Welcome, Guest. Please login or register.
March 28, 2024, 03:59:56 AM

Login with username, password and session length

Search:     Advanced search
we're back, baby
*
Home Help Search Login Register
f13.net  |  f13.net General Forums  |  General Discussion  |  Serious Business  |  Topic: Depression Thread 0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.
Pages: 1 2 [3] 4 5 ... 15 Go Down Print
Author Topic: Depression Thread  (Read 170633 times)
01101010
Terracotta Army
Posts: 12002

You call it an accident. I call it justice.


Reply #70 on: February 18, 2014, 06:39:47 PM

All hail f13!

Does any one know where the love of God goes...When the waves turn the minutes to hours? -G. Lightfoot
Khaldun
Terracotta Army
Posts: 15157


Reply #71 on: February 18, 2014, 07:28:41 PM

Seriously, please don't go to those fighty kinds of places. I was actually finding this useful and I could really use the usefulness. Don't Den or Politics this one.
Ghambit
Terracotta Army
Posts: 5576


Reply #72 on: February 18, 2014, 08:42:49 PM

I think I kinda sorta see where Amarr is coming from, in that the way the US healthcare system works medication is always first and foremost in any treatment plan, simply because the system cannot afford adequate mental healthcare in the first place.  It's a LOT cheaper to write a script for Xanax then for a licensed therapist to sit there and help a hurting person get through their problems over multiple sessions.  Whether you believe in meds or not, you can't disregard this as being an issue.  Actually, this goes for pretty much any form of therapy in the US healthcare system, whether physical or mental.  The support is just not there, and if so, it's minimal (say 5 visits if at all).  Pills and surgeries are the norm.

Moral of the story is, do not disregard either form of therapy.  And realize, meds are usually a doorway for positive suggestion.  Many times folk (like my brother for instance) are just unreachable with even the best advice, unless they're medicated.

To me that's the prescription point; if you're having trouble and you realize that no one can verbally get to you to help (because of reasons of convenience or your mind is just closed-off), then you need to realize that maybe it's time to let your doctor prescribe you something.

To change to a less political subject:
My "gf" (note the quotes) in college was manic-depressive.  Mentally gifted, athletic, smoking hawt and creative... but, she was a disaster unless I was nearby.  Needless to say college didn't go so well for me (couldnt juggle it all), but I can say I did help her through some rough patches.  [I switched my major to cog. psych because of her] However, one time I was not around it got bad enough she had to goto a clinic.  After that point, she was adequately diagnosed and prescribed Zoloft.  I should preface this story by saying the guy she was with before she met me, was certifiable.  I daresay it rubbed off on her some before they split up, and I was left to pick up the pieces.

Getting proper help early (combined with smart decisions) is very important, as above, if it goes on too long it'll begin to effect your support system... and they won't be able to give adequate support even if they wanted to.  They may join you in your spiral, maybe moreso if they're particularly empathetic (like my gf was).

Sorry for the sad story.  I figure a bit of Schadenfreude might help.  I have more if you need some!  Oh ho ho ho. Reallllly? 
« Last Edit: February 18, 2014, 08:45:56 PM by Ghambit »

"See, the beauty of webgames is that I can play them on my phone while I'm plowing your mom."  -Samwise
Amarr HM
Terracotta Army
Posts: 3066


Reply #73 on: February 19, 2014, 02:13:49 AM

So you're blaming the system for not having a cure to a complicated disease.  Still absurd.  The "system" didn't make your relatives clinically depressed, it doesn't have a cure, all it can do is help people cope.

God damn you're right, the situation is hopeless, the only solution is a high dosage of SSRIs for the foreseeable future. In fact why don't we just give everyone who feels a bit down a bit of electroshock therapy, that should give them a nice jolt in the morning before they go about their daily routine.

