****Official**** depression thread (1 Viewer)

[Mad Cow]

Had lunch with the wife today and the topic of how she has been feeling was brought up. Went overall very well, and we are going to work on some steps to help with ourselves, and look at counseling in the near future.

 

[El Floppo]

Had lunch with the wife today and the topic of how she has been feeling was brought up. Went overall very well, and we are going to work on some steps to help with ourselves, and look at counseling in the near future.

congrats that she wasn't stabby

 

[badmojo1006]

Not sure if I had mentioned or anyone mention the DBSA. Here is the website and there are local chapters all around. We have a support group that meets once a week. Great place to get advice and spew the craziness in your head

 

[chauncey]

positive and healthy thoughts heading your way. best of luck to you guys.

what about you, floppy - recover from last wkend snafu?

thanks for asking wp.... not really- but doing the best I can. and even that is a BIG difference from the days when the depression would win out and bury me. I'm full of stress (just yelled at my son, which I never do), working again this weekend despite having a birthday yesterday. but since the kids- other when we had the fire and I was just overwhelmed- I've done my very best to keep on top of it... the thought of the kids makes me fight through and keep moving forward, where previously I would get consumed and frozen in place.

eta: also the reality of things relative to potential tragedy... if not for cliched money related issues, my life is pretty ok. health all around is great, kids are great, life- aside from bs money... great.

Keep on keepin on, palo'mine. Remember, you can't always control what happens to you but you have complete and utter control of how you feel about what happens to you.

other than the depression... yeah.

Depression is merely an abstraction of our old, animal, starvation-mode shutdowns. Once the organism stops seeing the human contrivances that get us all worked-up as "lost food", it stops using the shutdown as a defense. Happy to talk about it with you anytime - you know where to find me.

Out of likes.

Looking forward to the return of Wikkid, again, whenever that time shall come.

What is an unlocker?

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

Really nice blog post here by Ken at Popehat.

 

[sofakingmoney]

Really nice blog post here by Ken at Popehat.

Great article - thanks for posting

 

[Judge Smails]

Any stories by FBG's dealing with a spouse that is depressed? Over the last couple of years, my wife has become increasingly negative, filled with pent up anger and any other number of symptoms of depression. My oldest daughter and I have talked about what we can do to help, but she has friends that are on medication and I know she takes pride in the fact that she is not. She needs help, but I am struggling on the best method to get her to see that this is not who she is. I am sure it grabs your brain and you can forget how you should feel. I am thankful the search engine at least found this for me to see if any FBG's had advice and/or experience here.

I don't want to oversimplify this but how is her diet/health? Does she exercise regularly? Does she work? If yes, is this adding to the stress level?

In my opinion, medication should be a last resort if the solution is something more natural like diet/exercise/meditation/etc.

agree.

but I would keep therapy on the ready, if these don't produce results.

therapy doesn't have to mean pills. aside from the money, there's nothing but benefit to it... particularly if an end game is figured out ahead of time (and not just endless, woody allen lifetime of sitting on a couch blabbing... but hell- even that has benefit).

No work. Runs about 5 times a week. I would welcome anything. I know she has said she feels on edge because our oldest is graduating and going to college, but the fact is this has been ongoing for probably 2 years by my estimation and I am sure this is just ramping it up. It is hard to think of a day without a blow up. I feel like I could keep an OSHA sign in the house with X many days since last irrational blow up and someone and it would never get past 5.

sounds like she could use an unbiased professional to listen and advise.

insurance often covers mental health too. I think this is an obvious next step for her.

But does she have preconceived biases/stigma about therapy that would keep her from going or participating? Our friends who seem to need the most help feel that way- and refuse to even consider going that route. there's also the consideration of how to intervene with her without making her feel defensive and irritated (maybe impossible not to?).

