Posted by mikhail99 on January 4, 2003, at 8:47:05
In reply to Re: I know what I probably should do but I can't » mikhail99, posted by WorryGirl on January 3, 2003, at 20:52:03
> >Many of us know what we SHOULD do, it's finding the energy and stamina (and when you're in the middle of a bad episode, that's nearly impossible) to do those things.
>
> Mik,
> This is exactly how I feel.
>
> > Medication may help you find the strength to make those changes and you may only need it temporarily.
>
> I know this, but my fear is becoming dependent on the medication for the rest of my life. Everyone I know who is on one can't get off it.Keep in mind there are medications that have some addictive qualities, like I had a BIG problem stopping paxil when I took it but there are plenty of medications that you can taper off of with no problem. Unless you're talking about feeling dependent on medication (like one can't get through life without it). That's a tough one, it's hard to know when (and more importantly if) you can and should stop medication. I think I'm becoming resigned to the fact that I may need it my whole life (unless they come up with a better way to treat depression). If you ever decide you want to try a medication, you can share all these concerns with a psychiatrist and together you can come up with some options that will work best for you. I do believe it's possible to do medication short-term, I just don't think that's the case for me.
>
> > How long have you been in therapy? How often do you go?
>
> I stopped going in the fall. I was going once a week, then twice a week, but the expense was enormous and I didn't feel that I was improving like I should. I had been seeing him for about 7 months.Do you think it would be worthwhile to see a different therapist? Maybe the one you saw wasn't a good fit? I think that happens and even though this is someone we develop a relationship with, we can be good consumers, ask questions and get recommendations about therapists from others. I don't know what to tell you about the expense but if it helps get you healthy, it's worth it.
>
> >My therapist had me take a personality test to better understand my type and I found I'm an introvert but I think I've been fighting it my whole life. My own experience is that my being introverted has made it difficult for me to express myself in way that I'm understood by others and I know I come across in ways I never intended. (Geez, I hope this make sense).
>
> Yes, I understand and as talkative as I am sometimes, I wonder if I'm not also an introvert at heart. Don't laugh, but sometimes I think I have some loose screws that are supposed to connect my thought processes to my appropriate disclosures, but somehow don't. If it wasn't for that, I doubt that I would be very social at all. When I think about it, I've never been social simply because I enjoy it. There is always a lot of pressure for me to feel accepted. But nothing ever comes out right and others eventually shy away. I'm one of those strange birds who seems OK when you first meet me, but after a while people figure out something's wrong. Aarrrgghhhh!
>I know EXACTLY what you mean about nothing ever comes out right, I feel like I'm just a walking offense whenever I open my mouth. :-) And I think you can be chatty and still be an introvert. I remembered the name of the test and you can find one online, it's called a Myers-Briggs test. It's really interesting to take, I was amazed how accurate it was after I read the results. Try this site: http://www.humanmetrics.com/cgi-win/JTypes2.asp
> Your words of encouragement mean a lot.
> Thanks again.Anytime Worrygirl, please take care of yourself!
Mik
poster:mikhail99
thread:2059
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20021230/msgs/2101.html