what do you do for a living?

[amber]

Originally Posted by strandinthewind

I heard an interesting speaker last weekend who suggested that the reason Americans have more is because commercialism preys on that that. We are constantly told via suggestion that our lives would be better if we had this product, the underlying message being something is wrong with your life. Anyway - food for thought.

Food for thought?! Of course that's true, I've been food for studying that since jr. highschool. It's also the way we successfully spread capitalism to other (underdeveloped) nations, is through TV's Advertising. "buy our ****! You need it! It will make your life better!"

[The Tower]

Originally Posted by sparky

I have had bouts of depression on and off all my life. Sometimes they are like the sniffles and other times they are like the flu. The minor ones are now things I consider normal. Everyone gets bummed out sometimes. But, I have had a few times that were pretty bad. Never did the medication. I just exercise like a madman and go to my shrink twice a week and that seems to kick my ass out of it. The other things that snap me out of it are helping other people and playing with my parrots. Well, that and writing. Great suffering, great art, right ?

As an adult (over 21), I have only had two of these bad times and they were both related to life events.

I sure know a lot of people who take medication these days though. I think it is disturbing and wonder what is up with the epidemic of anxiety and depression. Sometimes I think it is more of an epidemic of people afraid to have negative feelings. There is such a stigma associated with being ANYTHING other than HAPPY all the time. This is not to discount authentic depression because I know that monster and it SUCKS.

I had a MAJOR nervous breakdown and thought I was depressed, but in the end I believe that I wasn't depressed- it was just that my life sucked at the time and only time (and therapy) could cure it.

I think doctors these days way overprescribe anti-depressant medication without proper diagnosis- with disastrous results. I was originally prescribed Effexor which literally froze my mind and body. Getting off that stuff was brutal. My doctor switched me to Lexapro, because the side effects from Effexor were so overwhelming. Lexapro seemed to work at first, but after taking it for awhile I started to feel "off planet" and slightly crazy. When it got to be too much, I just ditched the stuff, which is not good. Coming off that stuff was excruciating. It might have been easier if my medical insurance had not lapsed and I could have worked with my doctor to wean off the medicine (which what you're supposed to do)- but I was absolutely barking stars at the time.

All I can say is that I really feel for people who are unhappy and/or suffer from depression. I feel very lucky to be as happy as I am now. Working with a good therapist is an awesome, awesome experience and I highly recommend it for people who are feeling low.

[eclipse]

Hi all my friends...
I have been reading back on many of these posts and I can honestly say that I can see each side of the medicate/not medicate debate. I enjoyed the broken leg analogy, my doctor expained it very simply. If you are a depressive personality, it is like your brain is wired to feel/become overwhelmed/overly sensitive and negative/frightened/anxious and nervous/ all at once .. it is absolute and very real (at the moment), and it is not an feeling/emotion action that you can talk yourself out of. If it were, I don't think that so many meds would be prescribed- I am in my middle 40's and I am a female- I grew up with the culture of lets try weed-pills-booze-whatever...It was just a step to adulthood in those days (I am not stating that it is correct or acceptable behavior) but...it was what it was. I think it also helped to accept pills as normal behavior. If you have a headache you have 2 choices. 1. Take an aspirin or 2. Wait it out, be in pain and it will eventually go away. I am the Number 1 type thinker. If something is going to make me feel better-Why not?


Anyway this is turning into preaching, and that is not my goal- I just wanted to add that each and every one is different and if something works for a person (whether it is primal screaming- yoga-lexapro-wine-therapists....whatever)
Try and support that your friends need help dealing with issues that for whatever reason you can deal with -without any assistance.
You are lucky...
~~eclipse~~
now I am going to go have a glass of wine and a valium cuz you guys are stressing me out kidding!!

[jannieC]

I too have noticed the overwhelming amount of doctors prescribing anti-depressants these days. Most of the time, your family doctor will prescribe you one if you say you're feeling depressed.

On the one hand, as a psych grad (and someone is hopes to be a therapist), I know that these meds can be life savers for people who are truly clinically depressed. On the other, I feel like we are a society who wants to take the easy way out and pop a pill because we're feeling badly. Psych meds are no joke, and can be very difficult to come off of, which can be very dangerous. Personally, I think a lot of people could do really well with some good old-fashioned therapy occassionally. But who wants to deal with that when you can take a pill to make your worries go away...

[SuzeQuze]

Originally Posted by The Tower

I had a MAJOR nervous breakdown and thought I was depressed, but in the end I believe that I wasn't depressed- it was just that my life sucked at the time and only time (and therapy) could cure it.

I think doctors these days way overprescribe anti-depressant medication without proper diagnosis- with disastrous results. I was originally prescribed Effexor which literally froze my mind and body. Getting off that stuff was brutal. My doctor switched me to Lexapro, because the side effects from Effexor were so overwhelming. Lexapro seemed to work at first, but after taking it for awhile I started to feel "off planet" and slightly crazy. When it got to be too much, I just ditched the stuff, which is not good. Coming off that stuff was excruciating. It might have been easier if my medical insurance had not lapsed and I could have worked with my doctor to wean off the medicine (which what you're supposed to do)- but I was absolutely barking stars at the time.

