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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Maximus on March 10, 2005, at 22:47:41
In reply to Re: Posters on this board, posted by alexandra_k on March 9, 2005, at 17:05:20
> And studies have shown that a combination of >medication and techniques >typically learned in therapy is more affective than either one on its own for a number of conditions.
Well at least, we both do agree with the above statement. And this is the foundation of your first thread.
So, with all due respect Alexandra, i think that Social or Psychology will do a much better field to exchange than here.
Regards,
Posted by Gabbi-x-2 on March 11, 2005, at 11:11:58
In reply to Re: Posters on this board » alexandra_k, posted by Maximus on March 10, 2005, at 7:59:50
> Are
> 1) you
> 2) posters on this board (in your opinion)
> Specifically wanting a MEDICATION or DRUG as an answer?> suggesting a psychological rather than medication way of dealing with that symptom.
> I guess I was wondering whether people are open to a variety of suggestions or if people have already made their mind up that some DRUG must be the answer> (this is after all the medications board I suppose).
>>Your use of capitals for the word "drug" comes across to me as pejorative.That put me off too, I think part of the hostility, to the way the question is posed is that "the posters on this board" are as a whole fairly well informed of their options, and have carefully chosen medication. There is enough nagging and stigma about depression medication everywhere else when I hear it on babble it's like "oh man, not here too" When I had my first bout of depression, I did try therapy, and it could no more have lifted the depression, than it could have convinced me I enjoyed the sensation of being burned alive.
When I felt better I have wanted therapy to prevent relapse, and to learn to better navigate through the depression, but cannot afford it. That's another issue, not everyone can afford therapy, and though it shouldn't bother me, it does, when people assume everyone can just afford to "get a therapist." Sure some work on a sliding scale, but until groceries are also on a sliding scale, even 30.00 a month is out of the question for me. My medication is paid for, therapy is not.
Relaxation techniques make me anxious by association.. Pavlov's dog response, and C.B.T makes me want to spit nails, it only works because it temporarily replaces my depression with annoyance, and occasional disgust. My personal favorite C.B.T technique -- Tell myself I'm not anxious I'm excited. Yes and I'm not being kidnapped I'm meeting new people and on an exciting adventure to the unknown..
I think people like to be given credit for making considered decisions about something as serious as medication, and I know I get very tired of people questioning it, when they can't possibly ask anything I haven't asked myself.
Posted by AuntieMel on March 11, 2005, at 11:48:38
In reply to Re: Posters on this board, posted by Gabbi-x-2 on March 11, 2005, at 11:11:58
About three years ago my normal background depression turned into mdd. At that time, therapy wouldn't have done me any good at all. I was a turnip, incapable of any language or thought process.
Several months into the meds I started therapy, because I was told that the two together had a better chance than meds alone. For various reasons - trust issues and the turnip factor - it didn't help me at all at that time.
Many, many months later and many, many med changes later the brain was able to comprehend a sentence and hold onto a train of thought for long enough to get through an hour. By then the trust issues were resolved also - and I think therapy is helping a bit though the jury's still out.
I've tried all the other things, too. Vitamins, herbs, meditation, some exercise when I can get my body to move, all with no results.
Even now, though I'm much better than before, the meds and therapy don't have me back near my 'normal' self.
Other options? I've just passed two phone screenings to do a clinical trial of TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation.) I'm waiting for the phone call to hopefully get an appointment for an evaluation.
So - meds haven't been the only answer for me yet - but they keep me at a minimally functional level so maybe I can hold my job and find other things that will get me closer to an answer. And I know for sure without them I wouldn't be here now.
Posted by alexandra_k on March 11, 2005, at 19:57:12
In reply to Re: Posters on this board, posted by Gabbi-x-2 on March 11, 2005, at 11:11:58
> >>Your use of capitals for the word "drug" comes across to me as pejorative.
I also capitalised "medication". I apologise - that was not my intention, I merely meant to emphasise. I shall use capitals for PSYCHOLOGICAL or PSYCHOTHERAPY or ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS in this thread hereafter in reperation ;-)
> "the posters on this board" are as a whole fairly well informed of their options, and have carefully chosen medication.So you think it is inappropriate to suggest a variety of approaches to deal with a problematic symptom. To find that one would need to repost the question on three different boards or post it to social. People are welcome to disregard suggestions of course. If people simply ignore me I tend to go away ;-)
>There is enough nagging and stigma about depression medication everywhere else when I hear it on babble it's like "oh man, not here too"
I am sorry that you found my posts to be nagging and stigmatising. I can only assure you that was not my intention.
> When I had my first bout of depression, I did try therapy, and it could no more have lifted the depression, than it could have convinced me I enjoyed the sensation of being burned alive.
Ok. So it didn't help you. Just like how some people don't find effexor effective for their depression...
> When I felt better I have wanted therapy to prevent relapse, and to learn to better navigate through the depression, but cannot afford it. That's another issue, not everyone can afford therapy, and though it shouldn't bother me, it does, when people assume everyone can just afford to "get a therapist." Sure some work on a sliding scale, but until groceries are also on a sliding scale, even 30.00 a month is out of the question for me. My medication is paid for, therapy is not.I certainly do not assume that everyone can afford to "get a therapist". I cannot, so I understand what that is like. I didn't suggest that the person should "get a therapist" I said that people often benefit from techniques that are typically learned in THERAPY. The implication being that it may be worthwhile to find out about those techniques. No therapist required.
