Shown: posts 1 to 5 of 5. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Christ_empowered on October 19, 2018, at 18:58:58
my counselor keeps hinting that i need one. the shrink (he's gone now...clinic, they come and go) said two thumbs down to -any- antidepressant, because...you know...I'm "severely Bipolar I" and all (note the sarcasm).
blah. i do think depression, probably more severe, is the main problem here. but are antidepressants really a valid option, long term, for...anyone?!?!
ive reconciled to my parents and they take good care of me. lol. really grown up, i know. they're not rich, but they're "well-to-do," it seems...so now, I'm "that Schizophrenic, from a good family" in the community.
point there is...poverty was rough. it wasn't just the lack of stuff, because i wasn't -that- poor...it was stigma, social isolation, pressure...unending, non stop pressure. welcome to late stage capitalism, I guess (?).
now...my parents are -not- rich, but they have enough status and resources that my life is...easy breezy, basically. I live in places I don't have to pay for. I drive a vehicle that I don't pay for. and I find...
my "depression" is less severe, and...different, too. its more about...knowing that no matter how miraculous my recovery, I'm labeled and stigmatized. no matter how healthy I am, I lost much of my youth to poverty and madness. and its about...
sensing real limitations, with no way out. growing up, at long last? its about churches that focus on married couples and families, and don't -deal- with "mental patients" often...
and about "friends" who showed pity when I was down and out, and seem a tad bit...jealous, maybe even angry...now that I'm supported by "genteel" parents.
blah. I don't know, honestly. i have an older (70s) Born Again Christian friend who forever encourages me to get a job, wear a smile, and...get out there! i know it sounds lazy, but...
is it so wrong to not work, if working means being picked on and bullied, all for low wages and 0 upward mobility?
i know this isn't really "meds-related," etc., but..c'mon. there's a lot more to "severe mental illness" than skillfully combining pills.
thanks. :-)
Posted by beckett2 on October 19, 2018, at 19:51:28
In reply to antidepressants, depresion, status, posted by Christ_empowered on October 19, 2018, at 18:58:58
> my counselor keeps hinting that i need one. the shrink (he's gone now...clinic, they come and go) said two thumbs down to -any- antidepressant, because...you know...I'm "severely Bipolar I" and all (note the sarcasm).
>
> blah. i do think depression, probably more severe, is the main problem here. but are antidepressants really a valid option, long term, for...anyone?!?!
Are you severely depressed or 'just' depressed? There is Wellbutrin, which you've likely tried. But that might treat problems of 'oomph' and not depression. I've been counseled many times to just stay on them. After going off meds and on, bittersweetly, I'm much better on. Someday depression and MI will be better understood, and there'll be better treatments.>
> ive reconciled to my parents and they take good care of me. lol. really grown up, i know. they're not rich, but they're "well-to-do," it seems...so now, I'm "that Schizophrenic, from a good family" in the community.
>
> point there is...poverty was rough. it wasn't just the lack of stuff, because i wasn't -that- poor...it was stigma, social isolation, pressure...unending, non stop pressure. welcome to late stage capitalism, I guess (?).
>
> now...my parents are -not- rich, but they have enough status and resources that my life is...easy breezy, basically. I live in places I don't have to pay for. I drive a vehicle that I don't pay for. and I find...
>
> my "depression" is less severe, and...different, too. its more about...knowing that no matter how miraculous my recovery, I'm labeled and stigmatized. no matter how healthy I am, I lost much of my youth to poverty and madness. and its about...
>
> sensing real limitations, with no way out. growing up, at long last? its about churches that focus on married couples and families, and don't -deal- with "mental patients" often...
>
> and about "friends" who showed pity when I was down and out, and seem a tad bit...jealous, maybe even angry...now that I'm supported by "genteel" parents.
>
> blah. I don't know, honestly. i have an older (70s) Born Again Christian friend who forever encourages me to get a job, wear a smile, and...get out there! i know it sounds lazy, but...
>
> is it so wrong to not work, if working means being picked on and bullied, all for low wages and 0 upward mobility?
>
> i know this isn't really "meds-related," etc., but..c'mon. there's a lot more to "severe mental illness" than skillfully combining pills.
>
> thanks. :-)Part of mental illness and recovery is grieving for a sense of a healthy self. That's not pathological. Also, reconciling with your parents and having their support is wonderful. There is no shame in financial support, although I really do understand the shame that invites because I'm supported myself, by a spouse. I also understand, I think, the ideas of class inequalities and how that can inform guilt in someone with ideals and a sensitive heart, if that is true of you.
Sometimes (well, all the time), when I see a homeless person, and there are plenty where I am, there is so much emotion, and I think things like, there but for the grace of god go I, etc. And on the heels of that, why then? Why is that person there, on the street? Guilt. And a sense of injustice. And fear. Because poverty is terrible and can be crushing.
Thanks for the update. Do you think of volunteering? I know that advice is continually trotted out, but there is some value to it.
Posted by Christ_empowered on October 19, 2018, at 20:14:34
In reply to Re: antidepressants, depresion, status » Christ_empowered, posted by beckett2 on October 19, 2018, at 19:51:28
yes...volunteering...good idea. :-)
there are some opportunities for such here, especially thru churches. I'll look into it.
Posted by PeterMartin on October 20, 2018, at 0:29:33
In reply to Re: antidepressants, depresion, status, posted by Christ_empowered on October 19, 2018, at 20:14:34
I was in a similar situation for a while. Don't let others get in your head. More and more people in the US are living at home w/ their folks until they get married these days. It's very common in other countries like Spain (I spent time there). The younger generation (or people w.o. much) don't have the opportunities the generations prior did.
You're lucky to be "safe". I was lucky to be "safe". You never know if/when you may find a way to something new and potentially more rewarding.
One thing that helped me were NAMI support groups. The people at those groups will understand what you're going through. Depending on the area there may be as many as a couple week. I used to make as many as possible and they basically just go around and everyone shares what's going on. No judgements. And it's nice caused you never know who will show up each week.....it's nice to know others deal w the same issues and to get feedback from them which is honest and truly w.o. judgement.
I also had issues w smoking pot which (due to an arrest in different times) forced me to go to NA twice a week. That turned out to be another place I somehow felt at home. I was even a real "addict" I just had an issue w pot and sometimes pot would cause amanjc switch in me. Even still the people in there are all supportkve and every now and Again there'll be a peer you can really relate to....perhaps become friend with...Don't judge yourself based on what you think others think of you though. At least try not to. A lot of people live at home. There are worse places to be....
Posted by PeterMartin on October 20, 2018, at 0:34:01
In reply to Re: antidepressants, depresion, status, posted by Christ_empowered on October 19, 2018, at 20:14:34
Oh and as for doctor's saying you can't be on an antidepressant.....I don't understand that.
I'm bp1 and I take an antidepressant (+other meds).
I'm not sure how old you are but if it's up to you you can always find another doctor/councilor. You're paying them. Most people with mental illness take medicines to address both the positive and negative symptoms of our various conditions....
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