Depression

I've had my antidepressant dosage doubled. It worked to reduce anxiety I was having. The actual depression, however, is still there, hopefully it'll improve in time. I think while I'm seeing her, I'd like to get a diagnosis on my ADD...they have different kinds of ADD these days and I am curious which I'd be.
 

Victor said:
Anyone suffer from depression throughout your life, continually?
And/or loneliness?
Click to expand...
Intermittent bouts of depression/anxiety, inevitable with CPTSD, but all my life, loneliness has stood at my shoulder. No matter how many people are in my life, there is always a certain distance between us, a gulf of experience. I am empathetic, I can usually put myself in their shoes, my experiences are too extreme for them to reciprocate. Consequently, I never really belong anywhere. I have adjusted, but it is not always easy.
 

Getting a divorce (even though amicable) three years ago, selling a home, relocating to another city and moving into a apartment to live alone, coupled with two Auto Immune Diseases under treatment and a severe hearing loss caused this extrovert to start feeling sorry for himself and struggling to fight my self diagnosed depression. I am OK and found that I can overcome periods of depression by celebrating little victories over daily physical challenges. Even with my recent Cochlear Implant I struggle with my hearing and it is a daily challenge that hopefully will improve as they tell me it will.
 
For me and I went thru a divorce many yrs ago, this was situational and today I believe it was probably the best thing that could have happened in my life. I've grown so much due to being on my own.

Now clinical depression is another thing and for the years 1991 to 2002, I suspected sluggish thyroid and spent those years trying to get thyroid support and all the doctors went by the numbers...WE ARE NOT NUMBERS, we are symptoms. I was given A/D drugs all those years and depression never lifted. Finally, my D.O. in 2002, called in a theraputic dose of Armour Thyroid med and depression lifted in 4 days..........that was in 2002 and never touched another A/D. Thyroid is so often missed as todays medical world is numbers game, and the "Old School" was symptoms.

Committing to daily meditation, even if only 15 minutes DAILY, can do so much for the brain, serotonin increase. Clearing the mind and going silent is something MOST never do.
 
jaminhealth said:
For me and I went thru a divorce many yrs ago, this was situational and today I believe it was probably the best thing that could have happened in my life. I've grown so much due to being on my own.

Now clinical depression is another thing and for the years 1991 to 2002, I suspected sluggish thyroid and spent those years trying to get thyroid support and all the doctors went by the numbers...WE ARE NOT NUMBERS, we are symptoms. I was given A/D drugs all those years and depression never lifted. Finally, my D.O. in 2002, called in a theraputic dose of Armour Thyroid med and depression lifted in 4 days..........that was in 2002 and never touched another A/D. Thyroid is so often missed as todays medical world is numbers game, and the "Old School" was symptoms.

Committing to daily meditation, even if only 15 minutes DAILY, can do so much for the brain, serotonin increase. Clearing the mind and going silent is something MOST never do.
Click to expand...
I have been practicing meditation twice daily since my twenties.
 
I have a friend who goes in and out of depression and she's very holistic in nature but says she can't "find time" to meditate...she's retired and has as much time as I do...but she's a tad OCD and so that is. Everyone can find 15 minutes in their days, no matter how busy. Turn off the TV.
 
What is CPTSD?

I hate D---------especially when there is no good reason for it.

I know what you mean "my experiences are too extreme for them to reciprocate" No one can understand, not with the best intention.
 
My DH has PTSD and depression for a long time. My depression may be linked with ADD as just an occasional thing. My doctor might put me back on ADD meds soon, since my depression has improved quite a bit. Sometimes a person who doesn't have the same problems can't really understand yours much. I've noticed many people are that way about ADD, and many don't think it even is real. But anyone who has fought it in real life knows it is very real.
 
Linda W. said:
My DH has PTSD and depression for a long time. My depression may be linked with ADD as just an occasional thing. My doctor might put me back on ADD meds soon, since my depression has improved quite a bit. Sometimes a person who doesn't have the same problems can't really understand yours much. I've noticed many people are that way about ADD, and many don't think it even is real. But anyone who has fought it in real life knows it is very real.
Click to expand...

Thyroid is so missed by the medical world and it's important for some 66 symptoms. I went 10 yrs with a depression and my gut told it was a sluggish thyroid and doctors would not help me due to my GOOD NUMBERS. Just thinkin and sayin.

https://www.nahypothyroidism.org/is-it-add-or-your-thyroid/
 
Depression! I’m familiar with it as I’ve suffered with it off and on my entire life.
I’ve got various mental disorders and depression is just one of them. Most people who suffer with depression also suffer from other associated disorders.