Both are concerns. Preconceived bias as well as how to approach. It has been weighing on me pretty much constantly for a few months. It has gotten to the point where there is so much deflection and defensiveness that it just feels like it would be counter productive. Things will go well for a few days, then bam, out of nowhere it is gone for a few days. I try to mitigate known stressers as much as possible such as stress of things to do and things that frustrate her to get to a point where I could try to address it, but in the mean time, I am working 50 hrs a week and trying to reduce things that might cause a blow up and it is exhausting.

What are the blow ups like? What does she do/say?

 

[shadyridr]

Man Ive been in a rut lately for no reason whatsoever. So annoying. We just finished a major project at work and its winding down and now I dont feel like doing ANYTHING at work. Yesterday I worked from home and played video games and watched the Yankee game. i havent done that in 5 yrs of working here. Afterwards I felt awfully guilty about it. Its not that I dont have work to do but I lost all motivation this past week. Dreading going in today.

I need a vacation desperately but Im not even looking forward to the one Im going on in July to Clearwater Beach. I feel like its gonna be more stressful than anything.

 

[Buck Bradcanon]

Thanks for asking for an update. The good news is the scan come back clear, so there are no tumors any where except for in the colon. The Dr confirmed there is only 1 tumor. The bad news is it is cancerous. Surgery is set for Thursday to remove it. Our outlook and thoughts are positive. I will update more as I find out more.

Walkmen how is your wife doing?

 

[Mad Cow]

Any stories by FBG's dealing with a spouse that is depressed? Over the last couple of years, my wife has become increasingly negative, filled with pent up anger and any other number of symptoms of depression. My oldest daughter and I have talked about what we can do to help, but she has friends that are on medication and I know she takes pride in the fact that she is not. She needs help, but I am struggling on the best method to get her to see that this is not who she is. I am sure it grabs your brain and you can forget how you should feel. I am thankful the search engine at least found this for me to see if any FBG's had advice and/or experience here.

I don't want to oversimplify this but how is her diet/health? Does she exercise regularly? Does she work? If yes, is this adding to the stress level?

In my opinion, medication should be a last resort if the solution is something more natural like diet/exercise/meditation/etc.

agree.

but I would keep therapy on the ready, if these don't produce results.

therapy doesn't have to mean pills. aside from the money, there's nothing but benefit to it... particularly if an end game is figured out ahead of time (and not just endless, woody allen lifetime of sitting on a couch blabbing... but hell- even that has benefit).

No work. Runs about 5 times a week. I would welcome anything. I know she has said she feels on edge because our oldest is graduating and going to college, but the fact is this has been ongoing for probably 2 years by my estimation and I am sure this is just ramping it up. It is hard to think of a day without a blow up. I feel like I could keep an OSHA sign in the house with X many days since last irrational blow up and someone and it would never get past 5.

sounds like she could use an unbiased professional to listen and advise.

insurance often covers mental health too. I think this is an obvious next step for her.

But does she have preconceived biases/stigma about therapy that would keep her from going or participating? Our friends who seem to need the most help feel that way- and refuse to even consider going that route. there's also the consideration of how to intervene with her without making her feel defensive and irritated (maybe impossible not to?).

Both are concerns. Preconceived bias as well as how to approach. It has been weighing on me pretty much constantly for a few months. It has gotten to the point where there is so much deflection and defensiveness that it just feels like it would be counter productive. Things will go well for a few days, then bam, out of nowhere it is gone for a few days. I try to mitigate known stressers as much as possible such as stress of things to do and things that frustrate her to get to a point where I could try to address it, but in the mean time, I am working 50 hrs a week and trying to reduce things that might cause a blow up and it is exhausting.

What are the blow ups like? What does she do/say?

They usually start over something small, like a daughter not getting ready when she is supposed to, and then go from 10 mph to 100mph in about 2 seconds. It starts mild, proceeds to outright anger bordering on rage, and ends with her saying she gives up.

Been harder lately because our daughter is graduating, we are leaving on a trip in a few days and my family is in town for graduation. Bad news is the stress aggravates it all a ton. Good news is my family being present mitigates the blow-ups. I just end up keeping peace the whole time and enduring the private downloads I get from her smaller outbursts.

