![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 12 of 12. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by bluesfan on December 29, 2003, at 9:14:37
I'm still new to the whole "depression" thing, and I wanted a little bit of insight to anyone who can provide it. Today was my first day back at work in over a week, and it seems I'm MUCH worse than I've been in awhile. I'm currently on 10mg of Lexapro, and I have been for the past 10 days. I was doing pretty well, but it seems like I've gone back to feeling worse than I did before I started the drug. Anxiety is horrible, I'm constantly tired, thoughts of death and suicide are much worse.....it just seems like when it rains it pours. Those of you that have been through this, how do you cope at work? I have to find a way to get through this, and I thought some of you may have some tricks to stay focused and energized throughout the day. Thanks for your help!
Posted by nicky847 on December 29, 2003, at 10:29:23
In reply to Depression question, posted by bluesfan on December 29, 2003, at 9:14:37
Hi Bluesfan..
Sorry to hear that things are rough for yout today..but I bear good news..well actually its kind of a good news/bad news thing...being that you are on day 10 of lexapro you are smack dab in the middle of what I like to call "hell week"...for me and many people the 2nd week on SSRI is terrible...the meds give you little to no benefit..and for many people the activating effect that lexapro has brings on severe agitation..kind of like what you are experiencing..the good news is that you are in the absolute toughest period there is..and it gets better from here...at work what i do that helps me is to chart my anxiety level once every half hour...label it from 1-10 and every half hour just write down or enter into your computer what you feel your anxiety level for the 1/2 hour just passed has been..this can help you identify a pattern to when you feel anxious...it also helps to reinforce that anxiety levels go up and down throughout the day, and that if you ride out the high anxiety periods you will feel much better in a short time...for me I have noticed that after 2 pm i tend to begin feeling much better..i get settled into the work day and into the flow...
another advantage to knowing when your anxious times are is that you can prepare for them...for many people it helps to be occupied when you are anxious...if it is possible for you to schedule your work during those anxious periods..it will help you channel that adrenaline release into something besides worrying..
these are things that help me when I am at work..of course they are not a cure all but they do help..
Nick
> I'm still new to the whole "depression" thing, and I wanted a little bit of insight to anyone who can provide it. Today was my first day back at work in over a week, and it seems I'm MUCH worse than I've been in awhile. I'm currently on 10mg of Lexapro, and I have been for the past 10 days. I was doing pretty well, but it seems like I've gone back to feeling worse than I did before I started the drug. Anxiety is horrible, I'm constantly tired, thoughts of death and suicide are much worse.....it just seems like when it rains it pours. Those of you that have been through this, how do you cope at work? I have to find a way to get through this, and I thought some of you may have some tricks to stay focused and energized throughout the day. Thanks for your help!
Posted by bluesfan on December 29, 2003, at 10:48:14
In reply to Re: Depression question, posted by nicky847 on December 29, 2003, at 10:29:23
It is good to hear from you again.....it is nice to hear from someone that is going through the same things that I am. I was feeling much better at about day 6 and 7, which gave me a lot more hope of getting better. Did you/do you have thoughts of death and seeing others getting hurt or even you hurting others? That is the thing I hate the absolute most. As much as I love being around my wife, I hate being around her lately because I'm scared to be. That hurts me the most. At least I feel like eating again and watching sports and other things I enjoy, but otherwise I feel horrible. Fortunately I have another short holiday week this week and then I can be home for a four day weekend. I guess this was a good time to become depressed with all of the vacation I have. Thanks again for the reply!
> Hi Bluesfan..
> Sorry to hear that things are rough for yout today..but I bear good news..well actually its kind of a good news/bad news thing...being that you are on day 10 of lexapro you are smack dab in the middle of what I like to call "hell week"...for me and many people the 2nd week on SSRI is terrible...the meds give you little to no benefit..and for many people the activating effect that lexapro has brings on severe agitation..kind of like what you are experiencing..the good news is that you are in the absolute toughest period there is..and it gets better from here...
>
> at work what i do that helps me is to chart my anxiety level once every half hour...label it from 1-10 and every half hour just write down or enter into your computer what you feel your anxiety level for the 1/2 hour just passed has been..this can help you identify a pattern to when you feel anxious...it also helps to reinforce that anxiety levels go up and down throughout the day, and that if you ride out the high anxiety periods you will feel much better in a short time...for me I have noticed that after 2 pm i tend to begin feeling much better..i get settled into the work day and into the flow...
