Posted by Kath on July 31, 2000, at 17:07:59
In reply to Re: Some questions for everyone about depression, posted by Greg on July 31, 2000, at 7:03:04
Hi Rach - Thanks for asking some interesting questions.
> > 1. Do you believe your depression is biologically based or more mentally based?I'm not sure. I think maybe biologically because I've had severely stressful situations in my life for years on end & I think it's changed the way my brain is able to use the seritonin it produces.
2. Do you take medications &/or have counselling?I 've been taking 20 mg Celexa at bedtime for about 3 months now. I see a psychiatrist about every second week to deal with childhood issues. I see an "addicitonist" about weekly to deal with co-dependent issues that I have, including how I deal with the situation of having a 16-yr-old son who's using marijuana daily & drinking.
I see my family doctor about once monthly or so just to talk & keep him up-to-date on what's happening in my life. He's very supportive, wise & wonderful.> > 3. Have you geared your treatment towards what you base your depression on?
I think so, in that I'm talking the med. for the anxiety that has been caused by ongoing stress; it's allowing my naturally-produced seretonin to go where it's supposed to in my brain. I'm having the counselling to help me deal better with problems & stress & to sort out how I've been reacting to stress in an anxiety-producing way.
> > 4. If you believe your depression is more mentally based, what events/actions etc. contributed to your depression?
I'm a little confused between mentally based & biologically based. Maybe mine is more mentally based, because it's due to stress. My events include both parents dying within a couple of years, a co-dependent marriage where I felt worthy/worthwhile/loveable ONLY if my former husband thought I was. I also dealt with him having affairs & putting me down. My daughter was into drugs, drinking, sex. My son is now into drugs & drinking. WHEW!!
> 5. Do you have any blood-relatives with depression?My daughter & possibly my son. I don't think my family was apart from that but who knows - maybe that's why my dad & his dad & siblings were alcoholics? Maybe they were just self-medicating.
> > 6. Do you believe in 'recovery', or do believe in 'remission' (or both)?
I don't know. I think I believe in both.
> I've seen Cancer and Leukemia patient go into "remission". Perhaps this is possible for depression too. I don't know.> > 7. Do you believe you will recover/remiss? (is that the right term?)
I believe I will recover. I'm hoping that after taking Celexa for long enough my body will be able to so the "proper absorption of seretonin" thing by itself.
Thx Rach, for doing this survey. Take care.
Hugs, Kath
poster:Kath
thread:41827
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000729/msgs/41880.html