I'm going to escape, come back, wipe this place off the face of the Earth, obliterate it and you with it.
Amarr HM
Terracotta Army
Posts: 3066


Reply #74 on: February 19, 2014, 02:25:00 AM

I think I kinda sorta see where Amarr is coming from, in that the way the US healthcare system works medication is always first and foremost in any treatment plan, simply because the system cannot afford adequate mental healthcare in the first place.  It's a LOT cheaper to write a script for Xanax then for a licensed therapist to sit there and help a hurting person get through their problems over multiple sessions.

That's exactly what I'm saying, thanks Ghambit. We adopt the US model here in Ireland.

I'm going to escape, come back, wipe this place off the face of the Earth, obliterate it and you with it.
Ironwood
Terracotta Army
Posts: 28240


Reply #75 on: February 19, 2014, 02:35:12 AM

 Facepalm

"Mr Soft Owl has Seen Some Shit." - Sun Tzu
Amarr HM
Terracotta Army
Posts: 3066


Reply #76 on: February 19, 2014, 03:26:55 AM

Lets stop shitting up this thread, sorry if I was taking part in that, it's a serious subject and one with many different views. I'm just gonna reiterate this, because this is exactly my stance on the whole drugs issue.

Drugs were needed in my case.  Anxiety was fueling my depression, which kept me from dealing with the stressors, causing me to get more anxious.  On the other hand, I don't think they would have been of benefit with my depression when I was younger.  If medication looks like an option, talk it out with your GP or therapist about whether they're really needed since some will just throw meds at you.  Understand what they think it will be addressing.

I've also suffered with depression and had suicidal tendencies since I was preteen, I've been lucky because I've managed to stay away from psychiatrists and ssris. I did have some good therapists along the way, some bad ones too. I self medicated during my twenties with alcohol, luckily I managed to quit years ago which was tough. I still get depressive episodes but not exacerbated by the alcohol I find I can tough it out. I've seen what the medication has done to people around me and unless I'm about to throw myself off a bridge or someone else, then it's a no go zone for me.

I'm going to escape, come back, wipe this place off the face of the Earth, obliterate it and you with it.
Yegolev
Moderator
Posts: 24440

2/10 WOULD NOT INGEST


WWW
Reply #77 on: February 19, 2014, 06:54:32 AM

I don't need to rewrite what Ironwood said, so just go back and read that.

In my case, the meds made it possible for me to extract the full benefit from the therapy.  I wasn't in any state to take good advice, but the Lexapro put me in that mindset.  What you don't want to do is get on something and think pills are the answer, because even if they let you get by without "bothering" with addressing the actual issue via counseling or whatever, they will eventually stop working.

I got lucky and found a licensed therapist on my third try that fit me.  She was a huge benefit.  The previous guy was a moron.  The psychiatrist was OK, I guess, but being a guy of that level he wasn't terribly interested in treating me.  Mostly he had me toss away unnecessary meds that I got from my GP and advised me to get into counseling.

Why am I homeless?  Why do all you motherfuckers need homes is the real question.
They called it The Prayer, its answer was law
Mommy come back 'cause the water's all gone
Samwise
Moderator
Posts: 19212

sentient yeast infection


WWW
Reply #78 on: February 19, 2014, 08:29:33 AM

I got lucky and found a licensed therapist on my third try that fit me.  She was a huge benefit.  The previous guy was a moron.  The psychiatrist was OK, I guess, but being a guy of that level he wasn't terribly interested in treating me.  Mostly he had me toss away unnecessary meds that I got from my GP and advised me to get into counseling.

I'm actually surprised that a GP would prescribe brain meds in the first place.  That really seems like the sort of thing you'd need to see a specialist (i.e. a psychiatrist) for.

"I have not actually recommended many games, and I'll go on the record here saying my track record is probably best in the industry." - schild
01101010
Terracotta Army
Posts: 12002

You call it an accident. I call it justice.


Reply #79 on: February 19, 2014, 08:34:06 AM

I got lucky and found a licensed therapist on my third try that fit me.  She was a huge benefit.  The previous guy was a moron.  The psychiatrist was OK, I guess, but being a guy of that level he wasn't terribly interested in treating me.  Mostly he had me toss away unnecessary meds that I got from my GP and advised me to get into counseling.

