1) Somethings lost can never be found! When you start losing your mind parts of it hide from you so well that you can't find them again!
2) People in your life around you can actually be more in denial of your condition than you are!
3) If you speak one coherent normal sentence in a 24 hours period it's taken as a sign that you are miraculously well and can function normally again!
4) Some people are dysfunctional enough to ask YOU for advice!
5) A psychiatrist sees you for 15 minutes, (doesn't really care why you are there) and only asks you how you are to see if "you" think your medicine is working!
6) Said psychiatrist gets a minimum of $800.00 for that 15 minutes and the privilege of getting your opinion on your medication.
7) A psychologist draws a minimun of $200.00 to tell you that your ideas are unrealistic and you should understand that and talk yourself down from "those kinds of thoughts".
8) Said psychologist at least gives you 45-50 minutes to an hour of their time for that money.
9) When you ask the psychiatrist if something you are doing is indicative of your condition or something else you need to worry about they tell you that different people with the same illness have different symptoms and that might be "normal" for you.
10) Normal is the setting on a close dryer and does not apply to people.
The biggest thing I've learned while losing my mind is that having a strong support system (family and friends that do believe you and do understand there is something wrong) are worth more than a thousand medical experts. Those people that drop everything they are doing to listen to you, talk to you, offer their "free" advice even though they don't have a degree, can be the difference between life and death. I'm not saying you should always take their advice, but I am saying, don't shut those people out, they are every bit as crucial to your healing as the doctors and the medication, maybe even more so! And they are worth their weight in gold.
We are all abnormal in some of our ways. What I've written is not to discourage anyone that is having emotional or mental problems of any kind from seeking medical help. It's just some revelations I've had since having my breakdown in June of 2008 and being diagnosed as bi-polar.
The things I've learned while losing my mind are, if you don't feel like you are getting the help and support from the psychiatrist or psychologist you are seeing, find someone else. Medication does help and it takes time to get the right kind and the right combination and of course the right dose. DON'T GIVE UP! It also might take you some time to find the "right" doctor. Don't let them lead you into telling them what you need. Tell them your symptoms, all of them, and make them do the job they are being paid to do. If you have problems with the medications, no matter how trivial they may seem, tell them. If you have concerns about your treatment, tell them!
I realize all doctors are busy and see many patients but if you don't feel like your doctor is "hearing" you, then find someone who will listen and will answer your questions and concerns. The point is, it's your health, your mental and physical well-being and you are important, you matter, take care of yourself and find the right doctor to help you on your road to recovery. Then come back and share some of your revelations with me :)
Showing posts with label bipolar. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bipolar. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Depression: Sadness or Sickness
Millions of people suffer from depression. How do you know if you are clinically depressed or depressed from outside influences?
There are many "reasons" for depression: loss of a loved one, traumatic injury, long term illness, loss of wages, bills, car troubles, marital troubles, etc. the list goes on and on.
Generally, when people suffer from depression due to outside stimulus, it is moderate to short term in length and usually goes away with time and change in circumstances. Sometimes even when there are good reasons for depression a person may have to go on medication for a short time.
How do you know when it's sadness or sickness? How do you know if it's external circumstances or internal (clinical)?
Mild short term depression is described as a depressed "mood". As you might be in a good mood, a pensive mood, a reflective mood etc. Most people experience a depressed "mood" at some point in their lives, sometimes many times but as stated earlier, these usually go away with changes in circumstances or the absolving the problem that caused the depressed "mood" to begin with. Sometimes just talking things over with a friend or loved one can alleviate the sadness.
Clinical depression or major depression differs greatly from a depressed "mood". Clinical or major depression causes a person to have low self-esteem, to lose interest in activities or things that previously were important to them. The list of symptoms can vary from mild to acute. Some people are so clinically depressed that they don't care about their hygiene, they don't eat well or sleep well. The depression affects not only their home life, but also their work life and their normal day to day living routines. A depressed person may withdraw from friends and activities that they previously were actively involved in. They may start sleeping more or hardly sleeping at all. They may develop eating disorders such as over-eating, or hardly eating at all. They may express or think they just aren't themselves anymore. Major depression generally lasts at least two weeks or longer and re-occurs.
There are also different types of depression; clinical, manic, bi-polar, unipolar etc. I'm not covering all types in this blog, just an over view with some suggestions if you think you might be suffering from depression and feeling out of sorts.
If you feel depressed, here are a few tips to help you decide
1) Don't self-diagnose, do pay attention to how long you have been feeling depressed and the other thoughts and feelings you are having along with it.
2) Don't be afraid to seek help, even if you think you are "just sad", talk to your doctor, let him/her help you decide what is best for you.
3) Don't buy in to the hype that depression medicines are addicting and will make you worse.
4) Don't be afraid the doctor is going to have you locked up just because you are having these feelings.
5) If you do go on medication and you feel worse or see no change, tell your doctor immediately. (Especially if you start or are having thoughts of suicide). The first medication a person tries isn't always the one that will work for them. There are many many medications and every person is different. Some medications CAN make you feel worse that's why its so important to stay in touch with your doctor and let them know the changes you feel.
6) Don't let yourself feel or let others make you feel that you are inferior or crazy because you are depressed or because you have to take medication.
