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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 9 of 9. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JohnLA on October 14, 2011, at 20:09:28
hi all-
i'm pretty new here. getting addicted to reading all the threads, etc. like i'm sure many of you did when you first arrived.
i'm in my first ever severe depressive episode. i know for the most part this is a pro-med site. i have no problems with that. in fact i am on medication.
i've been corresponding a bit with scott/sls and one of the topics we have discussed has been time, as in giving yourself time to get better.
i've searched the archives for such a thread and have not found what i am looking for. maybe it's just a pipe dream. but, i'm curious to hear what some of you current babblers think or have experienced; did any of you get the greatest benefit in getting better simply from the passage of time? this would be in addition to whatever other treatment you may or may not have tried.
i'm asking because i'm 19 months in on my depressive episode. in some ways i feel that my patience as time passes is possibly helping more than the 12 ect's i did, the several meds i've tried, and the once-a-week talk therapy i do.
i'm not looking to start a debate on meds. i'm looking to hear from people who have been on this road much longer than i have and might have some more experience in regards to what i'm asking.
my brain was 'right' (whatever that means) for 47 years. it hasn't been right for the last 19 months. i'm still severely depressed, but in ever so small ways i am better than i was say a year ago. my gut feeling is that the passage of time has been the most beneficial of all the treatments i've done or am doing.
any thoughts on my ramble?
thanks in advance for any responses.
john
Posted by linkadge on October 14, 2011, at 21:58:23
In reply to passage of time; is it the best medication?, posted by JohnLA on October 14, 2011, at 20:09:28
I often see my own problems like investing in an uncertain stock market. That is, sometimes the best thing you can do is nothing.
I have often wondered if I have exaserbated or prolonged certain episodes by fooling around with meds.
Linkadge
Posted by Phillipa on October 15, 2011, at 0:37:57
In reply to Re: passage of time; is it the best medication?, posted by linkadge on October 14, 2011, at 21:58:23
I have to wonder if the late 40's are a time when we experience a change in hormones both men and females. And a form of mid life crisis as years ago this would be as long as people lived. I feel for me what happens in my life circumstances is more responsible than what any med could do. Phillipa
Posted by bleauberry on October 15, 2011, at 6:42:40
In reply to passage of time; is it the best medication?, posted by JohnLA on October 14, 2011, at 20:09:28
I believe passage of time does make a difference....BUT....strings attached....during that time it can't be just a life of waiting and hoping. It has to be a new life, new foods, new supplements, new activities....all part of a comprehensive plan to strengthen the body against whatever dark forces attacked it. To heal with time, the body needs support and help. It may or may not be able to do it on its own, and in situations of psychiatric symptoms I don't think it can in most cases. It needs help. That means all the right choices in terms of grocery cart contents, vitamins, minerals, and herbal support. That means constantly trying new stuff and experimenting. On the flip side, if life stays the same as it always was, no changes, I do not believe passage of time will heal psychiatric illnesses.
In other words, when depression hits, the chapter of your life prior to that is now over, pages turned, and it is a brand new chapter. New game, new rules. The old has to be thrown out. For the passage of time to have any chance, the body needs all the help it can get.
Do I believe meds are required in most cases? No. Some cases? Yes.
Posted by FrustratedMama on October 16, 2011, at 0:11:07
In reply to Re: passage of time; is it the best medication?, posted by bleauberry on October 15, 2011, at 6:42:40
For me the passage of time has made things worse- every year is worse than the last one and every episode worsens over time- just my experience. :(
Posted by huxley on October 16, 2011, at 1:27:52
In reply to Re: passage of time; is it the best medication?, posted by FrustratedMama on October 16, 2011, at 0:11:07
For me,
Getting off meds was my best medication.
Very hard thing to do. And don't expect immediate results.
Sometimes you have to go backwards to go forwards.
Am getting better and better as time passes.
Posted by SLS on October 16, 2011, at 5:55:56
In reply to Re: passage of time; is it the best medication?, posted by FrustratedMama on October 16, 2011, at 0:11:07
> For me the passage of time has made things worse- every year is worse than the last one and every episode worsens over time- just my experience. :(
Although not true in every case, MDD depression tends to worsen with the passage of time if not treated successfully.
- Scott
Posted by SLS on October 16, 2011, at 6:00:21
In reply to Re: passage of time; is it the best medication?, posted by huxley on October 16, 2011, at 1:27:52
> For me,
>
> Getting off meds was my best medication.
> Very hard thing to do. And don't expect immediate results.
> Sometimes you have to go backwards to go forwards.
> Am getting better and better as time passes.
I'm glad you managed to discontinue your drug treatment. You obviously did the best thing for yourself by doing so. I hope you continue to recover.
- Scott
Posted by huxley on October 17, 2011, at 19:03:10
In reply to Re: passage of time; is it the best medication? » huxley, posted by SLS on October 16, 2011, at 6:00:21
> > For me,
> >
> > Getting off meds was my best medication.
> > Very hard thing to do. And don't expect immediate results.
> > Sometimes you have to go backwards to go forwards.
> > Am getting better and better as time passes.
>
>
> I'm glad you managed to discontinue your drug treatment. You obviously did the best thing for yourself by doing so. I hope you continue to recover.
>
>
> - ScottThanks Scott, appreciate it.
This is the end of the thread.
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