I'm actually surprised that a GP would prescribe brain meds in the first place.  That really seems like the sort of thing you'd need to see a specialist (i.e. a psychiatrist) for.

I know for the past 7 years, I have had my annual physical exam and she ALWAYS asks me a brief depression and anxiety battery. At first I thought nothing of it, but the last 3 years have been much more in depth... like she is trying to find something. I know there has been a push here at Pitt and at UPMC for mental health screenings to be as clockwork as taking your blood pressure and pulse.

Does any one know where the love of God goes...When the waves turn the minutes to hours? -G. Lightfoot
Ghambit
Terracotta Army
Posts: 5576


Reply #80 on: February 19, 2014, 08:41:20 AM

I'm gonna downshift a bit here and recommend something simple (if I havent already); and that's dietary changes and good exercise (even better, join a league of some sort - softball, kung fu, whatever).  Sedentary folk are most prone to mental instability, especially if what they eat is relatively poisonous.  This approach really helped my gf and one of my "in-laws" (she was clinically depressed); only in the case of the latter it was diet and school (she got her GED at age 65)/writing (she was eventually published) combined initially with a light and temporary meds regimen.  Now she's got all the confidence in the world and is off the meds.

Btw, with school (if you were thinking about returning) many times you can get fairly good counseling for free, especially at 4-years with notable psych departments and the support of a hospital... like at UF.

"See, the beauty of webgames is that I can play them on my phone while I'm plowing your mom."  -Samwise
Ironwood
Terracotta Army
Posts: 28240


Reply #81 on: February 19, 2014, 09:05:11 AM

You already said that.

I would point you to the senility thread, but I forget where we put it.


"Mr Soft Owl has Seen Some Shit." - Sun Tzu
Ghambit
Terracotta Army
Posts: 5576


Reply #82 on: February 19, 2014, 09:16:53 AM

I would search for the senility thread, but fuck me if I could remember how to actually get the search feature to work properly.  I will chalk it up to reiteration then; which is frowned upon in forum circles I know, but hey, this is a depression thread.  Repetition is par for the course no?  Now let us revisit our feelings on the wormy-pier motif.  ehem! ....

nevermind.

"See, the beauty of webgames is that I can play them on my phone while I'm plowing your mom."  -Samwise
Reg
Terracotta Army
Posts: 5270


Reply #83 on: February 19, 2014, 09:22:02 AM

This thread started well but has gone badly wrong. Ah well, all the most useful advice was on the first page anyway.
ghost
The Dentist
Posts: 10619


Reply #84 on: February 19, 2014, 09:40:52 AM

Well, this is f13 and the usual suspects are fucking it up. 

And really there isn't that much good advice to give in this situation other than "get a good therapist that you can work with". 
Phildo
Contributor
Posts: 5872


Reply #85 on: February 19, 2014, 10:09:21 AM

  • Therapist
  • Exercise
  • Eat healthy
  • Sunlight
  • Investigate medication
Paelos
Contributor
Posts: 27075

Error 404: Title not found.


Reply #86 on: February 19, 2014, 10:14:11 AM

Check your vitamins and hormones as well.

CPA, CFO, Sports Fan, Game when I have the time
croaker69
Terracotta Army
Posts: 318


Reply #87 on: February 19, 2014, 10:18:21 AM

This thread started well but has gone badly wrong. Ah well, all the most useful advice was on the first page anyway.

"The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity."

What may at first appear to be an insurmountable obstacle will in time be seen for what it really is: an impenetrable barrier.
Engels
Terracotta Army
Posts: 9029

inflicts shingles.


Reply #88 on: February 19, 2014, 10:20:12 AM

And most importantly, don't get advice from the internet.