>
> another advantage to knowing when your anxious times are is that you can prepare for them...for many people it helps to be occupied when you are anxious...if it is possible for you to schedule your work during those anxious periods..it will help you channel that adrenaline release into something besides worrying..
>
> these are things that help me when I am at work..of course they are not a cure all but they do help..
> Nick
> > I'm still new to the whole "depression" thing, and I wanted a little bit of insight to anyone who can provide it. Today was my first day back at work in over a week, and it seems I'm MUCH worse than I've been in awhile. I'm currently on 10mg of Lexapro, and I have been for the past 10 days. I was doing pretty well, but it seems like I've gone back to feeling worse than I did before I started the drug. Anxiety is horrible, I'm constantly tired, thoughts of death and suicide are much worse.....it just seems like when it rains it pours. Those of you that have been through this, how do you cope at work? I have to find a way to get through this, and I thought some of you may have some tricks to stay focused and energized throughout the day. Thanks for your help!
>
>
Posted by nicky847 on December 29, 2003, at 11:04:38
In reply to Re: Depression question, posted by bluesfan on December 29, 2003, at 10:48:14
The scariest thing for me in depression/anxiety is thoughts of hurting myself..the last time I had symptoms I would sometimes think about hurting others..but I dont really feel that this time..which is good..but unfortunately sometimes still get scary thoughts of hurting myself...
what helps me when i get these thoughts is to label it as "anxiety"..because that is what it is..your body is producing a fight/flight reaction for no reason..so it creates a reason..since there is no threat around you, it turns inward and sees the threat as YOU...do you ever notice that when you are in a crowd you dont have these thoughts? i do and believe it is because there are other things that my body can see as a threat..for me i often fear that i will pass out..
the adrenaline in your body that produces these scary thoughts is a powerful thing..it can be a terrifying thing! but the important thing to know is that you have the power to stop the flow of adrenaline..for me what helps is to remember that thoughts and feelings are NOT actions! if you have a disturbing thought..there is nothing you can do to go back in time and change that thought..it is done and you had it and nothing happened..these thoughts are fueled by your fear of them..if you are not afraid of them they lose their power over you...
unfortunately recovery is a process that takes a long time..and it seems longer when you are the one going thru it..but 1. you are eating...2. you are enjoying things you used to enjoy....that means you are getting better! and these thoughts will go away too...it just takes time..
have you read the posts on the board about rapid eye movement therapy? this has worked for me in the past to get rid of obsessive thoughts..if you are seeing a therapist ask him/her about it..it sounds goofy but it is worth a try and i really think that it does help!
> It is good to hear from you again.....it is nice to hear from someone that is going through the same things that I am. I was feeling much better at about day 6 and 7, which gave me a lot more hope of getting better. Did you/do you have thoughts of death and seeing others getting hurt or even you hurting others? That is the thing I hate the absolute most. As much as I love being around my wife, I hate being around her lately because I'm scared to be. That hurts me the most. At least I feel like eating again and watching sports and other things I enjoy, but otherwise I feel horrible. Fortunately I have another short holiday week this week and then I can be home for a four day weekend. I guess this was a good time to become depressed with all of the vacation I have. Thanks again for the reply!
>
> > Hi Bluesfan..
> > Sorry to hear that things are rough for yout today..but I bear good news..well actually its kind of a good news/bad news thing...being that you are on day 10 of lexapro you are smack dab in the middle of what I like to call "hell week"...for me and many people the 2nd week on SSRI is terrible...the meds give you little to no benefit..and for many people the activating effect that lexapro has brings on severe agitation..kind of like what you are experiencing..the good news is that you are in the absolute toughest period there is..and it gets better from here...
> >
> > at work what i do that helps me is to chart my anxiety level once every half hour...label it from 1-10 and every half hour just write down or enter into your computer what you feel your anxiety level for the 1/2 hour just passed has been..this can help you identify a pattern to when you feel anxious...it also helps to reinforce that anxiety levels go up and down throughout the day, and that if you ride out the high anxiety periods you will feel much better in a short time...for me I have noticed that after 2 pm i tend to begin feeling much better..i get settled into the work day and into the flow...
