Depression: Update [Archive]

Barn Babe

06-22-2011, 8:46am

Last week I started a thread that I thought I would regret, but that some good might come out of.

I had been moderately to severely depress for ~3 weeks. I had tried everything that people say to do, with the exception of changing my diet. I just didn't have the energy to go to the store... even though I had been exercising and trying to keep my kids and animals cared for.

I work for a school district and am off for Summer break. Summer is my favorite time of year. I wasted the first 2 weeks just existing. I knew life didn't have to be that way so I called my Psychiatrist to try to get in to see him sooner. The receptionist said they didn't have any openings before my scheduled appointment in July. Of course this started one of my crying episodes so she knew I needed help and said she'd call back if she had any cancellations.

Not knowing what else to do and not feeling worthy of reaching out and burdening anybody I know, I started that knowing there are people here who truly understand depression. I figured if anybody wanted to help me they could. Boy, did you guys reach out! There were posts in that thread that helped immensely, but there were also PM's and phone calls. I keep trying to put into words what that did for me and I can't so I'll just say thanks. Support that comes when it doesn't have to is so important.

A couple of hours later my Doctor's office called back and said they could see me that day. He adjusted my Cymbalta and added Abilify.

Two days later one of the horses died. I still really haven't dealt with that, that's how I handle death though, and it works for me. I haven't truly dealt with my Uncle's death back in 1999. I think of her and I cry on my own time though. Please understand, though, that the true sadness of death is NOT ANYTHING like depression. While I can put true sadness on the back burner until it's convenient for me to deal with, depression is a constant that I can't deal with on my own.

Wow, mostly I started this thread to let anybody who was interested know that I am doing so much better. I feel 90% better and am able to start to enjoy my Summer off! :dance:

I also started this thread because, although there were a normal number of responses, there were 1200+ reads! If just one person who read that thread is dealing with depression PLEASE GET HELP! It's scary and it's hard and you don't feel like you deserve help, but you can get your life back! Even if you have nobody in your life you are a valuable person! Finding a doctor can be hard so call your insurance company and they can help you. If you're thinking of hurting yourself, you can go to the emergency room. You wont be the first person to do that, probably even today somebody is already there getting help.

Thank you to everybody who reached out to me, I am doing so much better and it took very little to get me back to being a person again.

Cliffs: I was depressed. People here supported me. I got help. I'm so much better. Others may be dealing with depression - PLEASE GET HELP.

:hi:

khblair

06-22-2011, 8:48am

:angel: we love you

c6vetteinhouston

06-22-2011, 8:50am

My wife was depressed after the death of her father. She took a very low dose of Zoloff for about 2 - 3 weeks and was better for it. I wish you the best and trust in those who you love and trust in.

...Whitepower...

06-22-2011, 8:50am

:angel: we love you

I love your av.:D

Yerf Dog

06-22-2011, 8:51am

I'm glad you're feeling better! :dance:

Olustee bus

06-22-2011, 8:54am

So glad you are feeling better. Depression is a tough ailment I am sure. I had some problems and I think it was anxiety, not sure could have been mild depression. Started taking Celexa and am afraid to stop taking it. I have taken low doses for 10 years or so.

DropTheTop

06-22-2011, 8:55am

Very glad to read this! :hurray:

http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR2fokw_OrxjssnOB0m01piAgtm1LakCxpcygdgL2RMt4p14Jmk

LATB

06-22-2011, 8:56am

Glad you are doing better Michelle...

I'm sure those close to you see it and love you. Including your animals.

:cheers:

onedef92

06-22-2011, 8:56am

Way to go, BB! When it comes to depression you've got to understand it, treat it, then beat it. We're always here for you. :hurray:

ConstantChange

06-22-2011, 8:56am

Glad you're doing better! :) :dance:

navyndi2

06-22-2011, 8:59am

I'm happy you are feeling better.:yesnod::hurray:

Blademaker

06-22-2011, 9:01am

Truly glad you're doing better.....:)

Barn Babe

06-22-2011, 9:02am

So many people see depression as a sign of weakness. People are also reluctant to take medication. That's what happened to my Uncle back in 1999. Not everybody needs medication and not every medication works the same on everybody.

True clinical depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain. There are doctors who treat hundreds of people for this and there are probably as many treatments.

SteelCityBlue

06-22-2011, 9:05am

not every medication works the same on everybody.
.

Cymbalta wasn't the first med, was it?

Iron Chef

06-22-2011, 9:06am

Does this mean you'll stop spitting in the burritos?

:jester:

Barn Babe

06-22-2011, 9:17am

Cymbalta wasn't the first med, was it?