I should get back to nature, too.  You know, like going to a shop for groceries instead of the computer.  Maybe a condo in the woods that doesn't even have a health club or restaurant attached.  Buy a car with only two cup holders or something. -Signe

I LIKE being bounced around by Tonkors. - Lantyssa

Babies shooting themselves in the head is the state bird of West Virginia. - schild
Ironwood
Terracotta Army
Posts: 28240


Reply #89 on: February 19, 2014, 10:30:07 AM

 Heart

"Mr Soft Owl has Seen Some Shit." - Sun Tzu
jgsugden
Terracotta Army
Posts: 3888


Reply #90 on: February 19, 2014, 01:49:24 PM

All I would add to this topic is my experience with my ex-wife.  She began taking meds for depression.  After she began the medication, she started making decisions that were significantly out of character for her (prior to the meds).  In my opinion, and from a legal sense, they were very, very, very bad decisions.  In my opinion, she was probably given the wrong medications, but I am not a doctor and my opinion doesn't mean anything. 

I am not saying that drugs are fllat out bad in this context.  I am saying that they can be very bad in some situations, and I think you need to be careful if you go that route.  You're reprogramming who you are, and that has a lot of ramifications you may not anticipate.  The person you are before the drugs may have a different belief about certain things than the person that you are on the drugs.

That change can -  from what I can tell - be a wonderful improvement.  However, I have seen it go the other way.  Before taking meds, I would talk about it with the people in your life to discuss potential plans of action.

2020 will be the year I gave up all hope.
Sjofn
Terracotta Army
Posts: 8286

Truckasaurus Hands


Reply #91 on: February 19, 2014, 01:51:25 PM

I got lucky and found a licensed therapist on my third try that fit me.  She was a huge benefit.  The previous guy was a moron.  The psychiatrist was OK, I guess, but being a guy of that level he wasn't terribly interested in treating me.  Mostly he had me toss away unnecessary meds that I got from my GP and advised me to get into counseling.

I'm actually surprised that a GP would prescribe brain meds in the first place.  That really seems like the sort of thing you'd need to see a specialist (i.e. a psychiatrist) for.

Nope! Which actually worked to my benefit. I could deal with asking my GP about it, because then it's just. You know. Another sort of illness. If I had to go to a shrink first, oh no, now I'm crazy. NOW I don't care, but at the time? I wouldn't have gotten any help at all. I could barely deal with going to the doctor I'd been seeing for years, there was absolutely no way I was going to steel myself for meeting a brand new one.

God Save the Horn Players
Rasix
Moderator
Posts: 15024

I am the harbinger of your doom!


Reply #92 on: February 19, 2014, 01:52:05 PM

I am not a doctor and my opinion doesn't mean anything. 

-Rasix
sigil
Terracotta Army
Posts: 1538


Reply #93 on: February 19, 2014, 03:54:25 PM

Edit: everyone else has done far better than me in covering this, which is ok.
« Last Edit: February 19, 2014, 04:01:00 PM by sigil »
sickrubik
Terracotta Army
Posts: 2967


WWW
Reply #94 on: February 19, 2014, 04:20:05 PM

I'm actually surprised that a GP would prescribe brain meds in the first place.  That really seems like the sort of thing you'd need to see a specialist (i.e. a psychiatrist) for.

The general idea is that you are getting it treated. Every doctor I've ever had says every time i go in that I need to talk to a therapist in addition to the medicine. The drug is not the cure. It's a tool to fix bad brain chemistry. The underlying stuff still needs to be evaluated.

And again, to those that have said otherwise... mental illness is not a thing you cure like a cold. For most of us it's going to be a lifelong fight.

beer geek.
Pennilenko
Terracotta Army
Posts: 3472


Reply #95 on: February 19, 2014, 06:29:04 PM

Despite the disagreements over medication, this thread was good for me. I wasn't really seeking advice. It was more about seeing that this problem I am going through is common and that many people have dealt with it and continued on with things.

"See?  All of you are unique.  And special.  Like fucking snowflakes."  -- Signe
Paelos
Contributor
Posts: 27075

Error 404: Title not found.


