Comments on: Types of Depression

By: Elaine

Elaine — Mon, 28 Nov 2011 19:03:26 +0000

Hi,
Since last writing to you, I have had good days and bad days. When I seem to get one health issue solved or modified, I feel some relief until the issue returns and I start to stress about it all over again. Lately, due to my personal situational concerns, I am coping less admirably. I am stressed, anxious, sleeping poorly, and I cry far too easily. I don’t have much interest in holiday preps, so that means they become tasks that I can’t imagine finding the desire/energy to get done. With each day comes something new that I find hard to address, but also I feel better when I can cross things off my lists or find that answer that I was sure would never come. It’s been a lot of ups and downs. However, lately, I wonder why I can’t just accept that I’m fine and I will feel better soon enough. I hate to admit that I am worrying my kids (but I am), and I don’t want to do that. They live out of state, and I think that is a huge part of why I don’t cope well. I love it when they are home, but that is rare and even thinking about them leaving again is a huge hurdle and I don’t handle it well emotionally. I’m sure they are feeling guilty that they can’t stay longer or find ways to make me feel better about the status quo. Ok…so this is rambling. I would go to a therapist tomorrow but my new insurance doesn’t offer ANY mental health coverage. I can’t afford to pay out of pocket for the kind of help that I need. I intend to talk it over with my primary care doctor this week, but like so many have said, will that person know the right approach or meds? Thanks for reading. I don’t assume that I am alone with these issues. And yet, I really want to do better!!

Sincerely,
Elaine

By: Ann

Ann — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 03:45:36 +0000

Paula,

Yes, I definitely think you should go to a psychiatrist. First of all, general practitioners haven’t been trained in prescribing psychotropic medications and chronically under prescribe the dose as well as not know enough to make the best choice of medication. You should see a specialist who has trained specifically in the field and keeps up on the latest drugs. Ask around and try to go to the best one you can find; like in every profession, not all psychiatrists are equally skilled.

It also sounds like seeing a therapist to help you cope with all the difficult changes that have come up recently. Talk therapy along with the right medication is the best way to overcome depression. If you are interested in holistic medicine, acupuncture and homeopathy can also be very useful and can be used along with the medication. Since financial concerns are also a problem, if you have to choose, go with what you have started with, the medications, and find a good therapist. You might check out my brief article on Finding The Right Therapist.

Best of Luck to you!
Ann

By: Paula

Paula — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 03:16:10 +0000

I suffer from major depression and generally my medication brings my symptoms to a managable point. However, over the course of the last 3 years it has gotten to where the medication doesn’t really do much for me any more. There have been major life changes over that period; loss of job, move to a new state, elderly inlaws moved in with us, financial difficulties, and problems with my two boys. I know that the continual “craptastrophies” in my life over the last three years have attributed greatly to where I am in my depression.

I have spoken with my general practitioner regarding upping my medication or altering it, but that is met with reluctance. I am told to get out of the house more often, go for a walk, etc. I don’t feel like going out of doors and I certainly don’t want to deal with meeting anyone. Honestly, I never feel like my G.P. understands, or “gets” what I’m telling her. Would I be better served seeking the assistance of a psychiatrist? I cannot tell you how tired I am of being in this rut and I certainly do not want this to affect my children.

By: Ann

Ann — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 17:51:57 +0000

The best light boxes I know of are made by The Light Box Company in Gaithersburg, Maryland.

The guy who does SAD experiments and research at NIH uses these light boxes, so I know they are safe for the eye. I have used them myself for years. The Light Box Co. also has a help line, can answer questions about the correct use of their light boxes and they are very knowledgeable. They also carry his books, which include an easy self test to determine for sure if you have SAD.

A good therapist can help you be sure you are in the situation depression group and would not be helped by medication. You can also read Beyond Prozac for life style changes, like aerobic exercise everyday that will help no matter what kind of depression you have.

If you decide a therapist would help, let me know if you would like to meet with me.

Good luck!
Ann

By: Elaine

Elaine — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 16:20:56 +0000

Hi,
I am trying to narrow down the reasons why I am a bit lethargic and tense. I believe I’m in the “situational” depression group. However, I also think I suffer from SAD and am wondering where I can find an affordable but good light box. I am in Madison. Thanks for your help. I will be looking to this site for future observations and encouragement.

