fighting depression

[deniz]

i would like to know who you deal with depression.We t-s people, are way more depressed than others, although '' lucky''people with no dysphoria,  believe the opossite.that we are the joy of life.
anyway i am trying to deal with my depression.gym and this forum are two good things.what about you.any ideas?

[Del]

I can't speak for others but when I had a bout with depression I went to the doctor and he gave me a temporary scrip for some happy pills.
If memory serves me correctly they were Wellbutrin.
Along with that I had to get away from that which was stressing me out.
It wasn't a tg/ts issue though so others may have better advice.
It worked for me.
Take care.
Del

[TreeFlower]

I went to a psychologist who was also a registered nurse.  He gave me Welbutrin.

There are psychiatrists, psychologists, and counselors.  Psychiatrists can prescribe meds. Psychologists can't prescribe meds (unless they are also a registered nurse   ).  Counselors don't do much.

My psychologist was in PA.  Laws are different in other states.

Check with your health care provider if you have one.  They may pay for all or part.  My provider payed for almost all of my depression care.  My company got bought out a year or so ago.  Now....  forget it.  The deductible is WAY to high for both the Dr. & the meds.  I do without.   Although..... they do pay for SRS.

[cindianna_jones]

Deniz,

Medication can help.  It really can.

For me, however, I've not used medication for more than just a few months.  It takes my ambition and flushes it down the toilet.

To fight my down times, I try do do something different or fun. I also take on new projects in work and play and pour myself into them.  I like to do something that someone else might deem impossible.  For example, a few years ago, I decided to build some telescopes.  I had to learn metal work, fiberglass, optics, woodworking, CAD, motor control of telescoopes, and all sorts of other things.  I did it and produced some of the finest large telescopes in the world.  I'm very proud of that.  I also learned to hang glide.  I took up backpacking and hiked the trails all along the Sierra Nevada.

Exercise also helps reduce depression.

Good luck hon.  It's a real bear to fight depression and it ain't fun.  I still struggle with it.

Cindi

[tekla]

Exercise also helps reduce depression.

I have found this to be very true.

[NicholeW.]

Most of what was said above, Deniz, was excellent. And there is a therapy approach called CBT that has worked wonders for depression. Psychiatrists are not generally interested in those sorts of therapies; medication has become their strong suit.

You might find a therapist in Athens who can teach you CBT, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. That is the goal, in fact, of the therapy, that the patient becomes her own therapist using the techniques the therapist teaches you. Lots of people who don't have clinical depressions and some who do find that works as well.

Nichole

[noxdraconis]

I have been depressed too, to the point of actually getting caught attempting suicide (being the smooth-talker I was, I was able to get away with just an order to visit a psychiatrist.)  I was put on meds, but quit, because like Cindi said, they kill your ambition (not to mention that reckless feeling they cause).  I find that putting yourself to work is the best.  Get involved in something you like, and throw yourself completely into it.  This leaves less time for depressing thoughts (you are too busy for them), you feel like you are accomplishing something, and if you work hard enough, you will become indespensible to the people you work with to the point where the just cannot function the same without you, which will make you feel wanted.

[joannatsf]

I have major depression and I've successfully treated it the last 6 years.  I've used a combination of medication, CBT as well as psychodynamic therapy with my therapist.  Lifestyle management has been important, too.  No drink or drugs other than those prescribed by my doctors, diet and exercise.  Really, just living in a healthful manner.

I currently use Wellbutrin too, and I'm very happy with it.  I've used most of the major SSRIs.  Of those I found Zoloft worked very well.  The only problem was erectile dysfunction, which was a concern to me at the time.  Everyone is different though.  Paxil didn't do a thing for me but I have a friend that swears by it.

BTW, it really helps if you deal with the stressers in your life.  Don't let them fester

[Lisbeth]

Given the state of my life, it has required extreme measures to stay sane.  I'm on an SSRI, dosed up on HRT, living full-time as a woman, at martial arts class, overdosing on caffeine, and deeply in love. 

I've used a combination of medication, CBT as well as psychodynamic therapy with my therapist. 

I'm really glad I know that CBT means Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

[Eva Marie]

Since I have discovered my own GID situation I have been both happy (to have finally figured out why I am "different") and yet i've also been horribly depressed, to the point of self-medicating, etc. This is all within the last 5 months or so.

It is becoming clear to me that I need to go talk to someone, soon.

[joannatsf]

Since I have discovered my own GID situation I have been both happy (to have finally figured out why I am "different") and yet i've also been horribly depressed, to the point of self-medicating, etc. This is all within the last 5 months or so.

It is becoming clear to me that I need to go talk to someone, soon.

Self-medicating with what!  Substance use is a whole other issue.  See a shrink, you don't want to be addicted and depressed.


BTW Lisbeth, Nichole defined CBT in a previous post.  I didn't think it necessary to be redundant.

[Lisbeth]

BTW Lisbeth, Nichole defined CBT in a previous post.  I didn't think it necessary to be redundant.

It's just that in my world those initials have a whole other meaning. 

[NicholeW.]

It's just that in my world those initials have a whole other meaning. 

Which world is that, Liz? The psychological world you are a professional in or .... Nevermind ...  >

Nichole

[Lisbeth]

or .... Nevermind ...  >

Ya.  That one.   

[lady amarant]

or .... Nevermind ...  >

Ya.  That one.   

~Simone.
     No doubt living up to her blondness again ...

[Lisbeth]

or .... Nevermind ...  >

Ya.  That one.   

~Simone.
     No doubt living up to her blondness again ...

The BDSM world, dear.

[joannatsf]

or .... Nevermind ...  >

Ya.  That one.   

~Simone.
     No doubt living up to her blondness again ...

The BDSM world, dear.

CBT - OUCH!!! 

[lady amarant]

CBT - OUCH!!! 

Hmmm...

Google: CBT & BDSM

No ...
No ...
No ...

Ah! "Complete Glossary of BDSM and Fetish terms" Bingo!

CBT ...

...

...


Aiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

~Simone.

[Laura91]

*gigglesnorts* God, if someone offered me THAT kind of CBT I would run for the hills.

[Lisbeth]

I'm really glad I know that CBT means Cognitive Behavioral Therapy.

I was going to leave it at that, but would they let me?  Nooooo...  Inquiring minds wanted to know.