Shown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Ricardo on December 22, 2002, at 14:00:29
Hi from Brazil!
When I started taking ADs, everyone (my therapist included) told me about how anti-depressants would help me deal with problems better, but they wouldn't solve those problems. This sounds very clear and logical to me. My point is how exactly is this supposed to happen? I mean, I do have a long-lasting issue in my life and it's possible that that has been the starting poing of many of my depressive phases. Will I become more courageous, or maybe less fatalistic, when dealing with this problem? Will actually stop seeing that issue as a problem? I believe that many people will say that it'll change from person to person, but even so I'd love to read examples from other people here.
Best wishes,
Ricardo
Posted by bookgurl99 on December 22, 2002, at 16:28:46
In reply to Facing real problems on anti-depressants, posted by Ricardo on December 22, 2002, at 14:00:29
Ricardo,
Hi. Como são você?
It would be interesting to know exactly what problem you're facing.
Nontheless, in a general, I can say that on a the right anti-depressants can make it easier to face problems by dampening your emotional response to them. The fear that you encounter around particular issues will be lessened, and this may enable you to be more proactive when you handle them.
I find that antidepressants can sometimes help me look at things in a more positive light, or just help me to not have that physical sensation of fear that would distract me from doing something I want to do.
Posted by michael73 on December 22, 2002, at 20:58:01
In reply to Facing real problems on anti-depressants, posted by Ricardo on December 22, 2002, at 14:00:29
Hi Ricardo, For me AD's changed my perspective on my problems and allowed me to work through them. They just weren't as overwhelming as they were before. They gave me hope. Break things into parts rather than trying to do something all at once. Learn to recognize low cycles for what they are - low cycles. In low cycles I tend to lose hope and forget what better times are like or what the point of anything is. Making an effort to recognize these cycles and remembering what better times are like helps me a lot. Even in the darkest of times hold on to this. Don't fall into the trap of thinking that the AD's will fix problems for you. Take it easy, but try to use the AD's as a tool to aid you in fixing your own problems. I took AD's for five years and have now been without for two. I NEVER believed that would happen but it did. The AD's got me through rough times. Depression is most certainly of biological origin not just "the blues", but you're situation in life can certainly have an effect on it's severity and for me can trigger it. This fact doesn't take away from its biological origin. With the help of AD's I was able to track my life into a situation that I can live without them. This may not be possible in all cases. I had some other mental issues besides depression but I think my case could be helpful to you in seeing the role of AD's in dealing with problems. Best Wishes, Michael73
Posted by ArthurGibson on December 23, 2002, at 10:34:04
In reply to Re: Facing real problems on anti-depressants, posted by michael73 on December 22, 2002, at 20:58:01
Anti Depressents certainly don't fix the problem, but they sort of fix YOU. Often its not so much the problem, as how you deal with it, or how you perceive the problem.
Often "problems" relate to "change." You can't cope with the "change" in your life, so you get depressed. ADs help you cope with the change and so the "problem" sort of solves itself.
For example if your business goes bust, this is a problem. But the real problem is adjusting to the new lower standard of living etc., not so much the business going bust. ADs can help with this change.
My business went bust and it nearly killed me. I went into very deep shock and depression and could not do a thing. My brain went into meltdown. However when the AD took hold I started to enjoy life again, even with a devastated business on my hands. Before long this new optimism worked through to my staff and customers and the business started to make money again. Now I am selling the business for a high price. The PROZAC people should get 20% of the gain, because without the AD I would still be broke!!
What is your problem? Don't be shy. Tell us and we will sort it out for you! I bet its a "change" or "adjustment" problem at root.
Its going to be OK, I promise you. I know you feel down about it, but it IS going to sort out and happy days WILL return. Keep off the drink and work at your difficulties a bit at a time. Feel good and praise yourself every time you fix a bit of the difficulty. After a while whole chunks of the problem will sort out.
ADs will provide a saftey net to stop your emotions dropping down to hell. Its good, they do work. They will supercharge you to sort yourself out. Then you will stop taking them and never be ill again. Trust me, that's how its going to be.
The motto of Michael Cain is "use the difficulty."
Its a brilliant motto. In other words, every time you get a problem, work out how you can take advantage of the problem and get some benefit from it. It sounds crazy, but it DOES work.
Posted by Ricardo on December 23, 2002, at 12:31:59
In reply to Re: Facing real problems on anti-depressants, posted by ArthurGibson on December 23, 2002, at 10:34:04
Hi again!
Thanks a lot for your support! Sorry I was vague about what my problem was. My problem has to do with the fact that after the break-up of a relationship that lasted 12 years and meant everything to me (it lasted from the time I was 22 until when I was about to turn 34 - which means that it took all my twenties!), I've had two relationships that could, in a way or another, be described as abusive. First, it took me 3 years to actually do something and get away. Eventually I did, and I'm really proud of myself for it. Now, there's this other person. Again, not the right one for me, but still I think I'm stuck to a wrong relationship. During my previous relationtion (not the one that lasted 12, which was just perfect except for the fact that he left me!), sometimes I felt "strong" and I could make lots of changes in my life. Other times, however, I felt "weak", so I had to just accept what was given to me. For some reason, now I understand those "weak" moments as my being clinically depressed. My last bout was when my present partner lost his job and I was faced with the responsibility of supporting him, considering that my situation money-wise wasn't that good, either, and considering that I did NOT believe in that relationship. All that put together dragged me into the toughest depression I've ever had. Paxil did wonders to me, and now, on Wellbutrin, I still feel "strong". Anyway, that's my story, or part of it. Thanks a lot for the interest and for the support! You're a great bunch!
Posted by linkadge on December 24, 2002, at 10:21:45
In reply to Re: Facing real problems on anti-depressants, posted by Ricardo on December 23, 2002, at 12:31:59
For me Celexa makes everything just
seem normal and logical.Before.
I needed to get a job
---------------------
Why the h-- do I need to get a job.
Whats wrong with this world when
someone's got to work 24/7 in this
rat infested envoronement when 90
percent gets stolen from you in taxes
and the rest you cram down your face
in food. And just when you think you're
getting ahead wham you loose your job
to some young punk who knows and cares
nothing for the world and the company
and about morality and what really matters
in this world of woe and sinners who
just drink their lives away. Its impossible
for a sober upstanding member of the community
to even exist any more.
AfterI needed to get a Job
---------------------
Well, I guess soLinkadge
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