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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 bretbe on March 31, 2003, at 0:05:58
Hi, new here but wondering how many experience so-called depression like I do. If I actually felt "depressed" that would be a good day. My emotions feel dulled but that's not really the bad part, it's the chronic intense pain in my head and dysphoria (miserableness). Never realized "normal" was an emotional state until mine got all screwed up. I'd take any side-effect if could find something to lessen the pain. Subjective feeling in head/chest area, where emotions used to exist, most analogous to nausua NOT that I feel sick to stomach but how nausua engulfs head but difficult to point to area...it just exists in there and very painful. I've tried everthing and nothing has worked. Desperate and going on 15 years...not sure how survived this long except hope next medication would help...never did. Very hopeless especially now. Life feels like tremendous burden, not enjoyable, miserable all the time, can't wait to die...would kill myself but feel bad about people I would hurt even though I feel like tremendous burden. Anyone else out there with similar symptoms?
Posted by Caleb462 on March 31, 2003, at 1:07:17
In reply to Depression as Pain / High Dysphoria..any one else?, posted by bretbe on March 31, 2003, at 0:05:58
> Hi, new here but wondering how many experience so-called depression like I do. If I actually felt "depressed" that would be a good day. My emotions feel dulled but that's not really the bad part, it's the chronic intense pain in my head and dysphoria (miserableness). Never realized "normal" was an emotional state until mine got all screwed up. I'd take any side-effect if could find something to lessen the pain. Subjective feeling in head/chest area, where emotions used to exist, most analogous to nausua NOT that I feel sick to stomach but how nausua engulfs head but difficult to point to area...it just exists in there and very painful. I've tried everthing and nothing has worked. Desperate and going on 15 years...not sure how survived this long except hope next medication would help...never did. Very hopeless especially now. Life feels like tremendous burden, not enjoyable, miserable all the time, can't wait to die...would kill myself but feel bad about people I would hurt even though I feel like tremendous burden. Anyone else out there with similar symptoms?
Yes, I can relate to most of those feelings. All the major depressive episodes I have experienced (including the one I am in the midst of at the moment), have had a large physical aspect. A feeling of general pain throughout the body, but concentrated in the stomach and arms - all of which seem connected to my emotional/mental state. It's quite horrible, really. I have a p-doc appt. in a few days, and despite not being a religious person, I'm praying to god that I get out of this mess soon. It hurts.
Good luck, buddy. Hang in there.
Posted by fachad on March 31, 2003, at 11:34:14
In reply to Depression as Pain / High Dysphoria..any one else?, posted by bretbe on March 31, 2003, at 0:05:58
Yes, I can in some ways relate to your symptoms.
I call this "somatic" depression, versus "affective" depression. Most people characterize their depression as affective, i.e., negative affect or mood. But my depression is predominately felt as a physical disphoria, nausea, lethargy, all bodily symptoms, while my mood remains a neutral dull.
What meds have you tried so far?
My somatic depression is worsened by SSRIs, and is not really helped by other ADs. It was not helped by Wellbutrin. It does respond very well to psychostimulants (e.g. Ritalin, Dextrostat, Adderall).
I have been taking one of those for about 10 years now, and although there has been some tolerance to the energy boost, they have remained very effective against the somatic depression.
Posted by baracuda on April 1, 2003, at 1:07:04
In reply to Re: Depression as Pain / High Dysphoria..any one else?, posted by Caleb462 on March 31, 2003, at 1:07:17
there is help!! for about 5 years i was diagnosed with arthritis ( i am a 32 year old female) and treated for it, but none of the medications worked. it wasnt until i had repeat visits that they finally screened me for depression and suggested psycho-therapy. although i cannot say that my depression is gone, i CAN say that the stress, pain and constant sleeping is getting better. i dont have any physical pain anymore, nor do i have any rage-fits (i also have bipolar II disorder) anylonger. my friends and family think that the combined psychologist weekly visits and my psychiatrist working together is the best thing that has happened to all of us...'
i have hope now, and i like you thought that everyone lived in such dead space just like me....
i hope that helped - i know how horrific it is to be so gray.
This is the end of the thread.
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