Depression

[pluspea]

Has anyone ever suffered from this demon, I can't sleep, feelings of guilt, anxiety, and total worthlessness. I am on prozac and have not seen any positive results. Mornings are the worst time, I have a knot in my gut constantly, and the wife dosen't quite understand how this can be. They want you to snap out of it, but it dosen't work like that. I think most of it can relate to financial and job related stress. I find it very difficult to go on sometimes. I know this is a tough topic for me, but you guys are the best at understanding. Just helps to get it out sometimes.

 

[mstuhr]

Howdy

Hi Pluspea,
I have no experience other than I knew a fellow who's wife suffered and he encouraged her to cheer up and get over it.
It did not work out well. If you feel bad enough to ask for help here, I would think you need to get a professional opinion.
With the utmost respect I ask you get some help and wish you the best.
Mike

 

[bamabiker]

Never suffered from it myself but have known a couple who did and it's nothing to play with. Seek help and hang in there.

 

[tripledipper]

Don't have personal experience but a close relative is bi-polar, manic-depressive, and when he would go through the depressive stage of this disease it really put him in a funk. I know that many people try to self-medicate themselves (with alcohol, drugs, tobacco) and this only makes it worse. You should seek a couple of medical opinions. Since this is a gun forum I trust you will stay away from your firearms if you don't feel just right. Seek out some professionals on the subject and I am sure you will get some good advice.

 

[bmhiii]

Not all antidepessants work for everybody. Get your doctor to prescribe another and see if it works. Remember, these pills don't work over night, it takes a couple of weeks to get any good out of them. And also, they don't work magic, they should just level out your highs and lows so you can function and work on the things that are depressing you.

Good luck...

 

[GKC]

My wife does...she suffered a broken neck in an accident in 2003, and has had numerous health problems as a result. She was unable to continue working, and she loved her job...she underwent a lot of physical therapy to get her motor skills back, and she still has to use a cane to walk. She has had 7 operations for resulting disc issues. She cannot ride her motorcycle, which she loved to do. In all ways, her life has been profoundly affected. She is in pain constantly, cannot do any of the things she loved to do, and feels utterly worthless and despondent. She too has little relief from Prozac, and her doctors have tried several other medications with no real results either. Some days are better than others...and we just take it day by day.

Some people look at her and say she should just get over it, and get on with life...but I know my wife, and she is NOT the self-pitying type of person. This is a very real condition. Now that she has progressed to the level she has, and her physical condition is pretty much stabilized (i.e. probably won't see any more improvement) we are now going to seek some mental therapy, so she (we) can deal with life as it is for us both.

I wish I could tell you a great success story...but so far, I can't. I can tell you not to give up, not to feel like it is your fault or that you shouldn't seek help or treatment. Depression is just like any other illness, and not one to be ashamed of and hide.

 

[JcMack]

I don't believe in drugs to cure this all to common problem. What are you going to do, become forever drug dependent to achieve normalcy? Try thinking of if you were ever happy. You know yourself best and therefore are your own best analyst. Any analyst you speak to is just gonna ask what do you think about this? how do you feel about that? how can you make things better? Try going without drugs and do some serious self analysis. Unfortunately some things you realize about yourself may require some serious changes in your life to get mentally healthy

 

[GKC]

I don't believe in drugs to cure this all to common problem. What are you going to do, become forever drug dependent to achieve normalcy? Try thinking of if you were ever happy. You know yourself best and therefore are your own best analyst. Any analyst you speak to is just gonna ask what do you think about this? how do you feel about that? how can you make things better? Try going without drugs and do some serious self analysis. Unfortunately some things you realize about yourself may require some serious changes in your life to get mentally healthy

Meaning no offense, but that is about the same thing as saying don't take antibiotics for an infection. There may be some people who can "heal themselves" but for many, many more, this is a real medical condition that will not improve without medication and therapy.

You don't have to be drug dependent for life to be normal, but even if you do, isn't it worth it to have a normal life? I am sure that diabetics who need insulin to function normally would agree... and depression is just as real.

Again, I mean no offense...but after watching my beloved wife suffer and struggle for years, I do have strong feelings about the subject.

 

[jahwarrior72]

it's hard to live with depression; it's harder to talk about it publicly. for that, i commend you. you really should seek professional help, other than a getting a 'script from your physician. a psychiatrist, a therapist, or some other professional to talk to. i've known people with clinical depression, including my mother. just talking about it can do wonders.