All I can say is that I really feel for people who are unhappy and/or suffer from depression. I feel very lucky to be as happy as I am now. Working with a good therapist is an awesome, awesome experience and I highly recommend it for people who are feeling low.

Well, there are 2 types of depression, situational and chronic, you had situational. This type goes away after traumatic event passes. I've had both.

As eclipse stated (thank you), the chronic kind is hard wired into your brain. Yes the brain is plastic and you can make changes. But only within reason, within the framework you've been given.

I'm glad that you are feeling good now Tower!

[GateandGarden]

Originally Posted by The Tower

Working with a good therapist is an awesome, awesome experience and I highly recommend it for people who are feeling low.

I couldn't agree more, though I've discovered that good ones can be hard to find. But when you do find them I think it can make all the difference.

[The Tower]

Originally Posted by SuzeQuze

I'm glad that you are feeling good now Tower!

Thank you very much, honey. Becoming a happy person was hard work, but for me it was just like the song

"On a clear day... rise and look around you
And you'll see who you are..."

Clarity is a wonderful thing and I am very proud to be happy after all these years.

Originally Posted by GateandGarden

I couldn't agree more, though I've discovered that good ones can be hard to find. But when you do find them I think it can make all the difference.

I was very lucky. I had been in therapy as a teenager and it was horrible. I just happened to plop into my therapist- the GLBT Center just assigned me to him and it worked out wonderfully. One of the best days was the day I realized that I didn't need to go to therapy anymore. It was an awesome feeling, that's for sure.

[strandinthewind]

Originally Posted by The Tower

. . . I was very lucky. I had been in therapy as a teenager and it was horrible. I just happened to plop into my therapist- the GLBT Center just assigned me to him and it worked out wonderfully. One of the best days was the day I realized that I didn't need to go to therapy anymore. It was an awesome feeling, that's for sure.

Like Bette Davis as Charlotte Vale in "Now Voyager" when she realizes while speaking to her domineering mother "I'm not afraid - I'm not afraid" - I swoon with happiness for her every time I see that scene

[skcin]

Originally Posted by jannieC

I too have noticed the overwhelming amount of doctors prescribing anti-depressants these days. Most of the time, your family doctor will prescribe you one if you say you're feeling depressed.

On the one hand, as a psych grad (and someone is hopes to be a therapist), I know that these meds can be life savers for people who are truly clinically depressed. On the other, I feel like we are a society who wants to take the easy way out and pop a pill because we're feeling badly. Psych meds are no joke, and can be very difficult to come off of, which can be very dangerous. Personally, I think a lot of people could do really well with some good old-fashioned therapy occassionally. But who wants to deal with that when you can take a pill to make your worries go away...

You took the words right out of my mouth, Jannie. Great post!

There are people who are seriously depressed & need meds, whether it be temporarily to get them through a tough time (Brian) or long term for chronic depression (Suze). Then there are people who feel sad, or blah, or whatever so rather than try other methods to make themselves feel better (therapy, exercise, yoga, meditation, whatever) they would prefer to pop a pill. Then they can't figure out why "these pills aren't working."

When I worked psych, some of my patients used to have a bad day & come to us crying "I need a med increase, I need a prn dose, etc." They were always shocked when the psychiatrist would tell them "You know what? It's OK to FEEL something. It's NORMAL to be sad sometimes. It's not always a bad thing!"

You guys used the "broken leg" analogy, I'll use the back pain analogy. It's easier for people to take painkillers than it is to go to therapy, get some exercise, lose weight, stretch daily, learn & use proper body mechanics, etc. Not to say some people don't NEED pain meds for serious injury, but it drives me nuts that my 55 year old FIL can't understand why his back still hurts, even though he weighs over 300 pounds.

IMO, general practitioners should NOT be prescribing antidepressants. Most of their education about these drugs comes from drug companies & medical journals. Mental health is usually NOT their specialty. They should be prescribed in conjunction with some sort of psych eval, whether it be by a therapist, a psychologist, a psychiatrist, someone with specific mental health knowledge. JMO.

[Mad4stevie]

Originally Posted by GateandGarden

I couldn't agree more, though I've discovered that good ones can be hard to find. But when you do find them I think it can make all the difference.

I agree 100%.

I have had both a good one and a bad one. IMO, bad therapists acutally contribute to the problem because they give a false sense that you are getting better/healing, when all you are doing is wasting time and money on someone who just regurgetates what you say instead of providing intelligent insight into problems.

Good therpists don't take any B.S. and will be gently confrontational if you are in denial about issues in your life.

I had been on Zoloft as a anti-anxiety medication. I stopped taking it about 6 months ago because I felt that I was over medicated. My anxiety/depression was situational, and once the situational stressor had been dealt with, there was no longer a need for the medication.

