figure.

[lollypop]

Anyone else go through this?


Howdy LH.....well I thought I was going through it 2 years ago until
a couple weeks ago when I started weaning off my depression medicine.
The withdrawls are terrible, but I am beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel. After two weeks of weaning and 4 days and 7 bandaids later these damn Rainbows are becoming bearable. My advice is DO NOT attempt to go off a medicine and buy any Rainbow sandals at the same time.
I need some coffee. Should be back regular, I think my brain is healing.
Love the awesome site. Shore is pretty. Good job well done by Nico and everyone else that participated in the effort.
Ah shucks, my favorite jumping smilies are gone. hmmmm I will pick me one later my friends.