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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 4 of 4. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Miss Honeychurch on February 1, 2005, at 15:37:58
Nimrod,
Apparently I can't post to you on the Newbie Board so I hope you see this!
I can totally relate to what you are going through. I first experienced major anxiety and depression several years ago in my early 30s. I as well had all of the horrible physical symptoms - stuttering, lack of coordination. You mention your vision going grey. I completely lost my sense of smell! For one year! I thought I had MS, then I thought I had ALS and cancer and the list goes on and on. I hated myself.
And finally, while I was at the bottom of my barrel, I sought therapy. I am lucky however to be fully employed with incredible mental health insurance.
I have been in therapy for almost a year and a half and have made great strides - all without any medication. While I realize medication does help many people, it is not always the first line of defense against depression and anxiety. The side effects alone have scared me away from them. However, I have worked hard in therapy and committed a lot of time and energy to it. Many times people don't have the desire or resources to do this.
I guess I just want to say that I understand wht you're going through and tell you I have come out the other end. That it IS possible to get better without pills.
Have you looked into the possibility of therapy?
Posted by Susan47 on February 1, 2005, at 19:14:47
In reply to FOR NIMROD, posted by Miss Honeychurch on February 1, 2005, at 15:37:58
I think you're terribly brave ((((Miss Honey)))). I wish I could do it all without the AD's and the drugs. Sunny knows, she's been there and seen both sides of me ... other people have too, and I wonder if they know it. Not many, though, because mostly I have to be stoned to be able to go out ... at least a little bit stoned, you know, because otherwise I don't have the confidence, or self-liking, or ease or grace to be myself. I know people here struggle with being unable to leave their homes, and unable to reach out for help when they really need it and they Know they will benefit from asking for help, but it's just too much effort, it's too hard to do ....
and some part of me understands it, and is so grateful that I can still have my crutches, the crutches that allow me to reach out and post when I need to, to survive ... Babble is a needed addiction, so are my drugs, and I'm really ashamed of that, I'm not proud of any of it, but it helps me be a better mother and a better human being right now, when I need it the most ...
Posted by Nimrod on February 2, 2005, at 5:44:47
In reply to FOR NIMROD, posted by Miss Honeychurch on February 1, 2005, at 15:37:58
And I admire your courage greatly.
I must admit to feeling a little bitter toward myself for allowing all those drugs to be poured into me. Yes, I was depressed, but there's a support group for my kind of depression: It's called "everybody" and we all meet down at the bar, y'know? I wish I had been able to show your kind of courage, things might have turned out very differently.
Thank you for your post. It is inspiring, seriously.
A neurobehavioral clinic has been suggested to me. I don't even know what that really is.
Be well.
Posted by Miss Honeychurch on February 2, 2005, at 11:06:33
In reply to FOR NIMROD, posted by Miss Honeychurch on February 1, 2005, at 15:37:58
I am indeed flattered that you all think me courageous. I tend to think I had no other choice and many times I shortchange myself on this. However, my T has told me there was a huge possibility I could have abused drugs and alcohol to deal with my depression and anxiety. He tells me to congratulate myself on both the things I have done, as well as things I HAVEN"T done.
Nimrod, please don't beat yourself up over allowing yourself to be pumped with so many drugs. Pills are so prevalent in our culture,there are drug ads all the time now on TV. Many physicians even feel pressured to dole out drugs (they are courted heavily by drug companies)wihtout so much as a tap on the knee to check reflexes. What matters now is that you realize that that was a possible mistake and want to investigate other avenues.
I have done A LOT of research on the benefits of psychotherapy (CBT/REBT) alone vs. medication alone. There is a huge relapse rate for depression when medication is stopped, about 80%. For those who have learned skills thru therapy, the relapse rate is much lower.
Many people benefit from a mixture of drugs and therapy which I believe is great. But what most people do is go to their Primary Care Physician and get a prescription for anti depressants, and that's it. No therapy, nothing. And then they go off the meds and wonder why they are relapsing. Depression is many times biological, but it also has environmental and social factors.
PLease keep us up to date on how you are doing! And you can talk to me anytime. I think there is a lot of pressure in this day and age to take drugs. And again, while I believe drugs help many people, you also have a right to REFUSE to take them.
Just a side note: When I sought therpay for the first time I visted a psychiatrist. After 20 minutes of talking to me, he wanted to put me on drugs. I never went back. Instead, I purposefully sought out a psychologist, someone who didn't have power to write out a prescription, someone who was generally interested in the process of psychotherapy instead of chemicals.
This is the end of the thread.
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