serious question

[MuGGsy]

Do any of you take medication for depression ? I've been going to councelling now for a couple years and while it's helped it's just not changing enough and I'm seriously starting to question whether I need some help in other terms.. if you any experience please respond.

[blm]

I'm not taking any meds now, but I was about 2 years ago. I was suffering from severe depression and I kept telling myself that "I'm a man, I can deal with this on my own, I don't need a damn quack or meds to help me," but I was wrong I did. I took Prozac for about a year and then took myself off of them. They helped me get through a really tough time in my life, along with the help of some counseling.

[jipped genes]

i took a ton xanex when i had anxiety attacks and depression when i had a tragedy in my life a long time ago. it just made me numb until i was able to deal with it better. thats my only experience

[MuGGsy]

I think I'm starting to get over that "I'm a man I can handle this" stage.. I am thinking about going ot my doctor this next week.. we will see

[Doom]

what level of depression are you in, is it an everyday feeling of not getting things done, a social anxiety...

if you dont wanna be specific in the open, PM me, I know a fairl good deal about these things

[trip]

John,

It would help if you gave a few more specifics about medication.

Has doctor reccomended it? And or discussed it.

Have you ever tried it?

If you're not on it, and it's been reccomended, what is your reluctance.

I've deal with clients on this issue more often that what people would think. And have extensive background in research and practical knowledge of this issue.

Depression is chemical in nature. It is a lack of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin helps us feel happy. If you have low serotonin you have no gas in the tank, it's empty.

Depression has nothing to do with a persons character, strength, intelligence, persiverence, etc. It is chemical in nature.

Key thing to note is: Are you expereincing joy in your life? And how often.

Most folks with depression do not feel joy, or if they do they feel it for a few days, begin to think they are okay, and then as if by magic because nothings changed outwardly the joy vanishes. this causes even more depression because it feels like it will never end, and they are on a constant up and donw roller coaster of feeling better, good, horrible, repeat process. Those feelings are emotionally devastating because the mind searches for an answer, more stress, and can't find one, because stuff on outside is the same.

Anti-depressants are a modern miracle, a god-send, try and not fear them.

Fearing taking anti-depressants is another issue unto itself, and about 25% of folks dealing with depression have this fear.

Blm, did not have fear, he just had a different point of view, which is a different thing.

Like Doom, you can PM me, have extensive background.

And John, many more people have gone through this than you can imagine, it is a very alone feeling, and many have come out better for it.

If you can try and look at it this way, "It is a dying of the old, an awakening of the new."

Can almost guarantee anyone who has been to the abyss and back is now a new man, right blm.

PS-used you without permission, hoping okay

[blm]

Originally posted by trip
Can almost guarantee anyone who has been to the abyss and back is now a new man, right blm.

PS-used you without permission, hoping okay

Absolutely! It was a long time coming and a really bad moment brought it all to an ugly head. I look at it like this. You may be able to deal or overcome it on your own. However, just like a broken bone needs a cast to help the healing process along "properly and efficiently" sometimes so does your mind. And just like the broken bone if you acccept it and use it to your benefit, you will heal and be mentally stronger than you were. I had to get over the "it's weak minded to need help" frame of mind before I could fully heal. And let me tell you, it helped enormously. I didn't have to stay on the meds forever, some people do and some people "think" they do. I knew within myself, that I just needed some chemical help and guidance (counseling). Turns out I had a nervous break down at the age of 25 and I could not get past the obstacles in my mind on my own anymore. I no longer have the mind set that "people who need help with dealing with their own probelms are weak." The mind is a complex thing and just when you think you are THE man and nothing can phase you or make you break, the world around you and your central nervous system let you know otherwise. Again good luck bro and don't hesitate to seek help when and where it is needed.

And trip...of course it's not a problem.

[MuGGsy]

Thanks guys.. I am writing out some PM's right now, thanks bros.

[trip]

John,

Got your PM and will answer it, suggest though to print out BLM's response above, in a very clear and concise manner he has described the experience for most folks to a T.

For most folks it is a one time event where they come out of it better than ever.

What is happening is that stress and anxiety is building up over time and your central nervous system can no longer handle the stress. Your mind is so strong and has been dealing with the stress for such a long time it THINKS it is doing the right thing.

What happens is that the body finally has to "HEAL THYSELF", what it starts to do is up your cortisol levels, down regulate your test levels and choke off the serotonin.

In essecne the body is trying to make you so gosh darn sick that you finally get the message "this is realy bad, I really need help".

And it is at this point that you start the healing process.

The majority of stress and anxiety comes from believe systems that are no longer working and are not in alignment with reality.

Like BLM said, he thought it was weakmindedness, it's not it is actually the opposite. It takes courage and bravery to change, it is easier to stay right where you are.

Now, blm see's hears and feels life differently. He understands the human need for compassion much more profoundly. He understands that we all struggle, and to lessen the struggle it is not weak to ask for help from others who have walked in the same shoes. And trust, many have walked in those shoes.

Due to the fact blm learned this lesson now, life will be better in the future. He will not waist months, years and sometimes decades avoiding the fact sometimes in life we all need help, all different kinds of help. ( which what this board is all about , we are helping one another by sharing expereinces to better ourselves by reaching toward a goal we desire )

The earlier you learn this lesson in life the bigger the dividends will be in the future.

So, it is hard to see now, yet depression can be one of the most positive expereinces in life. It is a dying of the old and bringing in the new.

John, to express such feelings takes courage, not weakness, of that there is no doubt.

Hoped That Helped
Good Luck

[MuGGsy]

Thank you all again, BLM I appreciate you sharing what you did, it has helped me put me things in reality not the shadows of doubt i was living in

[blm]

Not a problem, occasionally I can drop the smart ass routine and help someone out. ;) Shoot me a PM if ya ever need to.