It's Official
By Four Walls
@FourWalls (62442)
United States
May 18, 2016 5:48pm CST
I've suspected this for some time. In fact, they've hinted at it in a few of my medical chart notes. But it's official now.
I'm one of the millions who has depression.
Even before this became official I've been passionate about our country (maybe the world) needing to take depression and other mental conditions seriously. I think we'd save a lot of lives if we did. How many of these mass shootings are reported with the words, "The shooter had a long history of mental health issues"? And every day -- E V E R Y day -- at least 22 veterans commit suicide because of the emotional baggage they brought back from the front lines. (Go back to my discussions on my "top ten John Prine songs" and listen to "Sam Stone" for a very real look at this...and that song is from 1971!)
I'm hoping to find alternatives to antidepressants, and I have a psychiatrist evaluation next week at the VA.
If you're feeling bad, go to a doctor. There is no crime in being diagnosed with depression.
And if you know someone who has it, be supportive. And PLEASE do NOT ever tell them to "just snap out of it" or "just pray and everything will be okay." We don't want to feel this way. Trust me.
Here's a happy song about being sad:
Smokey Robinson - The Tears of A Clown - LIVE1971
7 people like this
8 responses
@FourWalls (62442)
• United States
18 May 16
When I was in the Navy they had me on one and all I did was sleep. (My doctor said they don't use it for depression anymore, just for insomnia...go figure!). I also live in Louisville, where a mass shooting was eventually blamed on Prozac (the med they gave me). ( I know that was probably due to a lawyer wanting money and not real medical evidence, but still...)
I don't want to feel like a zombie. That's what I feel like without the meds.
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62442)
• United States
19 May 16
@NJChicaa -- I took antidepressants when I was in the Navy and they kept me knocked out. That's my only real experience. They prescribed Prozac, which has a nasty reputation here (see my other comment). Right now I'm just on auto pilot, without meds, and I fear going on meds will not do anything but make that worse. I'm having a medication assessment next week, though.
1 person likes this
@NJChicaa (116125)
• United States
18 May 16
@FourWalls "I don't want to feel like a zombie. That's what I feel like without the meds." That's what you feel like with or without the meds? I'm confused on that one.
I'd give a medication a shot. There are newer ones with fewer side effects. Best case scenario is you feel better. That's worth trying it out. Worst case: you stop the med.
2 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43419)
• Denver, Colorado
18 May 16
The VA actually has me on some good meds. MMJ helps a lot, too.
3 people like this
@teamfreak16 (43419)
• Denver, Colorado
19 May 16
@NJChicaa - It also does wonders for my anxiety. Colorado doesn't allow it for treatment of such, but it's a nice bonus.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (157672)
• United States
19 May 16
My first husband took antidepressants, but they did not make him "happy". Other health measures that helped them be more effective were to get enough light. . . either being in sunshine driving a truck or working a second shift under lights would help. He took a b complex vitamin because he did not always have time or inclination to eat well. He needed the medicine, but he saw more improvement when he also took care of his health.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (159474)
• Boise, Idaho
19 May 16
Sorry to hear this. I have had depression all my life. I was diagnosed with severe depression with panic attacks in 2006 and was lucky enough to get a an early retirement and pension. There is a lot of info out there about depression. I have tried to find a antidepressant that would help me and have not. I even took the DNA testing. Nothing helped.
2 people like this
@CrazyAnimaLady (279)
• United States
18 May 16
I don't take anything for my depression, but I do take things for anxiety. With depression I usually use something creative as an outlet.
2 people like this