 

[fred_1_15301]

Man Ive been in a rut lately for no reason whatsoever. So annoying. We just finished a major project at work and its winding down and now I dont feel like doing ANYTHING at work. Yesterday I worked from home and played video games and watched the Yankee game. i havent done that in 5 yrs of working here. Afterwards I felt awfully guilty about it. Its not that I dont have work to do but I lost all motivation this past week. Dreading going in today.

I need a vacation desperately but Im not even looking forward to the one Im going on in July to Clearwater Beach. I feel like its gonna be more stressful than anything.

You shouldn't make a big deal about this. As long as you get your projects done and meet the deadlines, who cares how you get there? It's healthy to take an occasional break and avoid getting burned out.

 

[bosoxs45]

Anyone else find using Evernote useful to keep track of daily reminders? I understand it's all about will-power, but this is hard. I have no options to move out until I'm finished with school ( grad student, no money).

 

[Johnnymac]

Anyone have suicidal thoughts regardless if things are good or bad? Or just feel like, man, I'm looking forward to that vacation in June, but catching a stray bullet tomorrow...

I know by now that I'd never go through with it, but still have a warm feeling when I think about kicking the bucket.

All the time.

 

[johnnycakes]

my shrink recently added Abilify to the SNRI i take. Seems to have helped.

 

[AAABatteries]

my shrink recently added Abilify to the SNRI i take. Seems to have helped.

Good news! Glad you are still around JC.

 

[El Floppo]

I take any project/life related speed-bumps waaaaaaaay too hard and personally.

 

[cstu]

Harvard professor Irving Kirsch expressing astonishment at the chemical ineffectiveness of antidepressants in his groundbreaking meta-analysis, Antidepressants and the Placebo Effect:

It simply does not matter what is in the [antidepressant] medication – it might increase serotonin, decrease it, or have no effect on serotonin at all. The effect on depression is the same. What do you call pills, the effects of which are independent of their chemical composition? I call them “placebos.” […] All antidepressants seem to be equally effective, and although the difference between drug and placebo is not clinically significant, it is significant statistically. This leads to the obvious question: What do all of these active drugs have in common that make their effect on depression slightly, but statistically significantly, better than placebo? One thing that antidepressants have in common is that they all produce side effects.

In other words, it is not the drug itself that treats depression, it is the existence of noticeable side effects “proving” that the drugs are working which leads patients to believe in their curative properties.

 

[AAABatteries]

Harvard professor Irving Kirsch expressing astonishment at the chemical ineffectiveness of antidepressants in his groundbreaking meta-analysis, Antidepressants and the Placebo Effect:

It simply does not matter what is in the [antidepressant] medication – it might increase serotonin, decrease it, or have no effect on serotonin at all. The effect on depression is the same. What do you call pills, the effects of which are independent of their chemical composition? I call them “placebos.” […] All antidepressants seem to be equally effective, and although the difference between drug and placebo is not clinically significant, it is significant statistically. This leads to the obvious question: What do all of these active drugs have in common that make their effect on depression slightly, but statistically significantly, better than placebo? One thing that antidepressants have in common is that they all produce side effects.

In other words, it is not the drug itself that treats depression, it is the existence of noticeable side effects “proving” that the drugs are working which leads patients to believe in their curative properties.

I have no clue how true this is but to me that would kind of go along with the idea of just doing something. I would not classify myself as depressed although I get down in the dumps like anyone else. Typically the first thing I do is to do something - take a shower, workout at the gym, read a book - something to get moving in a "positive" direction. And similar to the placebo discussed just doing something kind of gets your mind moving forward. I realize this is simplistic but I wonder if those are related in how the mind is working.

 

[the rover]

Right about at the edge of as much as I can handle.

