posted on April 15, 2004 12:19:25 PM new
I read they found Spalding Gray's body in March. He suffered from depression and probably committed suicide. That really made me sad and I just wanted to say something about depression.
It'll be 4 years this month since my dad passed away from cancer. The people here helped me tremendously and the doctor helped me out with Paxil. I switched to Celexa and am still on a maintenance dose.
I want anyone that's feels depressed to know that it's only temporary and that you can get help. These medications DO work. Although I didn't feel suicidal, there were times when I wished I was dead because I was in so much pain.
I just hope none of you have to go there, but if you do, I hope you try and get help. I'm A-OK now and owe most of it to a pill - something I never thought I'd say.
posted on April 15, 2004 01:16:38 PM new
For me I chose not to turn to drugs as a means of coping with my pain after my husband died. Was I depressed - had my life gone totally upside down? Yes...most certainly...and I'm still working my way through the pain of losing him.
Many widows/widowers in my grief group have turned to anti-depressants/sleeping pills....but for me personally I didn't choose to. My thinking was that would only be posponing my grief process. And I figured that once I stopped taking them....I'd still have to 'feel' my pain. So...I by-passed them altogether.
Please understand I am not making a judgement on anyone else because they do....just sharing why I chose not to in my situation.
posted on April 15, 2004 02:04:37 PM new
Kraft, I know the feeling. In the several years of recovering from my broke leg & losing the lawsuite against the ladder manufacturer, I went into severe depression. Finally through counseling & less than a year of anti-depressants came the realization that although I wasn't physically capable of performing some tasks in the same way I was previously capable, I found another way to get the same results.
A counselor I had that had spent 18 years in Brazil ministering to the natives told me they had a expression, "If you don't have a dog to hunt with, use a cat".
Meaning, there is always another way to get the task done.
Once I came to accept that I coouldn't do things like I used to, but could find another way. the depression seemed to fade away like a bad memory.
Good luck....
'We have dispatched Dr. David Kay...to search for the bio-warfare agents we believe hidden in Senator Kerry's forehead. If Senator Kerry has used botox as part of a wrinkle enrichment program, he is in violation of UN Resolution 752. Upon receiving Dr. Kay's report, the weapons of mass destruction that Senator Kerry so adamantly insists do not exist...may well be above his very nose.'" --Dick Cheney when asked whether John Kerry has had Botox treaments
Thankfully, I've been helped but there are many out there who think their situation is hopeless, and it's not.
You remind me of my good friend Joan, Linda. She also lost her husband but found an inner-strength to move ahead. It's very admirable. My coping mechanisms aren't that fine-tuned, and like Bear, I was overcome by it.
With this kind of medication, you don't stop grieving or feeling bad, but that continuous loop of events that's played over and over every minute you're awake ends and you're able to deal with it.
posted on April 15, 2004 02:49:43 PM new
KD - Thank you very much for your compliments, but I don't feel/think that I have any 'inner-strength' or better 'coping mechanisms' that others lack. Each situation is different and we take what we feel is the best road for ourselves.
I sure didn't mean to come across as I'm stronger and you're [collectively] weaker. And if I did come across that way, I ask that you all accept my most sincere apology.
posted on April 15, 2004 03:24:47 PM new
My Christian faith got me through some very difficult times. Without it, I'd be a bitter, miserable soul (kind of like Reamond).
posted on April 15, 2004 04:30:37 PM new
Work, hard, satisfying, physical work...greatly diminishes depression. Not that that would be a solution to someone suffering depression as a result of injury or debilitating illness, like bear's busted leg. I thank my stars that I have this ranch and all it requires with a profession like mine. When I come home and can mend a fence, fix a leaky water tank, stitch up a wire-cut ram, the days of hard of hearing, unmotivated students are a whole lot easier to deal with emotionally. I can go to bed knowing I accomplished something.
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posted on April 15, 2004 11:00:18 PM new
I'm sorry that some of you had to go through those things but eventually sad or bad things happen to everyone and some cope better than others. I'm glad you've all found ways to improve.
Luckily I've never had depression but I have had bad things happen in my life or very stressful times. For years now I've repaired/remodeled/renovated houses that I've lived in so I usually have a project to work on and that helps me the most. And I find yard work is good for the soul or I enjoy going into the woods and just wandering around.
I agree with profe51, keeping busy and hard work helps lots. The outdoors is very healing.