> >
> > another advantage to knowing when your anxious times are is that you can prepare for them...for many people it helps to be occupied when you are anxious...if it is possible for you to schedule your work during those anxious periods..it will help you channel that adrenaline release into something besides worrying..
> >
> > these are things that help me when I am at work..of course they are not a cure all but they do help..
> > Nick
> > > I'm still new to the whole "depression" thing, and I wanted a little bit of insight to anyone who can provide it. Today was my first day back at work in over a week, and it seems I'm MUCH worse than I've been in awhile. I'm currently on 10mg of Lexapro, and I have been for the past 10 days. I was doing pretty well, but it seems like I've gone back to feeling worse than I did before I started the drug. Anxiety is horrible, I'm constantly tired, thoughts of death and suicide are much worse.....it just seems like when it rains it pours. Those of you that have been through this, how do you cope at work? I have to find a way to get through this, and I thought some of you may have some tricks to stay focused and energized throughout the day. Thanks for your help!
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by bluesfan on December 29, 2003, at 11:09:34
In reply to Re: Depression question, posted by nicky847 on December 29, 2003, at 11:04:38
Sounds like you have gone through the same things that I am now. Things do seem worse when I'm around other people.....and sometimes I love being around others because it takes my mind off of things. It is very weird! Can you explain the rapid eye movement thing? I've only seen a therapist once, and I can't really afford to make it a regular routine. How long have you been on the Lexapro? I'm hoping that it will be the answer to all of my problems.
> The scariest thing for me in depression/anxiety is thoughts of hurting myself..the last time I had symptoms I would sometimes think about hurting others..but I dont really feel that this time..which is good..but unfortunately sometimes still get scary thoughts of hurting myself...
> what helps me when i get these thoughts is to label it as "anxiety"..because that is what it is..your body is producing a fight/flight reaction for no reason..so it creates a reason..since there is no threat around you, it turns inward and sees the threat as YOU...
>
> do you ever notice that when you are in a crowd you dont have these thoughts? i do and believe it is because there are other things that my body can see as a threat..for me i often fear that i will pass out..
>
> the adrenaline in your body that produces these scary thoughts is a powerful thing..it can be a terrifying thing! but the important thing to know is that you have the power to stop the flow of adrenaline..for me what helps is to remember that thoughts and feelings are NOT actions! if you have a disturbing thought..there is nothing you can do to go back in time and change that thought..it is done and you had it and nothing happened..these thoughts are fueled by your fear of them..if you are not afraid of them they lose their power over you...
>
> unfortunately recovery is a process that takes a long time..and it seems longer when you are the one going thru it..but 1. you are eating...2. you are enjoying things you used to enjoy....that means you are getting better! and these thoughts will go away too...it just takes time..
>
> have you read the posts on the board about rapid eye movement therapy? this has worked for me in the past to get rid of obsessive thoughts..if you are seeing a therapist ask him/her about it..it sounds goofy but it is worth a try and i really think that it does help!
>
>
>
>
> > It is good to hear from you again.....it is nice to hear from someone that is going through the same things that I am. I was feeling much better at about day 6 and 7, which gave me a lot more hope of getting better. Did you/do you have thoughts of death and seeing others getting hurt or even you hurting others? That is the thing I hate the absolute most. As much as I love being around my wife, I hate being around her lately because I'm scared to be. That hurts me the most. At least I feel like eating again and watching sports and other things I enjoy, but otherwise I feel horrible. Fortunately I have another short holiday week this week and then I can be home for a four day weekend. I guess this was a good time to become depressed with all of the vacation I have. Thanks again for the reply!
> >
> > > Hi Bluesfan..
> > > Sorry to hear that things are rough for yout today..but I bear good news..well actually its kind of a good news/bad news thing...being that you are on day 10 of lexapro you are smack dab in the middle of what I like to call "hell week"...for me and many people the 2nd week on SSRI is terrible...the meds give you little to no benefit..and for many people the activating effect that lexapro has brings on severe agitation..kind of like what you are experiencing..the good news is that you are in the absolute toughest period there is..and it gets better from here...