 

[CurlyNight]

I posted this in the suicide thread but thought it appropriate here too. This is an interesting read. It's a known fact that colors effect your mood. You wear grays, black, brown and such colors and you don't feel as good as when you wear brighter colors. In the winter, most of us, me included, tend to wear darker colors which actually should be the opposite. We don't have as much natural light during these months so you need to not only up the lights you keep on but dress with more color.

http://higherperspectives.com/coloring/?utm_source=cleo&ts_pid=2&utm_content=inf_10_34_2

When my cousin was in the psych ward, art was one of the classes you had to attend. It wasn't an art class as in teaching you anything. It was sit down and just draw, color, whatever comes to mind. Interesting results. For those of you doing therapy as well, you can take your work in and see if your therapist can see any meaning in it for you. It may help. Our subconscious plays a key role in our wellness as well so I encourage you to explore this aspect of your mind.

 

[El Floppo]

I feel like an ####### when I wear bright colors. Feeling like an ####### makes me depressed.

 

[CurlyNight]

I feel like an ####### when I wear bright colors. Feeling like an ####### makes me depressed.

Brighter, not bright. Or lighter colors. Greens, blues for instance as opposed to black, gray and browns.

 

[Jayrod]

So, I'm in a good place right now and it has taken a lot of changes to get here.

Job change, health changes and spiritual changes have all contributed to my life improving. I'm actually poorer and busier than I was before, but it doesn't bother me. I think maybe the biggest thing has been that I now have some long term goals and some direction to life.

I just wanted to pop in and offer you all some encouragement. There is some light at the end of this tunnel, but you need to find that root cause of what is driving you down. For me it was a spiritual darkness more than anything and some short term thinking that caused a lot of unnecessary stress.

Good luck and keep plugging away.

 

[St. Louis Bob]

I got a group text on 12/14 from a GB that another GB was really sick. On 12/16, another text he was gone. There was a memorial last night but I didn't go. I saw most of our friends at a party on that Saturday, the 12th, and just didn't want to do it.

GB that texted me asked if I was going yesterday but I ignored it. He wasn't at the party and in from out of town but still choose to ignore him. Wish I could say I hate myself for that but I don't. I just couldn't deal with it considering in the interim I found out another GB, that he doesn't know, is about to go. These guys are all my age. I grew up with them. I fought with them. I don't feel like taking the world straight on anymore.

PLUS, I didn't post here, my BFF as a kid, his son killed himself in October. We had just reconnected a year or so before that. Peas and carrots again.

SAVE IT, not looking for sympathy. Just posting because I haven't posted a lot lately or in the GMTAN. As a whole, you people here are pretty awesome. I just want you to know why I haven't been around much.

Seriously, thank you. I know if you're reading this, you understand. I only put this out there because like everybody's friend General Malaise, I've posted a lot of my life here. No need for quotes or "sorries".

 

[Swing 51]

SAVE IT

No need for quotes or "sorries".

Well I'm in violation. Keep your head up Bob things have a way of coming around.

 

[Buck Bradcanon]

Love you, GB.

 

[Buck Bradcanon]

my shrink recently added Abilify to the SNRI i take. Seems to have helped.

Same here. It seems to be making a difference for me.

 

[-fish-]

funny that my last post in here was October. I could have predicted that. I'm pretty much on a quarterly schedule of a week of insomnia/severe depression. right in the heart of it now.

lots of good stuff happening in my life right now to counteract the crap life throws at everyone, but it just isn't enough to shake me out of this.

 

[El Floppo]

funny that my last post in here was October. I could have predicted that. I'm pretty much on a quarterly schedule of a week of insomnia/severe depression. right in the heart of it now.

lots of good stuff happening in my life right now to counteract the crap life throws at everyone, but it just isn't enough to shake me out of this.

sorry to hear this, fish.

aside from french whores, do you have fixes that work for you?

