Castanet

You know how the valley was filled with smoke for weeks on end? How dark and apolcalyptic it was? it sapped the energy right out of you. It was all you could do to go from one thing to another, those of us with asthma were hiding inside. That's like depression. And waking up to light rain, smelling the fresh air and seeing the mountains, seeing blue sky and SUN for the first time in ages! That is what it is like when your meds start working - you feel a part of the world again.

well said! experiencing depression, especially longer term, is an absolutely terrible way to live and when the help starts to work its pretty amazing to feel hope

Check this out, if you can have this done it will make the chances of having the correct drug the 1st time significantly more likely. Went to a conference on this last week....

coming to a benefits plan near you soon

http://www.personalizedprescribing.com/

That actually looks pretty interesting! I've been lucky in that it hasn't taken me a long time to figure out my meds. But I know people who've had issues for years . . .

Lady tehMa wrote::135:

That actually looks pretty interesting! I've been lucky in that it hasn't taken me a long time to figure out my meds. But I know people who've had issues for years . . .

I found it amazing. It is probably it's own topic because it covers a variety of drugs but has significant potential for mental health.

my partner has struggled with proper meds as well and this might help...

Lady tehMa wrote:You know how the valley was filled with smoke for weeks on end? How dark and apolcalyptic it was? it sapped the energy right out of you. It was all you could do to go from one thing to another, those of us with asthma were hiding inside. That's like depression. And waking up to light rain, smelling the fresh air and seeing the mountains, seeing blue sky and SUN for the first time in ages! That is what it is like when your meds start working - you feel a part of the world again.

Why are you depressed?

Loki2u wrote:
Why are you depressed?

Brain chemistry - mainly my brain doesn't make enough seratonin. I was able to be off the drugs while I was doing HIIT workouts, but then fibro stepped in and ruled that out. The imbalance was triggered as I went through puberty. I didn't get diagnosed until I was in my late 20's/early 30's - when I was younger no one talked about mental health or really thought about it. Looking back historically there is definitely history in my family tree. My mom and all my sibs are on antidepressants as well. I also have a low thyroid so I need to take a supplement for that as well - taking antideppressants is just taking a supplement for my brain.

Lady tehMa wrote:

Loki2u wrote:
Why are you depressed?

Brain chemistry - mainly my brain doesn't make enough seratonin. I was able to be off the drugs while I was doing HIIT workouts, but then fibro stepped in and ruled that out. The imbalance was triggered as I went through puberty. I didn't get diagnosed until I was in my late 20's/early 30's - when I was younger no one talked about mental health or really thought about it. Looking back historically there is definitely history in my family tree. My mom and all my sibs are on antidepressants as well. I also have a low thyroid so I need to take a supplement for that as well - taking antideppressants is just taking a supplement for my brain.

Thank you for sharing and glad you found something that works.

It's nice to see mental health take more of a spotlight, and sharing your story (as difficult as it may be) goes a long way to shattering the stigmas that are out there.

I didn't really intend to get personal, I'm just always curious what goes on for people, and even though I'm sure it was none of my business, I thank you again for sharing that.

No problem

To me it's just another health issue, but one I'm really quite used to. I don't mind talking about it, starting conversations about it; it normalizes it for others. I don't stress over mine but I know others who do - or used to.

If you have nerve damage in your leg and you have to wear a brace, no one really questions it - right? Nowadays depression is getting more understood but you still get the person who wants to tell you "if you'd Just" or "have you tried going natural with". They mean well. It can be annoying though. Mostly people just want to know you'll accept them regardless.

Lady tehMa wrote:
Brain chemistry - mainly my brain doesn't make enough seratonin. I was able to be off the drugs while I was doing HIIT workouts, but then fibro stepped in and ruled that out. The imbalance was triggered as I went through puberty. I didn't get diagnosed until I was in my late 20's/early 30's - when I was younger no one talked about mental health or really thought about it. Looking back historically there is definitely history in my family tree. My mom and all my sibs are on antidepressants as well. I also have a low thyroid so I need to take a supplement for that as well - taking antideppressants is just taking a supplement for my brain.

How do you know your brain doesnt make enough serotonin? There's no to test for it.

Depression is mostly caused from traumatic childhood and experiences.

Lady tehMa wrote:
Brain chemistry - mainly my brain doesn't make enough seratonin. I was able to be off the drugs while I was doing HIIT workouts, but then fibro stepped in and ruled that out. The imbalance was triggered as I went through puberty. I didn't get diagnosed until I was in my late 20's/early 30's - when I was younger no one talked about mental health or really thought about it. Looking back historically there is definitely history in my family tree. My mom and all my sibs are on antidepressants as well. I also have a low thyroid so I need to take a supplement for that as well - taking antideppressants is just taking a supplement for my brain.

Gixxer wrote:How do you know your brain doesnt make enough serotonin? There's no to test for it.

Depression is mostly caused from traumatic childhood and experiences.

http://depressionhurts.ca/en/about/causes.aspx

Biological Factors

We are not certain what causes depression. One of the predominant theories proposes that depression is caused by an imbalance of naturally occurring substances called neurotransmitters in the brain and spinal cord.

Serotonin and norepinephrine are two neurotransmitters in the brain that appear to be involved in the symptoms of depression.

I can say with certainty because one of the medications I am on affects my level of seratonin. I tried it, it works, ergo I didn't have enough seratonin.

Having depression has given me a certain interest in it. If I come across an article on it I'll take the time to read. What I find really interesting is that we're just finding out how much we don't know about the human mind.

Gixxer wrote:
How do you know your brain doesnt make enough serotonin? There's no to test for it.

Depression is mostly caused from traumatic childhood and experiences.

Thank god it has been solved now.

Hopefully tomorrow gixxer solves aging, could really use a solution for that too.

I cant take credit for it.

Its what you'll learn if you take CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy)

Gixxer wrote:I cant take credit for it.

Its what you'll learn if you take CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy)

You're getting into the nature vs nurture argument and I believe both can be causes.

Gixxer wrote:I cant take credit for it.

Its what you'll learn if you take CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy)

Not really sure if CBT has much effect on clinical depression.