Posted by Christ_empowered on November 3, 2011, at 22:05:45
In reply to Re: How Do You Know If You Are Depressed Or Bored Sad, posted by Phillipa on November 3, 2011, at 21:20:02
Hey Phillipa. In a way, I'm kind of lucky that I hear voices. I mean, when my mood dips below a certain point, it triggers low-grade auditory hallucinations. This used to scare and irritate me; now I see it as a helpful "warning sign" that something (maybe not even medical, but something) needs to be done.
From the non-medical end, I think you and I could both benefit from more social interaction. Volunteering, church going, support groups, exercise, that sort of thing. You could also pick up some hobbies, both social ones and ones to do on an individual basis, while alone, to give your life more substance and meaning.
I don't know that I'd bump my AD if I were you. I mean, if you're agitated and anxious, I imagine a higher dose of Luvox would be helpful, but if you're feeling apathetic and numb, I would think that increasing an SSRI would be the very last thing you'd want to do (although I'm sure its the first thing your psychiatrist would suggest). I'd personally see about trying to get a stimulant for your depression. I mean, you don't have a history of drug abuse, mania, psychosis, heart problems, any of that, and stimulants are much faster-acting and more effective for this sort of problem than any antidepressant I can think of. Back when it was still new, Ritalin was widely advertised as a treatment for various forms of depression where people needed a "lift." Several studies on late-life depression and depression in the presence of diseases/conditions (including HIV/AIDS) seem to indicate that stimulants are effective as antidepressants. The studies I've read tended to use Ritalin, probably because it doesn't have the same stigma as using, say, Dexedrine for depression, which has been officially frowned upon for the past couple decades, even though it's effective.
Anyway, I'm here for you, and I hope things get better. I think if you could just either try to get out there and also add activities to your alone time or get a stimulating medication and then get out there, things would be better for you.
poster:Christ_empowered
thread:1001573
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20111027/msgs/1001608.html