![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 19 of 19. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Phillipa on November 3, 2011, at 12:27:55
Seriously how do you know if you are clinically depressed vs Bored, Or Sad Due to life circustances? If you have upped ad's and that doesn't do a thing but cause you to have less motivation or drive, cut down on benzos, make yourself go out, work ebay at night, ride bike. And yet you are empty. Know you are old? Have physical conditions. What does that make you? Is this something a med can't fix. I am thinking no. Yes I know if you look at a check sheet for depression it says so but are they right? Thanks Phillipa
Posted by gadchik on November 3, 2011, at 13:01:30
In reply to How Do You Know If You Are Depressed Or Bored Sad, posted by Phillipa on November 3, 2011, at 12:27:55
I think that your connections to people that are important to you,determine your value to yourself.If you have lost those connections,I believe that a pill will only numb you.As Ive grown older,I see that relationships have to be cultivated with others.If you cant have that w/family,then try to get it with close friends.We need that acceptance for who we really are.pills can help to some extent,but it's people who really give your life substance.If I could go for a walk with you I would and cheer you up!
Posted by Laney on November 3, 2011, at 20:33:52
In reply to Re: How Do You Know If You Are Depressed Or Bored Sad, posted by gadchik on November 3, 2011, at 13:01:30
Phillipa,
I know when I'm depressed. I lose interest in things that once interested me. I don't want to quilt, see people like I usually do, and I'm usually a little on the cranky side, etc.
When I'm well or in remission as people say, all of the above is the opposite. I look forward to future things, I start to quilt again, I'm positive and very outgoing.
For me, I was fine and felt "normal" for whatever normal is until a failed withdrawl on paxil and then going back on it did not make me feel like I did prior. There was one prior occasion when I did attempt a withdrawl that when I gave up and went back on it took much longer and a higher dose to reach remission but not anymore.
I wish I would have never messed with it. I only wanted to go off of it because I thought I should be able to live without pills, etc.
Have you thought of psychotherapy? or talk therapy? Maybe you can add something to your Luvox?
Hang in there. You will feel better. That I'm sure of.
I'm here for you anytime.
Laney
Posted by Phillipa on November 3, 2011, at 21:20:02
In reply to Re: How Do You Know If You Are Depressed Or Bored Sad, posted by Laney on November 3, 2011, at 20:33:52
Truly I love both of you from my heart. We could all walk together and wouldn't that be so nice? People that understand each other can only help to help each other. Love Phillipa
Posted by Christ_empowered on November 3, 2011, at 22:05:45
In reply to Re: How Do You Know If You Are Depressed Or Bored Sad, posted by Phillipa on November 3, 2011, at 21:20:02
Hey Phillipa. In a way, I'm kind of lucky that I hear voices. I mean, when my mood dips below a certain point, it triggers low-grade auditory hallucinations. This used to scare and irritate me; now I see it as a helpful "warning sign" that something (maybe not even medical, but something) needs to be done.
From the non-medical end, I think you and I could both benefit from more social interaction. Volunteering, church going, support groups, exercise, that sort of thing. You could also pick up some hobbies, both social ones and ones to do on an individual basis, while alone, to give your life more substance and meaning.
I don't know that I'd bump my AD if I were you. I mean, if you're agitated and anxious, I imagine a higher dose of Luvox would be helpful, but if you're feeling apathetic and numb, I would think that increasing an SSRI would be the very last thing you'd want to do (although I'm sure its the first thing your psychiatrist would suggest). I'd personally see about trying to get a stimulant for your depression. I mean, you don't have a history of drug abuse, mania, psychosis, heart problems, any of that, and stimulants are much faster-acting and more effective for this sort of problem than any antidepressant I can think of. Back when it was still new, Ritalin was widely advertised as a treatment for various forms of depression where people needed a "lift." Several studies on late-life depression and depression in the presence of diseases/conditions (including HIV/AIDS) seem to indicate that stimulants are effective as antidepressants. The studies I've read tended to use Ritalin, probably because it doesn't have the same stigma as using, say, Dexedrine for depression, which has been officially frowned upon for the past couple decades, even though it's effective.
