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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Rosa on August 16, 2001, at 6:44:25
Hi All,
I have difficulty with early morning depression. I have been in counseling for quite a while but just lately my depression has become more pronounced. What have you found to be helpful?
Rosa
Posted by ChrisK on August 16, 2001, at 7:18:54
In reply to Where Do I Start?, posted by Rosa on August 16, 2001, at 6:44:25
Have you ever heard of or tried Light Therapy? There are theories that especially in winter that people don't get enough light during the day and that this can cause increased depression. There are companies that make lights that simulate sunlight and can be programmed to come on earlier in the morning than the sun comes up. This can alleviate seasonal type depressions. It really does work for me during the winter to have one of these lights on in the morning to simulate sunlight. You can do a search on the internet for "Light Therapy" and find good information on this condition.
> Hi All,
>
> I have difficulty with early morning depression. I have been in counseling for quite a while but just lately my depression has become more pronounced. What have you found to be helpful?
>
> Rosa
Posted by Rosa on August 16, 2001, at 8:22:23
In reply to Re: Where Do I Start?, posted by ChrisK on August 16, 2001, at 7:18:54
Makes sense...So basically you are saying that I need more fresh air and sunshine...seems reasonable, since I spend too much time online.
Thanks for the tip, I'll check it out!
------------------------
> Have you ever heard of or tried Light Therapy? There are theories that especially in winter that people don't get enough light during the day and that this can cause increased depression. There are companies that make lights that simulate sunlight and can be programmed to come on earlier in the morning than the sun comes up. This can alleviate seasonal type depressions. It really does work for me during the winter to have one of these lights on in the morning to simulate sunlight. You can do a search on the internet for "Light Therapy" and find good information on this condition.
Posted by paxvox on August 16, 2001, at 12:36:05
In reply to Re: Where Do I Start?, posted by Rosa on August 16, 2001, at 8:22:23
I must add my two cents. First, how long has this been going on? Have you had any major life-changing events lately? What is your age? Do you have sleep problems or other mood disturbances?
Do you find this to ne a seasonal issue? All these are necessary questions before viable suggestions can be profered to help you. Whereas I don't disagree with light therapy, it is used mostly for people who have a condition known as SAD for "Seasonally Affected Disorder" based on the length of day. Answer some of these questions , and I'm sure "we" will offer you some advice.
Posted by sar on August 16, 2001, at 14:15:44
In reply to Re: Where Do I Start? » Rosa, posted by paxvox on August 16, 2001, at 12:36:05
do you have problems with major depression? or is it just for a bit in the morning?
morning depression-- > i've found that taking my time in the morning helps. i'll call in late to work or skip the shower, it's just very important that i sit on the morch and drink a cup of tea by myself before doing anything else. that's generally about 10 or 15 minutes. it makes a difference for me.
so your thing might be coffee, or a long shower, or lying in bed, watching the news, smoking--i think it makes sense to just start the day in a relaxing way.
have you discussed this with your counselor?
Posted by Willow on August 16, 2001, at 14:24:20
In reply to Re: Where Do I Start? » Rosa, posted by paxvox on August 16, 2001, at 12:36:05
Rosa
Keep a sleep diary for a few weeks, I think after a few days you may notice a pattern. Sleep patterns I think are easier if changed slowly, by half an hour.
Here's a link that you may find helpful:
http://www.psycom.net/depression.central.hints.htmlBEST WISHES
Willow
Posted by Rosa on August 16, 2001, at 16:35:45
In reply to Re: Where Do I Start? » Rosa, posted by paxvox on August 16, 2001, at 12:36:05
> I must add my two cents. First, how long has this been going on?
The last three years have been the most difficult.
Have you had any major life-changing events lately?
It might be helpful if I did.
What is your age?I only feel my age when I am tired or run myself into the ground. On a good day, I feel about 30.
Do you have sleep problems or other mood disturbances?I am a night person and don't like waking up before 6 AM. I usually go to bed between 11 PM and 3 AM.
> Do you find this to be a seasonal issue?
No
All these are necessary questions before viable suggestions can be profered to help you. Whereas I don't disagree with light therapy, it is used mostly for people who have a condition known as SAD for "Seasonally Affected Disorder" based on the length of day. Answer some of these questions , and I'm sure "we" will offer you some advice.
Posted by Rosa on August 16, 2001, at 17:06:43
In reply to Re: Where Do I Start?, posted by sar on August 16, 2001, at 14:15:44
do you have problems with major depression?
I have had a problem with depression for quite a while. My father died in 1982 it was an apparent suicide.
or is it just for a bit in the morning?
I notice it most in the morning before I take my medications. I take medication for high blood pressure.
I have had a problem with fatigue when I take my medications. I am in the process of changing one medication (Indural) but haven't started yet.
>
> morning depression-- > i've found that taking my time in the morning helps. i'll call in late to work or skip the shower, it's just very important that i sit on the morch and drink a cup of tea by myself before doing anything else. that's generally about 10 or 15 minutes. it makes a difference for me.I have tried taking baths and I usually go back to bed for awhile when I do.
>
> so your thing might be coffee, or a long shower, or lying in bed, watching the news, smoking--i think it makes sense to just start the day in a relaxing way.I don't drink coffee usually but I have been drinking some lately. I usually prefer herbal tea or water. I have noticed that coffee interacts with my medication.
I quit smoking over 10 years ago. I don't watch very much television.
have you discussed this with your counselor?
no.
Posted by paxvox on August 16, 2001, at 17:43:13
In reply to Re: Where Do I Start?, posted by Rosa on August 16, 2001, at 16:35:45
Rosa, sounds to me that you need some further professional guidance on this one. You have symptoms that could be many things, yet some that seem paradoxical. Do you have a Pdoc?