Elaine

By: Ann

Ann — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 14:06:05 +0000

I agree with you that repeating the pattern is detrimental , and that working with the right therapist for you (see my article Choosing The Right Therapist on this web site) could make a huge difference in your life. I do wonder if clinical depression is part of what is happening to you, and would definitely advise you to have that addressed.

You don’t say what country you are living in, and if you have tried seeing a therapist where you are. If that isn’t the right move and you need to return to your own culture, you could find another city besides Madison to live in. Another option would be to come back to Madison and not visit your family of origin until that would be good for you.

There are lots of reasons why people sabotage themselves. I support you in realizing that you need to get on with understanding what that is for you and overcoming it. I wish you the best in your travels inward! If you decide to come back to Madison and would like to contact me for therapy, I would be happy to meet with you and see if we would be a good team for you. There are many good therapists across the country. You might want to read my short article on this web site called “How To Choose The Right Therapist.” Again, my best to you. Ann

By: Ani

Ani — Sat, 21 Aug 2010 04:27:31 +0000

I’ve struggled with self-esteem and self-worth issues since I was a teenager and have continuously suffered from depression – sometimes mild, sometimes not. After college I left the States to “find myself” and “become stronger” and in some ways I’ve done that. I came to understand myself more deeply and even felt genuine happiness and empowerment for the first time in my life. However, as I got ambitious and trials surfaced so did my doubts and insecurities once again. Now I feel like I’m broken – a splintered soul. I keep reaching up but at some point things always break down and I sabotage myself and my progress; I fall back into destructive habits and patterns such as overeating. A couple of months ago I faced a crisis in which all of this became clear to me and I felt that all the progress I thought I’d made in regards to my issues was a lie and that in reality I’d gone nowhere. I despaired and I got up again, made myself better, but just a few months later and already I’m back at that pit, tinkering at the edge of hopelessness and despair. And this time I’m scared to move forward because every time that I do and then sabotage myself it hurts even more when I end up back here. I feel more and more frustrated with myself and lose a little more hope every time. Another fear is that if I start to feel better I might think I’m ok when really I know I’ll just do something else to end back here so I want no illusions. I have to face this. I have to heal. But I don’t know what to do. Part of me wants to go home (to Madison) and just take time to heal and get help (though I’m afraid because my home environment isn’t the best and the source of some of my problems), and another thinks all I can do is keep living which I enjoy doing here (but with the fear that I can’t heal while doing this since I seem to just be getting in my way every time I’m happy or there is a potential for me to get the things I want).

So I’m stuck. And some moments I can stand it but others I drown in it. I don’t want to drown and completely lose myself. I want to make the decision that will ultimately make me better and will help me heal/overcome/succeed.

I know this is long and I apologize, but if you have any advice I would appreciate it. Since I’m considering going home I was looking into therapists in the Madison area and that’s how I came across your website.

Thank you.

By: Ann

Ann — Fri, 07 May 2010 14:13:44 +0000

Hi Brooke,

It could be both. Your weight does seem like a serious problem, as I am sure others have told you. You could go to an eating disorder specialist or a good psychiatrist to get it sorted out, and then get what ever help you need. You deserve a face to face consultation about this, I don’t want to give you an incomplete answer which is all that I can do over email. If you need help after you have had an interview, I can try to help with the next step.
Best of everything to you.
Ann

By: Brooke Leigh

Brooke Leigh — Fri, 07 May 2010 01:59:38 +0000

Well i’m eighteen, well nineteen monday.
i always feel tired angry and get headaches.
i thought this was caused by depression as my doctor led me to believe but my friend said it might be down to my weight i’m 5ft7 and weigh 107 lbs do YOu think its my weight or depression?

By: Ann

Ann — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 01:46:38 +0000

What comes to mind is Courage. You’ve already shown you have it because you wrote to me — a good first step.

Psychotherapists know the “then what” – they actually have a plan of how to help. You have to choose one and go. I recommend telephone interviews to start figuring out who to go to– check out my article “How To Choose The Right Therapist”. You deserve to be respected right from the beginning interview. You’ll find out more about the person when you go in to see him or her for the first time.

Obviously I think psychotherapy works. I hope you do go and I wish you all the best on your way to having your own life.