Anxiety/Depression Tips & Tears - Page 5

OnixxFilth · 03-31-2006, 10:14 AM

Actually, yes, it DOES affect it. Most people, it seems, can detect sarcasm, even online.

Pathogen. · 03-31-2006, 12:22 PM

I feel depressed occasionally, so here's a few tips on dealing with that:

*Take a long walk around your neighbourhood. Walking--at least from my experience reduces the sorrow within [depression].
*Eat potatoes. It sounds retarded, but consuming potatoes have been proven to reduce the sorrow within as well. When you're so down & can't face life or anyone, forget Prozac & grab nature's anti-depressant: A root vegetable.
*If you're depressed & horny, chocolate does the job. I could be wrong about that, though.

Sanctus Dei · 03-31-2006, 02:46 PM

Okay.. I apologize as I've only skimmed this entire thread due to shear laziness but I collected the important points of the discussions. My little sis has some level of ADD she required alot of aide throughout Elementary and Junior High but my parents would not let her take Rid or any other suggested Drug. She made it alright, although, she had to get her GED because she wasn't able to make it though high school (she didn't qualify for the SpED for the last three years) She still appears to have a level of the problem now... she finds it hard to concentrate on one issue for long periods of time. She requires constant change to keep her interest... it's actually wierd to me.

Now as for Clinical Depression... I've had my battles with that subject personally mixed with a nasty eating disorder (which withered my naturally 135-140 pound body to a 115 pond waif... WAS NOT PRETTY) I struggle with an issue I don't have the name for but it envolves having a hand hold on some level of control and a need to please for subconcious validation.

A better description: I do things in efforts to please, I enjoy the validation I receive for a job well done... but entertwined with that is a basic need for control and when I lose that I find alternative methods.. (say OCD with eating habits or cleaning... or exercising compulsively)

I've been on Zoloft but I wasn't about that... so I've learned to control these issues on my own. I can't say I'm entirely successful but if I ever get the courage to show you all the pictures of a previous me you'll see how far I've come.

03-31-2006, 05:21 PM

MissJames, can you please go introduce yourself in the introduction forum?

Thanks

MissJames · 03-31-2006, 07:12 PM

oh, im on my way to do my intro, just got sucked into this thread.

gotta say something because this a major thing I have to deal with all the time.

I have been dealing with depression and panic/anxiety all my life. I didn't get treatment until I was in my early 20s when it became unbearable - I couldn't leave the house, go anywhere with large groups of people (not even the theater), talk on the phone, and had violent outbursts when I was in the middle of panic attacks (I seemed to love throwing big chairs across the room at people or throwing scissors at them), and intentionally putting myself into danger in hopes of an accident (I used to love to cut off semis or sandwich myself between two in hopes of a crash).

I finally went to a counselor and she suggested I go to a psychiatrist. I did and after a few sessions with him he asked me how I felt about meds. I said I'd try anything to make me not feel like this. so he wasn't dispensing meds like candy, he was very careful about prescribing it, and having me to get a full physical and blood tests from my GP to rule out other medical issues that could be causing it. Note that I think its insane for a GP or family doctor to prescribe these meds. go to a a licensed psychitrist! so he started me on paxil. It took about 2 months to get the dosage right. Then, after being hospitalized twice againt my will for oding on my pills after getting extremely drunk, I was prescribed mood stabilizers and diagnosed as bipolar I. bipolar often gets misdiagnosed because you usually only go for help on the down swing, and anitdepressants actually exacerbate the bipolar. that's why a lot of kids and teens get suicidal on paxil - not only does it not treat your whole condition, but you still end up depressed with clearer thought and a bit more motivation. so you have enough energy to commit suicide, yay! I was told that most bipolar cases are diagnosed right after you've been hospitalized for a suicide attempt. yeah, they should definitely find a better way of diagnosing bipolar.

