Psycho-Babble Social Thread 30148

Shown: posts 1 to 11 of 11. This is the beginning of the thread.

 

Hello- new member

Posted by Mal on September 11, 2002, at 15:55:12

Hello, all! I have been reading this forum and wanted to join. I have never been to a psychiatrist, but I suffer from periodic depression. I have never taken any meds for it (except occasional self-medicating with alcohol), and figure I won't start as long as I manage to come back to myself within a month or so. When I am down, I can list a million reasons I should be the happiest person on the planet, but I have an almost physical sadness, a weight on my chest and nearly a lump in my throat. I am doing very well right now (knock on wood) and I wish you all a good day! Mal

 

Re: Hello- new member » Mal

Posted by Phil on September 11, 2002, at 17:58:32

In reply to Hello- new member, posted by Mal on September 11, 2002, at 15:55:12

Glad you're here. How often do you get these 3-4 week depressions.
Wouldn't try to talk anyone into meds but if these low periods start coming more often, you might consider meds, therapy or both.
Untreated depression will usually get worse.
If you don't drink often, does the depression hit during sober times, just come out of the blue, or is it triggered by something?

 

Re: Hello- new member » Mal

Posted by BeardedLady on September 11, 2002, at 18:14:45

In reply to Hello- new member, posted by Mal on September 11, 2002, at 15:55:12

I know that lump in the throat. Hurts. Welcome. I'm sure others would (as I would) love it if you shared your coping skills.

beardy

 

Re: Hello- new member

Posted by Mal on September 11, 2002, at 21:15:27

In reply to Re: Hello- new member » Mal, posted by BeardedLady on September 11, 2002, at 18:14:45

Hello Beardy, & everyone!

Coping skills... Well, I don't know what I "do" to manage. I guess I keep counting my blessings, as cheesy as that sounds. I have friends I can discuss things with. BTW, the self medicating with alcohol doesn't really work- it just numbs me up for a few hours then I am severely HUNG OVER for a day- I DO NOT recommend it. I wind up loathing myself for getting too drunk and making myself sick. In fact, I have pretty much quit drinking at all because I have had a harder time (in the last year or so) stopping before a nasty hangover is inevitable.

I have a pretty therapeutic hobby (sewing/quilting) that keeps me going (although I do a fair amount of cursing as I work). When I am working on something, I feel like I am building something and not wasting my life.

Sometimes my "episodes" are precipitated by my making a stupid mistake of some sort, and I can't seem to give myself a break. I might be an overachiever. I expect a lot of myself.

When I am down I don't have any energy, I can't get motivated to work on things I normally enjoy, can't make a decision at all! There is a little voice (my voice, not like schizophrenia or whatever) in my head telling me what a loser I am. My productivity at work really suffers, but I do make it to work. With every motion I ask myself, "Ultimately, what is the point??" I am not one of the "anxious" depressed. I usually want to disappear, crawl in a hole.

But right now I feel pretty good. I have recently made a goofy mistake, and I didn't hate myself for more than 1 day. I'm keeping my house reasonably clean, and I am working on a quilt.

Anyhow, enough about me. Maybe I can be of some help to someone sometime. Have a good night...
Mal

 

Re: Hello- new member

Posted by Mal on September 11, 2002, at 21:30:45

In reply to Re: Hello- new member » Mal, posted by Phil on September 11, 2002, at 17:58:32

Hi Phil, I get these episodes maybe 3 times a year. It is worse in winter. I would consider meds, but I am really concerned about that. Once you are on, how and when do you come off- if ever??

No, I never have stayed sloppy drunk for more than one night at a time, and that is maybe 3-4 times a year. As I posted before, sometimes the FUNK is a result of some stupid mistake I have made. Other times it is out of the blue. And my recoveries are usually out of the blue- I just wake up one morning feeling better- thank God!
So thanks for listening to me blah-blah-blah at you!
Good evening- Mal

 

Re: Hello- new member

Posted by madison88 on September 11, 2002, at 22:30:40

In reply to Re: Hello- new member, posted by Mal on September 11, 2002, at 21:30:45

Hi, dirty mouthed quilter. that cracks me up. I would see a psychotherapist before trying medication if you choose to look for help. Talking about why you feel you have to be perfect (believe me, i know) and working that out can really help your depression. A psychologist, or psychotherapist, will just talk with you and help you work out some ways to avoid depression. A psychiatrist will prescribe medication, but usually doesn't talk with you that much. If you already know this, sorry. The fact that you have reoccuring episodes of depression means that if you went on an antidepressant, you would probably want to stay on it all the time. it wouldn't take much from what it sounds like. it is really up to you, of course. I would try talking therapy before meds.

 

counting your blessings » Mal

Posted by BeardedLady on September 12, 2002, at 7:08:18

In reply to Re: Hello- new member, posted by Mal on September 11, 2002, at 21:15:27

I think we're a lot alike, though I'm probably a few years your senior!

> Coping skills... Well, I don't know what I "do" to manage
> I guess I keep counting my blessings, as cheesy as that
> sounds.

Not at all! That's called a reality check, and it's important. I tell folks all the time that Jerry Springer saved my life. When I was so low I couldn't even concentrate on a television show for five minutes, I would watch Jerry Springer. After a week of afternoon episodes, I said to myself, "You have all your teeth, and you're not sleeping with your brother's homosexual lover. How bad could it be?" (Note: this only works for insomnia and depression, not for folks who have truly had a bad life from which their depression stems.)