 

[-fish-]

funny that my last post in here was October. I could have predicted that. I'm pretty much on a quarterly schedule of a week of insomnia/severe depression. right in the heart of it now.

lots of good stuff happening in my life right now to counteract the crap life throws at everyone, but it just isn't enough to shake me out of this.

sorry to hear this, fish.

aside from french whores, do you have fixes that work for you?

icelandic whores?

no real fixes. I'm going to the gym every day, but I'm between big projects at work so I have a lot of time without meaningful distraction.

 

[Ministry of Pain]

I had a shrink throw me out of her office, said I was the most argumentative patient she ever had.

 

[-fish-]

I had a shrink throw me out of her office, said I was the most argumentative patient she ever had.

does that really come as a surprise?

 

[TheWalkmen]

funny that my last post in here was October. I could have predicted that. I'm pretty much on a quarterly schedule of a week of insomnia/severe depression. right in the heart of it now.

lots of good stuff happening in my life right now to counteract the crap life throws at everyone, but it just isn't enough to shake me out of this.

I have occasional insomnia, and had my last bout of it in the last few weeks. My wife suggested trying yoga at night, and it has worked wonders. Just youtube "yoga relax sleep" and there are some good ones from psyche truth. As an added bonus, the yoga ladies on there are not ugly.

 

[-fish-]

funny that my last post in here was October. I could have predicted that. I'm pretty much on a quarterly schedule of a week of insomnia/severe depression. right in the heart of it now.

lots of good stuff happening in my life right now to counteract the crap life throws at everyone, but it just isn't enough to shake me out of this.

I have occasional insomnia, and had my last bout of it in the last few weeks. My wife suggested trying yoga at night, and it has worked wonders. Just youtube "yoga relax sleep" and there are some good ones from psyche truth. As an added bonus, the yoga ladies on there are not ugly.

worth a shot. I'm not sleeping anyway, so it can't hurt.

 

[El Floppo]

funny that my last post in here was October. I could have predicted that. I'm pretty much on a quarterly schedule of a week of insomnia/severe depression. right in the heart of it now.

lots of good stuff happening in my life right now to counteract the crap life throws at everyone, but it just isn't enough to shake me out of this.

I have occasional insomnia, and had my last bout of it in the last few weeks. My wife suggested trying yoga at night, and it has worked wonders. Just youtube "yoga relax sleep" and there are some good ones from psyche truth. As an added bonus, the yoga ladies on there are not ugly.

worth a shot. I'm not sleeping anyway, so it can't hurt.

out of curiousity, when do you work out?

I ask because the only time I've had insomnia was when I was running/lifting post-dinner (9sih).

gl, gb.

and lol at MOP arguing enough with the therapist to get kicked out.

 

[shadyridr]

I had a shrink throw me out of her office, said I was the most argumentative patient she ever had.

was your jacket zipper stuck by any chance?

 

[-fish-]

funny that my last post in here was October. I could have predicted that. I'm pretty much on a quarterly schedule of a week of insomnia/severe depression. right in the heart of it now.

lots of good stuff happening in my life right now to counteract the crap life throws at everyone, but it just isn't enough to shake me out of this.

I have occasional insomnia, and had my last bout of it in the last few weeks. My wife suggested trying yoga at night, and it has worked wonders. Just youtube "yoga relax sleep" and there are some good ones from psyche truth. As an added bonus, the yoga ladies on there are not ugly.

worth a shot. I'm not sleeping anyway, so it can't hurt.

out of curiousity, when do you work out?

I ask because the only time I've had insomnia was when I was running/lifting post-dinner (9sih).

gl, gb.

and lol at MOP arguing enough with the therapist to get kicked out.

I usually go in the morning, but sometimes around lunchtime. rarely in the evenings.

my ex-wife and I got kicked out of marriage counseling.

 

[El Floppo]

funny that my last post in here was October. I could have predicted that. I'm pretty much on a quarterly schedule of a week of insomnia/severe depression. right in the heart of it now.

lots of good stuff happening in my life right now to counteract the crap life throws at everyone, but it just isn't enough to shake me out of this.

