Comments on: A personal story about anxiety & depression

By: Mrs. Money

Mrs. Money — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 22:04:31 +0000

Karen, if you have the time, could you email me? I would appreciate it very much! :) .-= Mrs. Money´s last blog ..Blog Action Day 2009 – Climate Change =-.

By: Karen

Karen — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 10:23:20 +0000

@Stephanie – Thank you to much for sharing your experiences with us. I’m glad you found the right medication now, and that you’re doing well. I haven’t heard that taking medication during pregnancy can prevent depression in the baby, but I do know that many doctors recommend continuing medication if the benefits outweigh any risks. I will just have to cross that bridge when I get there. Thanks again for sharing, and take care!

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Thu, 03 Sep 2009 05:51:13 +0000

I just wanted to tell you how lucky you are to have a good dr. and therapist. I was so severely depressed that I didn’t even want to go to the dr. When I did, the meds didn’t work but I didn’t realize it. I was clinically depressed for over 4 years before having a major breakdown and doing intensive outpatient therapy and finding a psychiatrist who gave me a definitive diagnosis.

To Karen regarding dependency. I have taken meds thru all 3 pregnancies. There are new studies showing that taking meds while pregnant and thru the postpartum period decreases the chances of your offspring developing depression. I was still on the “wrong” med while pregnant the 1st time, and you’ll never know how hard it was to tell my dr. that I could possibly hurt my baby even though I didn’t want to. I had to have someone with me 24/7! Please don’t quit without discussing it thoroughly with a doctor.

And to Ros Rodriguez: have you ever had depression or anxiety? If not, please don’t tell those of us that will have to be on meds for life how toxic they are. I KNOW that. I have not tried the therapies you suggested, but if I went off my meds to try them I guarantee my family and myself would fall apart. Possibly so much I would need to be hospitalized. It’s not worth it to me. Do I want to take meds forever? Heck no. But I went undiagnosed for so long that my brain just doesn’t work correctly anymore.

Just some thoughts.
Thanks

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 29 Aug 2009 01:59:48 +0000

Thanks…

By: Tammy S

Tammy S — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:07:42 +0000

This truly made me wonder about myself – thank you for posting.
My husband is frequently telling me to “turn it off” when it comes to my treadmill-running mind. I have just always thought the problem was *him*! Maybe I should re-think my thinking!??
If nothing else, this note should reassure you that it is ok, and you are not alone in your struggle. Best of luck!

By: Melinda

Melinda — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:25:56 +0000

Thank you for posting your story. I could have written this entire post myself – been battling this disease for many, many years now. I went through a phase where I would go off my meds because I felt better/felt guilty/felt weaker for being on them/felt strong enough to be without them. One word of caution – do NOT do this! Don’t ever, EVER stop taking your meds without your doctor’s OK and supervision. When I stopped taking Paxil several years ago (lost my insurance, thought I would be fine without it) – I had the worst withdrawals you can ever imagine. Later found that it’s in the same drug class as heroin, which explained my “detox” experience. Ugh.

Anyway, sorry to babble… :) I’m glad that you spoke up about your struggle, it takes a lot of courage to admit when we need help – be it talk therapy, medications, even inpatient care if necessary. But it is NOT something to be shameful about. Every one of us that speaks up has the opportunity to help de-stigmatize this horrible disease and have others feel comfortable getting help themselves. So – thank you. :)
.-= Melinda´s last blog ..Missing Man – Please help!!! =-.

By: Ros Rodriguez

Ros Rodriguez — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 13:50:54 +0000

Anxiety and depression are two different psychological conditions, both posing a threat to the life and happiness of the people suffering from them. Both anxiety and depression are serious clinical conditions that warrant immediate attention.Chronic conditions of depressions and anxiety are hard to resolve because have been neglected and have therefore progressed. Unfortunately, most of the times depressed people do not recognize their situation as being due to a disease and when they recognize it then they want a magic pill.
Medications are toxics, ok? Take them for a short period of time. Therapy is Ok but takes a long period of time. So what are other options? Emotion Freedom Technique – EFT has been giving amazing results in weeks. Brain State Conditioning makes miracles in days.
Why not have the medication, going to a Brain State Conditioning provider and have the brain waves balanced and learn how to do EFT to self solve more emotional problems. This way you become depression and anxiety free without intoxicating yourself.

By: Brian Dennis

Brian Dennis — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 05:50:46 +0000

Great post, I especially found it useful when you stated that I know this is something that a lot of people face, and I’m sure there are many of you out there who feel like I did. You’re afraid to seek help. You’re afraid to try medication. I want to tell you — don’t be. It won’t change who you are. It doesn’t mean you’ve lost. I lost many years of my life when I should have been happy to these feelings of sadness and fear. Don’t waste another day feeling this way. thanks for sharing that I know taht it took alot to do. I fight depression everyday not wanting to take medication sometimes I jsut wish God would call me home. So what did you take that helped you to cope so much better I have been relying on prayer and faith and some days I get peace but most I come down crashing like I had an energy drink this subject matter is real and there are people who need help thanks for opening up the diolog
.-= Brian Dennis´s last blog ..Uganda: Bunyoro Question – Give Land to All Occupants (AllAfrica.com) =-.

By: Cheryl

Cheryl — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 01:02:44 +0000

This post couldn’t have come at a better time for me. For the past few months I have been battling panic attacks and health anxiety. I just started my first dose of medication last night and start with a new therapist on Monday.

It is comforting to know that there are others battling these issues like me. And that we are all here to support each other.

By: Kirsty

Kirsty — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 00:57:26 +0000

Karen – thank you for telling a story that sheds light on problem many of us share, but are hesitant to discuss. You are truly brave and I believe your story will inspire more than one person to, as I call it, “choose to be happy.” There are so many negative connotations with therapy or medication, but in the end, if you’re miserable all the time and don’t pursue those avenues, you are choosing to lead an unhappy life. You made a courageous choice. Thanks for sharing!
.-= Kirsty´s last blog ..Recipe Wednesday: Whole wheat pasta with shrimp and veggies =-.