In my opinion, medication should always be coupled with talk therapy. Even if you are on anti-depressants long term due to a chronic depression, therapy does wonders with developing healthy coping skills.

I think people have always had the problems that bring on anxiety and depression. The difference is that in this day and age, it is more acceptable to discuss it. In my parent's generation, you didn't admit any problems to your own family members, and you certainly didn't discuss problems with "outsiders". This very idea kept me from seeking out counseling initially because my parents had always demonized therapy and medication (i.e. you were "crazy"); I had two full blown panic attacks that finally forced me into the doctor and therapist. Now, I am more emotionally healthy than most people in my family

[jannieC]

Originally Posted by skcin

When I worked psych, some of my patients used to have a bad day & come to us crying "I need a med increase, I need a prn dose, etc." They were always shocked when the psychiatrist would tell them "You know what? It's OK to FEEL something. It's NORMAL to be sad sometimes. It's not always a bad thing!"

This is so true. But we don't WANT to feel these things. We're told that we don't have to have these feelings, that we can take medications to numb us out. Please understand that this is not aimed at people who are suffering from true depression or anxiety.

Originally Posted by Mad4stevie

In my opinion, medication should always be coupled with talk therapy. Even if you are on anti-depressants long term due to a chronic depression, therapy does wonders with developing healthy coping skills.

Unfortunately, people or so busy or just don't want to be bothered with therapy. Therapy can be very painful (not saying this as a potential therapist, but as someone who has gone through it), but it's so important to work through the issues that have you struggling. I'm so glad that you were able to get help, panic attacks are absolutely awful.

AnNyway, sorry to ramble about this- it's my passion, though. xo

[Mad4stevie]

Originally Posted by jannieC

Unfortunately, people or so busy or just don't want to be bothered with therapy. Therapy can be very painful (not saying this as a potential therapist, but as someone who has gone through it), but it's so important to work through the issues that have you struggling. I'm so glad that you were able to get help, panic attacks are absolutely awful.

AnNyway, sorry to ramble about this- it's my passion, though. xo

Yes, therapy is painful . . . I have found out that it is easier to go through it knowing that the suffering will eventually be replaced with healthier coping skills. There is freedom in dealing with your own sh*t.

[golddustwoman77]

Originally Posted by Stephanie

Cool! I just might! What year did he graduate? Even though I mainly have practiced in NYC, I graduated from UAB and have lived here for about 9 months now.

He graduated from SCO in 1995. If you go to the Tennessee Optometric Association Conventions for hours or SECO in Atlanta. You have definitely meet him. He is very active in both. His name is Kurt. It will be such a "small world thing," if you know him.

[Stephanie]

Originally Posted by golddustwoman77

He graduated from SCO in 1995. If you go to the Tennessee Optometric Association Conventions for hours or SECO in Atlanta. You have definitely meet him. He is very active in both. His name is Kurt. It will be such a "small world thing," if you know him.

I don't think I know him but I am sure I have seen his pic on a brochure or newsletter or something at some point. I graduated from UAB in 2002. I always get my hours at the PCON symposium in NYC. They are very liberal at counting attendance and I used to live near the site. Now it is a good way to visit my friends.

If he ever needs to pick up easy hours when he is done being prez of the association, that is the best way to go IMO.

[SuzeQuze]

Originally Posted by Mad4stevie

I agree 100%.

I have had both a good one and a bad one. IMO, bad therapists acutally contribute to the problem because they give a false sense that you are getting better/healing, when all you are doing is wasting time and money on someone who just regurgetates what you say instead of providing intelligent insight into problems.

Good therpists don't take any B.S. and will be gently confrontational if you are in denial about issues in your life.

I had been on Zoloft as a anti-anxiety medication. I stopped taking it about 6 months ago because I felt that I was over medicated. My anxiety/depression was situational, and once the situational stressor had been dealt with, there was no longer a need for the medication.

In my opinion, medication should always be coupled with talk therapy. Even if you are on anti-depressants long term due to a chronic depression, therapy does wonders with developing healthy coping skills.

I think people have always had the problems that bring on anxiety and depression. The difference is that in this day and age, it is more acceptable to discuss it. In my parent's generation, you didn't admit any problems to your own family members, and you certainly didn't discuss problems with "outsiders". This very idea kept me from seeking out counseling initially because my parents had always demonized therapy and medication (i.e. you were "crazy"); I had two full blown panic attacks that finally forced me into the doctor and therapist. Now, I am more emotionally healthy than most people in my family

Yes I agree regarding meds and talk therapy and that a good therapist is really important. I had a horrible therapist when I was young and I didn't know it until I got a good one, my current one. Although I think at times she's too easy on me, however, she is extremely insightful and has helped me immensely.

I finally had to get help when I had a breakdown about my impending nuptuals which I could not go through with. I had my first panic attack ever before that and then became extremely depressed. I didn't want to go through my feelings because I never thought I'd come through the other side, but I did. I had to hit bottom first though unfortunately.

And yes people have always had problems with depression and anxiety but it really is getting worse. I too am healthier than most (all) of my family.