First of all, thanks to everyone for the advice. A lot of different opinions, but they were all welcome. I haven't had to _really_ confront this before, so hearing these "survivor" stories is tremendously encouraging.

rachael wrote:do you have crazy highs too, or just crazy lows?

It's weird, because I've never had the crazy highs really, just the lows. That's why I don't think it's a matter of being bipolar.

rachael wrote:Hang in there mattw, and I'm sure a hang in there to mattw's girlfriend is probably even more in order.

Yes, thank you. I'll pass that on. She's on Paxil right now and it's working, so it's sorta like, "don't you bring your baggage over here, I'm doing just fine!"

Rodabod wrote:I also get anxiety and feel like I am going mad if I think too much on my own.

Yes, thinking about it too much is another issue. Luckily, I'm not a big drinker and try to exercise regularly, so those two are taken care of. Part of the problem is not having a reliable social network here--having to sort it all out by myself is a real bummer at times.

Thanks again,

mw

I'm right there with you mattw, I've been suffering the "ups and downs" as well. My girlfriend, as saintly as she is, is starting to lose patience with me. The depression seems to really bring the asshole out of me. I also get all freaked out and scared in social situations. This can make going out on a Friday night a real drag.

I need help, but I'm kind of leery of the antidepressants. When it comes right down to it, nobody really knows the long term effects these drugs are going to have on all of us. We are guinea pigs for a "fast food" drug industry. I would gladly go to therapy, but that shit is expensive. I guess I'm a victim of the good ol' US of A's health care system. I can't even get a doctor's appointment without having proof of health insurance. If anybody has some suggestions or recommendations, specifically for the Chicago area....maybe a free mental health clinic...?

I think therapy for depression is unneccessary. As I said in a previous post, it's a chemical imbalance.

You wouldn't go to a therapist if you had herpes, would you?

Nico Adie wrote:I think therapy for depression is unneccessary. As I said in a previous post, it's a chemical imbalance.

You wouldn't go to a therapist if you had herpes, would you?

Medication might solve all your brain problems if we weren't rational people trying to understand an irrational world.

Nico Adie wrote:You wouldn't go to a therapist if you had herpes, would you?

no, but i would go to a therapist for depression.

in my experience with depression and pretty serious anxiety i have found that both therapy and medication can have a huge impact. one complements the other.

-eliisha

elisha wiesner wrote:

Nico Adie wrote:You wouldn't go to a therapist if you had herpes, would you?

no, but i would go to a therapist for depression.

in my experience with depression and pretty serious anxiety i have found that both therapy and medication can have a huge impact. one complements the other.

-eliisha

I was about to post the same thing. Therapy yes. Pills yes. Neither alone.

And not all depression is chemical. Disthymia's a bitch.

I stand corrected.

Lemuel Gulliver wrote:Medication might solve all your brain problems if we weren't rational people trying to understand an irrational world.

Spot on.

Mattw,

The things that make me depressed have nothing to do with a chemical imbalance in the brain. These are: a shitty, repetitive day job; irritating people; bad music; and sitting through bad movies. These are the worst things in the world.

If you can significantly cut out almost all of that stuff, then I'd say you're all set. The biggest part is the shitty day job. What a shitstorm of hopelessness is that. Above all, try to get a college degree and get a job you like.

That's my advice. I stay away from anti-depressants because they kill my sex drive, and I stay away from therapists because they are expensive and probably not going to tell me anything I couldn't tell myself in a good, internal pep-talk monologue.

These Des'ree lyrics usually help me through rough periods. Just play the song as loud as possible on infinite repeat:


Listen as your day unfolds
Challenge what the future holds
Try and keep your head up to the sky
Lovers, they may cause you tears
Go ahead release your fears
Stand up and be counted
Don't be ashamed to cry


You gotta be
You gotta be bad, you gotta be bold, you gotta be wiser
You gotta be hard, you gotta be tough, you gotta be stronger
You gotta be cool, you gotta be calm, you gotta stay together
All I know, all I know, love will save the day!