 

[YogiBear]

Second on what JcMack said

We all go thru depression of some sort.

It's just how badly we let it get to us.

After it's past, we wonder why we let it bother us, because once we're over it, it doesn't seem to be that big or bad.

Just becareful when going off one pill to another. Sometimes the side effects can be worse than the cure.

Also, this can/will affect your ownership of firearms.
It does here in Hawaii. Once you check off Yes to the question, local PD will automatically Deny your ability to own a firearm. Even with a MD's letter.

 

[JcMack]

Meaning no offense, but that is about the same thing as saying don't take antibiotics for an infection. There may be some people who can "heal themselves" but for many, many more, this is a real medical condition that will not improve without medication and therapy.

You don't have to be drug dependent for life to be normal, but even if you do, isn't it worth it to have a normal life? I am sure that diabetics who need insulin to function normally would agree... and depression is just as real.

Again, I mean no offense...but after watching my beloved wife suffer and struggle for years, I do have strong feelings about the subject.

I too meant no offense. There's many different stories out there. The OP presented this as a relatively new problem. My doctor, like most, is a "practicing physician" meaning he's perfectly willing to practice on me. I mentioned a while back, during a physical, that I was depressed, to which he responded with a talk of a "prescription". I told the guy I preferred to do some self examination and he told me that was a viable solution and he evaluated himself when he felt down. I'm 63 now. I grew up in what is considered "the best of times". Things have rapidly degraded in any responsible persons life here of late. Friends in my peer group often say "I can't imagine how I could survive as head of a family under current conditions".

 

[sigp220.45]

I applaud you for taking the step of reaching out. I used to be a "snap out of it" guy, but seeing people close to me suffer has changed my mind.

There is help out there. Find a good doctor. Medication can help. If it helps you, then who cares if you take for a long time? People take cholesterol meds for their whole lives. There are lots of things you can try if the prozac isn't doing it.

Hang in there. It will get better. Good luck.

 

[pluspea]

Thanks so much for all the replys, my Brother just phoned me from another state and he could tell something was wrong, so I confided in him. I just got off the phone, I made an appointment with my Family Doctor, and he is not easy to see. I usually see someone else, the latest female doctor is not nearly as compassionate as he is.
I've seen a friend almost loose everything because of this, he had to sell his house, and move into a rental, he received shock treatment for his illness.
This is not the first time I've fought this problem
Please pray for me, and thanks again for all the positive comments.

 

[tripledipper]

Keep on posting and let us know how you are doing after you see your Doc. Family support is best but don't forget that we are here for you too. Good luck.

 

[38-44HD45]

Kudos for reaching out and talking about it! Like sig220, I was once a "get over it" kind of guy. Since then, I've been very close to a number of people with clinical major depression. In your condition, there is an imbalance in brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine, and while exercise, diet and psychotherapy may help (and usually do, to some extent) medication is often necessary, and NO ONE should be ashamed to take antidepressants if that's what they need.

Others have mentioned that not all antidepressants work for everyone; Prozac makes some folks more depressed, and often has other side effects, like chronic headache. Lexapro is a more recent one that works well for some patients for whom other drugs don't, but isn't for everyone. Effexor may work, but in some cases, will make a patient progress from depressed to suicidal in VERY short order.

It is crucial that you see a doctor who understands pharmacology and drug interactions. Not all do; in fact, I'd venture that most do not. I have a client who is an MD neurologist, specializing in behavioral and psychological disorders. He is heavily involved in pharmacological research, and we talk about it frequently. He will quickly tell you that few doctors really know enough about the drugs they prescribe.

Good luck to you, sir. You are not alone in the world.

 

[41Rem]

I am taking Wellbutrin/Bupropion. I have good results with it. It is as was said "takes out the highs/lows so you can function". I realized my marriage was most of the problem but after a divorce I still use the med. This is a disease not something you can just snap out of so don't beat your self up in that regard. I know just how you feel been there. Hang in there man. Talk to your doc. he is the best guy to help that I found. I know when I was in your shoes feeling that way I asked the BIG guy to help me to help my self. It helped me. E-mail me I'll hang with you till you get better.

 

[venomballistics]

Has anyone ever suffered from this demon, I can't sleep, feelings of guilt, anxiety, and total worthlessness. I am on prozac and have not seen any positive results. Mornings are the worst time, I have a knot in my gut constantly, and the wife dosen't quite understand how this can be. They want you to snap out of it, but it dosen't work like that. I think most of it can relate to financial and job related stress. I find it very difficult to go on sometimes. I know this is a tough topic for me, but you guys are the best at understanding. Just helps to get it out sometimes.

solutions work better than meds.
Most are cowed into the concept of working 9 to 5 and that is supposed to represent a way of life.
Its becoming less true by the day.
When this ideal does fail, many dont seem to see options to help get them through and get stuck on what looks like a hopeless situation.

Consider Nikola Tesla for a moment .... he essentially cooked up most of the concepts behind all electrical engineering to include radio TV the AC power grid we use today and volumes more.
Tesla was just a garden variety man like you or I.
Did you know that the founders of Google could not afford a server case? ... so they built one out of legos in their dorm room.
HP hatched out of a garage Hornady used to make capacitor cans for the gov during WW2.
its all just a matter of taking what you know and making it earn money for you.
even if only to supplement your income, that effort is well spent since it can lift some of the financial stress and even save your bacon in the worst case.
This is what you need guy

 

[truckemup97]

Drugs are a short term fix. I would also recommend counseling. Been there, done that. I'll be praying for you.

 

[gunlovingirl]

Prayers for you. As was previously mentioned, sometimes you have to try different anti-depressants to find the one that works for you. And with most of them, it does take a week or two. Seeing as you asked for prayers, I'd like to suggest you ask God to help you also. It's also easy to see the depressing side of life, but you need to concentrate on the blessings you have. We are all blessed. And we all have challenges. It's good that you are asking for help and advice. And good that you don't have to go through it alone. Feel free to PM or email me.

 

[G.T. Smith]

Have faith

Prayers for you. As was previously mentioned, sometimes you have to try different anti-depressants to find the one that works for you. And with most of them, it does take a week or two. Seeing as you asked for prayers, I'd like to suggest you ask God to help you also. It's also easy to see the depressing side of life, but you need to concentrate on the blessings you have. We are all blessed. And we all have challenges. It's good that you are asking for help and advice. And good that you don't have to go through it alone. Feel free to PM or email me.

I totally agree with Misty, because if you believe and have enough faith, then the Lord can lift that from you. I'll be praying for you. Just see your doctor and try to relax and count your blessings. Staying REAL busy helps me when I feel bummed out or anxious. I have a giant lawn and because of that, it looks great.
Peace, gordon

 

[Farmer17]

My ex wife suffered from depression and maybe some other problems and I guess she is doing OK now, but it is a problem that can be very difficult to treat. A lot of good advice has already been given so I will just warn you about one thing. She was taking Wellbutrin and stopped taking it "cold turkey" and didn't know that you were supposed to taper off slowly. This caused her some really terrible problems like "feeling electrical shocking in her brain", and a few other bad things that took over a year to go away.

 

[DeathGrip]

A little something about prayers.Since I joined the forum I've said alot of them.All of my prayers have been sincere and asking for Gods hand for others.Man,I've never prayed so much in my life.But one thing's for sure,I haven't prayed for myself but to say thanks.But somehow I feel like a better man now.Belive me I'm not in good shape right now and I really need a break.But I'm gonna be OK.And you will be to.Please get some help if it's getting you down that bad.
I'll be asking a prayer or two for you.
D.G.

 

[DCWilson]

Yeah, I've been there from time to time. So far it has always passed, sometimes with a little effort on my part, and sometimes without my knowing why. It came, it left. Never understood why. But it was sure awful while it was around.

Look up a book called The Depression Cure by Stephen Ilardi. I don't subscribe to everything he says, but there is some merit in a fair amount of it. I was particularly interested to find that there is statistical evidence that for a large portion of the population, simply increasing consumption of fish oil on a daily basis is beneficial. Sounds like nonsense, but read the chapter. The evidence is pretty good.

In addition, do NOT underestimate the power of novelty and exercise to lift spirits.

But don't expect miracles from any form of therapy. Don't set your hopes so high that they are bound to be disappointed, or you will just reinforce the prevailing downer. Recovering from depression does not mean attainment of constant happiness; it involves climbing out of the pits and returning to a mix of occasional satisfaction and episodes of more conventional misery. You can't escape the pain that simply living imposes upon you; but there are things you can do to keep it in balance.

 

[Strato]

Looks like all the available advice has been given so I'm jusy gonna say GOOD LUCK

 

[Old Corp]

pluspea - after a nasty divorce, I learned about the real ugly side of depression up close and personal. It's kinda like fracturing your arm or leg. It is almost impossible to get better without some skilled help. My department psychologist was a world of help to me. Also, there is an almost endless list of available anti-depressant meds out there. What works or doesn't for some one else may be completely different for you.

I still get visited by the monster every once in awhile, but am 1000's of times better than a few years ago. I also believe I'm stronger and better for it. God is The Great Physician, he can do a great work in healing you, just let Him.

 

[snowman]

Has anyone ever suffered from this demon

I wrote the book on it. I remember sitting in my room at around age 20 dreaming of freezing myself to death in my car in the middle of the night(winters were actually cold here then); "tapes" playing in my head repeatedly with messages like, "Why live?", "What's the point?", "No hope!", yada, yada, yada. Always a sense of foreboding, feeling like 'nothing will ever work out right'.

When I was in grade school I was walking down the school hallway one day and a high school student with a camera took my picture; they put it on a page of candid shots in the yearbook with the caption, "What's wrong, Andy?" The look on my face was telling.

My early 20's were the worst; terrible pain. It was a miracle that I got through college and grad school.

Now I'm nearly 52, and haven't had any serious bouts with it for over 20 years.

Yes, pluspea, I know of what you speak. I'm available, by PM or email. If you're interested, I'll tell you how the black clouds in my mind broke up.

Andy

 

[pluspea]

thanks for all the great support. I didn't exactly reveal the root of my depression, it's my job, the thing torments me every waking moment. I wake up at night with it haunting me. I am almost sixty years old, and the work am asked to do is that a much younger man would have trouble preforming, sometimes on little sleep. I took this job because I was desperate, being out of work for almost six months. I have to keep moving without a break for eight hours, with one the most hateful arrogant bosses that you could imagine.I hold my breath and walk on eggs the entire workday. They have a window they watch you from, you have to not be seen standing still, or the big boss lets you have it. I have been somewhat depressed since I have been there, but it came to a head a couple of months ago, they had me almost by myself, unload a fifty three foot trailer of heavy cabinets, many over my head, sometimes in extreme heat, when that is done, keep moving, there is more than enough left to do. When your order is pulled, he checks it for errors, I cringe when he calls my name. He is always complaining about how long I am taking to do a task. My coworker is in his thirty's, and I can't stay with him. I injured my back a couple of months ago lifting an eighty pound reel of wire, and was off for two weeks. Last week I stepped off a forklift and slipped in a gob of grease that had fallen from the same, I hit my head and injured my back again. I was loaded onto an electric cart and taken to a coworkers pickup then taken to the ER, (why not an ambulance due to head neck injury)I am now on workman's comp and have to see one of their doctors this week. It was their fault I was injured, but the fact that I have to live on less through the insurance co. just doesn't seem fair. My wife says that there are many people my age that do the kind of work I do, she doesn't know what it's like.
I realize that jobs are hard to find, but this one is going to put me six feet down. I know you have your own problems, I just wanted to share what was depressing me. Thanks for listening.

 

[BarbC]

Go to a labor lawyer for a consultation. They've broken many labor laws.

 

[Crazy K38]

you know I suffered from depression myself and I was bad with it, the drugs and therapists didn't help, but what helped me sounds impossible and crazy as hell, but I FORCED myself to think 150% positively, I FORCED myself to at least fake happy, then it became a bit of a thought pattern and a habit and I slowly but surely healed, but it is one hell of a road to get out of, and it won't be easy but just remember this always, 'Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change' if you need help, or just someone who can relate pm me and I will give you my phone #, you arn't the only one, it just feels like it, and you will make it through it if you want to

 

[tallpaul]

depression is nothing to play with. I applaud ya getting help/talking of it.

Trouble is in a work situation they gave you a break hiring an old guy to to the young guys job. If you can't keep up sometimes ya do have to admit ya can't and quit. You see them as the enemy where as they likely felt for ya to hire you to begin with. Ya are quick to point blame on the accident etc on them.


Sounds like ya need a different job and that's OK... trouble I have with it is you seem to be of the opinion that less than standard work/ due to your age.condition is an acceptable excuse. You are a new hire and not a guy who has 15 years of great service with them,

I am sorry but sometimes with depression we have too quit blaming others for our issues.

The economy stinks and none of us here likely caused it but most of us are feeling it.

Age discrimination is not that if you can not keep up. As far as a labor lawyer-because they bark your next assignment and expect you to keep moving? Some of ya are the reason jobs keep leavin.