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?
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
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.
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
Exercise also helps reduce depression.
I have found this to be very true.
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 (http://www.nacbt.org/whatiscbt.htm), Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/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
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.
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
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.
Quote from: Claire de Lune on June 10, 2008, 07:41:03 PM
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.
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.
Quote from: riven_one on June 10, 2008, 10:52:10 PM
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. :icon_chillpill:
Quote from: Claire de Lune on June 11, 2008, 09:13:00 AM
BTW Lisbeth, Nichole defined CBT in a previous post. I didn't think it necessary to be redundant. :icon_chillpill:
It's just that in my world those initials have a
whole other meaning. ;D
Quote from: Lisbeth on June 11, 2008, 10:47:51 AM
It's just that in my world those initials have a whole other meaning. ;D
Which world is that, Liz? The psychological world you are a professional in or .... Nevermind ... >:D
Nichole
Quote from: Lisbeth on June 11, 2008, 10:59:40 AM
Quote from: Nichole on June 11, 2008, 10:51:36 AM
or .... Nevermind ... >:D
Ya. That one. :laugh:
???
~Simone.
No doubt living up to her blondness again ...
Quote from: Claire de Lune on June 11, 2008, 12:49:49 PM
CBT - OUCH!!! :icon_help:
Hmmm...
Google: CBT & BDSM
No ...
No ...
No ...
Ah! "Complete Glossary of BDSM and Fetish terms" Bingo!
CBT ...
...
...
Aiiiiiiiiiiiiiieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!
~Simone.
*gigglesnorts* God, if someone offered me THAT kind of CBT I would run for the hills.
Quote from: Lisbeth on June 10, 2008, 07:53:47 PM
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.
Quote from: Lisbeth on June 11, 2008, 01:53:09 PM
I was going to leave it at that, but would they let me? Nooooo... Inquiring minds wanted to know.
There is no knowledge that is bad knowledge - even if it does make your brain ooze out your ears. Remember kids, Indiana Jones is fiction.
Thank you for broadening my horizons Lisbeth. >:D
~Simone.
Quotefighting depression
Pasta and avocado.
Quote from: Lisbeth on June 11, 2008, 01:53:09 PM
Quote from: Lisbeth on June 10, 2008, 07:53:47 PM
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.
Lisbeth, you know how folks are here ;) >:D
Z
Quote from: Lisbeth on June 11, 2008, 01:53:09 PM
Quote from: Lisbeth on June 10, 2008, 07:53:47 PM
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.
:laugh: :laugh: And discreet posters, Liz, sometimes don't give in to the temptation!! :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
:icon_hug:
Besides, it's not like you keep all of yourself totally 'under wraps' around here. :)
Nichole
Quote from: lisagurl on June 11, 2008, 02:21:14 PM
Quotefighting depression
Pasta and avocado.
Chocolate!!!!
Quote from: Zythyra on June 11, 2008, 02:21:28 PM
Lisbeth, you know how folks are here ;) >:D
Quote from: Nichole on June 11, 2008, 02:28:00 PM
Besides, it's not like you keep all of yourself totally 'under wraps' around here. :)
Hee!
Exercise and light therapy. I have SAD, Seasonal affective disorder. Walks in the park on a sunny day.
Quote from: Lisbeth on June 11, 2008, 02:29:49 PM
Chocolate!!!!
Yes, chocolate!! And if that doesn't work... even more chocolate ;D ;D
After all that chocolate, I should probably try some exercise instead ;) :laugh:
Z
For me, seeing a therapist, of course one with GID / TG specialty which I have. She sent me also to a nurse practitioner for an anti-depressant which i wasn't to happy about (pardon the pun), but i did it and i have been taking "Effexor XR" for about 4.5 months now. seem's to be working, but most importantly the "positive self talk" my therapist has taught me has really worked the best.
lately i have about one or two days of bad, severe depression instead of every damn day. on those days it's important to engage in the positive self talk and work out what is depressing me and stay firm in a better, healthy attitude. it does work at least it has for me.
and of course, i have to further agree that exercise is also a big help in combating depression!!! and combating this God awful, male-large-assed butt of mine!!!
it's a little @ a time. i found out that i was actually addicted to being depressed and full of self loathing strange i didn't see that being a healthcare worker in a substance abuse center :-\
hope that will help you.
For those who, like me, end up on an anti-depressant, be aware that SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) have some dangerous effects during the first six weeks you are taking them. They can deepen your depression and increase the risk of suicide. I know, because I was there. There two instances when I was ready to kill myself which terribly distressed my dearest.
