How to deal with depression?

Parent Cafe
1

<p>I’m a junior (college) who’s recently been diagnosed with depression. In retrospect, I’ve probably had depression since Gr. 10. However, the symptoms were very severe this year and I had to drop my classes for this term. I’m going on medication soon after one more meeting with my doctor. </p>

<p>I’m wondering if anyone has had experience with depression. In particular, does anyone fully recover, if so how long would it take? I’ve lost the ability to see solutions to problems (most mathematical) and it’s hurting me academically.</p>

2

<p>Nicole, I want to applaud you for taking the first, difficult steps for dealing with your depression. </p>

<p>I tried going off of medication many times, never successfully. I have now been on medication for over ten years…and my life is wonderful. I feel sorrow as everyone does but I also feel joy. I consider myself in recovery from my depression, with the help of medication. As you know, not everyone needs medication for life.</p>

<p>Please, take good care of yourself. You are in a difficult place and it will get better.</p>

3

<p>^
Thanks, PMK. I have a few questions regarding your recovery. </p>

<ol>
<li>Which medication did you use? </li>
<li>How long did it take for the medication to kick-in? </li>
<li>Have you noticed any psychological changes (apart from mood) associated with taking your medication? I’m very interested in graduate school but I’m afraid that taking medication will interfere with my creative thinking.</li>
</ol>

4

<p>I would recommend a course of psychotherapy along with the medication. Therapy can help you regain the ability to see solutions and help you to manage your depression more effectively.</p>

5

<p>Both my kids suffer from depression, and both take meds “for life”. I know you’re looking for specific answers, and I wish they were easy to come by, but the fact is no one else’s experience will be the same as yours. Medications work differently for different people–some have to try several meds or combinations of meds before they find something that is effective. Side effects vary by individual, too. Do some research, and ask you doctor all your questions. If I were you I certainly wouldn’t speculate right now about theoretical effects on your creativity. The first priority is to get well. Worry about the rest later. Wishing you all the best.</p>

6

<p>I think it’s exceedingly unlikely that depression meds will mess with your creative thinking. If anything, they should improve it – depression itself can cause significant mental deficits.</p>

7

<p>Hi - I also suffer from depression and have done so for several years. As well as getting the right drugs (and to me, a drug that interferes with your creative thought processes is not the right one) it is important to use other ways to manage your condition.</p>

<p>Eating properly is important. I know you may not feel like it, but if you can eat healthy wholesome meals when you do feel like eating, then this will help. Take vitamins and mineral supplements too. Omega fish oils help with brain function too. Make sure you exercise - it doesn’t have to be crazy though. I live in London now and I often cycle to work and it makes me feel so much better to be out in the fresh air - and it is part of my day, not another thing I have to do, which is always how I thought about the gym. </p>

<p>One thing that has improved my mental health is yoga and meditation, and practising mindfulness. All of these things help you focus on the here and now, and to stop ‘thinking’ and ‘processing’ - it gives your brain a break and this does make you feel better. One of the central ideas of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is to understand that what is in your head is only a ‘thought’ - its not real. Real is what is in front of you right now, not what is in your head. But these thoughts are what affect your mood - and your mood then affects your thoughts…a vicious circle. </p>

<p>Meditation and yoga help with this mindfulness and it does take practice. It is also not something to attempt if you are feeling very low and I would advise taking your medication and allowing it work on your mood before starting CBT or any kind of mindfulness practice. Yoga however, is relaxing and is also exercise so I would recommend a beginners course …</p>

<p>If you are religious or have a faith, then this is also something to practice too. I come from a Christian (Anglican) background and am rather agnostic - but when meditating I feel such a sense of calm, acceptance and love I think I understand what Christians mean when they talk about God and the Holy Spirit…</p>

<p>I hope this helps. It helped me and a couple of my friends - but of course, there are different paths to wellness for us all </p>

<p>Good luck - it DOES get better :)</p>

8

<p>I, too, have long suffered from depression. It probably started in early HS, but I didn’t get treated for it until my later 20s. I applaud you for seeking help now. My HS and college years are best forgotten as a result of my illness.</p>

<p>If you are already in therapy, stick with it while on meds. I saw a therapist while getting meds from a psychiatrist. It helped a lot as there were a number of underlying issues associated with depression, mostly in how I related to other people. Latest research says that meds combined w/talk therapy have the best results.</p>

<p>I’m probably one of those who is on meds for life, but that isn’t as bad as it sounds. My concentration is better, I’m more able to deal with the minor “down” feelings when they happen, and I definitely get on better with people. Getting regular exercise helps me get through the not-so-good times. I look at depression as just another chronic illness that requires long term treatment.</p>