Oh, heck no. I have been on medications since my early 20's. Every once in a while the medication(s) I'm on will stop working and I will have to change completely. I only started the Cymbalta about a year or so ago but I really like it when it works.

Does this mean you'll stop spitting in the burritos?

:jester:

No, it means I'm going to start. :jester: :jester:

simpleman68

06-22-2011, 9:19am

Way to go, BB! When it comes to depression you've got to understand, treat it, then beat it. We're always here for you. :hurray:

:yesnod: Well said.
Scott

jaxgator

06-22-2011, 9:23am

Wow! What a great post Michele. So happy to hear you are doing much better.

So many people see depression as a sign of weakness. People are also reluctant to take medication. That's what happened to my Uncle back in 1999. Not everybody needs medication and not every medication works the same on everybody.

True clinical depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain. There are doctors who treat hundreds of people for this and there are probably as many treatments.

This. I was diagnosed with clinical depression. Psychiatrist prescribed Zoloft and within 2 weeks I was back to my normal happy-go-lucky self. After about 6 or 7 months I stopped taking it and I have been fine since.

Superstreet

06-22-2011, 9:27am

Wow! What a great post Michele. So happy to hear you are doing much better.

This. I was diagnosed with clinical depression. Psychiatrist prescribed Zoloft and within 2 weeks I was back to my normal happy-go-lucky self. After about 6 or 7 months I stopped taking it and I have been fine since.

That is exactly what I was prescribed and I took it for about the same schedule you did.

So many people see depression as a sign of weakness. People are also reluctant to take medication. That's what happened to my Uncle back in 1999. Not everybody needs medication and not every medication works the same on everybody.

True clinical depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain. There are doctors who treat hundreds of people for this and there are probably as many treatments.

I agree! Everyone is different and everyone handles situations differently. Same with taking or not taking meds to see a psychologist or not.

Been there. Friends helped a lot,but at the end of the day I knew I would be alone and again in the same situation. I set up appointments with a psychologist and he prescribed the appropriate meds. Never did any of that before and it really did help.

So glad that you are feeling and doing better. :angel: You sure have had a lot on your plate. You know we are here for you.

Barn Babe

06-22-2011, 9:29am

Wow! What a great post Michele. So happy to hear you are doing much better.

This. I was diagnosed with clinical depression. Psychiatrist prescribed Zoloft and within 2 weeks I was back to my normal happy-go-lucky self. After about 6 or 7 months I stopped taking it and I have been fine since.
:hurray:That's great! I really don't like being dependent on medication, but I've been told by every psych doctor I've had that I will probably be on them for life. As I said in the other thread, I've been diagnosed as bipolar with an anxiety disorder. When I was pregnant with my first kid I was taken off of the Prozac I was taking. I did great, until the baby came. Instead of postpartum depression, I was blessed with postpartum psychosis. I'd never even heard of that.

It's embarrassing to admit this stuff, but I feel it's important to change that. We need to remove the stigma and maybe some lives can be improved, if not saved.

jaxgator

06-22-2011, 9:31am

:hurray:That's great! I really don't like being dependent on medication, but I've been told by every psych doctor I've had that I will probably be on them for life. As I said in the other thread, I've been diagnosed as bipolar with an anxiety disorder. When I was pregnant with my first kid I was taken off of the Prozac I was taking. I did great, until the baby came. Instead of postpartum depression, I was blessed with postpartum psychosis. I'd never even heard of that.

It's embarrassing to admit this stuff, but I feel it's important to change that. We need to remove the stigma and maybe some lives can be improved, if not saved.

I couldn't agree more.

I only stopped the meds as the psych wanted to see if I could go without them. I was able to but had I not, I would have had no issues taking them for as long as I needed to, even if that was for life.

Chris Fowler

06-22-2011, 9:34am

So glad to hear it.

Need you back to smiling like your avatar. :cheers:

SnikPlosskin

06-22-2011, 9:38am

Thrakk loves Barn Babe.

Iron Chef

06-22-2011, 9:40am

No, it means I'm going to start. :jester: :jester:

Good thing Steven likes the taquitos. :rofl:

Z06David

06-22-2011, 9:51am

Glad you're doing better!

Sea Six

06-22-2011, 9:51am

I'm glad to hear things are working out, Michelle. :angel:

Barn Babe

06-22-2011, 9:53am

Thrakk loves Barn Babe.

Thrakk loves the Barn Babe persona...

I'm nothing like her in real life. :leaving:

jeff w

06-22-2011, 9:57am

Glad you're doing better!