My therapist and pshychiatrist bot asked me if I heard voices and I always said no. I assumed they meant a ralph wiggum-style leprechaun that told me to set stuff on fire, or my neighbor's dog telling me to shoot people in their cars. I finally realized after talking to a (clinically) psychotic friend that his auditory hallucinations were just that - hearing voices clear as day when there was no one there. I've often heard people speak my name as if they were right over my shoulder - out loud, not in my head. or rather, in my head but sounding like it was external. I've also heard random sentences spoken, like I was momentarily tuned into a snippet of someone's conversation. I've also seen things in my peripheral vision that were very clear, but definitely not there. So when my hospital doc asked if I was having visual or auditoy hallucinations, I said yes and he added anti-seizure drugs to my meds. I went through one that made me gain tons of weight, one that made me have awful, intense and vivid nightmares (depakote is evil, for me anyway), and finally settled on one that worked well with no side effects. I was recently prescribed another antidepressant with sedative effects to help with my insomnia. yeah, so now I'm on 3 meds, 75mg of paxil (ssri for depression, anxiety and mild ocd), 200mg of lamictal (anti-seizure for bipolar), and 2-300mgs of Desyrel, and ativan as needed for anxiety (oh and to help me to not think about booze all day because I have become quite the dangerous alcoholic in the past few years - but that's a whole 'nother story).

seriously, these meds made me into a real person again. my doc says with my level of illness I might have to be on these meds a long time, maybe forever. and I'll do it, because I never want to go back to the way I was. and I wonder how my life might have been different if I had sought treatment in my early teens. I believe in my meds, but talk therapy (and journaling to sort out all the crap running through your head all the time) is as important, as well as regular med checkups to adjust dosage, learning how to reduce stress, physical exercise, proper diet, and meditation. These are often used before any meds are prescribed, as people with mild depression can use these techniques without meds to great success.

damn, I do ramble on.

I must say that I think it's terrible for GPs to prescribe these meds whenever someone says 'oh man, Im totally sad, gimme some zoloft (or 'I totally have adhd, gimme some ritalin' which is like KiddieCrack). sometimes, GPs will hand out pills because they get major kickbacks and perks from the drug companies. (some unscrupulous psychs will do this to, be leery if they immediately suggest meds). and those tv commercials that try to convince everyone that they are ill and just a little pill will make it go away make me sick. I want to kick that sad little zoloft blob like a damn soccer ball.

on Being Depressed vs Depression:
Everyone gets depressed or have moments of anxiety once in a while. It happens for a few days, maybe a week, and is usually related to an event in your life (a death, a breakup, losing a job, being overwhelmed by school, etc). These are the people who say "Just get over it and stop being depressed!" They say this because they can usually snap out of it in a short time and assume everyone can, and that people who are "ill" are just trying to get attention or are using it to manipulate others (and high schoolers use many things to do that, and yes, one of them being 'omg im majer deprezd c I slashed my armz up, so pay lots of attn to me and make sur i dont killz meself.') Maybe a few people fake it for various reasons, but it is exhausting work to will yourself to be misreable for a long time.
People suffering from clinical depression (the illness) can't just stop or will it away. It doesn't work. They aren't depressed about things. They are just depressed, and it is dangerous to leave this level of illness untreated because it leads to a whole lot of deaths. clinical depression can only be treated, you know, clinically. when people tell me to get over it, they get a very long lecture similar to this one that has turned into an damn essay (or I give them a thrashing if I'm pressed for time).

and if you find a faker, just go tell the school counselor you're worried about your friend, and encourage them to get the parents involved, and then either the faker will be all oh shit, this totally backfired, now I'm getting way too much attention. or their parents will commit them to one of those dorm-like hospitals for kids that are more like camp. at least it will get them out of your hair. and if they get pissed just be oh so sympathetic. but I was so scared for you! you said you might hurt yourself! you're sodepressed, you need to go to the hospital and probably be in a straight jacket and have people inject weird things into you! Okay, this might backfire because most teens that are committed are just temporarily depressed and end up freaking out after a couple of days and come out crazier than when they went in.

damn, this is one long-ass post. I promise they won't all be like this. though I do have a tendency toward know-it-all-ness and need to research every damn thing that I don't alreasy know about. *bows in apology*

oh yeah, and...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deviant Kitten

It'd definitely be cool if there actually was a dictionary out there somewhere.

This is a great, kinda funny one with usage examples - and it has two dictionaries: british-to-American english version and and american-to-british. its great for writing british chars too.

there are lots of others online, just google british american dictionary and you'll find loads. That was posted a while ago, but sometimes I can't resist making use of my collection of random links.

aaaaand... I'm spent.