Reply #96 on: February 19, 2014, 07:01:33 PM

More people have mental health issues than they might let on, especially if you have a desk job. I think it's connected.

I know many of my problems completely went away when I was working outdoors as a caddy after I had my first "fuck this place" breakdown.

CPA, CFO, Sports Fan, Game when I have the time
Venkman
Terracotta Army
Posts: 11536


Reply #97 on: February 19, 2014, 08:05:32 PM

Despite the disagreements over medication, this thread was good for me. I wasn't really seeking advice. It was more about seeing that this problem I am going through is common and that many people have dealt with it and continued on with things.

This. We're all humans here*. Regardless of whatever gaming or political bitching we're doing, some of us have been here for long enough to go through some major ass life changes if not together per se, at least concurrent to our posting activity as gamers. And if you've got more than a 10 post count here, chances are you're not making life decisions BASED on feedback here )ref: internet) as much as you're gaining comfort in the fact that we are all human, that shit has happened to all of us, and these kind of threads can bring that kind of stuff out, and for no other reason than other people are fighting the same world you are.

* Well, I assume anyway. I suppose someone could be a bot, but if we couldn't have uncovered that by now, shit, take that shit and make some money from it!  Oh ho ho ho. Reallllly?
Ironwood
Terracotta Army
Posts: 28240


Reply #98 on: February 20, 2014, 01:04:06 AM

And again, to those that have said otherwise... mental illness is not a thing you cure like a cold. For most of us it's going to be a lifelong fight.

Who exactly said otherwise ?

Because all I see is people bashing pills because it didn't work for them and people saying that pills help other courses of action.*

It truly seems to me that almost everyone who's commented in here has actual, you know, life experience of this shit.  Which makes even the more mental comments into 'fair enough' territory.


*oh and some guy who's building a church.


"Mr Soft Owl has Seen Some Shit." - Sun Tzu
Amarr HM
Terracotta Army
Posts: 3066


Reply #99 on: February 20, 2014, 02:14:55 AM

And again, to those that have said otherwise... mental illness is not a thing you cure like a cold. For most of us it's going to be a lifelong fight.

You can't cure a cold either, just treat the symptoms.

I'm going to escape, come back, wipe this place off the face of the Earth, obliterate it and you with it.
Miasma
Terracotta Army
Posts: 5283

Stopgap Measure


Reply #100 on: February 20, 2014, 05:02:55 AM

Despite the disagreements over medication, this thread was good for me. I wasn't really seeking advice. It was more about seeing that this problem I am going through is common and that many people have dealt with it and continued on with things.
Finding out you aren't alone and that there are millions of people having the same problems is a huge relief.  If there were such a thing as stages of dealing with depression it would be one of the first.  You should always remember that but in the end it doesn't help deal with the problem.  Seeing a psychologist/psychiatrist still has a stigma and there is usually a strong resistance to the idea at first.  Since depression comes with a lot of 'why bother' and thoughts of hopelessness it is extra difficult to get the energy/motivation to do it but it is worth getting over that barrier.  If you like your family doctor and are comfortable with them then you should at least talk to them, and they should have a referral idea that you might trust more.

I think I linked it in a past thread but this book is used by many therapists with their patients.  If you don't want to talk to someone then I would at least suggest reading and working with it.  Unlike most books it has actual exercises that you print out and work on.  It is done in stages and builds on earlier chapters, it is more like a workbook than just something you read.  It uses cognitive behavioral therapy, essentially trying to retrain the way you think, react and feel into something more under your control and healthy.
Jeff Kelly
Terracotta Army
Posts: 6920

I'm an apathetic, hedonistic, utilitarian, nihilistic existentialist.


Reply #101 on: February 20, 2014, 05:04:00 AM

I was wondering if anyone here has battled depression successfully. If so could anyone recommend some resources that helped them with the process of moving through it?