:iagree: :cheers:

BuckyThreadkiller

06-22-2011, 10:07am

Thrakk loves the Barn Babe persona...

I'm nothing like her in real life. :leaving:

You're every bit as blonde...

:jester:

onedef92

06-22-2011, 10:09am

Thrakk loves the Barn Babe persona...

I'm nothing like her in real life. :leaving:

Sure you are. After all, typing's just thinking out loud on a keyboard and shit....:D

Kevin_73

06-22-2011, 10:27am

Michelle,
Glad you are feeling better! :cheers:

Good thing Steven likes the taquitos. :rofl:

Then I suggest you don't ask her what she does with those things! :puke:

Barn Babe

06-22-2011, 10:35am

You're every bit as blonde...

:jester:

:beat:

Flatbush Harry

06-22-2011, 10:36am

Michelle,

Glad you're feeling better...btdt!

Best wishes,

Howard

Barn Babe

06-22-2011, 10:37am

Michelle,
Glad you are feeling better! :cheers:

Then I suggest you don't ask her what she does with those things! :puke:

Thanks and :slap:

Low12s

06-22-2011, 10:42am

Great to hear! As Jimmy Valvano said - Never give up!

CuzzinJack

06-22-2011, 10:44am

Glad you're feeling better ..:dance:

Did you ever try a Reiki Master healer like i recommended a while back on that other site ?..

For those who don't want to , or can't , take the drug route --- maybe try watching a bunch of YT vids -- search Dr Wayns Dyer or Abraham Hicks or Louise Hay ---all good positive stuff ..and you never know ;they may be right for you ...:seeya:

beadist

06-22-2011, 10:44am

So very glad you're feeling better. :yesnod:

nhlgopens

06-22-2011, 11:22am

:thumbs:

Nice to hear you're doing much better. It's amazing the amount of people that deal with both ends of the spectrum; depression > < anxiety.

These forums can be a funny thing. It's such a strong community of friends, some you know well, some you know strictly by their quirky posts and avatars. But in the end, we're all here for attention, compassion, humor and the occasional prayer.

... and so we don't get too deep here, I love blondes. :)

CubSmurf

06-22-2011, 11:44am

Glad to hear you are feeling better!

xXBUDXx

06-22-2011, 11:52am

Glad to hear you are feeling better! :hurray:

nhra_ta

06-22-2011, 11:52am

:hurray:That's great! I really don't like being dependent on medication, but I've been told by every psych doctor I've had that I will probably be on them for life. As I said in the other thread, I've been diagnosed as bipolar with an anxiety disorder. When I was pregnant with my first kid I was taken off of the Prozac I was taking. I did great, until the baby came. Instead of postpartum depression, I was blessed with postpartum psychosis. I'd never even heard of that.

It's embarrassing to admit this stuff, but I feel it's important to change that. We need to remove the stigma and maybe some lives can be improved, if not saved.

I am VERY happy to hear that you are feeling so much better!

I have a close friend that is bipolar. She is pretty severe. I have been with her through some of her darkest moments so I have seen firsthand how bad it can get. I am so happy that you recognized the signs and were able to get help/support/meds quickly.

island14

06-22-2011, 12:02pm

I'm glad to hear that you are feeling better BB.

Serious!

I myself have been there and don't want to talk about it myself.

It was brave of you to come out and talk about it.

From reading your post in the past, You have always seemed like a great lady, and I for one like you as a person.

:cheers:

Bucwheat

06-22-2011, 2:36pm

Things will get better BB,I just know some how. :D

mrvette

06-22-2011, 2:54pm

SnikPlosskin

06-22-2011, 5:36pm

Thrakk loves the Barn Babe persona...

I'm nothing like her in real life. :leaving:

Strange, I see you as a very sweet, loyal, kind person. That Barn Babe chick is a wild one.

Iron Chef

06-22-2011, 5:58pm

OK, so would now be an appropriate time to tell you to get back in the kitchen and make me a pie...

:leaving:

:D

sxeC6

06-22-2011, 6:00pm

OK, so would now be an appropriate time to tell you to get back in the kitchen and make me a pie...

:leaving:

:D

Hell no, that's your job. :rofl:

prospero63

06-22-2011, 6:04pm

YouTube - ‪Ryan Bingham - Depression - Official Live Video‬&rlm;

Barn Babe

06-22-2011, 6:27pm

Hey kid, glad U doing better, GOOD news.....

I went outside and spent a good bit of time in the sunshine today...helps you know....even though 100f and Humidity to match at 90% is a bit much....

my attitude is improved....

from your avatar there you suffer another terminal disease....you maybe never recover......

it's a old swimming pool joke from 1/2 a century ago.....nothing personal unless you want it to be....