I have occasional insomnia, and had my last bout of it in the last few weeks. My wife suggested trying yoga at night, and it has worked wonders. Just youtube "yoga relax sleep" and there are some good ones from psyche truth. As an added bonus, the yoga ladies on there are not ugly.

worth a shot. I'm not sleeping anyway, so it can't hurt.

out of curiousity, when do you work out?

I ask because the only time I've had insomnia was when I was running/lifting post-dinner (9sih).

gl, gb.

and lol at MOP arguing enough with the therapist to get kicked out.

I usually go in the morning, but sometimes around lunchtime. rarely in the evenings.

my ex-wife and I got kicked out of marriage counseling.

I get marriage counseling getting argumentative... 3 different people... been there.

but solo therapy? what's the point of arguing? listen... take it in... if you don't like what you're hearing, move on to another therapist. or try listening better. you are paying that person to help you.

 

[the rover]

funny that my last post in here was October. I could have predicted that. I'm pretty much on a quarterly schedule of a week of insomnia/severe depression. right in the heart of it now.

lots of good stuff happening in my life right now to counteract the crap life throws at everyone, but it just isn't enough to shake me out of this.

I have occasional insomnia, and had my last bout of it in the last few weeks. My wife suggested trying yoga at night, and it has worked wonders. Just youtube "yoga relax sleep" and there are some good ones from psyche truth. As an added bonus, the yoga ladies on there are not ugly.

worth a shot. I'm not sleeping anyway, so it can't hurt.

out of curiousity, when do you work out?

I ask because the only time I've had insomnia was when I was running/lifting post-dinner (9sih).

gl, gb.

and lol at MOP arguing enough with the therapist to get kicked out.

I usually go in the morning, but sometimes around lunchtime. rarely in the evenings.

my ex-wife and I got kicked out of marriage counseling.

I get marriage counseling getting argumentative... 3 different people... been there.

but solo therapy? what's the point of arguing? listen... take it in... if you don't like what you're hearing, move on to another therapist. or try listening better. you are paying that person to help you.

I've done my fair share of solo therapy. I've disagreed with counselors/docs, but I can't imagine having an argument.

 

[TheWalkmen]

funny that my last post in here was October. I could have predicted that. I'm pretty much on a quarterly schedule of a week of insomnia/severe depression. right in the heart of it now.

lots of good stuff happening in my life right now to counteract the crap life throws at everyone, but it just isn't enough to shake me out of this.

I have occasional insomnia, and had my last bout of it in the last few weeks. My wife suggested trying yoga at night, and it has worked wonders. Just youtube "yoga relax sleep" and there are some good ones from psyche truth. As an added bonus, the yoga ladies on there are not ugly.

worth a shot. I'm not sleeping anyway, so it can't hurt.

Did it help? Can you get a prescription for some ambien or something?

 

[St. Louis Bob]

funny that my last post in here was October. I could have predicted that. I'm pretty much on a quarterly schedule of a week of insomnia/severe depression. right in the heart of it now.

lots of good stuff happening in my life right now to counteract the crap life throws at everyone, but it just isn't enough to shake me out of this.

Good to know I'm not alone. Same way here. Then I get stupid and turn it around. Pretty vicious, awful, awesome, cycle. Hang in there my brother.

 

[the rover]

funny that my last post in here was October. I could have predicted that. I'm pretty much on a quarterly schedule of a week of insomnia/severe depression. right in the heart of it now.

lots of good stuff happening in my life right now to counteract the crap life throws at everyone, but it just isn't enough to shake me out of this.

I have occasional insomnia, and had my last bout of it in the last few weeks. My wife suggested trying yoga at night, and it has worked wonders. Just youtube "yoga relax sleep" and there are some good ones from psyche truth. As an added bonus, the yoga ladies on there are not ugly.

worth a shot. I'm not sleeping anyway, so it can't hurt.

Did it help? Can you get a prescription for some ambien or something?

My experience with sleeping pills hasnt been good. Haven't tried the yoga yet, but I will.

