Came from the Doctor's office

Thanks Jeff, I really liked that list.... there are a few names in there which are idols of mine.

In that case I may be smart, after all.

I'm sorry you're feeling so awful at the moment, at least now you know what's been making you feel so terrible over the last couple of weeks. Finding out what's wrong it the first step to getting back on track (((((HUGS)))))

Victor-
I don't know you very well, but I think your a smart guy You are getting help for the depression and you're going to fight it and not let it bring you down. I applaud you for this (you have to admit that little clapping guy made you smile!) Hang in there and I promise that everything will work out and you will feel better. ((HUGS))

Originally Posted by squirtle

Victor-
I don't know you very well, but I think your a smart guy

You are getting help for the depression and you're going to fight it and not let it bring you down. I applaud you for this

(you have to admit that little clapping guy made you smile!) Hang in there and I promise that everything will work out and you will feel better. ((HUGS))

Click to expand...

Ok, I admit it! The little guy made me laugh!

(((HUGS)))

Victor, YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!! I was diagnosed with depression two years ago, and have been on anti-depressants since. I was initially told I would be a good candidate for tapering off the drugs once I dealt with the main issue (my marriage/divorce) but so far that hasn't worked for me. So what? So I take a pill that helps me from going off at every imagined slight in my life? I'm SOO much happier than I was two years ago.

Many, many people suffer from depression without realizing it, but many, many more people LIVE WITH depression, and I mean really live. It's not a life sentence, it's a chronic illness that will need your attention, just as if you were diabetic or had heart disease. There are many levels of depression, and many things you can do to manage your illness, to keep it from overwhelming you. As you can already tell, there are plenty of people here on TCS that know what you're going thru, and we're here to talk when you're ready. Hope you're feeling better already.

Originally Posted by vinceneilsgirl

Whatever you do, don't let them put you on Paxil. A friend of mine was put on it recently after a suicide attempt and it not only didn't help her depression, it turned her into a paranoid pile of tears who was well on her way to another suicide.

Click to expand...

Please remember that everyone reacts differently to different medications. Some people do great on Paxil, otherwise it never would have made it to market. I personally know two people who went suicidal on Prozac, even though someone else here said they've done well on it. I went on Wellbutrin at first, but it turned me into a jittery insomniac so we switched.

Victor, I'm glad you're feeling better knowing you're not alone. It will take a couple weeks for the medication to really take effect, but the therapy in the meantime should be very helpful. We all know you're on the road to recovery.

Thanks for those hugs, Rica Lynn.... You made me think on one thing.... heart disease or diabetes is worser than depression when you think about it.

Hugs.

You're going to come through this Victor because you have a great sense of humour, even if you don't feel it all the time. Hang on.

heart disease or diabetes is worser than depression when you think about it

Click to expand...

Only because they have visible symptoms, dear Victor. And there are lots of people with undiagnosed diabetes and heart disease, and lots of people who have it but don't show any symptoms because they manage it so well.

So it is with depression - if you manage it well (either with medication, exercise, therapy or a combination of these) other people may never know you have it or may think you're "cured", but YOU will still know because you treat it every day. If you don't, then you'll start to display visible symptoms, like withdrawl, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, weight changes, etc. (kinda like a diabetic who doesn't watch their sugar like they should, this leads to all sorts of complications down the road).

And I'm sure you'll hear this from "healthy" folks, if you haven't already, that "It's all in your head" I heard this a lot, and I thought that for a long time myself, but I finally realized this is not something I can just wish away -- if it were, it would have been gone long ago. And the people who will tell you that are NOT the people you need close by when you are trying to deal with a bad spell of depression. They will only frustrate you, which may make matters worse, not better.

Just keep up the good work Victor, you're already two steps ahead of anyone who denies they have depression. REmember you're never alone, and you'll get better.

I have heard it already, that its all in your head. That you just need to snap out of it.

Since the doctor told me about the depression I have spent the time I am feeling more or less capable moving around the internet trying to find out more about it. I am starting to find out quite a lot about it.

Good going! Knowledge really is power!

Victor-

I don't know how old you are, but want to say that you are not alone, as you are quickly learning. My son (also a teenager) has suffered from an anxiety disorder and depression since he was about 10. He takes Zoloft and Concerta. He started out with Prozac but it made him too careless. Depression can run in families (hereditary). I have many relatives who suffer from it. It will take time for you to adjust to the medication and you may have to try different ones to find the one that works best and agrees with you. Good luck!!! The biggest step is getting help. You are already headed on the road to recovery.

Victor, many people suffer from depression and are on anti-depressants. I have been on and off, my whole life. So you're not alone! Along with your medication, make sure you get some excersise and just plain old be good to yourself!

So there was some truth to your April fools joke
Yeah depression is extremely common, and tons of people are on ADs. Seriously I could name off about 15 people I know without even thinking about it.
I have no doubt that you will get through it, but it takes time as said earlier.