That is definitely true. I also had the experience with one. If you have negative side-effects there are others. You and the prescriber work together to find one that may work for you. *sigh* That's generally the way with most psych-meds. It sometimes takes some changing about before something works with few side-effects.
Honestly, except for a very few things, psych-meds is often 'hit-or-miss.' (NO puns, Liz!! >:D )
Quote from: Lisbeth on June 12, 2008, 08:25:59 AM
For those who, like me, end up on an anti-depressant, be aware that SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) have some dangerous effects during the first six weeks you are taking them. They can deepen your depression and increase the risk of suicide. I know, because I was there. There two instances when I was ready to kill myself which terribly distressed my dearest.
That's how long it takes for them to take effect 2 - 6 weeks. Everyone's reaction is different.
BTW Effexor isn't an SSRI; it's a serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor, SNRI.
Wellbutrin, which seems to be the drug of choice for many, myself included is a norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitor.
Quote from: Lisbeth on June 12, 2008, 08:25:59 AM
For those who, like me, end up on an anti-depressant, be aware that SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) have some dangerous effects during the first six weeks you are taking them. They can deepen your depression and increase the risk of suicide. I know, because I was there. There two instances when I was ready to kill myself which terribly distressed my dearest.
Don't you dare leave us Lisbeth!
Although diagnosed with clinical depression, I've opted to not take any meds. I know a few too many people who've had bad experiences with them. I was prescribed anti depressants many years ago and took them for a few months, the side effects seemed to outweigh the benefits for me, and I quit taking them, against medical advice. I felt better once they wore off, however the doc didn't bother to tell me about the withdrawal symptoms since I think he hoped I'd go back on them. Such a compassionate fellow ::) They really scare me... although it's also good to know that I have the option if things were to ever get worse. Besides, there are other things that can help ones' serotonin levels ;D ;D
Zythyra
20% of our people in the war zone are on depression drugs.
Z,
Generally a doctor with more compassion will titrate someone down from a med that has withdrawal effects. Just keeps lowering the dose until you reach a non-therapeutic level. Obviously, not all do. Cheeky doc.
Nichole
Quote from: Nichole on June 12, 2008, 09:20:36 AM
Z,
Generally a doctor with more compassion will titrate someone down from a med that has withdrawal effects. Just keeps lowering the dose until you reach a non-therapeutic level. Obviously, not all do. Cheeky doc.
Nichole
This guy didn't give a @#$%. I was on public assistance at the time, no insurance. I was suicidal and had signed myself into a hospital, they prescribed some mix of things which I took for a while after I got out. I think I saw the doc for about 5 mins total...
Z
Quote from: Zythyra on June 12, 2008, 09:50:45 AM
This guy didn't give a @#$%. I was on public assistance at the time, no insurance. I was suicidal and had signed myself into a hospital, they prescribed some mix of things which I took for a while after I got out. I think I saw the doc for about 5 mins total...
Z
O, that sorta doc. TBH, I'm surprised you got that much time. Hospital shrinks are usually only prescribers and usually seem to just try things until they work. It's often not a part of their jobs anymore to actually talk with a patient, just toss meds at them and sign the insurance payment forms if requested by the admins. *sigh*
Insurance-run behavioral health 'care.' Especially for the Medicaid/Medicare/ Indigent-Care insured. So sad. I hope Obama and the Congress will actually make some effective medical policy for the country and give behavioral health care the parity it absolutely must have to keep us all from going nuts simultaneously.
People just weren't built for living in an ultra-capitalistic, ueber-materialistic, ueber-mechanistic society. Positive in many ways for consumer goods and such, absolutely horrid for most people.
Nichole
Quote from: Nichole on June 12, 2008, 10:12:14 AM
O, that sorta doc. TBH, I'm surprised you got that much time. Hospital shrinks are usually only prescribers and usually seem to just try things until they work. It's often not a part of their jobs anymore top actually talk with a patient, just toss meds at them and sign the insurance payment forms if requested by the admins. *sigh*
Not only that, later when I got out of the hospital, I researched my prescription, Elavil and Melaril. One was a depressant and the other was a mood elevator... I'm not a professional, but the combination of an upper and a downer didn't make much sense to me.
Interestingly, during my 2 weeks time in the ward, other patients were the most helpful for me, and each other.
The health care system in USA is severely broken, I really hope we get Obama in and he can start to work on fixing it. Maybe we could send the insurance company CEOs to the moon or another planet >:D ...except I really don't want them messing with extraterrestrials either.... ::)
Z
Elavil!!? Don't say but I hope this was fifteen years ago or so. That one has some very nasty side-effects and I haven't seen anyone prescribe it in an elephant's age. I would think it's not even on the market anymore!
Your well-shed of it, Z.
