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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by SLS on February 17, 2009, at 7:34:27
Recovery from depression is rarely linear. It does not occur as a smooth ascending line. There are peaks, valleys, plateaus, blips, and dips. The graph would look more like an irregular saw-tooth. However, if one charts their mood thoughout the weeks and months, hopefully, the trend towards recovery will be very apparent. It is important to understand this if one is to avoid an emotional roller-coaster or rush to the medicine cabinet to self-medicate.
A dip feels like the beginning of a relapse. A valley seems like a full relapse. It is very scary. But if your mood chart demostrates that you are still better than when you started treatment, perhaps you can relax and accept the depression as a temporary retreat or even some sort of biological reset, as one of my doctors liked to call it.
It is difficult not to look at one's condition with a microscope. We get to know every nuance of our mood and cognitive performance. We rate ourselves on a moment by moment basis. However, these things will fluctuate during the recovery process. Every now and then, it is good to just let it be and live in the moment, interacting with your external environment rather than focusing incessantly on your internal environment.
Easier said than done? Yes.
Guarantees of full remission? No.
Even if your current treatment does not lead to remission, it is just one of multiple treatment trials that you might have to perform to hit the right one. Try to live your life in the meantime. I hope I am strong enought to take my own advice. My world seems small to me, but it grows a little bigger when I push to move outside my comfort zone.
- Scott
Posted by West on February 17, 2009, at 8:37:04
In reply to Recovery from depression is not linear., posted by SLS on February 17, 2009, at 7:34:27
Your words do great service to all those suffering with mental health disorders. I hope I can take some of your strengh with me on my daily journey to recovery.
Can you recommend any good mood graphs?
West
Posted by SLS on February 17, 2009, at 8:44:04
In reply to Re: Recovery from depression is not linear., posted by West on February 17, 2009, at 8:37:04
Hi West.
> Your words do great service to all those suffering with mental health disorders.
Thanks.
> I hope I can take some of your strengh with me on my daily journey to recovery.
Knowledge is power. Patience is a skill.
> Can you recommend any good mood graphs?I like this one:
http://www.slschofield.com/medicine/mood_chart_beam.pdf
- Scott
Posted by West on February 17, 2009, at 8:49:45
In reply to Re: Recovery from depression is not linear., posted by SLS on February 17, 2009, at 8:44:04
Thanks ~
West
Posted by Phillipa on February 17, 2009, at 11:13:41
In reply to Recovery from depression is not linear., posted by SLS on February 17, 2009, at 7:34:27
Scott so are you also saying that some can permanently get well and not require any meds. Or must remain on them forever? Does the anxious worrying person ever stop the worrying? Phillipa
Posted by yxibow on February 17, 2009, at 12:03:21
In reply to Re: Recovery from depression is not linear. » SLS, posted by Phillipa on February 17, 2009, at 11:13:41
> Scott so are you also saying that some can permanently get well and not require any meds. Or must remain on them forever? Does the anxious worrying person ever stop the worrying? Phillipa
I would say biochemical imbalances change over time and thus some people not afflicted with comorbid disorders would stand a fairly good chance of reduction if not elimination of most of their medications.
Multiple diagnoses -might- take longer, but there is a lot of psychological things, relaxation therapy, e.g of a number of things, which can make the "anxious person" not in need s large combination of medication.
As for medication free, its always a risk to take to be 'unprotected' from further bumps in the road, but if it seems to be a good running experiment for lack of better words, then maybe they could become superfluous for quite a while.
-- Jay
Posted by SLS on February 17, 2009, at 12:29:40
In reply to Re: Recovery from depression is not linear. » SLS, posted by Phillipa on February 17, 2009, at 11:13:41
> Scott so are you also saying that some can permanently get well and not require any meds. Or must remain on them forever? Does the anxious worrying person ever stop the worrying? Phillipa
With Major Depressive Disorder, the APA recommends long-term treatment if the patient has had 3 or more prior episodes of depression.
For the first or second episodes, one can try to discontinue antidepressants 6-9 months AFTER FULL REMISSION IS ACHIEVED.
- Scott
Posted by Roslynn on February 17, 2009, at 16:18:33
In reply to Recovery from depression is not linear., posted by SLS on February 17, 2009, at 7:34:27
Scott, excellent post and very true. I for one tend to panic when I get those "dips" in mood. Thank you.
Roslynn
Posted by Phillipa on February 17, 2009, at 20:18:55
In reply to Re: Recovery from depression is not linear., posted by Roslynn on February 17, 2009, at 16:18:33
Thanks to Jay And Scott now please find the thread by the person just posted about bottom of board she needs help for Maoi's thanks. Phillipa
Posted by raisinb on February 17, 2009, at 21:05:54
In reply to Recovery from depression is not linear., posted by SLS on February 17, 2009, at 7:34:27
Great post, Scott. We could all benefit from this advice. I am much better at treating my depression when I don't panic about getting depressed again when a small setback occurs.
Posted by JadeKelly on February 21, 2009, at 18:12:30
In reply to Re: Recovery from depression is not linear. » Phillipa, posted by SLS on February 17, 2009, at 12:29:40
> > Scott so are you also saying that some can permanently get well and not require any meds. Or must remain on them forever? Does the anxious worrying person ever stop the worrying? Phillipa
>
> With Major Depressive Disorder, the APA recommends long-term treatment if the patient has had 3 or more prior episodes of depression.
>
> For the first or second episodes, one can try to discontinue antidepressants 6-9 months AFTER FULL REMISSION IS ACHIEVED.
>
>
> - Scott
>
>That would be Sweet! Life is good ;-)Combine this with Bleauberry's "go live" (expanded version) post and you've got a book, article, something! in the making.
~Jade
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