> Relaxation techniques make me anxious by association.. Pavlov's dog response, and C.B.T makes me want to spit nails, it only works because it temporarily replaces my depression with annoyance, and occasional disgust. My personal favorite C.B.T technique -- Tell myself I'm not anxious I'm excited. Yes and I'm not being kidnapped I'm meeting new people and on an exciting adventure to the unknown..Indeed. And some forms of medication do not suit some people.
> I think people like to be given credit for making considered decisions about something as serious as medication, and I know I get very tired of people questioning it, when they can't possibly ask anything I haven't asked myself.
Ok. Is more of a general statement about medication and PSYCHOTHERAPY than a comment on my previous posts?
Posted by alexandra_k on March 11, 2005, at 20:07:07
In reply to Re: Posters on this board » Gabbi-x-2, posted by alexandra_k on March 11, 2005, at 19:57:12
Ok. Yeah, I think it was.
Sorry to take it personally.
I can see that I should just leave the meds board alone.
Posted by Gabbi-x-2 on March 11, 2005, at 22:21:32
In reply to Re: Posters on this board » Gabbi-x-2, posted by alexandra_k on March 11, 2005, at 19:57:12
> Ok. Is more of a general statement about medication and PSYCHOTHERAPY than a comment on my previous posts?
>
>Oh ya, it was. I can't remember what you said,or asked exactly, but the jist to me was you wondering if people were looking for just medication or if they were interested in alternatives, and why some seemed hostile to your suggestions. I didn't mean that you were nagging, one person can't do that. (Well okay, some can)
I think the stigma against drugs is just so prevelent, (In my experience they can hardly be mentioned with out someone tsk tsking, asking "have you tried yoga?" "have you tried B12" "do you exercise?") that there is bound to sense judgement when perhaps there is none.
Posted by alexandra_k on March 11, 2005, at 23:39:37
In reply to Re: Posters on this board » alexandra_k, posted by Gabbi-x-2 on March 11, 2005, at 22:21:32
Posted by Gabbi-x-2 on March 12, 2005, at 13:52:27
In reply to Re: Thanks gabbi (nm), posted by alexandra_k on March 11, 2005, at 23:39:37
that I didn't make myself more clear, that I wasn't criticizeing iyou.. even my second post didn't come across the way I'd meant.
I shouldn't post while sick..
Posted by alexandra_k on March 12, 2005, at 16:04:39
In reply to I'm really sorry Alex » alexandra_k, posted by Gabbi-x-2 on March 12, 2005, at 13:52:27
I was thinking that I shouldn't post while I have a headache.
It was a simple misunderstanding. Nobodies fault - ok? Please keep posting. We miss you (and I owe you an email - oops).
I hope you start to feel better soon.
Posted by Gabbi-x-2 on March 12, 2005, at 16:10:59
In reply to Re: I'm really sorry Gabbi, posted by alexandra_k on March 12, 2005, at 16:04:39
the enter at your own risk board..
These posters are tired, cranky, sick, or feeling general malaise..please be insensitive to what they may say.
Posted by alexandra_k on March 12, 2005, at 16:37:27
In reply to That's what we need a new board for! » alexandra_k, posted by Gabbi-x-2 on March 12, 2005, at 16:10:59
Posted by Jai Narayan on March 12, 2005, at 16:48:36
In reply to That's what we need a new board for! » alexandra_k, posted by Gabbi-x-2 on March 12, 2005, at 16:10:59
well cranky or not
I love ya both...
wish you both felt better.
I am sitting in a 24 hour snow storm....
white on white
on white on....
it seems endless...
Ja*
Posted by Gabbi-x-2 on March 12, 2005, at 17:22:19
In reply to Gabbi-x-2 alexandra_k babe-o-licious....:), posted by Jai Narayan on March 12, 2005, at 16:48:36
Right back at you J*i !!
Snow.. snow I'm jealous. Happy for you though.
It was actually warm where I am today.. :(
A Sign of things to come
Posted by alexandra_k on March 12, 2005, at 17:34:15
In reply to Gabbi-x-2 alexandra_k babe-o-licious....:), posted by Jai Narayan on March 12, 2005, at 16:48:36
:-)
Love ya too Jai
Wow, a snow storm.
I can't imagine.
It is autumn now.
Fog in the mornings
But nice warm clear days...
Posted by AuntieMel on March 14, 2005, at 15:39:42
In reply to I'm really sorry Alex » alexandra_k, posted by Gabbi-x-2 on March 12, 2005, at 13:52:27
If we shouldn't post when we're sick.
New board? (Ex)Psycho-Babble?
Posted by Gabbi-x-2 on March 14, 2005, at 18:33:11
In reply to Re: when would any of us post? » Gabbi-x-2, posted by AuntieMel on March 14, 2005, at 15:39:42
OH.. that's a good point. But I sounc really terse when I'm sick, not cause I feel grouchy, but cause I'm too tired to put in any words actually explain what I'm trying to say if there's a risk that I sound like I'm being ciritcal when I don't mean to be.. I always think "oh they'll know what I mean.."
More than you ever wanted to know..
Posted by Jai Narayan on March 14, 2005, at 19:23:26
In reply to Re: when would any of us post? » AuntieMel, posted by Gabbi-x-2 on March 14, 2005, at 18:33:11
you can go on and on...
I will sit by your side like a good canine.
Lapland Spitz to be exact.
Ja*
Posted by Gabbi-x-2 on March 14, 2005, at 22:03:43
In reply to Gabbix....we want to know everything....:), posted by Jai Narayan on March 14, 2005, at 19:23:26
Ah J*i... You always make me smile inside.
I hope you never leave Babble
This is the end of the thread.
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