Posted by Rosa on August 17, 2001, at 7:13:29
In reply to Re: Where Do I Start? » Rosa, posted by paxvox on August 16, 2001, at 17:43:13
I see my counsellor every three weeks. I believe my problem is job-related. I believe that 12-Step programs are helpful. Thanks.
RosaRosa, sounds to me that you need some further professional guidance on this one. You have symptoms that could be many things, yet some that seem paradoxical. Do you have a Pdoc?
Posted by sar on August 19, 2001, at 2:33:09
In reply to Re: Where Do I Start?, posted by Rosa on August 16, 2001, at 17:06:43
well, coffee and cigs and TV are all pretty lame, entertaining but not good for you--i think you should speak with a professional.
i can't imagine how much your father's apparent suicide must have hurt. i can't. but if you've not reconciled it after nearly 20 years, i'd say that you need more meds. therapy.
my depression hits when it gets dark, i've got the opposite problem. when the sky turns black i feel driven to drink. i really like the smell and look of morning, but night makes me sad. i don't know why.
sar
Posted by Rosa on August 19, 2001, at 6:08:41
In reply to Re: Where Do I Start? » Rosa, posted by sar on August 19, 2001, at 2:33:09
I had tried to handle my father's death alone for a year when I was invited to attend a 12-Step group. At the time, I was living with an "active" alcoholic, which made it worse. The combination of the two was extremely difficult.
I have attended 12-Step meetings since my father's death. I am also in counseling for depression.
The Serenity Prayer was most helpful in dealing with my father's death.
"God, grant me the serenity,
To accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference."Here are the websites for Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon for your information.
www.aa.org Alcoholics Anonymous
www.al-anon.alateen.org Al-Anon/Alateen
Here is the website for Adult Children of Alcoholics (and dysfunctional families):www.adultchildren.org Adult Children of Alcoholics
Thanks for your interest.
One day at a time,
Rosa
----------------------------
> well, coffee and cigs and TV are all pretty lame, entertaining but not good for you--i think you should speak with a professional.
>
> i can't imagine how much your father's apparent suicide must have hurt. i can't. but if you've not reconciled it after nearly 20 years, i'd say that you need more meds. therapy.
>
> my depression hits when it gets dark, i've got the opposite problem. when the sky turns black i feel driven to drink. i really like the smell and look of morning, but night makes me sad. i don't know why.
>
> sar
Posted by Simcha on August 22, 2001, at 8:12:18
In reply to Suicide/Alcoholism Depression » sar, posted by Rosa on August 19, 2001, at 6:08:41
Rosa,
I too am a member of Al-Anon and several other 12-step programs and I suffer from Major Depressive Disorder.
As I got sober I realized that much of my life did get better. Yet, I did not have the joy that other members of the program had. My zest for living just wasn't there. I thought I was defective. I went to more meetings. I did more stepwork.
This past January my depression became particularly unmanageable. I could not sleep at night. I wasn't eating. I slept all day. I could not get the motivation to do anything for myself. I did go to meetings. That's all I did and it got worse. My therapist suggested that I go to the doctor and get meds.
This had been suggested to me over and over. Every time it was brought up I fought it. I was raised in 12-step where "we don't need medication for emotional stability." My therapist who was also in 12-step kept assuring me that my depression was physical and thus a medical problem. I began to see her point. I had tried 10 years of therapy and 5 years of the 12-steps and still depression had me on my back.
One member of my 12-step group gave me a book called, "I Can See Tomorrow." It is written by Patricia Owen and it is published by Hazelden. In it other addicts talk about what it is like to live with depression and what it was like to decide to get treatment. They even talked about the resistence other 12-step members have to those who need medication as part of their treatment. It was very useful for me and it allowed me to go to the doctor to get help.
Once I was on the meds after about a month the depression lifted. I was eating again. My sleep was somewhat normal. I could look for work again. My life became more manageable and worth living again.
Rosa, you are worth all the help you can get. The 12-steps are a very useful spiritual path. It is important to realize that there are fundamentalists in every spiritual movement. If you read 12-step literature it constantly talks about walking the middle path. That means that you take what you like and leave the rest.
For me it meant that I needed to drop my 12-step resistence to getting medical help for my depression. In doing so my life has become manageable and worth living.
I hope you find what you need.
Take Care,
Simcha.
> I had tried to handle my father's death alone for a year when I was invited to attend a 12-Step group. At the time, I was living with an "active" alcoholic, which made it worse. The combination of the two was extremely difficult.
>
> I have attended 12-Step meetings since my father's death. I am also in counseling for depression.
>
> The Serenity Prayer was most helpful in dealing with my father's death.
>
> "God, grant me the serenity,
> To accept the things I cannot change,
> The courage to change the things I can,
> And the wisdom to know the difference."
>
> Here are the websites for Alcoholics Anonymous and Al-Anon for your information.
>
> www.aa.org Alcoholics Anonymous
>
> www.al-anon.alateen.org Al-Anon/Alateen
>
>
> Here is the website for Adult Children of Alcoholics (and dysfunctional families):
>
> www.adultchildren.org Adult Children of Alcoholics
>
> Thanks for your interest.
>
> One day at a time,
>
> Rosa
>
> ----------------------------
>
> > well, coffee and cigs and TV are all pretty lame, entertaining but not good for you--i think you should speak with a professional.
> >
> > i can't imagine how much your father's apparent suicide must have hurt. i can't. but if you've not reconciled it after nearly 20 years, i'd say that you need more meds. therapy.
> >
> > my depression hits when it gets dark, i've got the opposite problem. when the sky turns black i feel driven to drink. i really like the smell and look of morning, but night makes me sad. i don't know why.
> >
> > sar
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