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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 7 of 7. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by lovelyone on April 11, 2004, at 13:16:25
Hi everyone. I started lexapro 11 days ago after a trip to my doctor where he told me I was depressed. I'm not sure that I am as depressed as lots of you seem and I feel kind of silly. My "depression" seems to come and go and looks more like lots of worry and "meltdowns". I finally went to the doctor when I just didn't feel I could get through my day. I do feel like whatever it is has affected my life, my family and my home--no energy. Does this sound like depression to you? I feel kind of silly taking this if I don't need it. This probably sounds ridiculous to you guys, but I have worried about whether we jumped the gun. I think my state of crying and my family history are what the doctor based this decision on. Any thoughts?
Posted by awatts on April 11, 2004, at 16:43:11
In reply to newly diagnosed and unsure, posted by lovelyone on April 11, 2004, at 13:16:25
> Hi everyone. I started lexapro 11 days ago after a trip to my doctor where he told me I was depressed. I'm not sure that I am as depressed as lots of you seem and I feel kind of silly. My "depression" seems to come and go and looks more like lots of worry and "meltdowns". I finally went to the doctor when I just didn't feel I could get through my day. I do feel like whatever it is has affected my life, my family and my home--no energy. Does this sound like depression to you? I feel kind of silly taking this if I don't need it. This probably sounds ridiculous to you guys, but I have worried about whether we jumped the gun. I think my state of crying and my family history are what the doctor based this decision on. Any thoughts?
For mild depression, first make sure you are getting enough sleep and especially exercise. Then, start trying drugs.
Posted by King Vultan on April 11, 2004, at 20:42:16
In reply to newly diagnosed and unsure, posted by lovelyone on April 11, 2004, at 13:16:25
To me, it does appear that you may have some symptoms of depression and might be helped by an antidepressant. I would highly recommend talk therapy, too, if it's available, as this can help to corroborate the doctor's diagnosis and provide very valuable insights and benefits.
There are different shades and degrees of depression, and some people unfortunately have a much harder time making a go of it than others. You may not fall into that category but might have some problem areas that are holding you back--embarking on an antidepressant treatment can be a means towards self improvement and making you a happier and more fulfilled person.
Todd
Posted by Scott in Vermont on April 12, 2004, at 14:39:06
In reply to newly diagnosed and unsure, posted by lovelyone on April 11, 2004, at 13:16:25
Pay attention to what your body is telling you. You know who you are, and who you want to be. If you're not yourself or you're not going in the direction you feel you should be, examine it (as you already have).
Depression is more than a simple case of the blues. Some of the things you mentioned reminded me of things I went through myself before I really knew what was going on. You may have caught this before it became a debilitating condition.
I can understand the feeling "silly". I felt that a lot the first time I dealt with this. And when I finally admitted that it was more than I could handle, I was reminded of why I felt “silly”. There is a stigma associated with things like depression because it's not a physical and tangible thing people can "see". If you break your leg skiing and take medical leave from work, people are ok with that. But take that same time off from work to deal with untenable anxiety, and people don't offer the same understanding. It’s not like you can point to your head and say, “I have a chemical imbalance… right there. See?”
I can't say taking the meds is good or bad for you. I hope that your doc got it right. But my honest opinion is that you know yourself, and you know what is and is not "who you are". If you haven't been who you "are" or who you know/feel you "should be", this might be why.
By the way, I'm right there with you with regards to Lexapro. Started it 03/30/04.
Posted by KathrynLex on April 12, 2004, at 16:22:36
In reply to Re: newly diagnosed and unsure, posted by Scott in Vermont on April 12, 2004, at 14:39:06
Hi Lovelyone,
It sounds like mild depression and a low dose of Lexapro could be very benficial for you. Try it for a couple of months, if you don't see any positive changes you can always stop taking it.
K.
Posted by lovelyone on April 12, 2004, at 17:20:16
In reply to Re: newly diagnosed and unsure, posted by KathrynLex on April 12, 2004, at 16:22:36
Thanks to all for your help in clarifying this. I did take the depression "screener" as recommended and was surprised to see that I did fall into the range as per the screener.
One thing that has made me feel better is knowing that I am not just over-reacting and others understand that I don't have to be totally nonfunctional to feel this way. I guess it validated my feelings in some way.
I will look at the talk therapy at some point, too. My doctor suggested I try meds first to get to the point where I could do the therapy piece.
Thanks so much for your input. I really appreciate it.
Posted by terrics on April 13, 2004, at 9:00:42
In reply to newly diagnosed and unsure, posted by lovelyone on April 11, 2004, at 13:16:25
Sure sounds like depression, but I hope your MD did a work up on you first,eg bloodwork! Many medical conditions look like depression, slow thyroid for instance. good luck. Hope you feel better. terrics
This is the end of the thread.
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