Anyway, I'm here for you, and I hope things get better. I think if you could just either try to get out there and also add activities to your alone time or get a stimulating medication and then get out there, things would be better for you.
Posted by Phillipa on November 3, 2011, at 23:46:57
In reply to Re: How Do You Know If You Are Depressed Or Bored Sad, posted by Christ_empowered on November 3, 2011, at 22:05:45
Some day my friend we will meet as we live about an hour or so away. Would be interesting you so young and me so old in comparison. Not sure what to do. Darn I heard psych RN's getting $70,000 a year here but I went on inactive license status. I could write the board of nursing but my age and backpain is the biggest problem. I love psych patients in hospital and watching them get well. Love Phillipa
Posted by emmanuel98 on November 4, 2011, at 0:43:03
In reply to Re: How Do You Know If You Are Depressed Or Bored Sad » Christ_empowered, posted by Phillipa on November 3, 2011, at 23:46:57
when I get depressed, I become totally dsysfunctional. I will cry for no reason, come home and go to sleep at 5:00, then sleep until 7:00 the next morning and wake up feeling tired, unmotivated and tearful. When I am depressed, I am overwhelmed by suicidal ideation. I get agitated by suicidal thoughts and take 10mg haldol and 2mg ativan to calm me down and put me out.
I also get sad and bored, but it's a very diferent feeling. Although I find that boredom is a warning sign of depression. I am very busy and have a lot of work to do. If I feel bored, I stop working and start losing control.
Posted by gadchik on November 4, 2011, at 8:21:28
In reply to Re: How Do You Know If You Are Depressed Or Bored Sad, posted by emmanuel98 on November 4, 2011, at 0:43:03
phillipa, I want you to know that I have all those feelings that you have,I am only 47,however,age terrifies me,illness too. Ive been doing well lately,but I still have times where I think about what is to come, all the loss that comes w/life.I wonder if I am going to feel that horrible way that you feel when you start falling apart.I wonder if I can maintain relationships w/people,and on and on.I guess it's the way we are,us depressed,anxious people.We have to keep putting 1 foot in front of the other,as they say.
Posted by Phillipa on November 4, 2011, at 19:57:26
In reply to Re: How Do You Know If You Are Depressed Or Bored Sad, posted by emmanuel98 on November 4, 2011, at 0:43:03
I haven't cried in years can't? Used to be able to but no one cares so why? I've learned to just bottle feeling up and carry on. Then axiously wait for bedtime and sleep as that is when there is relief. No fighting no noise. But nightmares I hate them. Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on November 4, 2011, at 20:01:18
In reply to Re: How Do You Know If You Are Depressed Or Bored Sad, posted by gadchik on November 4, 2011, at 8:21:28
Gadchik not taking a thing away from you intentionally I remember when your age my happiest most functional years. No pain daily, running, lifting weights, working. Now stuck in the only situation that I can't change and that is being old. And from what those older than me say it gets worse. Doesn't help to have a husband 13 years younger that yells cause you can't keep up with him. And to boot how come I've never reacted to any meds like others here seem to? Phillipa
Posted by gadchik on November 5, 2011, at 6:50:25
In reply to Re: How Do You Know If You Are Depressed Or Bored Sad » gadchik, posted by Phillipa on November 4, 2011, at 20:01:18
I was very happy and exercising,planning trips,doing so well, then bam,vertigo started at 4am one morning,followed by extreme anxiety,ending in severe depression.I blame the progression of it all on my refusal to take pych meds.So,being this age and have been thru that,now I worry,what the heck will i be at 65?But Im almost back to the happy me,and I am grateful for that.I am thinking of you, and hope you find something to help
Posted by Raisinb on November 5, 2011, at 10:58:40
In reply to How Do You Know If You Are Depressed Or Bored Sad, posted by Phillipa on November 3, 2011, at 12:27:55
That bored feeling was the beginning of all my serious depressive episodes. I think it is different for everyone, though.