> > >
> > > at work what i do that helps me is to chart my anxiety level once every half hour...label it from 1-10 and every half hour just write down or enter into your computer what you feel your anxiety level for the 1/2 hour just passed has been..this can help you identify a pattern to when you feel anxious...it also helps to reinforce that anxiety levels go up and down throughout the day, and that if you ride out the high anxiety periods you will feel much better in a short time...for me I have noticed that after 2 pm i tend to begin feeling much better..i get settled into the work day and into the flow...
> > >
> > > another advantage to knowing when your anxious times are is that you can prepare for them...for many people it helps to be occupied when you are anxious...if it is possible for you to schedule your work during those anxious periods..it will help you channel that adrenaline release into something besides worrying..
> > >
> > > these are things that help me when I am at work..of course they are not a cure all but they do help..
> > > Nick
> > > > I'm still new to the whole "depression" thing, and I wanted a little bit of insight to anyone who can provide it. Today was my first day back at work in over a week, and it seems I'm MUCH worse than I've been in awhile. I'm currently on 10mg of Lexapro, and I have been for the past 10 days. I was doing pretty well, but it seems like I've gone back to feeling worse than I did before I started the drug. Anxiety is horrible, I'm constantly tired, thoughts of death and suicide are much worse.....it just seems like when it rains it pours. Those of you that have been through this, how do you cope at work? I have to find a way to get through this, and I thought some of you may have some tricks to stay focused and energized throughout the day. Thanks for your help!
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by Mariposa on December 29, 2003, at 11:40:50
In reply to Re: Depression question, posted by bluesfan on December 29, 2003, at 11:09:34
I would just like to add in my support....have been on Lex since Feb., currently at20mg.
First 2 months for me were terrible, but I'm glad I stuck it out, doing so much better now.
2nd week was the worst for me w/se's, then at wk 5 I felt a whole lot worse, increased depression and anxiety attacks. Did not actually start to fell *better* until wk 9.
Please try not to get discouraged, tracking how you feel may help take your mind off, and frequent breaks (I went to bathroom, or stockroom to *get some air*) also helped a lot. Try not to focus on the negatives, keep thinking positive thoughts, drink lots of water!
Also come back here OFTEN for support, it helped me so much to read posts here when I felt bad.
We're all pulling for you!~~~8|8
Posted by nicky847 on December 29, 2003, at 12:07:47
In reply to Re: Depression question » bluesfan, posted by Mariposa on December 29, 2003, at 11:40:50
Rapid eye movement therapy seems to help people b/c it simulates REM sleep..it also helps you confront your scary thoughts...what my therapist did was tell me to think one of my scary thoughts..which in itself is scary but with the therapist there i felt safe in doing so...he then told me to follow his finger with my eyes..and moved it at a rapid (but not blinding speed) to the far left and far right corners of my field of vision...he did this for about 30 seconds...then told me to take a deep breath and close my eyes...we repeated this 3 or 4 times..im not sure how or why it works..but my scary thoughts seemed to lose some of their impact after that..like my body had already processed these thoughts and recognized that they are harmless..
I have been on lexapro for 4 1/2 weeks now...I am encouraged by the fact that my recovery seems to be going more or less the same as it did on celexa...i get frustrated that im not all the way better...but when i think about the progress i have made, it makes me feel good...from reading what you have written to me you are well on your way to recovery as well..
an important thing to note is that when you are starting on an A/D..you will have many points where you feel like you are cured...and it makes it very frustrating when a few days later you dont feel like that anymore...remember that regardless of how you feel on a given day..every day you are one day closer to recovery....celexa really helped me..and i am confident lexapro will do the same..but do not expect a magic switch to be pulled..recovery is very very gradual and the number one thing i can advise to you is patience, patience, and more patience....i know its hard, but the cold hard facts are that it can take a couple months on the meds to feel better..so you have the choice to get frustrated and scared when you feel youre not progressing fast enough...or to have faith in the med and in yourself..let the lex do its thing..and recuperate without putting alot of extra pressure on yourself...believe me when you come out the other side it feels like you have a new lease on life..and you will come out the other side..
> I would just like to add in my support....have been on Lex since Feb., currently at20mg.
>
> First 2 months for me were terrible, but I'm glad I stuck it out, doing so much better now.
