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Claire-hill, I too am a tee-totaller. I find that my worst day sober is
far less unstable than many of my drinking days -- which I considered the norm in those days!
posted by
kingmi
on February 2, 2007 at 6:29 PM
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Nickie-flemming, thank you for commenting.
posted by
kingmi
on February 2, 2007 at 6:26 PM
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I've been on antidepressants and mood stabilisers for about three years now, and they help me. The biggest help has been psychotherapy - I did CBT, which has helped me to become a more positive person. I will stay on medication long term, possibly for the rest of my life, as I am completely unstable without it. My mother - who did not raise me - also had mental health problems, but medication and counselling didn't help her, and she killed herself.
The problem with the criteria for depression etc is that there are only a few categories in which to fit people, so individuality cannot be taken into account. It is quite possible that my mother and I would share the same diagnosis (although I don't know what her diagnosis was) but the way we handle it marks the difference out between us. She gave up, leaving behind five children. I did not give up, and took every chance to improve my life - counselling, changes in diet, complete abstinence from alcohol, giving up smoking - and I help myself to cope with these small actions. I know my depression is likely to always be there, but I make the best of the good times, and try not to give myself a hard time when I need to stay in bed.
Medication is not the answer for everyone. Some become dependent, expect it to be a cure-all. But they are not. They can help so far, but the rest is up to the individual.
posted by
ClareHill
on January 31, 2007 at 1:50 PM
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Luckily (for me) I've never needed anti-depressants. I tend to see life in a positive way, and this helps a lot. I seldom worry. I always think 'Tomorrow is another day' (famous last words of Scarlet O'Hara). And writing also helps. You can write down what bothers you and then you see it in a different light. Sometimes you find the solution.
posted by
Nickie-Fleming
on January 31, 2007 at 1:29 PM
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Jadelynn, thank you for telling your story.
posted by
kingmi
on January 30, 2007 at 8:16 PM
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I've had experience.
I took anti-depressants for four or five years. While my depression wasn't severe, I would have days when I didn't want to get out of bed, where I would cry all the time. Perhaps I was just severely unhappy, but taking anti-depressants, especially when I was on Prozac, allowed me to keep up with my schoolwork and be relatively happy. I eventually decided that I wanted to try to go off it; I've been off for about a year, and while I still have random crying spells and days that I don't want to get up, I have also learned effective coping strategies that allow me to stay off the Prozac. I think arguments can be made both for and against medication; I myself have had both good and bad experiences with it.
posted by
Jadelynn
on January 30, 2007 at 5:54 PM
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Good informative post .
posted by
afzal50
on January 30, 2007 at 7:44 AM
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posted by
blogflogger
on January 29, 2007 at 6:50 PM
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posted by
blogflogger
on January 29, 2007 at 6:26 PM
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blogflogger, thanks!
posted by
kingmi
on January 29, 2007 at 6:25 PM
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Kingmi, whatever works. I think medication is a useful adjunct to therapy
Some struggle with hard issues, and for Mercy's sake, use whatever is available, but medicatioin alone is not the answer. Therapy is essential and good, supportive, compassioinate therapy is also essential. You're a good teacher to be so caring.
posted by
blogflogger
on January 29, 2007 at 6:24 PM
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