Posted by Phillipa on November 5, 2011, at 19:14:39
In reply to Re: How Do You Know If You Are Depressed Or Bored Sad, posted by gadchik on November 5, 2011, at 6:50:25
Gadchik how strange is that as the same thing happened to me. Woke with vertigo had to crawl to bathroom, couldn't move my head, ended up in ER and was given 2mg of Ativan IM and then a script for antivert? I went downhill from then on til paxil l0mg added to low dose of xanax many years ago. Phillipa any suggestions for meds?
Posted by gadchik on November 6, 2011, at 9:22:21
In reply to Re: How Do You Know If You Are Depressed Or Bored Sad » gadchik, posted by Phillipa on November 5, 2011, at 19:14:39
Vertigo really makes you feel like you have no control,Id be at the grocery store,and feel it coming on,major panic attack.I went to see every specialist,and they all said take valium,there was some fluid in 1 ear causing it.I refused to take the valium and never had another vertigo attack after the first 2,but I had dizziness,that drove me literally insane.I took benadryl,dramamine some,helped.But I still became obsessed w/vertigo,spent hrs researching it.Well,u know the rest,stopped sleeping,then eating.I lost my job,id had for 15 yrs,almost lost my family,and they were going to have me committed against my will.I did have ativan injections at er too,they helped,and I finally agreed to take klonopin,remeron,then zoloft,along w/cbt.Starting to sleep,and eat right,then walking in the sunshine,I would have dreams that I was running up to people screaming,"im well now"!Anyway, Ive since read that vertigo is a common cause of insanity.I wish never to have it again.Do you still get attacks?
Posted by gadchik on November 6, 2011, at 10:07:20
In reply to Re: How Do You Know If You Are Depressed Or Bored Sad » gadchik, posted by Phillipa on November 5, 2011, at 19:14:39
btw,have you thought about reading Noonday Demon,and Darkness Visible? Just to read what these writers felt,and to know that you felt that too is powerful.Ive since been reading every book I can find on a personal acct. of depression and anxiety.May help.ive also decided to add a small amt of vit d to my daily dose,so now it is vitd,fishoil,klonopin.may try another k taper after the holidays.Keep putting 1 foot in front of the other,feel gratitude for the sun on your face,and pray for hope and healing.
Posted by Laney on November 6, 2011, at 18:34:39
In reply to Re: How Do You Know If You Are Depressed Or Bored Sad » Phillipa, posted by gadchik on November 6, 2011, at 10:07:20
P-
What are your main symptoms that keep you from feeling your best and living how you would want to?
Emotional/physical or otherwise?
Just curious. Maybe someone has felt exactly the same way.
Thinking of you!
Laney
Posted by Phillipa on November 6, 2011, at 18:54:12
In reply to Re: How Do You Know If You Are Depressed Or Bored Sad » Phillipa, posted by gadchik on November 6, 2011, at 9:22:21
Gadchik that was the only time had it. Why would vertigo cause insanity? Never heard that before? As for the books don't know if want to emmerse myself in books like that as reading is a distraction for me. Will have to think about this. Phillipa
Posted by Phillipa on November 6, 2011, at 18:57:30
In reply to Re: How Do You Know If You Are Depressed Or Bored Sad, posted by Laney on November 6, 2011, at 18:34:39
Laney seriously think physical the thyroid, chronic lymes disease, osteoporosis, arthritis, pain in back the minute I try to something keeps from being the active person I was and can't stand to not be active. Also not nursing was my identity. And a lot of other personal stuff. Thanks for caring Laney. Phillipa
Posted by gadchik on November 7, 2011, at 6:59:21
In reply to Re: How Do You Know If You Are Depressed Or Bored Sad » gadchik, posted by Phillipa on November 6, 2011, at 18:54:12
> Gadchik that was the only time had it. Why would vertigo cause insanity? Never heard that before? As for the books don't know if want to emmerse myself in books like that as reading is a distraction for me. Will have to think about this. Phillipa
If i had just 1 episode,I would have been ok.Vertigo doesnt literally give u insanity,but having it sev times,then experiencing constant dizziness,if u are prone to anxiety,u can snap,which is what i did.Im glad u only had it once.they tested me for everything,inc lyme disease,all negative
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.