While I’m not familiar with CPTSD, I am familiar with regular PSTD which is already complex enough. Here’s a good article that covers the complexity of it.
https://www.verywellmind.com/an-overview-of-ptsd-symptoms-2797638


The things that help me the most are keeping active. Walking daily increases my serotonin and dopamine levels which is why I do it everyday; rain or shine. Being out in the sunlight does help a lot and during the winter months especially I increase my daily amounts of vitamin D.


It really helps and so does the amino acid GABA which stands for Gamma aminobutyric acid. It is something the body naturally produces and is the primary neurotransmitter that acts to calm the central nervous system. It has been shown to be an effective natural treatment for depression, anxiety, insomnia and addiction.


There are many types of natural supplements to treat depression but even natural supplements can interact with medications making it important to consult your GP before trying any.
For instance, St. John’s wort will interact negatively with most conventional medication.
https://www.healthline.com/health/depression/herbs-supplements#st-johns-wort


Practices for calming the mind and body have been proven to be beneficial including yoga, mediation, tai chi, mindfulness, rhythmic movement are to name a few. Walking and yoga are practices I do everyday and again, it helps.


Support from family and friends shouldn’t be overlooked. It’s important to surround yourself with people who love and accept you, flaws and all. I’m very fortunate to have an extremely supportive husband who sometimes needs to remind me that I have mental disorders and thankfully he is gracious enough to say it in a way that’s not insulting. Sometimes I forget how lucky I am.


My best girlfriend lives down the road from me and she helps me overcome my social anxiety by suggesting doing different things that require being social. Things like painting classes, skating, singing at bistros , sailing and horseback riding are some of the things. It’s great because it challenges me. Most times I do well but I still occasionally panic and have to leave. I’m just grateful that the people that matter in my life love and accept me as I am.


Diet plays an important role in the treatment of the mind as well as the body. After all our brain is an organ that needs proper nutrition. Cutting out sugar, wheat, processed foods etc., makes a huge impact on blood sugar levels which impacts my moods. For myself, following a paleo diet works best but everyone’s lifestyles and metabolisms are different so each person needs to follow what works best for them individually.


Treating depression and other mental disorders holistically is the only treatment I would ever consider. Gone are the days I will ever contemplate the idea of being treated by a psychiatrist. Being treated by these practitioners have done far more damage to my mind and body than anything which is why I’d always consider consulting with a psychologist if I felt I needed additional support.
From my experience, psychologists offer help & support without the use of dangerous drugs which I respect and appreciate.


Dealing with clinical depression can be challenging and difficult and I hope everyone finds the help and support that they need and deserve.
 
Victor said:
Anyone suffer from depression throughout your life, continually?
And/or loneliness?
Click to expand...
Absolutely and it’s difficult.

Shalimar said:
Intermittent bouts of depression/anxiety, inevitable with CPTSD, but all my life, loneliness has stood at my shoulder. No matter how many people are in my life, there is always a certain distance between us, a gulf of experience. I am empathetic, I can usually put myself in their shoes, my experiences are too extreme for them to reciprocate. Consequently, I never really belong anywhere. I have adjusted, but it is not always easy.
Click to expand...
I can relate.

jaminhealth said:
For me and I went thru a divorce many yrs ago, this was situational and today I believe it was probably the best thing that could have happened in my life. I've grown so much due to being on my own.

Now clinical depression is another thing and for the years 1991 to 2002, I suspected sluggish thyroid and spent those years trying to get thyroid support and all the doctors went by the numbers...WE ARE NOT NUMBERS, we are symptoms. I was given A/D drugs all those years and depression never lifted. Finally, my D.O. in 2002, called in a theraputic dose of Armour Thyroid med and depression lifted in 4 days..........that was in 2002 and never touched another A/D. Thyroid is so often missed as todays medical world is numbers game, and the "Old School" was symptoms.

Committing to daily meditation, even if only 15 minutes DAILY, can do so much for the brain, serotonin increase. Clearing the mind and going silent is something MOST never do.
Click to expand...

jaminhealth said:
Keesha, sounds like you are doing all the good stuff. As I said I had clinical depression for 10 yrs and it was thyroid. jam
Click to expand...
A misdiagnosis due to conventional tests done to check for thyroid dysfunction is more common than you’d think. It happens often. You were wise to follow your gut instinct and go elsewhere for other opinions.

When my thyroid came back as boarder line, my go wanted to put me on thyroid meds and I refused. I looked up the supplements I needed and changed my diet accordingly. The next time it was tested, it came back normal.


