Monday, March 22, 2010

Managing Depression

Since 1998 I have struggled with Depression off and on sometimes with medicine to help and sometimes not.

The first depressive episode was very scary for me my life was out of control. Not to mention I was out of control with crying jags, rage episodes, sleeping too much or not enough, & exercising too much. I was able to get the help I needed and go on a anti-depressant, and a anti-anxiety med for about a year I think they literally saved my life!

I fell back into depression last fall right before I had surgery. I had started on meds and had to go off for the surgery and I should have started taking them again but I didn't. I got out of the habit so these last few months I haven't been functioning well. I made the choice to start taking the meds again late last week so I am coming up on a week of medicine and my moods are better. I can see the funny side of things again. I am hoping to feel more productive as well. I just want my "normal" life back where I can concentrate, and enjoy everyday things like being out among people and be pleasant to be around.

I'm sharing my painful depression in the hopes of encouraging any one who reads this and might be suffering too get help. Depression is very treatable with proper diagnosis and medications and sometimes talk therapy helps too...There is a test you can take over at Web Md to see if you have full blown depression or not.

Keep good thoughts for me please that the medicine will do its job and I will be back to my "normal" self soon....till next time.

7 comments:

  1. I suffer from it also. For years. My first "bout" was when my twins were 16 or so. Then when my husband was dying of cancer. Then when I got cancer I actually wasn't as bad but towards the end of chemo went back on meds.

    Then when the BF dumped me, I thought..."are we there yet?"
    I do not go off meds now. I did for awhile but had to go back on.

    I find I get really irritated and annoyed when people talk about their weddings and how happy they are and there are two people I know who are getting married (that should not be). I want to smack them all. One of my meds really helps reduce the urge to smack people. Helps with crying and irritation and I do not feel numb. I mean, I could still smack someone - I just haven't yet. ;-)

    I find that I am constantly looking for things that are funny. There is a lot of humor in the world. I love to laugh.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I hope you feel better soon. Find something funny. Books are good. I always figure someone has it worse than me and when I read about them, I'm right.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Been there with depression off and on for the past 13 - 15 years...meds DO help, and I'm glad you are back on them. Take care, Susan...and thanks for speaking out.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thinking of you, Susan. I sometimes think we feel the meds are a crutch, and really there are so many others who 'seem' worse off, like when I read the first comment. Don't chastise or compare. We all have our unique feelings likely caused by chemicals we are lacking or have too much of. Life is short, why not feel good? Meds will give you energy and motivation to do all the other goods things that your body and mind need to stay well.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Susan, thanks for stopping by my blog. I, too, have BTDT. Only you know where you are and what you need to do to feel better. No comparing and no judgment. It is a tough row to hoe, for sure.

    I first went on meds after a particularly bad (recommended hospitalization) bout in 1996. I didn't do the hospitalization, but I've been on and off since then. I'm off now, but if I see the signs, then I'd be back on. If you need them, you need them. As stated above, no one's life or body chemistry is the same.

    Take good care of yourself! I look forward to getting to know you better. I see from your comments that some of my favorite people are already here.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I've known a lot of people who suffered from this. It is a hard journey. I will be thinking of you.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank you all for your support and sharing your stories. Still not sleeping well but I "feel" a little better anyway today.

    ReplyDelete