>
> 2nd week was the worst for me w/se's, then at wk 5 I felt a whole lot worse, increased depression and anxiety attacks. Did not actually start to fell *better* until wk 9.
>
> Please try not to get discouraged, tracking how you feel may help take your mind off, and frequent breaks (I went to bathroom, or stockroom to *get some air*) also helped a lot. Try not to focus on the negatives, keep thinking positive thoughts, drink lots of water!
>
> Also come back here OFTEN for support, it helped me so much to read posts here when I felt bad.
>
> We're all pulling for you!~~~8|8
Posted by bluesfan on December 29, 2003, at 12:43:12
In reply to Re: Depression question, posted by nicky847 on December 29, 2003, at 12:07:47
I will give that a try. I just want the thoughts to go away and I can deal with the rest of it. I have felt fatigue for a long time, so I'm pretty used to that. That may have been a good sign that this depression thing has been coming on for awhile. I found out over Christmas that my brother is on Zoloft, my sister is on Wellbutrin, and my niece is on Lexapro. This is something I never knew before.......it actually helps me know that this may be something that is genetic and not just me going crazy. I just hope to be better by spring and summer so I can enjoy life more when the weather is nice!
> Rapid eye movement therapy seems to help people b/c it simulates REM sleep..it also helps you confront your scary thoughts...what my therapist did was tell me to think one of my scary thoughts..which in itself is scary but with the therapist there i felt safe in doing so...he then told me to follow his finger with my eyes..and moved it at a rapid (but not blinding speed) to the far left and far right corners of my field of vision...he did this for about 30 seconds...then told me to take a deep breath and close my eyes...we repeated this 3 or 4 times..im not sure how or why it works..but my scary thoughts seemed to lose some of their impact after that..like my body had already processed these thoughts and recognized that they are harmless..
>
> I have been on lexapro for 4 1/2 weeks now...I am encouraged by the fact that my recovery seems to be going more or less the same as it did on celexa...i get frustrated that im not all the way better...but when i think about the progress i have made, it makes me feel good...from reading what you have written to me you are well on your way to recovery as well..
>
> an important thing to note is that when you are starting on an A/D..you will have many points where you feel like you are cured...and it makes it very frustrating when a few days later you dont feel like that anymore...remember that regardless of how you feel on a given day..every day you are one day closer to recovery....celexa really helped me..and i am confident lexapro will do the same..but do not expect a magic switch to be pulled..recovery is very very gradual and the number one thing i can advise to you is patience, patience, and more patience....i know its hard, but the cold hard facts are that it can take a couple months on the meds to feel better..so you have the choice to get frustrated and scared when you feel youre not progressing fast enough...or to have faith in the med and in yourself..let the lex do its thing..and recuperate without putting alot of extra pressure on yourself...believe me when you come out the other side it feels like you have a new lease on life..and you will come out the other side..
>
>
> > I would just like to add in my support....have been on Lex since Feb., currently at20mg.
> >
> > First 2 months for me were terrible, but I'm glad I stuck it out, doing so much better now.
> >
> > 2nd week was the worst for me w/se's, then at wk 5 I felt a whole lot worse, increased depression and anxiety attacks. Did not actually start to fell *better* until wk 9.
> >
> > Please try not to get discouraged, tracking how you feel may help take your mind off, and frequent breaks (I went to bathroom, or stockroom to *get some air*) also helped a lot. Try not to focus on the negatives, keep thinking positive thoughts, drink lots of water!
> >
> > Also come back here OFTEN for support, it helped me so much to read posts here when I felt bad.
> >
> > We're all pulling for you!~~~8|8
>
>
Posted by nicky847 on December 29, 2003, at 13:06:22
In reply to Re: Depression question, posted by bluesfan on December 29, 2003, at 12:43:12
It IS genetic...my mom and dad both have had anxiety/depression at different points in their
life...also..you are not going crazy...most therapists will tell you "crazy" people dont know they are crazy..nor do they care..they are people who have lost contact with reality..chances are you are so focused on the reality of your symptoms that you are about as far from the clinical definition of crazy as you can get..people with anxiety disorders are too much in contact with reality..
and you are right about the fatigue bringing it on...i know for me sometimes it feels like all of this just started one day..but then when i think about it i had been pushing myself really really hard for a while before i finally sought out help..
