Deep Depression

[OakLeaf]

You might also consider seeing a psychologist if you haven't before.

Now, granted right now I'm with a LiSW and doing really well with her. But earlier in my life, before I learned how to (1) feel at all, (2) identify my emotions and (3) verbalize them, I went through way too many LiSWs who just weren't equipped to deal with me. I had my first real progress with a psychologist, who did some testing, identified many of my issues, and helped me to work through them.

As far as meds, I personally think that although your therapist can't prescribe, they're probably the best person to help you decide whether you should consider trying something. Unfortunately, very, very few psychiatrists do talk therapy, so it means seeing both a therapist for your talk therapy AND a psychiatrist for your med checks.

Hang in there. Take good care.

[solobiker]

Perhaps it's time to change who you do your therapeutic work with, someone with more training in depression issues, who at least can refer you to someone who can prescribe. Also, consider being open to medication. Sometime it IS what works. If all that "natural" stuff isn't working, then it's time to do something different. If you had a heart condition that didn't respond to diet and exercise, I imagine you'd consider taking the next step.

I was pretty brusque in my initial post - sorry about that. If depression has been following you, there's probably something else going on. I have been depressed my whole adult life, and none of the "natural" routes work for me: it's deep biochemical stuff than endorphins and being sugar free don't really have impact on. Medication made a huge (life changing) difference in my ability to function. This is why I get so annoyed when people talk about "happy pills". It's very dismissive of what is a real problem for many people.

Great post!

[Irulan]

Do you need to call them "happy meds"? I find that pretty offensive. In some cases, they can be life saving, or life changing. I have a biochemical disorder that requires me to take antidepressants in order function, much less be "happy", probably for life. I've worked with my Dr. for over fifteen years to try and find alternatives, but medication is what works for me. Anti depressants are a very useful tool for many different kinds of depression, and its a disorder just like any other medical condition. Using terminology like that supports the stigma that already surrounds depression as not a "real" disorder.

[Dogmama]

Do you need to call them "happy meds"? I find that pretty offensive. In some cases, they can be life saving, or life changing. I have a biochemical disorder that requires me to take antidepressants in order function, much less be "happy", probably for life. I've worked with my Dr. for over fifteen years to try and find alternatives, but medication is what works for me. Anti depressants are a very useful tool for many different kinds of depression, and its a disorder just like any other medical condition. Using terminology like that supports the stigma that already surrounds depression as not a "real" disorder.

++1 Thank you.

Vegan - if doing the same thing (relocating) hasn't helped, you may have a depression that is always with you - in other words - not situational. In 12 step programs, they call moving to try to make your life better, "taking a geographic."

In spite of the B.S. stigma about antidepressants, they do help. I've been on & off for over 20 years and am getting ready to go back on. I have done CBT for years, taken an 8 week mindfulness based class that is modeled after Jon Kabat-Zinn. They DO help - however - if you also need a med, then so be it. Do we tell diabetics to suck it up & not take insulin? "Avoid white sugar & exercise & you'll be fine!" I don't think so.

[Catrin]

Thanks for dealing with this!

[OakLeaf]

... but anyway ... how are you doing, VBC? Hoping the spammer didn't exacerbate your troubles.

[VeganBikeChick]

... but anyway ... how are you doing, VBC? Hoping the spammer didn't exacerbate your troubles.

Oak,

Thanks so much for asking. I'm doing much better, and that being said...I'm moving back to Colorado. It really was my happy place and I'm really looking forward to being back. Moving back to Seattle brought me closure as well as reflecting on what I really want out of life and it was a necessary step in my healing. Time definitely helped me.

[OakLeaf]

I'm so glad to hear you're doing better, and that you have a handle on what each place has brought you. Hope the move goes smoothly!

[solobiker]

Happy to hear you are doing better. Are you moving back to the same area in CO? When will you be back in town? Once things get settled and you want to meet up send me a PM.