See a counselor. It's the most effective way and probably also the only one that really works. I postponed going to counselling for as long as I could because I thought I could get through this on my own and also because I didn't want to confess that I was depressed because of the (supposed) stigma. In hindsight though I felt so much better after even just a few sessions and also better than I ever felt while I tried to deal with it on my own. The whole process of getting better took a while but I noticed the positive effects of counseling right at the beginning.

The only other advice I'd like to give is, don't stick with the first counselor/doctor you go to. Be wary if the person you go to isn't open to all treatment options. Depending on you and your illness certain reatments might work better than others and unfortunately there are a lot of professionals that prefer or dismiss certain treatments because of prejudices or personal preference. Counselling also requires a certain personal connection between doctor and patient.

So if you feel after a few sessions that you don't like the person you're talking to or you have other issues it is OK to switch to someone else. Some healthcare plans even allow for this.
Jeff Kelly
Terracotta Army
Posts: 6920

I'm an apathetic, hedonistic, utilitarian, nihilistic existentialist.


Reply #102 on: February 20, 2014, 05:28:11 AM

Touching on my last post, Penn.

The discussion over the last few pages ties in neatly into my advice. The discussion you saw there is not only relegated to armchair psychologists and discussions on the net. Chances are that you will encounter certified professionals with medical degrees that will basically hold similar opinions probably similarly ill-informed just with more fancy explanations. Stay clear of those people!

Depression or other mental illnesses still carry a stigma and this goes doubly so for the treatment options. You also have a bifurcated field with both psychologists and psychiatrists - different fields with a completely different syllabus and different stance on treatments. You also - depending on where you live - face a healthccare system that is either set up to help you or screw you over.

Don't listen to people that are flat out biased for or against any form of treatment! They usually don't have the slightest clue what they are talking about or they conflate systemic issues or prejudices with how you should personally be treated. I wonder if any of the people in this thread would be as against medication if the topic was diabetes or hypertension or any sort of "normal disease" but since it's a mental issue everyone is freaking the fuck out and talking as if anti-depressants are the devil and infinitely worse than heroin or meth - I haven't read the term big-pharma yet but it's simply a matter of time before we're completely in conspiracy-land.

A good professional will find the best treatment options for you depending on your needs, be it conversational therapy, cognitive therapy, medication, some or all of the above or something else. You shouldn't dismiss any one of those options a priori just because of things you may have heard or read on the internet
Jeff Kelly
Terracotta Army
Posts: 6920

I'm an apathetic, hedonistic, utilitarian, nihilistic existentialist.


Reply #103 on: February 20, 2014, 05:38:51 AM

A piece of advice for all the other armchair MDs in this thread:

Depression or any other form of mental illness still carries a stigma. This means that a lot of people refuse to seek help because they don't want that stain of 'mental illness' on their personal record. The kind of debate you have here is exactly the sort of thing that will drive even more people away from geting the help they need or they might refuse certain treatment options because of what they've heard by friends and acquaintances.´

It might be that the health care system in your country is so fucked up that it has an effect on treatment options or treatment quality, this is a systemic issue however that should have no place in a thread where a person seeks help or advice.

Yes people in your country might be overmedicated and yes you might think that all medication for mental illnesses are basically 'happy-pills' or any other firm held belief about treatment options for a type of illness I seriously hope you'll never have to face yourself. It doesn't matter though. It might still be the best option for that particular person. If that person now dismisses that treatment because of your superstitions or biases or foregoes treatment entirely than this is on you.
Ironwood
Terracotta Army
Posts: 28240


Reply #104 on: February 20, 2014, 06:23:33 AM

Don't sit on the fence Jeff, tell us how you really feel ?

"Mr Soft Owl has Seen Some Shit." - Sun Tzu
Pages: 1 2 [3] 4 5 ... 15 Go Up Print 
f13.net  |  f13.net General Forums  |  General Discussion  |  Serious Business  |  Topic: Depression Thread  
Jump to:  

Powered by SMF 1.1.10 | SMF © 2006-2009, Simple Machines LLC