Peace man,

Brandon

Just got a message from Victor that he asked me to pass on to everyone here:

I am still feeling shaky from it, but I went through some kind of horrible feeling. Just plain anxiety... my hands sweating and trembling and your heart racing and an an undescribable anxiety. I am being told it could have been a panic attack.

I am still shaky over it, but I feel getting calmer.

The worsest thing is that I was home alone at the worsest moment of it.

My parents just arrived, but I am more tranquil now.... its kind of a "hit and go" thing.

Please tell this to the folks at the forum. I am writing this in a hurry, and I am not feeling well. But I feel I need to tell you folks the crucis I am going through right now.

Click to expand...

For the record, Victor it sounds like Zoloft isn't working well for you at all. I would call the Dr. who prescribed it ASAP and talk to him/her about what you have been feeling since you started taking it. I never had that kind of reaction to the AD when I was on them....

Thanks for passing that on Heidi.... I was in no mood to do much at the moment. Thanks a million.

It just happened while I was alone at home, as my parents were mailing the taxes at the Post Office... I was simply feeling desperate.

I was feeling horrible before I took those meds, but now I am feeling much worst. This is horrendous. I need to talk to the Dr.

Perhaps the worsest thing was that I was home alone at the moment. I think it is the first time I felt so scared. You can't just start to imagine the feeling realizing you are having some kind of a panic attack, and feel alone.

I have had a talk with someone else who has had depression. She is telling me that I should see that psychiatrist immediately. No fooling around. she says, that if its related to the depression then the condition is much more serious than thought.

Victor
Having first hand knowledge of depression, although not the kind in which you suffer from, I do know that you NEED to learn everything you can about it. It helps not only with dealing with it, but also makes you more knowledgable about it when you talk to your Dr.

Also remember that, while I don't take Zoloft, it will take a while for you to adjust to it's effects. When I first went on mine (Paxil), I would sweat and get jittery for about a week and a half.

Heidi is right.... If you are unsure IN ANY WAY about the effects you are having, then you need to call your Dr. It's not a case of, "well I'm not really in the mood", it's more like a neccesity.... not only for you to make sure it's normal, but to put your mind at ease as well...

Hope things go well!

Yes.... after I had that, I really felt the urge to call the Dr. but he is closed the evenings, and I didn't knew where I had his home number. But I really need to talk with him... that's for sure.

Originally Posted by vinceneilsgirl

Whatever you do, don't let them put you on Paxil. A friend of mine was put on it recently after a suicide attempt and it not only didn't help her depression, it turned her into a paranoid pile of tears who was well on her way to another suicide.

Click to expand...

Vinceneilgirl, while I realize you meant well, your statement is TOTALLY false. This may have been what happened to your friend, but it does not happen to everyone. One theory out there, re antidepressants and suicide is this: The person who is severely depressed has no energy to even kill himself. Then when the depression starts to lift, but not completely, the energy to comit suicide is now present. This is one theory, not gospel. Everyone reacts diferently to every med, even something as "mundane" as pennicillin, some people react well, some die from it. YOU CAN NOT PUT EVERYONE IN THE SAME BOAT. PAXIL HAS BEEN AFFECTIVE FOR THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE.

Victor, I always look forward to your posts, you are so inteligent and wise beyond your years. I am a nurse with Bi-polar disorder. Depression, most of my life. I have been taking meds for years. If paxil does not work for you, and it may not, your Pdoc can order something else. Sometimes you just have to try many meds, just like a person with high blood pressure would..one size does not fit all. As lotsof cats stated, please me honest with your therapist, THERAPY WORKS. It is hard at first to open up, kind of like telling a stanger on a bus your life story. Remember your therapist HAS HEARD IT ALL...more than a priest in the confessional! But if the therapist is a good fit,(just like the meds) you will develop one of the most important relationships in your life. If you can't get comfortable with your therapist, say in about a month...CHANGE THERAPISTS. THE SAME WAY THAT YOUR WOULD SWITCH CAR MECHANICS, IF THE MECHANIC WASN'T DOING A GOOD JOB. You will get better, in time, but it is very hard work. Be a pro-active patient, research everything. Visit www.NAMI.org for a start. Don't be put off by the term "mental Illness" people are now trying to change that term and others due to the stigma (which is getting better) Brain illness is a newer term. Look up some sites that show a depressed brain. Search "PET scans and depression" and you will see what I mean...really cool stuff.

Lastly, my illness, is pretty much life long, but I deal with it. And many years ago when I was first diagnosed with "just depression", I came out of it realizing, it was one of the best things that happened to me...it made me stronger and I discovered myself. Would not trade it for anything. Did you know that some of the most influential and brightest people have or had depression? Do a search "famous people with depression" You will be impressed. About.com also has a wonderful site on depression.

Take care my friend, if you would like to email me, I'd be honored.
[email protected] Barbara

Thanks. I can't thank you enough on that post.