For those with Depression

[hyphenate]

Have you been a victim of clinical depression since the asshole won the presidency? Or did you have it before that?

I'm just trying to gauge whether there is a larger percentage of depression among the general populace because of this administration, or whether it is a factor at all.

And I don't mean just "depressed"--I'm talking major depressive disorder as a true, mental illness.

In my own case, this is my second incident with clinical depression, as the first time was 12 years ago. Mine didn't start with this presidency, but I'm sure that it certainly hasn't helped. Things still aren't right, even 3 years into treatment.

[idgiehkt]

1. I've had it on and off since childhood

I've had a bad one since 2003 but I am really busting my behind to come out of it. I've been on and off those anti depressant pills and lithium since I was about 21 or 22. The last time I went on them I had been meditating an hour a day every day and as soon as I started on them I could no longer meditate so I said screw it, never again.

I think it's a much harder economy right now and that just makes it worse. I do have things I can do to make it better for myself like working out...if I don't do that I am twice as miserable. I know mine this time has to do with being around my family for the first time since I left home when I was 19, all this childhood crap I hadn't really dealt with and had forgot about. But I think that I understand it alot better and it's finally sifting into the past now whereas before it was just buried, but it was still there.

I am sorry to hear you are struggling so hard. I know once things get 'off' it's hard to get them back right sometimes. Try to be around supportive people and don't waste time on happy go lucky motherfuckers who are judgemental because they've never experienced clinical depression. Life is too short.

[hyphenate]

10. I'm glad that things are working

out better for you. It sounds as though getting everything out in the open is more conducive to a healing...when the truth is shown in the light, there is no way for it to hide anymore. And since it is there to see, it isn't as scary as it was when it was in the dark.

As for myself, I am on antidepressants, but I'm honestly not sure how much of an impact they're having, or have had, on me. The problem now, though, is that they cause such horrific side effects on withdrawal, and while I need to stay on them, going off is almost as big a pain as being on them. My biggest problem right now is the complete and utter exhaustion I suffer, and whether it's there from the depression or the Chronic Fatigue is not clear. If I overdo what I'm able to do on a given day, I'm pretty much laid up for the whole next day or more. When we went camping, it was nearly three whole days before I could get out of the bed and stay out of it for longer than a couple of hours. That puts a kibosh on a lot of things I would love to be able to do, but know that if I do, I've got a completely "down" day on the next.

[knowbody0]

2. i didn't get depressed until I crashed 4 years ago.

counseling allowed me to peel away the layers of defense I had built up around myself, and that's when I got REALLY depressed.
Often I wish I could get back on that hamster wheel of oblivion again, but it's too late now. the drugs keep me from screaming but not from wanting to scream, I hate flat lining.

[hyphenate]

11. I'm glad you have some support

in counseling. I had that going on, too, but my guy went on to a new job, and I never felt up to continuing on with a different one.

As far as screaming is concerned, I hold a pillow to my face get my breath and scream into the pillow as long and as loudly as I can. Then I feel better.

[last_texas_dem]

3. I haven't been diagnosed with depression

but I'm pretty certain I've lived with a mild level of it throughout my life, well at least since my early teens. The reason I say "mild" is that it's pretty much always been the kind of depression where when I get down I just don't want to go out into the world, just sleep a lot, just wish I could withdraw from everything, etc., not the type where I feel suicidal or violent or anything of that sort. (I hope I haven't offended anyone with that simplistic assessment of depression; it's just based on my, perhaps misinformed, interpretation of how it can effect people.) For me, most of it stems from my high levels of social anxiety that have had a major effect on how I view myself; depending on the circumstances in my life at different times, the depression worsens, but it seems to never fully disappear altogether.

As for Shrub being in there and its effects, well it's been complicated for me. Him getting in there in the first place actually didn't depress me that much; it actually really pissed me off and angered me and got me interested in doing whatever I could to get rid of him. After '04, when it seemed the country had actually chosen to keep the monster as "fearless leader", and after I'd worked for an organization endorsing Kerry to help kick Shrub out, was when the depression seemed to really come. It's been quite difficult to try to make myself feel the same confidence about changing things that I felt before that election, and I'm not sure if I, or so many others, will ever feel the same way again.