:lol::lol::cheers:

:lol: Sadly, I did recover. Anybody who knows me as the person in my avatar doesn't recognize me in real life since I gained about 20lbs... :leaving:

OK, so would now be an appropriate time to tell you to get back in the kitchen and make me a pie...

:leaving:

:D

Sure, just like now would be an appropriate time to tell you to get back to kissing my azz. :slap:

VatorMan

06-22-2011, 6:31pm

Glad things are better today. :yesnod:

DAB

06-22-2011, 6:31pm

OK, so would now be an appropriate time to tell you to get back in the kitchen and make me a pie...

:leaving:

:D

YouTube - ‪MARTHA REEVES & THE VANDELLAS - Nowhere To Run (Shindig 1965‬&rlm;

C5Nate

06-22-2011, 7:27pm

:lol: Sadly, I did recover. Anybody who knows me as the person in my avatar doesn't recognize me in real life since I gained about 20lbs... :leaving:

20 lbs? Small stuff compared to what you have been through, I like a little fluff on a woman anyways.

So glad there are fix's for your symptoms, if it had been 30 years ago, who knows what would be the outcome.

Good to see you can talk about it, not sure I could, even to these guys. :leaving:

kingpin

06-22-2011, 7:50pm

Happy to hear you are taking care of yourself. :cheers:

...and whether or not you gained 20lbs or 50lbs your smile is an addictive one.
Keep it up.

Mike

Me2

06-22-2011, 7:53pm

:lol: Sadly, I did recover. Anybody who knows me as the person in my avatar doesn't recognize me in real life since I gained about 20lbs... :leaving:

I thought you looked pretty damn good when I saw you at the Barn Raising. I didn't see any extra 20 lbs. anywhere.

Burro (He/Haw)

06-22-2011, 8:02pm

Glad your feeling better BB. Thanks for sharing all this. The people here dig you, and want to see you better.

It's embarrassing to admit this stuff
Ridiculous. EVERYONE and I mean ALL OF US are dealing with something. There is zero shame in admitting a problem and getting some help. As a matter of fact, it makes me respect people like you even more.

Furthermore? You're hot. (Too soon??!?) :lol:

Fastguy

06-22-2011, 8:11pm

OK, so would now be an appropriate time to tell you to get back in the kitchen and make me a pie...

:leaving:

:D

I'm down for some pie.

JRD77VET

06-22-2011, 8:12pm

.....

Thank you to everybody who reached out to me, I am doing so much better and it took very little to get me back to being a person again.

......
:hi:

Very glad to hear you're doing better. :hurray:

:seeya: Jeff

Truck Guy

06-22-2011, 8:17pm

:angel: Excellent!:angel:

Zidane

06-22-2011, 8:51pm

Glad you're feeling better!

xXBUDXx

06-22-2011, 8:53pm

Glad you're feeling better!

Zidane has seen me go through it and I turned out just fine. :cheers:

SnikPlosskin

06-22-2011, 9:15pm

Pie please.

Rotorhead

06-22-2011, 9:22pm

Rotorhead

06-22-2011, 9:23pm

Zidane has seen me go through it and I turned out just fine. :cheers:

If that is your help you are screwed. :D

65 Hardnoks

06-22-2011, 10:11pm

For all of you that don't have Clinical Depression, here's a book for you to read: "Darkness Visible" by William Styron.

It's not a long read and you'll get a REAL GOOD idea of how awful serious depression is. :yesnod:

NEED-A-VETTE

06-22-2011, 10:32pm

Missed the first thread, but so glad you're feeling better. *hugs*

Barn Babe

06-22-2011, 10:37pm

Was worried about you BB but didn't really know what to say. What is there to say when someone is fighting depression. Anyways, this thread has brought a bright end to somewhat of a gloomy day.:yesnod:

We love you and here for you to vent if needed.

Jody
Completely understandable and saying the wrong thing can actually be worse than just laying low and saying nothing at all.

Glad your day turned out bright, that's always good, metaphor or not. :)

Barn Babe

06-22-2011, 10:43pm

oyealiz

06-22-2011, 11:30pm

Glad you're feeling better, girl. :)

Barn Babe

06-22-2011, 11:34pm

Glad you're feeling better, girl. :)

Thanks Liz, and everybody else, I really am. :hurray:

oyealiz

06-22-2011, 11:34pm

I thought you looked pretty damn good when I saw you at the Barn Raising. I didn't see any extra 20 lbs. anywhere.

I totally agree. BB is cuter than cute! :yesnod: