hi ((((Kitten))))

Good topic...I just wanted to add to what kitten said about not letting
docs put you on meds right away. When my husband was diagnosed with lung
cancer, I could not function at all, and I had to, because he had
surgery to remove a lung, and went right into chemo. he could not drive
being post-op...I didn't have a doc so I called my OB-GYN if you can
imagine and I didn't even talk TO him..I talked to his nurse, explained
what was going on, and that somebody told me I just call my dr for
"something to help me". She phoned in Paxil. I later ,after I finally
got off of it, found that I had what they call Situational Depression,
caused by a particular event. When he died, I was still on the meds. But
the point I wanted to make, and I really do have one....is...in grief
you are suppose to feel certain things...have trouble sleeping, cry
etc..it is Grief NOT depression. Now of course it can certainly go on
and on for many years and sometimes drs should be consulted. I think
though if I had it to do over again I wouldn't have jumped on the meds
so quickly. I guess I did what I had to do at the time.

How about a tape dispenser?

oh well...sorry

You dont have anything to be sorry about......

AG, Dont apologize for someones inability to be compassionate. I'm with
A/R on this one.

I have battled depression most of my life and am a firm believer in
counseling. There are excellent therapists and groups out there.
Isolation is one of the worst things for depression. You are right
about the grief though, the doctor should have taken the time to talk to
you and explain the process of what you were going through, maybe give
you something for sleep but not necessarily something for depression at
that point, you needed to process what was happening to your husband and
your life. I am sure he was trying to help, but talk therapy could have
helped more in the long run, in my opinion. Some of the meds do have
nasty side effects but for other people they are truly lifesavers.
Never hesitate to take the meds if you need them, they can be the
difference between life and death, literally. I have worked around the
medical and mental health field for many years and have seen the changes
the medications and therapy make in people and it is incredible. I have
tried many of the meds, but had side effects so opted for counseling for
me and is it helping. But there are many different types of depression
and situational depression is reasonably short-lived, as is response to
the death of a loved one, and you will normally process your grief and
come out of it. Other depressions and other disorders are much harder
to treat. I don't know about a liability issue with a depression post,
but would be nice to have a place for people to post on here and receive
support and positive feedback from other members.

Anytime anyone wants to talk I am happy to talk to you too, just drop me
an e-mail, I am on here every night and would like to talk to you. Take
care.

I have battled depression most of my life and am a firm believer in
counseling. There are excellent therapists and groups out there.
Isolation is one of the worst things for depression. You are right
about the grief though, the doctor should have taken the time to talk to
you and explain the process of what you were going through, maybe give
you something for sleep but not necessarily something for depression at
that point, you needed to process what was happening to your husband and
your life. I am sure he was trying to help, but talk therapy could have
helped more in the long run, in my opinion. Some of the meds do have
nasty side effects but for other people they are truly lifesavers.
Never hesitate to take the meds if you need them, they can be the
difference between life and death, literally. I have worked around the
medical and mental health field for many years and have seen the changes
the medications and therapy make in people and it is incredible. I have
tried many of the meds, but had side effects so opted for counseling for
me and is it helping. But there are many different types of depression
and situational depression is reasonably short-lived, as is response to
the death of a loved one, and you will normally process your grief and
come out of it. Other depressions and other disorders are much harder
to treat. I don't know about a liability issue with a depression post,
but would be nice to have a place for people to post on here and receive
support and positive feedback from other members.

Anytime anyone wants to talk I am happy to talk to you too, just drop me
an e-mail, I am on here every night and would like to talk to you. Take
care.

Bi Polar here, and was hoping that this might become a perm thread? If
enough people ask Mike and Van, maybe they will do that. If you think it
is a good idea, please write them and ask?

Fire

Actually, some of us can post it in the feedback thread......

You're right, if enough people ask, maybe it will be done. I have a few
ideas for this site, and have mentioned them but it hasn't gone through
yet.............

I'm always here to talk though...

Connie, I'm so sorry to hear about your husband. I had no
idea...............Love you sweetheart!!!

I have just been diagnosed with depression about a month ago..I know I
have been suffering from it for a while but thougth I could kick it.....
One of my best friends told me about JSH, she figured that talking to
people on here, joking around and getting to know great people would
help me....And it has, I have been taking Zoloft, for about a week but
the wonderful people in here help lift my spirits. I thank you one and
all, even if we don't talk off of the threads.

Eileen, I'm on that as well.......(Zoloft) among 2 other
medications.........Give it about 4 weeks and it should kick in...I just
hope your doctor is weening you into it, instead of a full fledged
dosage. That's what mine had to do. Start me off slow. It will help
you...........I went into a deep depression, after I moved back home
last May.........I feel much better now and it also helps being on
here........

Thanks Jesse, yes he is staring me off slow. He wanted to put me on
Lexapro, but there was some problem with my insurance company, so he
went with the Zoloft. Just hope I don't gain weight from it--I don't
need that to happen.

I have been there I have tried to kill myself a couple of times. In the
past I have had this constant feeling that no one likes me and that I
was going to end up alone for the rest of my life among other problems.
I just figured I would rather be dead then go through that pain then I
remembered that it wouldn't be just me that I was hurting but also my
family and friends. But I am fine now, I take 2 medications I am not
sure if anyone has heard of them but I take Pexeva and Risperdal. I just
thought I would share.

My daughter is bi-polar too and she was on Risperdal. It worked well
for her. Her father took her off her meds.

But good luck to you and don't worry...people here will like you.

i have not been depressed for 2 years!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

W00t! I how did you manage that?

After my hubsands suicide the counselors wanted to put the children, and
I on medications. I refused, and am glad because the roller coaster of
emotions you go through is part of the grief cycle. I was so busy doing
what needed doing, that depression never hit me until a few years later.
It changed me, I became a hermit, shut myself off from all but my
children. I slowly am getting back to having a life outside of the home,
and am happy to say my depression is receding. Anyone needing to chat,
just email me. I will try to be on more after I get through this week. A
week of happiness watching my daughter graduate, and begin her adult
life.
Pam

Some times I really hate waking up alive. Today for one. I won't end it
but really gets tempting.

yes, i do.. have been on meds now for 5 mos.. not sure what i'll do when
the study is over and they take the meds from me..

it isn't a fun thing, it controls your life and can ruin the best thing
that has happened to one..

My ex suffered from depression for years. He was then diagnosed with
Bi-polar.The DR's put him on lithium and then a couple of other drugs
for side effects. He is doing great now.

I have had bouts of depression over the years myself. BUT, I can say
that right now...all things considered...I'm doing great.