[Porcupine]

5. That's dysthimea. (sp?) I'm there too.

I've taken most of the pills and they do nothing for me except bloat me and give me silly side effects. Zoloft gave me priapism while I was depressed; figure out how to deal with THAT.

Exercise, sunlight, fresh air. Stay out of buildings as much as possible no matter the weather and you'll do OK.

[last_texas_dem]

7. That's interesting

I hadn't heard that term before, but it seems to fit what I deal with pretty well. I actually went to the doctor and had some anti-anxiety meds prescribed a few months back, but I stopped taking them after just a couple of days when I read about some of the potential side effects; I decided they weren't worth it. I remember reading about the potential priapism, and thinking that was a hell of a symptom to have someone already depressed or dealing with social anxiety have to deal with! Your advice makes sense; I definitely feel better when I get outside and exercise, although I still don't do it as much as I ought to. Thank you for your post.

[YankeyMCC]

20. This is an interesting discussion

I suspect I'm in the same boat. It's probably very silly of me not to have gone to the doctor to find out for sure if I have anything clinical but I've always felt much as you describe with certain periods being worse than others. And each time I look into what true clinical depression is on my own it seems I don't really met the mark so I try and just carry on.

And I will say that the exercise and fresh air is very good advice. I've been going through a pretty difficult patch these last few years, the current political and cultural situation is a likely contributor but so are certain things in my personal life, but at the same time I started a serious exercise regime and gotten out into the wild a lot more and that has seen me through so far. I cling to my exercising and my hikes like a drowning man to a life preserver.

[hyphenate]

13. I agree with the possible

diagnosis of dysthymic disorder. You might also want to check out the website http://www.mentalhealth.com for more information. The site is wonderful. I've used it as a resource many, many times over the years, and it is clear and informative.

Good luck. I would also like to say that your primary doctor can help out as well. They can prescribe an antidepressant if necessary, and follow up with you on that. Believe me, if it weren't for that, I would not have been able to get beyond my bedroom over the past three years.

[Haole Girl]

4. No offense, but I don't think we qualify as the general populace

Just an observation. ;-)

[hyphenate]

14. Eh!

Closest thing I've got. Unless I had the money to have Zogby or another group like them to run a poll. :)

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

6. I was clinically depressed since childhood

It was the setup for me becoming a raging alcoholic.

The funny part is, I was finally able to put the bottle down and walk away from it on my own steam. I was still depressed, but my victory made it easier to fight it, and I eventually beat it. I'm actually doing great these days, and for the first time in my life I feel like I am in the right place at the right time.

Funny how things can turn around if you just take hold of your psyche. (I know, MUCH harder to do than it sounds- it took me all of fifty years.)

[hyphenate]

15. Congratulations

on getting off alcohol. My sister is still an alcoholic, but I think that the recent death of our adoptive brother, Richie, from alcoholism and smoking (at the age of 43), scared her to a degree. The one thing she refuses to do is go to a doctor, when she should. She has, in the past, been completely out of control, and no amount of concern or worry on the part of others has helped. But since Richie's death, she's been taking care of mom, and I think it has been good for her in that way--giving her stability for the first time in a long time.

As far as shaking off the depression, I agree that sometimes it's a matter of forcing yourself to do exactly what you don't want to do. Personally, I would try to do more, except for the fatigue, which prevents me from doing things that might help otherwise. It's a vicious circle that somehow needs to be broken, but how, I'm not so sure.

[undeterred]

8. Activism has cured my depression

It started when I lost my job in Mar 2001 and it took me over a year to find another one. I realized that the only family I have didn't think my financial problems were their concern and neither did the government. No safety net. No health insurance to treat depression.

I am on my feet now and trying to cure my country. If this had happened to someone in Australia or Canada, they would have at least had a soft place to fall.

[hyphenate]

16. I agree

We really need some standards here to help people who can't afford to get the care they need. When I was in California, I had a very difficult time, especially when I had my heart attacks. I had just run out of insurance and COBRA, and running to the ER every time I had a major angina attack was terrible. I tried to get Medi-cal, but I couldn't--they said I wasn't "disabled" and that was that. Since I was essentially destitute, I eventually managed to shake off any further financial obligations, though.

