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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jay on December 6, 2002, at 6:23:06
Thinking the other day, as I left the doc's office, and talking about my 10 year bout with treatment-resistant depression and anxiety. You know...with only being with current doc for 3 years, I don't think it really dawned on him before my extensive history. He mentioned ECT as an option, and I am keeping an open mind, but right now, I would have to be even in a much, much darker place to have ECT. It's not the so-called "Brain Damage" that is touted by the Scientologists and their like...just the memory thing that scares me. PLUS..I still have not gone down all of my medication avenues.
I tend to be able to open people up..and develop close relationships fairly easy. Not because I am a 'social butterfly' (quite the opposite..at least that is how I feel), but I think because of my work and training as a social worker. I have met and worked with SOOOOO many people, people you would NEVER even suspect, who are on psych medication. Just from a brief tally....1 in 3 or so around me in my life are on some kind of psych med. Such a wide range...from simple middle-class, to very rich, to those living in poverty. Co-workers...parents...children..heck even pets! I'd say the ratio is maybe even closer to 1 in 2...but of course it is not much of a difference.
See...that is a part of depression and anxiety, and most mental illness. Illusions between what is real...and what we think is real. We feel so alone...yet we are really very, very similar in condition to SO many. That is part of the illness...is that it really try's to trick you and your thinking. Yell back at it...tell it to "F*** off"!
I also wanted to say..I think it takes a TON of courage to take medications...to live with all the side effects, often quite painful. But use the meds as part of your artillery in the fight against your illness. It may take months, at a maximum, very high dose of a couple of medications to bring you significant relief...and that is a price we have to pay. It's also costly monetary wise..between insurance premiums, or those of us without insurance, the cost of the drugs themselves. BUT...in ways we are also lucky to have the meds we do, even compared to 10-12 years ago, even though we still have a ways to go in finding medication that works both fast, and relieves all of our symptoms w/o side effects.
For people who haven't 'been there', and they try to give 'advice' about how 'evil' medication is (even though like anything, yes we have to be cautious and use it responsibly), ignore them. Remember how short life is...and maybe there are many days often where we don't feel like carrying on living...and you are not alone in your feeling, as likely every day, a number of people you meet feel exactly the same way. It doesn't make it any easier to continue living...but it can provide some comfort.
/rant
Jay
Posted by WorryGirl on December 12, 2002, at 10:50:23
In reply to Courage is admitting weakness..., posted by jay on December 6, 2002, at 6:23:06
Jay,
Thanks for those words. I have often wondered how many people out there are on meds. It's hard to fathom a dog being on one, but there was an article in our paper recently about it. Our pets obviously mirror our moods.As anxious, and sometimes depressed as I get, for the most part I don't think it has stopped me from living my life to the fullest. Your words help remind me of the importance of this life.
I wonder if some people just feel everything more intensely than others from birth; therefore, they are more likely to experience mental illness, depression or anxiety, etc. Or maybe that is what mental illness is - simply feeling too much or too little than we should be feeling?
Posted by daizy on December 12, 2002, at 11:01:23
In reply to Re: Courage is admitting weakness..., posted by WorryGirl on December 12, 2002, at 10:50:23
> I think its sensitive and caring people that often get depressed because we let stuff get to us, and tend not to be able to shrug things off and let them pass like others do. I'd be rich if i had a penny for all the times people have said to me "dont be so miserable", or "get over it", but I think were all courageous for being able to speak about our problems and try to help others with theirs! :-)
> Thanks for those words. I have often wondered how many people out there are on meds. It's hard to fathom a dog being on one, but there was an article in our paper recently about it. Our pets obviously mirror our moods.
>
> As anxious, and sometimes depressed as I get, for the most part I don't think it has stopped me from living my life to the fullest. Your words help remind me of the importance of this life.
>
> I wonder if some people just feel everything more intensely than others from birth; therefore, they are more likely to experience mental illness, depression or anxiety, etc. Or maybe that is what mental illness is - simply feeling too much or too little than we should be feeling?
Posted by lalanfla on December 16, 2002, at 11:25:09
In reply to Courage is admitting weakness..., posted by jay on December 6, 2002, at 6:23:06
words of encouragement from some one in the business so to speak i.e.social worker should be honored. It was very kind to remember that people struggle with issues as simple as should I medicate.I took a first dose of ad today after an 18 month hiatus. wish me luck!
Posted by justyourlaugh on December 16, 2002, at 12:05:25
In reply to Re: Courage is admitting weakness..., posted by lalanfla on December 16, 2002, at 11:25:09
i feel i have no courage.
i do things and i dont know why(si)
i cant get it out of my head!
it haunts me-taunting me all day long.
i feel so selfish about being consumed.
i am week
s
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