Linda W. said:
My DH has PTSD and depression for a long time. My depression may be linked with ADD as just an occasional thing. My doctor might put me back on ADD meds soon, since my depression has improved quite a bit. Sometimes a person who doesn't have the same problems can't really understand yours much. I've noticed many people are that way about ADD, and many don't think it even is real. But anyone who has fought it in real life knows it is very real.
Click to expand...
ADD is very real. My father has it and I have a touch of it. I tend to recycle thoughts in my mind over and over again, with the idea that if I think about them enough, that somethings bound to change and it can be a struggle at times, however it’s not bad enough to be put on medication. I’ve known many people who struggle with this one though. It’s common.

jaminhealth said:
Thyroid is so missed by the medical world and it's important for some 66 symptoms. I went 10 yrs with a depression and my gut told it was a sluggish thyroid and doctors would not help me due to my GOOD NUMBERS. Just thinkin and sayin.

https://www.nahypothyroidism.org/is-it-add-or-your-thyroid/
Click to expand...

Great link Jaminhealth. It’s worth looking into for anyone suffering through depression. I also went through a depression that lasted over 10 years. It was due to a very traumatic experience and I purposefully gained a massive amount of weight because of it thinking it would help and it didn’t. Unfortunately it caused all kinds of other health problems.
Over the years I lost all the weight and had to really readjust the way I viewed my life. It was painfully difficult but I managed.

Most people don’t understand clinical depression. Many think it’s just plain sadness that can be dealt with having a better attitude etc., Only those who have experienced this type of crippling mental disorder can grasp any of this. It can, at times, be very lonely indeed.
 
Keesha said:
Absolutely and it’s difficult.


I can relate.




A misdiagnosis due to conventional tests done to check for thyroid dysfunction is more common than you’d think. It happens often. You were wise to follow your gut instinct and go elsewhere for other opinions.

When my thyroid came back as boarder line, my go wanted to put me on thyroid meds and I refused. I looked up the supplements I needed and changed my diet accordingly. The next time it was tested, it came back normal.



ADD is very real. My father has it and I have a touch of it. I tend to recycle thoughts in my mind over and over again, with the idea that if I think about them enough, that somethings bound to change and it can be a struggle at times, however it’s not bad enough to be put on medication. I’ve known many people who struggle with this one though. It’s common.



Great link Jaminhealth. It’s worth looking into for anyone suffering through depression. I also went through a depression that lasted over 10 years. It was due to a very traumatic experience and I purposefully gained a massive amount of weight because of it thinking it would help and it didn’t. Unfortunately it caused all kinds of other health problems.
Over the years I lost all the weight and had to really readjust the way I viewed my life. It was painfully difficult but I managed.

Most people don’t understand clinical depression. Many think it’s just plain sadness that can be dealt with having a better attitude etc., Only those who have experienced this type of crippling mental disorder can grasp any of this. It can, at times, be very lonely indeed.
Click to expand...

My clinical depression came on after menopause, I was in my early 50's...a traumatic divorce in my early 30's didn't do the depression I had from the menopause depression. Situational depression comes and goes I've found. The next day(s) can always be better they were for me anyway.. I've done a lot of Mind Work over the years and learned acceptance for situations I can't change. Talk later. jam
 
jaminhealth said:
My clinical depression came on after menopause, I was in my early 50's...a traumatic divorce in my early 30's didn't do the depression I had from the menopause depression. Situational depression comes and goes I've found. The next day(s) can always be better they were for me anyway.. I've done a lot of Mind Work over the years and learned acceptance for situations I can't change. Talk later. jam
Click to expand...


Hormonal depression is a type of depression that comes unexpectedly . Not that any depression really makes sense but those hormone imbalance stages women go through are wickedly surprising.


Peri menopause was really difficult for me but once post menopause kicked it I was ready to divorce my husband and move way up north by myself. I just about lost it. The poor guy. Somehow at that point in my life I became super liberated. At that point in my life my husband couldn’t do anything right by me.


It was a change in me that I couldn’t explain and it took going through it to realize that it was indeed hormonal. The impact it had on our relationship was huge.


I’m so very glad I came across this thread because it made me realize some important things. I’ve spent years tailoring my lifestyle to avoid high levels of stress.
I ‘ve moved to the country, practice mindfulness, meditate, walk in nature, avoid the news, violent movies, aggressive people etc., which has worked well for me over the years.


Oddly enough I haven’t held those same values while I’m online.
Jumping into aggressive debates isn’t something I’d normally participate in at all and yet I’ve done exactly that.
I learned something very significant over the last few days.


I can relate Jam.
 
This thread was one of the first ones I started when I first joined Seniors Forum.

I hope it is of interest to someone today! :)
 

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