When I moved back to Massachusetts, I was able to get Masshealth, which has helped enormously. And when my disability kicked in, I lost my Masshealth, but qualified for the hospital "free care" program. So I have been able to get the medical attention I need, since I've got my hands filled with chronic conditions and worse (diabetes, CFS, FMS, heart problems, arthritis, etc.)

I wish someone had been there for support for you, though. It's difficult enough dealing with depression and other illnesses, but to go it alone is very hard indeed.

[sipsake]

9. Fellow sufferer

I've struggled with depression for over twenty years now. Major clinical depression with disthymia.

Politics hasn't been much of a factor in the depression. Although, now that I think about it, my first depressive episode was under Reagan, my first hospitalization was Bush senior and my last was...Dubya. OH MY GOD! Republicans have destroyed my life!

Nah...there were some problems during the Clinton years as well.

I'm sorry you're going through this. Depression is a real bitch. Medication and Therapy are pretty much the only way I've escaped from major depressive episodes.

While the Zoloft does affect my libido and can cause problems with ED, my wife still swears it's the greatest thing since aspirin. Which is good since it's probably going to be a lifetime medication.

I hope you've got the help and support you need. Effective treatment is out there and more is being discovered. It can be tough finding a medication and dosage that works.

Exercise and sunshine are great ways of fighting it, but don't be afraid of seeking help if you need it.

Best of Luck!

[hyphenate]

17. Best of luck to you, too!

I'm "managing" I guess. I have been on this particular antidepressant now for two years, and the psychiatrist keeps me on a tight lease, seeing me every three months. There seem to always be "emergencies" or crises that exacerbates things once in a while--the death of my adoptive brother, euthanizing my oldest kit, Jessica, and breaking up my oldest and dearest friendship--and which certainly make me wonder at those times if staying around is worth the bother. But I also know that I have some obligations and need to stay around for them, and I guess I'm just not the suicidal type.

I would get out more, but climbing up and down the stairs is an effort, and I guess I am just not determined enough to do it as often as I should! I also couldn't go out much during the summer because of some medications and my skin being so sensitive. My brother, who was/is as fair as I am, has already had cancerous lesions removed from his skin, and I don't want to go through that. We're very pale and "blonde" with very little ability to tan, only to burn.

[Cannikin]

12. I've had some problems since one of the SOTU addresses

thats embarrassing to admit.

[Blue_Tires]

18. before

long before, and it still continues

of course, this administration hasn't exactly helped, either

[yellowdogintexas]

19. My acute depression occurred ironically during the Clinton years

my stresses were piling up higher than my psyche could handle, particularly on the work front. Treatment and counseling ultimately led me to change jobs and do some other proactive things. Life is so much better now.

Zoloft really pulled me through. I developed a tolerance for it and dr moved me to Celexa, and ultimatly to Effexor. I suppose I should add here that clinical depression runs heavily in my dad's maternal line: Granny had it, a couple of her siblings had it and my dad ultimately was a suicide. So I didn't want to mess around with the potential there.

The Effexor has been fantastic. I feel certain if I weren't on a med, I would be in the hole, emotionally with the ** administration and all its evil. Bonus on the Effexor: my life long war with IBS is now an occasional skirmish. Nothing has ever gotten that stuff down to managable. Doc says there are two different activators in this drug as opposed to only one in the other meds.

Instead of depression re: the last 6 years I have a ton of anger and total non belief that people can sabotage themselves so throughly by voting for these crooks.

[ChickMagic]

21. Oh my goodness, yes.

I was hospitalized when I was young for my depression.
I spent my 21st birthday there. It's a long story
dealing with the death of my brother and being blamed
for it (to this day).

Since 2000 I've been experiencing depression, anxiety,
and was even hospitalized with a perforated stomach
ulcer.

I can't wait for this nightmare to be over.

[schmuls]

22. I've had clinical depression in varying degress as far back as I

can remember. As far as asshole - he makes me MAD rather depressed!