to anyone suffering from clinical depression?

Question

could you tell me how it affects you. how you cope with it, what meds are effective (in your opinion) what aren't etc.

Answer 1

I used to suffer from depression. I think the meds got me out of the deep despairing depression and the generally depression was a combienation of change in attitude and change in situation. Well part of it is chemical, part of it is learning how to deal with life and not crawling up into the fetal position and wishing a astrode would land on your head. You have got to fight depression until you learn tricks to beat it. You also have to keep living and build a support system around you of trust worthy people. Too many depressed people either fall into this dark lonely hole or else they share there depression so much people want to help them tie the noose. Use your councilers and share with friends and family fairly.

Never ask people what meds they would recommend because the same meds will not work the same on everyone. Everyone is different and everyone handles meds differently. You doc is the only one who should be recommending meds.

Answer 2

about 5 years ago, I started to fall into a really depressive episode. At first I thought it was only because I had a bad break from a relationship but the feelings wouldn't go away even after I got a new girlfriend. It was wrecking my life until a point where it was seriously affecting my work and personal life.

She was very worried but at the same time couldn't understand why I was still sad and thought that I still couldn't let go of my previous relationship. Being the wonderful person that she is, she put aside her feelings and suggested I go for psychiatric evaluation. Many months later and even more anti-depressants, I was not coming close to being better at all.

After doing some research online, I found out the real cause as you described it really makes a lot of sense and purchased this program. The results were simply astonishing. I read this book over three times and put all words in action. Using this method, I've kept my depression at bay ever since. Up to date I'm still living happily with my girlfriend.

Depression Free Method?

Answer 3

I'm on Lexapro, taking 40 mg a day. This is a heavy dose, but it works for me very well. I also do some of the coping methods listed below.

Symptoms are: low energy, long lasting or undue sadness, crying, withdrawal, lack of interest in things that once gave joy, over/under eating, change in sleep patterns (too much or not enough), sometimes not bathing, cranky mood, problems with short term memory, problems with concentration, lack of sexual desire, and I can't remember the rest.

Medication alone isn't good enough, IMHO. Depression is something that has to be managed daily, hourly, minute by minute, moment by moment, and it needs to be managed holistically - on many different levels. No one therapy method works on its own, but using several methods works much better.

Besides medication, other coping methods are: psychotherapy - cognitive therapy in particular, which has a very good success rate; socialization - spending time with others instead of retreating into isolation; doing things that once gave joy even if you're not in the mood - sometimes people get so depressed that they become out of touch with what used to give them joy, so if they tried these things again, it can really lift the mood; getting enough sleep; eating well; showering; grooming; journaling; talking to friends; exercising; yoga; listening to music; singing; and the list goes on and on.

Along with meds, a person has to tailor fit the other depression management activities to what works for them.

Answer 4

I agree with the first comment. Just want to add that light therapy is a good non-medication alternative. I still take meds, but the light therapy has had a larger effect. It might not work for all people though.

Answer 5

hi ya,well my dep started after the birth of my 1st chid who is now 13,i still have it and have been on various meds at the mo i am on 60mgs prozac the highest dose u can b on and im still not great,my ups n downs are huge and when im down im tearful,withdrawn,short temperd,have insomnia,always exhausted,even tiny things are a major deal,everything is such an effort,i just want to curl up in a ball and stay there,i have 3 boys so have to keep going best i can,im a single parent to.it is a struggle but i think the best way to deal with it is to except that u have a real illness that u cant control and when things get bad just do watever u need to to get through it,for instance ive got loads of housework to do and the best i can muster is washing up,the rest will just have to wait untill im having a brighter day,dont be hard on urself just go with it.best wishes to you.

Answer 6

It affects people in different ways. Usual textbook symptoms are low energy, low sex drive, no joy in events that used to bring happiness, a feeling of just going through the motions in life and withdrawal from others. Symptoms vary.
Cognitive therapy is great as is learning about the illness. Education will be your best defense at identifying future triggers of your depression.
Me, I had to get rid of those people who brought me down and didn't lift me up. I had to change my way of thinking and start believing in myself.
Sometimes it may take a whole upheaval of life circumstances to help a person on their way.
There are plenty of medications out there and they all work differently, There are selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, noradrenaline re-uptake inhibitors and Monamine oxidise inhibitors....The best thing to do is see a doctor who will either prescribe something or direct you to to a therapist.
Good luck.

Answer 7

It made my cry all the time...for no reason. I didn't smile, I didn't do anything with my kids, didn't interact with people, slept as much as I possibly could and would still be tired after I got up. Now, I'm on lexapro. I like it, it works well for me. At the 10 mg dose, I have few sexual side effects, but at 20mg I lose interestin sex.

Answer 8

medication, red wine, and humor....laugh at everything including yourself....realize that life is actually quite amusing and to concentrate on the negative is not doing you or anyone else any good..you are obviously here for a reason...so deal with it....black clouds are good as long as you don't let them hang over your head...and if people give you **** because they don't agree with the way you cope with things....go *phbtppppppppt*

Answer 9

I really wish i knew the answer to this,hope things are not too tough for you at the moment.

Answer 10

it affects me big time. i'm anxoius alot. paranoid. i get pretty lonely. i really don't trust anyone so i have very few friends. i don't take anti-depressants. i prefer not 2.