Posted by Alara on April 17, 2003, at 8:10:13
In reply to “Recurrent brief depressive disorder” ?, posted by fi on April 13, 2003, at 12:49:11
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> Busy spooking myself about this, having just found a mention to it. Fits what I’ve been having since late Jan (monthly or more frequent episodes lasting between 2 days and 2 weeks, unrelated to menstrual cycle).
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> The idea that this might carry on happening *every* month, and that its apparently hard to treat, is alarming me, as you may imagine! Mainly the acute regular suffering, but also if/how I could carry on working in any job…. Yes, I know that could still be part of the current episode's current anxiety (thank god now much milder and more manageable), but there's still a real worry there.
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> Cant find much about it, tho.
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> Anyone any info on coping with it?
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> FiFi, I relate totally.
Here are a couple of questions to ask yourself:
1. Did you start or stop any meds (including the pill) in the months leading up to late Jan?
2. Have you had any noticeable medical issues (eg; mono, diabetes, pregnancy) in the last couple of years?
3. How old are you?
4. Have you had any significant changes relating to your job or home life during this period?
Fi, I also have a tendency to get depressed for only days at a time. The cause of this phenomenon has been hard to pinpoint but I have noticed that it happens less during the 10 days before my period when I take vitamin B.Sometimes I get depressed for shorter periods (2 to 3 days at a time) but these shorter episodes of depression seem to be totally unrelated to my cycle. Usually they are due to unbelievable stress at work and/or the occasional drinking binges that I indulge in to relieve work/relationship stress.
Sometimes I get depressed when it rains for more than two days in a row...(I sometimes wonder if this is some form of SAD but firmly believe that labelling myself won't rectify the problem.)
Fi, it really helps to remind yourself that your state of mind is only temporary. By telling yourself that you're just human and feeling `low, you can alleviate a lot of the anxiety that is contributing to your depressed state. (It has taken me several years to reach this point but I
now have the confidence to know that I will be OK next week, that I have the strength and the resilience to get through anything.)Keep a diary of everything - your meds, your diet and exercise habits, daily upheavals, stress levels, menstrual cycle, and most importantly your moods. Keep searching for answers but don't blow it out of proportion. Normal human beings do have ups and downs, even if your `downs' are upsetting your life more than you would like.
I know that it's easier said than done. I still have my ` mini epidsodes'. (The people on this board have witnessed that.) Still, you can gain better control of your emotional life if you persist. Trust me. :-)
By the way, I take Celexa (an SSRI) and this has helped me considerably.Best wishes,
Alara
poster:Alara
thread:219005
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030414/msgs/220021.html