7) Don't stop taking your medication on your own just because you feel better. Chances are the reason you are feeling better is because the medication is doing it's job. Never stop taking anti-depressants without your doctor's consent. Always take the medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Starting and stopping anti-depressants can be detrimental to your health.
Depression is as real a sickness as cancer, arthritis or any other visible illness, except depression is not as widely accepted as other "sicknesses". Many people don't understand and don't appreciate clinical depression for what it is. The word depression has been thrown around so much that most people believe it is just a state of sadness that you can overcome by just "getting it out of your head and determining to be happy". They don't understand that there is a real actual physical cause for major depression. Clinical depression is linked to a missing chemical in the brain. This is where medication is so important to try and regulate those missing chemicals. Therapy is usually recommended also but not always. There can be traumatic situations in your life that have brought about this depression also, another reason you need to consult a doctor and be very honest with them about how you are feeling, what changes you have made in your life and what is going on with your thoughts and feelings.
More people, especially employers in the work force need to be educated on the importance of dealing with employees with clinical depression. Those that can maintain their daily lives are trying very hard to do that and understanding from employers and co-workers goes a very long way in helping them deal with the depression.
For so many years the term, "oh he/she is just depressed, they'll get over it", has been the rule of thumb. Basically, "ignore it and it will go away". Now we know this isn't necessarily true and needs to be addressed more to the public so that everyone is made aware of how serious an illness depression truly can be.
There is hope. With the proper diagnosis, medication and even therapy the situation can become better.
There are many "reasons" for depression: loss of a loved one, traumatic injury, long term illness, loss of wages, bills, car troubles, marital troubles, etc. the list goes on and on.
Generally, when people suffer from depression due to outside stimulus, it is moderate to short term in length and usually goes away with time and change in circumstances. Sometimes even when there are good reasons for depression a person may have to go on medication for a short time.
How do you know when it's sadness or sickness? How do you know if it's external circumstances or internal (clinical)?
Mild short term depression is described as a depressed "mood". As you might be in a good mood, a pensive mood, a reflective mood etc. Most people experience a depressed "mood" at some point in their lives, sometimes many times but as stated earlier, these usually go away with changes in circumstances or the absolving the problem that caused the depressed "mood" to begin with. Sometimes just talking things over with a friend or loved one can alleviate the sadness.
Clinical depression or major depression differs greatly from a depressed "mood". Clinical or major depression causes a person to have low self-esteem, to lose interest in activities or things that previously were important to them. The list of symptoms can vary from mild to acute. Some people are so clinically depressed that they don't care about their hygiene, they don't eat well or sleep well. The depression affects not only their home life, but also their work life and their normal day to day living routines. A depressed person may withdraw from friends and activities that they previously were actively involved in. They may start sleeping more or hardly sleeping at all. They may develop eating disorders such as over-eating, or hardly eating at all. They may express or think they just aren't themselves anymore. Major depression generally lasts at least two weeks or longer and re-occurs.
There are also different types of depression; clinical, manic, bi-polar, unipolar etc. I'm not covering all types in this blog, just an over view with some suggestions if you think you might be suffering from depression and feeling out of sorts.
If you feel depressed, here are a few tips to help you decide
1) Don't self-diagnose, do pay attention to how long you have been feeling depressed and the other thoughts and feelings you are having along with it.
2) Don't be afraid to seek help, even if you think you are "just sad", talk to your doctor, let him/her help you decide what is best for you.
3) Don't buy in to the hype that depression medicines are addicting and will make you worse.
4) Don't be afraid the doctor is going to have you locked up just because you are having these feelings.
5) If you do go on medication and you feel worse or see no change, tell your doctor immediately. (Especially if you start or are having thoughts of suicide). The first medication a person tries isn't always the one that will work for them. There are many many medications and every person is different. Some medications CAN make you feel worse that's why its so important to stay in touch with your doctor and let them know the changes you feel.
6) Don't let yourself feel or let others make you feel that you are inferior or crazy because you are depressed or because you have to take medication.
7) Don't stop taking your medication on your own just because you feel better. Chances are the reason you are feeling better is because the medication is doing it's job. Never stop taking anti-depressants without your doctor's consent. Always take the medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Starting and stopping anti-depressants can be detrimental to your health.
Depression is as real a sickness as cancer, arthritis or any other visible illness, except depression is not as widely accepted as other "sicknesses". Many people don't understand and don't appreciate clinical depression for what it is. The word depression has been thrown around so much that most people believe it is just a state of sadness that you can overcome by just "getting it out of your head and determining to be happy". They don't understand that there is a real actual physical cause for major depression. Clinical depression is linked to a missing chemical in the brain. This is where medication is so important to try and regulate those missing chemicals. Therapy is usually recommended also but not always. There can be traumatic situations in your life that have brought about this depression also, another reason you need to consult a doctor and be very honest with them about how you are feeling, what changes you have made in your life and what is going on with your thoughts and feelings.
More people, especially employers in the work force need to be educated on the importance of dealing with employees with clinical depression. Those that can maintain their daily lives are trying very hard to do that and understanding from employers and co-workers goes a very long way in helping them deal with the depression.
For so many years the term, "oh he/she is just depressed, they'll get over it", has been the rule of thumb. Basically, "ignore it and it will go away". Now we know this isn't necessarily true and needs to be addressed more to the public so that everyone is made aware of how serious an illness depression truly can be.
There is hope. With the proper diagnosis, medication and even therapy the situation can become better.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)