<p>There are a number of different meds and the side effects differ. You may have to try a couple to get what works for you. It will take 2-4 weeks for any changes to show, but one day soon I hope you will be able to stop and say to yourself, “Wow. I feel really good.” It is truly the most wonderful feeling in the world.</p>

<p>take care.</p>

9

<p>My son was diagnosed with depression in college. He too had to drop classes when he got to points he just couldn’t function. Now he seems the “best” he has been in years—looking back he too was probably depressed in high school years but had family around to buffer for him and help with stress. He tried many different medications and was really feeling like this would be his life and nothing would ever work. Finally in May he started a new one and it has been great—no side effects, mood evened out, handles stress much better and able to focus much better. Don’t get discouraged if your first med is not “the one”, it truly is trial and error. Be honest with your doctor about how you are responding, both positively and negatively.</p>

10

<p>Nicole,
A problem with depression is that finding the right medication or combination of medications is something that varies person to person. As was the norm at the time, I started with Paxil and that worked quite well for me for many years. Since then I’ve been on a number of different meds, some worked, some didnt. Typically it takes a couple of weeks to start to feel more myself. </p>

<p>I found that depression clouded my thinking, including my creative thinking. Depression simply made my thinking too fear-based. I’ve come to believe the idea that artists must “suffer” more than the average person to be both dangerous and, luckily, incorrect.</p>

11

<p>Nicole - I also suffer from depression. Luckily, the first medication I tried worked well for me. I have been on it for years.</p>

<p>It makes me feel like myself - I was not myself when I was depressed.</p>

<p>I also need to have light therapy in the dark winter months. It’s a full-spectrum light that I turn on for 1/2 hour in the morning while I have my coffee and read the newspaper. The light shines in my face, but I do not look directly into the light. The light has changed my life - I recommend it over and over and over to anyone who will listen. The first year I used it, I had the best winter that I can remember. Seriously.</p>

<p>Good luck to you. Depression does not have to rule your life - there are wonderful medications and therapies out there.</p>

12

<p>I did a fair amount of research a little over a year ago when my son was diagnosed. As others have said, the highest probability of successful treatment comes with a combination of therapy and medication. I also had a bout of depression about 15 years ago. Re: how quickly the meds work, you’ll hear it can take 4-6 weeks, although I noticed effects almost immediately. I was in therapy a little over a year; on the meds a little under a year. I was told at the time that after going off antidepressants, 1/3 of patients will immediately go back into depression, 1/3 will have an episode sometime later in life, and 1/3 will never have another episode. I have not experienced another episode.</p>

<p>My son spent a little over a year in therapy. He began the antidepressant about 3-4 months in. Although he no longer sees the therapist, he/my husband and I/his therapist thought it’d be best to stay on the meds through this school year. He is in a very good place and nobody wanted to upset the apple cart. He’ll try going off the meds in the summer.</p>

<p>Take heart. Depression is treatable.</p>

13

<p>I, too, have suffered from depression and have been on medication for the past 15 years. (I am 55 yrs old). Initially, I started with therapy, for a few weeks, which helped identify the need for medication. I then continued with therapy and medication for two years and now continue with medication only, except when I feel the need for therapy, which I have several times since. </p>

<p>I have done CBT (Cognitive behavioral therapy) and it is great. </p>

<p>My meds are: Paxil (generic paroxetine- which is very inexpensive through Walmart) and Wellbutrin- which was added this past year- I also do the generic. </p>

<p>I, too, must echo the other posters in saying that the meds and the therapy do work. Getting the right meds and the right dosage, etc. can be a bit of a trial. It may take a few tries and a few tweaks to get it just right. Be prepared for that, and don’t lose heart. This is where the therapy will be extremely helpful- so that you don’t get discouraged if things don’t improve overnight. </p>

<p>As for creativity- I found that my creativity was abysmal before starting the meds, because of the depression. It greatly improved after the meds kicked in. </p>

<p>In general, I would say that it takes between 2-4 weeks for the meds to kick in, depending on the medication and the dosage. But- it’s different for each person. </p>

<p>As for being on the meds for life- all I can say is, if necessary, then it’s necessary- It sure beats the alternative. Depression, like any other chronic illness, may required medication forever in order to keep it under control. No one likes the thought of having to stay on medication forever- but there are many treatable diseases that require it such as diabetes, auto immune diseases, etc. - so you would not be alone in having to take meds. </p>

<p>The most important thing is to get well. You are very wise to take the necessary steps now on the road to wellness. Right now, the depression itself is contributing to your fears. You have a bright future ahead of you and you will feel so much better once the medication and therapy start to work. Many blessings your way. You are in my prayers.</p>