OnixxFilth · 04-03-2006, 02:27 PM

Sanctus, seems like you have a problem I also have- an addiction to people-pleasing. It's not enough for me to be happy with something- other people have to approve of my choices too or I feel like I did something wrong.

Deviant Kitten · 04-06-2006, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MissJames

oh yeah, and...

This is a great, kinda funny one with usage examples - and it has two dictionaries: british-to-American english version and and american-to-british. its great for writing british chars too.

I like their "parting thought" -

The British solution to any problem, crisis or disaster...

"I'll just make us a nice cup of tea."

Very true... *goes to put kettle on*

Oubliette · 04-06-2006, 07:13 AM

I've been on meds for clinical depression for 9 years now, and I wish I didn't need them anymore.

Corpus_Draconis · 04-07-2006, 12:13 AM

I have a rather strong theory that I'm depressed, and I went to see a counsellor, but I didn't like her so I managed to convince her that I'm OK. However, there have been a couple times when I've seriously considered checking myself into the nearest psyc ward...
But I just went and cried in a dark, empty chapel instead.

ViciousMistressBee · 04-07-2006, 12:59 AM

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.............i just take my fucking pills thats how you deal with it.
hard to be depressed and anxious when you have no emotions left.
hmmmmmm.....little yellow and blue pills.
*fuck this*

MissJames · 04-07-2006, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corpus_Draconis

I have a rather strong theory that I'm depressed, and I went to see a counsellor, but I didn't like her so I managed to convince her that I'm OK. However, there have been a couple times when I've seriously considered checking myself into the nearest psyc ward...
But I just went and cried in a dark, empty chapel instead.

see a psychiatrist before you check yourself in! it's quite the rude awakening even if you are nuts. I'd say hospitilization is a last resort. it sucks. to the extreme.

A Simple Poet · 04-09-2006, 05:52 PM

I tend to get them on occassion, though less so of late since I have gotten in touch with my inner a--hole. (Meaning, I am not as nice as I once was...)

It is going to sound freaky, but I get nervous when I think I feel my blood coursing through my veins. Yes, I know it is not anatomically possible for this but tell that to my occassionally unsound mind. I have insomnia, twitching limbs, and a generally nervous disposition. The cure? To basically say to Hell with it all, tip back the gipsy and swallow the pills the doc gave me for nerves...Sleep is Heavenly when I get there...

Sobeh · 04-09-2006, 10:22 PM

I've often been conscious of blood flow. Anatomically impossible? Headaches are often caused by excessive blood flow, as is any kind of swelling... also, should swelling happen near a place where the blood flow is close to the skin, the pressure on the underside of the skin is such that the pulse can be felt. The heart is always something you can be aware of, as is the flow within your ears. Ever been somewhere really really quiet, and yet there's that tinny (yes, tinny) ring in the ears? Blood flow baby.

Blood is Sacred <-- I'd get this tattooed in Latin or some other dead tongue if I was gonna get a tattoo.

Icarian Decoding · 04-09-2006, 10:30 PM

How do I deal with stress?
Well, it's really easy. I just believe that stress is not there. I mean, seriously, it isn't. So, you're about to be shot by a Nazi-Loving, God-Worshiping, Terrorist-Supporting, Mormonizing, Lieing, Cheating, Smelly, Obsessive-Compulsive, AD-HD Hemaphrodite Republican? Who cares? I mean, honestly, I see so many kids getting really stressed out, about the world, about politics, about who thinks what of him/her, and all the like, and it baffles me. The world only has good things in store for you.

Let me demonstrate. I was talking to a girl in a chatroom. It was just a normal IRC channel, and she seemed upset. I mean, she was really up in a work over how some laboratory somewhere was going to test on animals. I simply asked her, "Well, what do you think is going to happen to them?". She responded with, "They're going to die!". All I could do was tell her, that if they died, they would be in a better place then they already are. If they live, then they are going to help science in a very good way. If they somehow suffer while they die, then you can rest assured that their little minds will blank out, and that eventually, it will all be over.