 

[CurlyNight]

Acupuncture works great for many with insomnia problems. If you have other aches and pains going on as well, maybe 2 birds with 1 stone..

 

[xulf]

Bump to share my own ####ed up story of depression and side effects that just happened (likely on Monday).

 

[Captain Cranks]

I'm pleased to announce that I stopped taking Lexapro, which I had been on for 15 years, with much success.  I know I've got some heavy lifting to do from a psychological standpoint so I don't fall prey to anxiety/ depression again, but I'm pretty happy with how I feel without the drug.  

 

[Johnnymac]

I'm pleased to announce that I stopped taking Lexapro, which I had been on for 15 years, with much success.  I know I've got some heavy lifting to do from a psychological standpoint so I don't fall prey to anxiety/ depression again, but I'm pretty happy with how I feel without the drug.  

Interested to hear how you went about this?  I mean, did you just ask your Dr to take you off and he agreed?  I hate taking these ####### meds but I'm told that I need them, and maybe I do.  I have suffered from depression and anxiety my whole life.  These manufactured drugs, I don't know, sometimes I feel like they can cause more harm than good.

 

[Captain Cranks]

Interested to hear how you went about this?  I mean, did you just ask your Dr to take you off and he agreed?  I hate taking these ####### meds but I'm told that I need them, and maybe I do.  I have suffered from depression and anxiety my whole life.  These manufactured drugs, I don't know, sometimes I feel like they can cause more harm than good.

My prescription was running out, so I decided I was going to start weening myself off.  The doctor was agreeable, but wanted to make sure it was best for me.  I had only ever been on a 10 mg dose, so I started doing 10, then 5, then back to 10 for a couple weeks.  Then it was just 5 every day.  Then it was 5, then none, then 5.  After a couple weeks of that, I was just off.  

I can definitely tell I get a little more edgy, but nothing personality changing.  Conversely, I feel a lot more emotion on the high side.  As I'm sure you know, these drugs help cut off the lows, but they also cut off highs.  It feels really good to have the emotional highs back.  

As I mentioned, I have work to do from a brain pattern standpoint.  I had been using the drugs as a crutch which allowed me to put off changing the way I think.  There's a book called "self coaching, how to heal anxiety and depression" that I need to dedicate myself to.  

 

[Johnnymac]

My prescription was running out, so I decided I was going to start weening myself off.  The doctor was agreeable, but wanted to make sure it was best for me.  I had only ever been on a 10 mg dose, so I started doing 10, then 5, then back to 10 for a couple weeks.  Then it was just 5 every day.  Then it was 5, then none, then 5.  After a couple weeks of that, I was just off.  

I can definitely tell I get a little more edgy, but nothing personality changing.  Conversely, I feel a lot more emotion on the high side.  As I'm sure you know, these drugs help cut off the lows, but they also cut off highs.  It feels really good to have the emotional highs back.  

As I mentioned, I have work to do from a brain pattern standpoint.  I had been using the drugs as a crutch which allowed me to put off changing the way I think.  There's a book called "self coaching, how to heal anxiety and depression" that I need to dedicate myself to.  

Thanks Captain!  I wish you well and good luck!

 

[Captain Cranks]

Interested to hear how you went about this?  I mean, did you just ask your Dr to take you off and he agreed?  I hate taking these ####### meds but I'm told that I need them, and maybe I do.  I have suffered from depression and anxiety my whole life.  These manufactured drugs, I don't know, sometimes I feel like they can cause more harm than good.

Did your doctor say you need them?  I agree, they can do more harm than good although some are in a situation where it's probably best to take the good with the bad.  

 

[Johnnymac]

Did your doctor say you need them?  I agree, they can do more harm than good although some are in a situation where it's probably best to take the good with the bad.  

Yes they say I need them.  I probably do but I dont enjoy taking them.  I take 300mg of Venlaxafine and 15mg of Mirtazapine daily.  I have been on other meds through the years too.  They all suck.