What's a good resource for info re: depression?................

[Kingshakabobo]

I'm beginning to think I may need help. I know if I go to my doctor he will prescribe something in two seconds flat. I WOULD like to be a little more informed before I start popping pills.

First time posting in this forum. Even this is hard to do - stupid strong silent type and all that rubbish - LOL.



Thanks in advance.

[Random_Australian]

1. Well, this site might be an Australian one, but we've had real trouble in

Aust. with depression, so this site is the best I've seen yet (Though it is partly aimed at a younger audience)

http://beyondblue.org/

On edit: When I say 'a problem' I mean that from a population of 20,000,000 we have about 100,000 with depression. (From their frontpage).

But I assume it is good for the strong/silent types too, as a fair portion of our problems have been with farmers.

And one last thing: Welcome to the DU Mental Health Support Group!

:hug:

[Tab]

2. Informed about what?

Depression itself? It really can take its toll, and sometimes you do need chemicals (e.g.: prescription) to lift you out. Preferably you should not be on them forever - but long enough to get you out of your hole and give you time to learn to cope. This is best when coupled with some psychotherapy - a psychologist that can help you learn to deal with whatever things are giving you trouble.

Note that anti-depressants ultimately are YOUR choice. You can choose to get off of them, or not be on them. So if the idea of it bothers you, take comfort that all you have to do is say "no" if you don't want them any more. Of course, you may be choosing to give yourself back to depression again. Be aware of a secondary dangerous trap - they help you feel better, then you think you don't need them, then you stop, then you're right back where you were.

Or informated about anti-depressants themselves? First, they don't make you high, and they don't make you think everything is la-di-dah. Life is still life; anti-deps just help you be more capable at sucking it up, preferably like you used to do. You do not just walk around with a silly grin on your face - you still are stuck with life, but at least it doesn't drag you down with it every moment.

Second, they don't work overnight. Most take a few weeks to build up enough in your system to kick in.

Third, there are many different types, and I don't mean brands. Some may be better for you than others. There is no way that I'm aware of where a doctor can automatically know which is best for you. Translation: you pick somewhere to start - generally an anti-dep that works for most people, and see how it works for you. After a few weeks, does it work? Do you have any side effects? If you have a decent doctor, (s)he probably started you on the lowest dose (s)he thought you could get away with. If it's not working, they may try to up the dose.

If you get to a point where it should have worked and it's still not, then you may try something else. Celexa (citalopram) is different than Effexor, which is different than Welbutrin. Effexor is a pretty good killer of depression and anxiety, but it has the reputation of killing other things as well (personal highs, sex drive, whatever). Welbutrin has a reputation of not touching your sex drive - it may even make you hornier - but it may not work on other things (e.g.: anxiety). So, you may go through a few different ones during the course of treatment. It'll vary depending on your need, and whether or not you "take" to it.

Don't be afraid, after four weeks, for instance, of going to your doctor and saying "this isn't working", and discussing whether you should up the dose or move to something else.

You can get through it, just don't plan on it being a magic, instant, fix. But at the same time, don't assume it's unfixable. A few people might hit it the first time out the door, but most, if they're willing to work with their doctor, will eventually settle on a medication and dosage that works for them.

Good luck

- Tab

[varkam]

3. I would recommend

If you feel you might be depressed is to schedule an appointment with a psychologist if you want to stay away from taking medications but do want therapy or a psychiatrist if you don't really want therapy but do want some medicine. I would tend to stay away from non-mental health professionals if you're looking at a mental health problem, as they may be very intelligent and competitent practictioners, but mental health is the only thing mental health professionals do (unlike GPs, for instance).

I'd also just like to say that the step you made in admitting to yourself that you might need help is a very big one. Many with issues don't even make it that far.

I wish you well :hi:

[ThingsGottaChange]

4. Here's some links

These are the places I've gone over the years for info. I found that also reading depression forums was very helpful. You know, real people who have experienced depression, etc.

In no particular order:

http://www.nimh.nih.gov/nimhhome/index.cfm

http://www.nmha.org/

http://www.mentalhealth.com/

http://www.healthyplace.com/index.html

http://www.webmd.com/diseases_and_conditions/depression.htm

http://www.wingsofmadness.com/

http://depression.about.com/

http://www.allaboutdepression.com/index.html

http://www.nami.org/

Some may be more helpful than others. I found that reading lots of different types of depression sites kinda helped to separate the wheat from the chaff! Also, try googling depression.

I wish you the best of luck. If you ever want to, you can pm me. :hug:

[Kingshakabobo]

6. Thanks to you and to the others who responded........

I'm at work now but I will sift through this tonight. I really appreciate it!!!!

[mrgorth]

5. King

I'm almost off of my last bit of anti-depressants. Here's my advice, stay off them if you can and try and heal thyself in other ways. If you need them, that's cool. I did, but I was completely debilitated. Lexapro helped a lot. I took Celexa when I had a mild bout earlier and that was good too. No side effects to me. Once on them don't get off because you start feeling decent. You may not be ready. After you're on them you might become immune as I did with Lexapro. Wellbutrin is good but it made me more angry, I clenched my teeth and it gave me headaches. Effexor worked well but definitely has side effects and is an absolute nightmare to come off of. Stay away if you can. Best of luck.

[MuseRider]

7. Dear strong silent type

NOT stupid. I am a female of that type. There is nothing I can't do all by myself thank you! I have classic depression and was having anxiety attacks. I tried to get some help right after my brother died, following the disappearance of my other brother, following the death of my grandmother with my mother's long illness and death and I was not 50. I have always been depressed but those last 7 years about did me in. My docs all knew me, I was a nurse and my husband a doc, so what they all said was, "You are strong and you will get through it." Well I did not get through it and it got worse and worse. I did not go back for help for over 3 years and getting suicidal. It took that to get me back to the docs so if anyone is stupid it is me :).

I was put on Wellbutrin and it has been a miracle for me. I was desperate for the meds at that point. Just wanted to let you know that if therapy does not work or give you the relief you need there are some very good drugs. I would certainly listen to those in the posts above, this is my only experience and it has been a very good one for me. Lending support, we all need something sometimes. Let us know from time to time how you are doing. I have found that depression is something that is better when shared with a group of understanding people. Good luck to you and please feel better.

[bling bling]

8. A doctor will use the DSM-IV criteria to diagnose depression.

I'm not sure if I'm allowed to post diagnostic criteria here so I won't. But you can google "DSM-IV+depression" or something along those lines and see the criteria that must be met to treat you for depression.

Depression is a serious and debilitating disease. The best analogy I've been able to come up with to describe to others who haven't experienced it is that it's a disease that completely unarms you and injects you with numbing agents so that it can attack you and make your life miserable -- but you're too drained and numb and de-motivated to fight it off.