> I have a pretty therapeutic hobby (sewing/quilting) that
> keeps me going (although I do a fair amount of cursing as
> I work). When I am working on something, I feel like I am
> building something and not wasting my life.

Me too. I do mosaics, so it's two times the therapy. I not only get to build stuff, but I get to break it first! I should have known when I was a teen that's what I'd get into, as one of my favorite songs was David Bowie's "Breaking Glass." (Was that the title? "Lately I've been breaking glass in my room again. Listen.")


> Sometimes my "episodes" are precipitated by my making
> a stupid mistake of some sort, and I can't seem to give
> myself a break. I might be an overachiever. I expect a lot
> of myself.

Me too, me too, me too!

> But right now I feel pretty good. I have recently made a
> goofy mistake, and I didn't hate myself for more than 1
> day. I'm keeping my house reasonably clean, and I am
> working on a quilt.

I had a panic attack the other night before bed, and I didn't let it escalate. I took a bath, got back in bed, and went to sleep. And I haven't dwelled. And I have a mosaic project going, too.

> Anyhow, enough about me. Maybe I can be of some help
> to someone sometime.

Never enough. Take care.

beardy

 

Re: dirty mothed quilter

Posted by Mal on September 12, 2002, at 9:49:36

In reply to Re: Hello- new member, posted by madison88 on September 11, 2002, at 22:30:40

> Hi, dirty mouthed quilter. that cracks me up. I would see a psychotherapist before trying medication if you choose to look for help. Talking about why you feel you have to be perfect (believe me, i know) and working that out can really help your depression. A psychologist, or psychotherapist, will just talk with you and help you work out some ways to avoid depression. A psychiatrist will prescribe medication, but usually doesn't talk with you that much. If you already know this, sorry. The fact that you have reoccuring episodes of depression means that if you went on an antidepressant, you would probably want to stay on it all the time. it wouldn't take much from what it sounds like. it is really up to you, of course. I would try talking therapy before meds.

Good suggestion, and thanks! About the foul mouth- you try sticking yourself with a quilting needle and see what you say! haha

I don't know why I feel like I have to be perfect. I don't have an overbearing mother (although she is overly religious, which I am not), nor a ranting husband. I think it is just me- was I born this way?

And the meds, I am just reluctant to start that because of the side effects, of course. Do any of you guys taking meds have a lot of side effects? I really like my libido...I wouldn't want to do anything to get rid of it... Maybe a psychologist IS the way to go...
Thanks again!
Mal

 

Re: dirty mothed quilter--Mal

Posted by Roo on September 12, 2002, at 12:45:59

In reply to Re: dirty mothed quilter, posted by Mal on September 12, 2002, at 9:49:36

I don't think you sound depressed enough to be on meds, personally.
Sounds like you get a little down every once in awhile, and you cope
with it fine. If you'd like to cope even better, I think a therapist
is a great idea! Some people I hear post and I think they definitely need
meds...you don't strike me that way. But of course I don't know you from Adam...
maybe your depressions are worse than I realize. I haven't had a lot of horrible
side effects from med, but I've had one that's majorly impacted me and I've always
been quite unhappy with, and it's the one you mention--Libido.
After 8 years of just dealing with it, I'm now trying to be med free (a month
so far and doing okay)...I'm trying acupuncture and homeopathy and they seem
to be helping me. I'm ectastic to have my drive and sensation back. That's a major
part of life to sacrifice if you don't really have to...that is if you are able to
handle your depression by working on coping mechanisms etc.

Ps. I used to quilt a lot...I did "crazy quilts"...it's very therapeutic and
centering....and I was never at a loss for presents for people...I'd just make
them funky pillows...I still have a huge bag of scrap material and I've been meaning
to get back to it...maybe once the summer's over...it's such a fall and winter thing.

Welcome!

 

Re: dirty mouthed quilter--Mal » Roo

Posted by Mal on September 12, 2002, at 19:34:11

In reply to Re: dirty mothed quilter--Mal, posted by Roo on September 12, 2002, at 12:45:59

Hi, Roo- glad to know you don't think I need meds. I know I don't right now, but during a depressed period, I do seriously consider it. But I am going to be glad I feel good now, and worry about depression when, hopefully IF, it ever descends on me again. I would like to have a kid, but am a little anxious about postpartum depression really throwing me out of whack, if I already have a bit of a tendency... Of course, this little worry is not the ONLY reason I don't have a kid already...

About meds, I also DO NOT want to gain any weight due to a medication. I am not morbidly obese or anything, I just don't need to be any bigger to remain healthy and energetic.

CONGRATULATIONS on being med-free with full sensitivity & capabilities! Are you doing therapy for "coping skills"? I hope things continue to go well for you. And maybe you'll get back into the quilting groove. I usually make baby quilts for my friends' new babies. I have also made a queen sized quilt for DH, and several wall-hangings.

OK, so enough about me again! Thanks for the correspondence. Have a great night!

Mal

PS did I read you are in NC? I am in TN.

 

Re: dirty mouthed quilter--Mal

Posted by Roo on September 13, 2002, at 8:42:24

In reply to Re: dirty mouthed quilter--Mal » Roo, posted by Mal on September 12, 2002, at 19:34:11

Yep...I'm in North Carolina...I love Tennessee...have
a good friend there I visit some...it's so beautiful.

Yeah, I'm in therapy too--learning how to handle distorted,
negative thoughts and building a set of skills to do so.
I definitely feel I need that.


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