Posted by JohnFromCalifornia on January 2, 2004, at 12:16:21
In reply to DESPERATE: depression, weight gain and BPII meds, posted by JaybeeTee on January 2, 2004, at 10:34:49
Your state of mind reminds me of ex-Beach Boy Brian Wilson, who ended up with a somewhat shady live-in psychologist giving him advice that Wilson maintains has saved his life, and even permitted him to have the stable life he has today.
His psychologist was a strict behaviorist: If you act a certain way, you can't help but feel a certain way. So if you indulge in food and other escapes, you're bound to feel lousy.
He put Wilson on a regimen of diet and exercise and whenever Wilson stayed on the regimen, his life was fine. He could perform, enjoy his family, and so on. Over they years he has become more and more stable.
If you used to be a runner you know how beneficial exercise is to state of mind. You also know that even if overweight, you can get right out there and start walking. It's free and self-regulating. And your feelings of hopelessness will dissipate after a good walk - it proves you can control your life.
You might want to try Phentermine for weight loss and energy, but for me it's too speedy. I get along with Lexapro and "Stay Awake" caffeine pills to combat the somnolence Lexapro sometimes brings on. Believe it or not, those caffeine pills provide just the amount of boost I need.
As Brian Wilson said, "If I exercise and eat right I'm okay." It sounds simplistic but it really is that simple. That's behaviorism, the only branch of psychology that really accomplishes anything, in my view.
Good luck and Happy New Year!
- John in California
poster:JohnFromCalifornia
thread:295706
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20031231/msgs/295741.html