You are going to feel better by spring/summer...that i can pretty much guarantee..
> I will give that a try. I just want the thoughts to go away and I can deal with the rest of it. I have felt fatigue for a long time, so I'm pretty used to that. That may have been a good sign that this depression thing has been coming on for awhile. I found out over Christmas that my brother is on Zoloft, my sister is on Wellbutrin, and my niece is on Lexapro. This is something I never knew before.......it actually helps me know that this may be something that is genetic and not just me going crazy. I just hope to be better by spring and summer so I can enjoy life more when the weather is nice!
>
> > Rapid eye movement therapy seems to help people b/c it simulates REM sleep..it also helps you confront your scary thoughts...what my therapist did was tell me to think one of my scary thoughts..which in itself is scary but with the therapist there i felt safe in doing so...he then told me to follow his finger with my eyes..and moved it at a rapid (but not blinding speed) to the far left and far right corners of my field of vision...he did this for about 30 seconds...then told me to take a deep breath and close my eyes...we repeated this 3 or 4 times..im not sure how or why it works..but my scary thoughts seemed to lose some of their impact after that..like my body had already processed these thoughts and recognized that they are harmless..
> >
> > I have been on lexapro for 4 1/2 weeks now...I am encouraged by the fact that my recovery seems to be going more or less the same as it did on celexa...i get frustrated that im not all the way better...but when i think about the progress i have made, it makes me feel good...from reading what you have written to me you are well on your way to recovery as well..
> >
> > an important thing to note is that when you are starting on an A/D..you will have many points where you feel like you are cured...and it makes it very frustrating when a few days later you dont feel like that anymore...remember that regardless of how you feel on a given day..every day you are one day closer to recovery....celexa really helped me..and i am confident lexapro will do the same..but do not expect a magic switch to be pulled..recovery is very very gradual and the number one thing i can advise to you is patience, patience, and more patience....i know its hard, but the cold hard facts are that it can take a couple months on the meds to feel better..so you have the choice to get frustrated and scared when you feel youre not progressing fast enough...or to have faith in the med and in yourself..let the lex do its thing..and recuperate without putting alot of extra pressure on yourself...believe me when you come out the other side it feels like you have a new lease on life..and you will come out the other side..
> >
> >
> > > I would just like to add in my support....have been on Lex since Feb., currently at20mg.
> > >
> > > First 2 months for me were terrible, but I'm glad I stuck it out, doing so much better now.
> > >
> > > 2nd week was the worst for me w/se's, then at wk 5 I felt a whole lot worse, increased depression and anxiety attacks. Did not actually start to fell *better* until wk 9.
> > >
> > > Please try not to get discouraged, tracking how you feel may help take your mind off, and frequent breaks (I went to bathroom, or stockroom to *get some air*) also helped a lot. Try not to focus on the negatives, keep thinking positive thoughts, drink lots of water!
> > >
> > > Also come back here OFTEN for support, it helped me so much to read posts here when I felt bad.
> > >
> > > We're all pulling for you!~~~8|8
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by bluesfan on December 29, 2003, at 13:26:33
In reply to Re: Depression question, posted by nicky847 on December 29, 2003, at 13:06:22
Hearing your side of things helps me more than you know. It gives me some hope that I might eventually get better. I have to keep telling myself that this is more like a disease than a mental illness. I definitely realize that I took life for granted before when I felt good. I can definitely sympathize with people that have gone through this, and I hope I can give support to people in the future like you are giving me. Thanks again!
> It IS genetic...my mom and dad both have had anxiety/depression at different points in their
> life...
>
> also..you are not going crazy...most therapists will tell you "crazy" people dont know they are crazy..nor do they care..they are people who have lost contact with reality..chances are you are so focused on the reality of your symptoms that you are about as far from the clinical definition of crazy as you can get..people with anxiety disorders are too much in contact with reality..
>
> and you are right about the fatigue bringing it on...i know for me sometimes it feels like all of this just started one day..but then when i think about it i had been pushing myself really really hard for a while before i finally sought out help..
>
> You are going to feel better by spring/summer...that i can pretty much guarantee..
