I applaude all of you for realizing that you want something better. I hope everyone that is experiencing depression will atleast try to find a answer. There are many people out there to help you no matter what medical problems you might have. Go to the local health service and see what they can do for you or recommend. There are alot of things in life that get us down that later in years become nothing. Just amke certain that you make an effort to follow thorugh seeking some treatment- they don't last for ever- nor should the problem.

 

Quite a thread going here, along with some great advice and insight. I just had to think back on two friends- and the wife of another, that took their own lives in the last three years. There was a time that I didn't understand the benefits of treating depression disorders. Now I have to look back and reflect on what a terrible waste is was for these people not to have gotten the help they needed before it was too late.

 

You've gotten a lot of good advice, so I don't need to ge into all of that. I'll just share this; Your not alone. I have a brother who is severely bipolar and meds have given him his life back. I myself am on antidepressents (Lexipro) for reasons I won' go into here. Lets just say the way I was treating my family and cowrkers just wasn't right, I lost the ability to deal with stress. There is no shame in having a problem, the shame is not doing something about it.

 

I just ran across this thread and wanted to add something that I think no one else had said: The Greeks had it right when they said that a sound mind and a sound body go together. There are many arguments about what substances and actions are good for your health, but the one thing that I have never heard any medical authority contest is that physical activity is good for you. Most authorities recommend at least 30 minutes of moderate activity every day. I have been going to the gym five times a week lately; if I do not feel better by the time I have broken a sweat, I know I am sick and I quit. (This seldom happens)

I have had fibrositis for about 17 years. For those of you that are not familiar with this condition, I hurt all over for no apparent reason and am constantly fatigued. The symptoms are similar to those of chronic fatigue syndrome. I have tried almost every antidepressant on the market; for some reason, they are also used in the treatment of CFS. I switched doctors twice, because they did not seem that interested in trying things; I am very lucky that I was able to get with my present doctor, because he was normally not taking new patients. He was very willing to try any new medicine that he knew of, and after no improvement at all with most of them, found one that helped me feel better immediately. After a few years of taking this medication I found that I no longer needed it (it had no effect), but I still take Paxil because it helps me sleep through the night. The only problem is, I think I am getting older about as fast as I am getting better )

Hope all of you who contributed are doing well. Brady

 

Hi Brady,

A lot of us on FTE are well aware of Fibrosis,Fibromyalgia,CFS, and the like.

I have had FMS since 1984 it is has literally changed my life in a HUGE way.
All the different ways to learn to cope with it is very frustrating.

I wouldn't wish this disease on anyone.

 

I've also found that a sound mind and a sound body go together. Not only is physical activity good for you though, but so is "brain" activity. It doesn't matter what it is, as long as it's something a person enjoys doing. Outdoors activities are good, because usually the air quality is better then inside, and some indoor lighting can cause a type of depression in itself. Especially in the Winter months. There's also a link between diet and depression in some people.
http://depression.about.com/library/topicmenu/bltopicmenudiet.htm
I know that meds are needed by many people to lead a "normal" life, but I've also known many cases where meds were used before actually getting to the root of the problem. I know that people aren't all the same, but what I mentioned above has helped me, and I no longer need meds. Being able to admit one has a problem is a very big first step, and takes a lot of courage. Keep looking for whatever works for you, because it's out there.