Everytime I feel depressed, or I feel nervous, or I just get that wierd, uneasy feeling, I just smile, and remember what others have told me. Anyway I live, that's okay. If it makes me happy, then I might as well do it. The world isn't going to hand happyness over to me, so I might as well take it.

bjork_freak · 04-12-2006, 12:50 AM

The best way I deal with stress and anxiety is burning incense. Try dragon's blood. And DO NOT think you hit the jackpot if you find a 100 pack of strawberry shit scented incense for $1.99 in the clearance rack at Hot Topic. CHEAP INCENSE IS USELESS.

Cicero · 04-12-2006, 06:33 AM

Might as well mention my story: Was depressed for about a year, a psychiatrist prescribed me a whole line of drugs, eventually settled on Remeron and I miraculously recovered. Done. Fucking awful while it was happening, but it ended.

Nowadays my remedy for stress is just satisfying my ravenous sweet tooth. About an hour ago I found out my ex, whom I have many unresolved matters with, is in love with a new girlfriend. I started having a panic attack at first, and was merely seconds away from posting in the "Rant Thread", but then all I had to do was enter my stash of "Haribo Happy Cherries" and it all went away. Perhaps it's the sweet chemical cherry taste, perhaps they're laced with extreme doses of Xanax - whatever the case, I'm feelin' pretty damn good.

Oubliette · 04-12-2006, 08:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjork_freak

The best way I deal with stress and anxiety is burning incense. Try dragon's blood. And DO NOT think you hit the jackpot if you find a 100 pack of strawberry shit scented incense for $1.99 in the clearance rack at Hot Topic. CHEAP INCENSE IS USELESS.

I'm a big fan of Nag Champa

Oubliette · 04-12-2006, 08:10 AM

I read, sleep or clean when I'm anxious.

I also smoke lots of pot. (not that I reccomend that)

Oubliette · 04-12-2006, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ViciousMistressBee

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.............i just take my fucking pills thats how you deal with it.
hard to be depressed and anxious when you have no emotions left.
hmmmmmm.....little yellow and blue pills.
*fuck this*

Mine are little blue and orange guys.

Madame Mystique · 04-12-2006, 09:33 AM

How do you all handle Social Anxiety? I'm going to Convergence and I'm very anxious. It is outside of my comfort zone. Group gatherings with new faces cause me anxiety.

Morrigan_Dubh · 04-12-2006, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oubliette

I also smoke lots of pot. (not that I reccomend that)

It's healthier than prozac, and not addictive. I'd recommend it over prescription meds any day.

Oubliette · 04-12-2006, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Morrigan_Dubh

It's healthier than prozac, and not addictive. I'd recommend it over prescription meds any day.

you knew exactly what my little blue and orange friends are....

bjork_freak · 04-12-2006, 10:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oubliette
I'm a big fan of Nag Champa

It's one of the best. I use Nag Champa for meditation...it's wonderful.

Oubliette · 04-12-2006, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bjork_freak

It's one of the best. I use Nag Champa for meditation...it's wonderful.

I can't meditate, I get distracted or I fall asleep.

bjork_freak · 04-12-2006, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oubliette
I can't meditate, I get distracted or I fall asleep.

This is just my way of meditating and only you can find the best way for yourself. I suggest looking it up on Google. That way you can look around and see some tips that appeal to you.

Don't worry about it too much. Meditation is very hard to grasp. Try meditating shortly after waking up. I don't suggest trying the meditation technique of clearing everything out of your mind. When I try to do this, I start thinking about thinking, which leads to thinking and pretty soon there is so much things going on in my mind that I get frustrated and stop. Try visualizing. First, concentrate on your breathing. Then visualize yourself in a beautiful forest with trees thousands of feet off the ground. Picture beautiful waterfalls and the bluest skies you can imagine. Now just visualize a clearing with a stream. Sit on a rock by the stream and just imagine your body and mind relaxed and happy. Try to find your inner soul and meditate on it for awhile.

Some say the best position to meditate in is the lotus position, where both legs are put on top of each other: http://www.yatan-ayur.com.au/lotus_meditation_small.jpg.
This is an extremely awkward position to be in, unless you are flexible. It isn't crucial that you are in the position. Just find a comfortable one.