> > I will give that a try. I just want the thoughts to go away and I can deal with the rest of it. I have felt fatigue for a long time, so I'm pretty used to that. That may have been a good sign that this depression thing has been coming on for awhile. I found out over Christmas that my brother is on Zoloft, my sister is on Wellbutrin, and my niece is on Lexapro. This is something I never knew before.......it actually helps me know that this may be something that is genetic and not just me going crazy. I just hope to be better by spring and summer so I can enjoy life more when the weather is nice!
> >
> > > Rapid eye movement therapy seems to help people b/c it simulates REM sleep..it also helps you confront your scary thoughts...what my therapist did was tell me to think one of my scary thoughts..which in itself is scary but with the therapist there i felt safe in doing so...he then told me to follow his finger with my eyes..and moved it at a rapid (but not blinding speed) to the far left and far right corners of my field of vision...he did this for about 30 seconds...then told me to take a deep breath and close my eyes...we repeated this 3 or 4 times..im not sure how or why it works..but my scary thoughts seemed to lose some of their impact after that..like my body had already processed these thoughts and recognized that they are harmless..
> > >
> > > I have been on lexapro for 4 1/2 weeks now...I am encouraged by the fact that my recovery seems to be going more or less the same as it did on celexa...i get frustrated that im not all the way better...but when i think about the progress i have made, it makes me feel good...from reading what you have written to me you are well on your way to recovery as well..
> > >
> > > an important thing to note is that when you are starting on an A/D..you will have many points where you feel like you are cured...and it makes it very frustrating when a few days later you dont feel like that anymore...remember that regardless of how you feel on a given day..every day you are one day closer to recovery....celexa really helped me..and i am confident lexapro will do the same..but do not expect a magic switch to be pulled..recovery is very very gradual and the number one thing i can advise to you is patience, patience, and more patience....i know its hard, but the cold hard facts are that it can take a couple months on the meds to feel better..so you have the choice to get frustrated and scared when you feel youre not progressing fast enough...or to have faith in the med and in yourself..let the lex do its thing..and recuperate without putting alot of extra pressure on yourself...believe me when you come out the other side it feels like you have a new lease on life..and you will come out the other side..
> > >
> > >
> > > > I would just like to add in my support....have been on Lex since Feb., currently at20mg.
> > > >
> > > > First 2 months for me were terrible, but I'm glad I stuck it out, doing so much better now.
> > > >
> > > > 2nd week was the worst for me w/se's, then at wk 5 I felt a whole lot worse, increased depression and anxiety attacks. Did not actually start to fell *better* until wk 9.
> > > >
> > > > Please try not to get discouraged, tracking how you feel may help take your mind off, and frequent breaks (I went to bathroom, or stockroom to *get some air*) also helped a lot. Try not to focus on the negatives, keep thinking positive thoughts, drink lots of water!
> > > >
> > > > Also come back here OFTEN for support, it helped me so much to read posts here when I felt bad.
> > > >
> > > > We're all pulling for you!~~~8|8
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by nicky847 on December 29, 2003, at 13:50:33
In reply to Re: Depression question, posted by bluesfan on December 29, 2003, at 13:26:33
I'm glad I can help ease your mind a little! Actually, you are taking all the right viewpoints you need to take to get better..
remember you are a sick person in the process of getting well..not a crazy person in the process of getting sane..take care of yourself the same way you would if you were getting over the flu or a cold or whatever..eat well, get plenty of rest, keep yourself hydrated, do things you enjoy doing but always know that its ok to rest too...distraction can help ease anxiety but be sure to set aside at least an hour a day to just chill watching tv or reading a book or magazine or whatever..for me it helps to keep in mind that anxious and depressed thoughts are the product of a fatigued mind..so look at it as if you have sprained your brain..it will heal but stay light on it for a while..
> Hearing your side of things helps me more than you know. It gives me some hope that I might eventually get better. I have to keep telling myself that this is more like a disease than a mental illness. I definitely realize that I took life for granted before when I felt good. I can definitely sympathize with people that have gone through this, and I hope I can give support to people in the future like you are giving me. Thanks again!
>
> > It IS genetic...my mom and dad both have had anxiety/depression at different points in their
> > life...