N~
Quote from: Nichole on June 12, 2008, 11:39:35 AM
Elavil!!? Don't say but I hope this was fifteen years ago or so. That one has some very nasty side-effects and I haven't seen anyone prescribe it in an elephant's age. I would think it's not even on the market anymore!
Your well-shed of it, Z.
N~
Not necessarily. People on public assistance get prescribed the oldest, cheapest meds available whether they are good for them or not.
Quote from: Zythyra on June 12, 2008, 09:15:28 AM
Don't you dare leave us Lisbeth!
I'd be insane to leave now that I've found Ellie.
Quote from: Nichole on June 12, 2008, 11:39:35 AM
Elavil!!? Don't say but I hope this was fifteen years ago or so. That one has some very nasty side-effects and I haven't seen anyone prescribe it in an elephant's age. I would think it's not even on the market anymore!
Your well-shed of it, Z.
N~
This was back in the mid 70s... yow! 30 years ago...
Quote from: Lisbeth on June 12, 2008, 12:20:43 PM
I'd be insane to leave now that I've found Ellie.
Yes, absolutely! BTW, it's been truly wonderful to watch this unfold. I think you two are perfectly matched! ;D
Z
QuotePeople just weren't built for living in an ultra-capitalistic, ueber-materialistic, ueber-mechanistic society
1984? Now they can track you with the geo-position circuits in your cell phone.
But the Bohemian just does not produce enough food to stay alive. ;)
Perhaps salt and pepper together?
Quote from: lisagurl on June 12, 2008, 01:26:31 PM
QuotePeople just weren't built for living in an ultra-capitalistic, ueber-materialistic, ueber-mechanistic society
1984? Now they can track you with the geo-position circuits in your cell phone.
But the Bohemian just does not produce enough food to stay alive. ;)
Perhaps salt and pepper together?
That'll be a real trick. I don't have a cell phone. :laugh:
And actually, yes I can grow my own food. Do and have. Perhaps not like down on the plantation :laugh: :laugh: but still, it does grow and I do eat.
And it's not a bohemian notion, Lisa. Just an observation of how we interact with ourselves and others. There are advantages, yes, in that culture. But there are also deep disadvatages that appear to very much drive us, collectively, mad. I should think a hard-headed realist such as yourself can see that as well.
Nichole
For me, It was 4 hard months of deep, deep, Meditation. I friend realized how depressed I was about 4 years ago and suggested that I try going into deep meditation. Cause it helps him. Of course you need to a patient person to be able to reach what he called the Total Bliss Zone. Lest just say that it took me the better part of the 4 months to get it.
Now I'm rarely ever as depress as I was back then.
give it try.
I almost forgot the one thing that kept me from killing myself! I got a dog.
A few years ago I was on the verge of suicide. I went to the mall & passed a pet shop. There was a golden retriever in the window that was trying to sleep. Almost everyone who passed knocked on the window & woke her up. I felt so bad for her. I went in and asked to hold her. She fell asleep in my arms. I had to buy her. There were a lot of papers to sign & explanations. She slept through the whole process of buying her. I had to do all the signing with one hand. She slept all the way home.
She had kennel cough and something else that I can't remember the 1st night. I stayed up with her in my arms the whole night.
She became my best friend and reason to live. Its impossible to kill yourself when a dog is licking your tears. She is the reason I'm alive today. I have kids & thought well... they'll get over it or I hardly see them anyway. But the dog needs me.
Later I rescued a lab. He's cool too and I love very much. I feel good that I saved his life.
A puppy isn't for everyone. Puppies need lots of care for the 1st year or two. They like to get into trouble. Think about rescuing a dog instead of getting a puppy from a pet shop. You can save a dog's life. Think about it & research the breeds before you get a dog. Depending on the breed dogs can live for 15 years or more. Its a big commitment. And, don't just chain him up in the backyard. Dogs need love. If it doesn't work out, make sure he finds a good home. Don't "set him free". That's often a death sentence.
QuoteNamaste is not tradition, namaste is my way to recall where and who I am.
Remember that? It is all saved, it is very difficult to live without one foot in the rational world.
Indeed, did I ever disagree with that? And yes, the words of that PM or wherever website you received that from are true. That hardly makes someone irrational, to have a sense that she is greater and larger than a mere brain? I'm surprised you'd think so. Well, no, I suppose I'm not.
You think as you think. Biting at times, but not always drawing with the bite what your rationality seems to tell you you'll draw with it. The world is everso much larger than the brain, Lisa. And 'rationality' is so much smaller than the brain, only a part of it. Not the whole.
Hugs,
Nichole
Larger and smaller are very rational ideas. ;)