Depression?

[katcarasella]

I was just wondering if anyone has a family member that is bipolar or suffers from depression? What meds are they taking? Do you notice a big difference when they're on their meds? Just wondering!

[Janet]

Wish I was of some help to you kathy, but I really don't know of anyone off hand. I do suffer somewhat with seasonal depression. I have to make sure I get some sunlight during the winter even if it's starting the car and sitting out in it in the driveway..LOL. Sometimes it's just too cold to be outside. I don't take any medication, hopefully I won't ever have to...right now I take enough meds.

[Gina]

Kathy my nieces husband is bipolar he is an ex drug user. I don't know what medication he is on , but yes I notice a big difference. He use to be a happy go lucky guy the life of the party. I guess it was the drugs. Now he is very quiet and mellow. Sometimes I wish he would go back to the other personality < kidding > we are not use to seeing him this way.

[DianaB]

Kathy, my Dad was paranoid schizophrenic but I noticed the other day a medicinal ad in Reader's Digest for the medicine he was on and it was for bi-polar. He was on Abilify and he was soooo much better while on it. I had a doctor tell me that he was bi-polar but I argued that he wasn't because of his paranoia (He always thought that the house and car were bugged and that there were people trying to kill him.) However, he did have severe depression, so bad that one time he couldn't hardly get out of bed and walk and he was suicidal. That was when we finally got help for him. I can't begin to tell you how difficult it was to get help for him because my Dad had been ill long enough that he knew how to act normal.

The Abilify changed my Dad for the better. You could actually have a descent conversation with him. A lot of people around town knew what I went through trying to get help for him and I received a lot of compliments on how much better my Dad was. While Dad had the really low lows and sometimes seemed happy. I never thought that he had the extreme highs, usually he was just depressed. Even though Dad was better he didn't recognize it and it was a constant battle to keep him on his meds. He went off once and his girlfriend informed me that she didn't see any difference. I told her to wait because it was still getting out of his system and to let me know when she noticed anything. She really poo-pooed me but she went away for a few days and when she came back.........let's just say that she called me!!! It took a while and a lot of trouble but I finally got Dad to go back on his meds. I miss my Dad but I don't miss everything that we went through with him. I hope that this helps. Good luck and I'm here if you need me.

[katcarasella]

Thanks Diana and Gina, your replies were very much appreciated.

[judy]

My cousin by marriage is bipolar, and on meds. She does do things that are not so reality based when she's in the manic phase, but we all love her so much.

My daughter's brother-in-law is also bipolar and not on meds. It's very sad. He's so bright and talented, yet can't hold down a job or keep a relationship going. He's also stunning - he looks like Christian Bale. I wish he would take his meds.

Pretty much all of us on my father's side of the family are on some kind of anti-depressant. It's clearly genetic, and I believe it's probably a genetic
chemical imbalance. None of us really care or get upset over it. We just take our various anti-depressants and do just fine.

[katcarasella]

It's to the point that I'd much rather be asleep than awake, I dreaded getting out of bed this morning, and I can't wait to go to sleep tonite. I guess I'm just having one of those days, but they seem to be more frequent lately. There, I got it out, maybe that'll help. Thanks for listening to me.

[Janet]

Maybe you just need to get out some. Go shopping, even if you don't feel like it. Sometimes the sunshine or just the daylight can help, also being around other people. If you have extra time...maybe volunteer some place. Nothing makes the heart feel better than helping someone else.

[judy]

You're still grieving Kathy, and it's a long, painful process. You also are faced with making a new life for yourself and that can be pretty scary! I know I'd rather sleep than have to do that at times.

I used to be with a Women's Center and we had support groups. They were wonderful, and so helpful. Maybe a bereavement group or a support group?

I don't believe in suffering, so I'm an advocate of antidepressants if you're depressed and counseling if you're not happy. I do believe that antidepressants should be prescribed by a psychiatrist, not your family doctor.

I hope you don't ponder that it's a crutch or that you can handle it yourself, or else you're weak. Leave that foolishness to Tom Cruise.

God meant us to be happy. He loves each and every one of us.

[DianaB]

Why don't you call a friend and take her out to lunch. It will give you something to look forward to and get you out of the house for a while. Or plan on going over and visiting the kids later.