> >
> > also..you are not going crazy...most therapists will tell you "crazy" people dont know they are crazy..nor do they care..they are people who have lost contact with reality..chances are you are so focused on the reality of your symptoms that you are about as far from the clinical definition of crazy as you can get..people with anxiety disorders are too much in contact with reality..
> >
> > and you are right about the fatigue bringing it on...i know for me sometimes it feels like all of this just started one day..but then when i think about it i had been pushing myself really really hard for a while before i finally sought out help..
> >
> > You are going to feel better by spring/summer...that i can pretty much guarantee..
> > > I will give that a try. I just want the thoughts to go away and I can deal with the rest of it. I have felt fatigue for a long time, so I'm pretty used to that. That may have been a good sign that this depression thing has been coming on for awhile. I found out over Christmas that my brother is on Zoloft, my sister is on Wellbutrin, and my niece is on Lexapro. This is something I never knew before.......it actually helps me know that this may be something that is genetic and not just me going crazy. I just hope to be better by spring and summer so I can enjoy life more when the weather is nice!
> > >
> > > > Rapid eye movement therapy seems to help people b/c it simulates REM sleep..it also helps you confront your scary thoughts...what my therapist did was tell me to think one of my scary thoughts..which in itself is scary but with the therapist there i felt safe in doing so...he then told me to follow his finger with my eyes..and moved it at a rapid (but not blinding speed) to the far left and far right corners of my field of vision...he did this for about 30 seconds...then told me to take a deep breath and close my eyes...we repeated this 3 or 4 times..im not sure how or why it works..but my scary thoughts seemed to lose some of their impact after that..like my body had already processed these thoughts and recognized that they are harmless..
> > > >
> > > > I have been on lexapro for 4 1/2 weeks now...I am encouraged by the fact that my recovery seems to be going more or less the same as it did on celexa...i get frustrated that im not all the way better...but when i think about the progress i have made, it makes me feel good...from reading what you have written to me you are well on your way to recovery as well..
> > > >
> > > > an important thing to note is that when you are starting on an A/D..you will have many points where you feel like you are cured...and it makes it very frustrating when a few days later you dont feel like that anymore...remember that regardless of how you feel on a given day..every day you are one day closer to recovery....celexa really helped me..and i am confident lexapro will do the same..but do not expect a magic switch to be pulled..recovery is very very gradual and the number one thing i can advise to you is patience, patience, and more patience....i know its hard, but the cold hard facts are that it can take a couple months on the meds to feel better..so you have the choice to get frustrated and scared when you feel youre not progressing fast enough...or to have faith in the med and in yourself..let the lex do its thing..and recuperate without putting alot of extra pressure on yourself...believe me when you come out the other side it feels like you have a new lease on life..and you will come out the other side..
> > > >
> > > >
> > > > > I would just like to add in my support....have been on Lex since Feb., currently at20mg.
> > > > >
> > > > > First 2 months for me were terrible, but I'm glad I stuck it out, doing so much better now.
> > > > >
> > > > > 2nd week was the worst for me w/se's, then at wk 5 I felt a whole lot worse, increased depression and anxiety attacks. Did not actually start to fell *better* until wk 9.
> > > > >
> > > > > Please try not to get discouraged, tracking how you feel may help take your mind off, and frequent breaks (I went to bathroom, or stockroom to *get some air*) also helped a lot. Try not to focus on the negatives, keep thinking positive thoughts, drink lots of water!
> > > > >
> > > > > Also come back here OFTEN for support, it helped me so much to read posts here when I felt bad.
> > > > >
> > > > > We're all pulling for you!~~~8|8
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
>
>
Posted by 1980Monroe on December 30, 2003, at 21:56:11
In reply to Depression question, posted by bluesfan on December 29, 2003, at 9:14:37
It really sucks being in the dump, trust me ive been there, and still go there too. I self-medicated myself with street drugs to get motivated (methamphetamine) and it just stirred it up more. I stoped the crap, and took L-tyrosine and it really works, it doesnt give you a rush or anything but it does make you have more "pep" in your life. Buspar i heard is a good anti-anxiety agent because it works good on serotoin(related to depression too), but you cant take it with other SSRI's cuzz of that sertoin syndrome thingy, its not pretty. Don't really know exactly how it works, but just ask your doc about it. Keep me informed, adn dont kill yourself please. Later
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