Posted by allisonm on January 20, 2001, at 13:18:05
In reply to Depression - 2 sides to it - normal??!, posted by kevinp_au on January 19, 2001, at 21:55:19
I agree with you that depression has two sides, but I think they are different from what you describe. I have experienced depression with all of the symptoms you describe: anxiety, worry, insomnia, restlessness, lack of concentration, depressed, suicidal, crying, can't cope.
From what I have read from the posts of others, I think the other kind of depression is the kind wherre one doesn't feel like doing anything. It is a major effort just to get out of bed in the morning. Some would prefer to stay in bed all day. I have never felt this.
How do we get out of it?
The right medications paired with good psychotherapy, exercise, an earnest attempt to do things that interest you, all can help. Depression can lift by itself, too. That said, my depression appears to be chronic and treatment resistant. This week I've started my 8th med in three years. While they have helped, none of the combinations has been completely successful.
From reading your brief post, I might make a couple of suggestions: 1. Separation and divorce can be difficult to deal with. If you still are unhappy about your life as it is since the separation in 1996, maybe there need to be more changes in your life. Since my separation in 1998 (my husband left me), I have learned to like living alone. It took a long time to get used to it, and I really hated it at first, but now I see the advantages. Have you tried cognitive behavioral therapy?
2. If you are becoming a burden to your friends, maybe they aren't really friends.
3. Drinking alcohol to sleep is a bad idea. Drinking alone is a bad idea. Alcohol actually hinders good sleep patterns. It's also a depressant, which isn't good if you're already depressed. If you are having trouble sleeping, I would suggest Remeron or Serzone. Currently I'm taking Neurontin, a mood-stabilizer, to help me sleep.
4. If the drugs you've taken have not helped at all, I would suggest trying others and finding a psychiatrist who is more aggressive in finding a treatment. Four years is too long to wait for some kind of relief.
I don't know a lot about BP. there are many on this board who do. You'll also find information on Dr. Bob's enpsychlopedia and links pages. I think Dr. Ivan Goldberg's page has descriptions.
Take care.
Allison
poster:allisonm
thread:52049
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20010111/msgs/52088.html