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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by theodora on November 18, 2003, at 16:26:11
To the readers of this site:
This is a long but hopeful message.
I was browsing the web on information for medications when I saw "psychobabble." I read some of the entries and felt for the people here who are struggling with depression. Until about 8 years ago I had been fighting an ongoing "battle" with a stubborn and deep-seated depression/anxiety mood disorder. At one point I was hospitalized and I went through at least 3-4 psychiatrists/psychologists/social workers.
I was fed up, almost hopeless, and exhausted. The people who were close to me were even more overwhelmed than I was...watching me suffer and not being able to help. BUT I NEVER GAVE UP. One day I decided to try cognitive behavioral therapy. I worked with a wonderful therapist for about 10 years. With her guidance/support/wisdom and prozac, I steadily improved. I finished grad school, got a tenure-track job in academia, and live a completely different kind of emotional life. I wanted to tell others who are on this very difficult path to NEVER GIVE UP-KEEP LOOKING FOR HELP-THE UNIVERSE WILL SEND YOU WHAT YOU NEED-IT IS POSSIBLE TO BE FREE OF THE EXTREME PAIN YOU ARE FEELING NOW.Thanks for listening.
Theodora
Posted by Stavros on November 18, 2003, at 16:46:08
In reply to there is hope for severe depression, posted by theodora on November 18, 2003, at 16:26:11
Thanks for the positive message however the very nature of the aforementioned dissorders effect the ability to process. While I want to be hopeful all I feel is confusion and fear? One med does this another adds that. It's too much. I cannot clear my head out and always want to just start over again. I need thing to just be calm in my head? It will be an act of God if i can pop out of this maze? God help us all!
S
> To the readers of this site:
>
> This is a long but hopeful message.
> I was browsing the web on information for medications when I saw "psychobabble." I read some of the entries and felt for the people here who are struggling with depression. Until about 8 years ago I had been fighting an ongoing "battle" with a stubborn and deep-seated depression/anxiety mood disorder. At one point I was hospitalized and I went through at least 3-4 psychiatrists/psychologists/social workers.
> I was fed up, almost hopeless, and exhausted. The people who were close to me were even more overwhelmed than I was...watching me suffer and not being able to help. BUT I NEVER GAVE UP. One day I decided to try cognitive behavioral therapy. I worked with a wonderful therapist for about 10 years. With her guidance/support/wisdom and prozac, I steadily improved. I finished grad school, got a tenure-track job in academia, and live a completely different kind of emotional life. I wanted to tell others who are on this very difficult path to NEVER GIVE UP-KEEP LOOKING FOR HELP-THE UNIVERSE WILL SEND YOU WHAT YOU NEED-IT IS POSSIBLE TO BE FREE OF THE EXTREME PAIN YOU ARE FEELING NOW.
>
> Thanks for listening.
>
> Theodora
>
Posted by sac on November 20, 2003, at 20:16:37
In reply to Re: there is hope for severe depression, posted by Stavros on November 18, 2003, at 16:46:08
I agree with Stavros. How do you go about improving through therapy when your moods are swinging wildly from day to day or hour to hour.? I so want to believe that someday I will find the magic combination to end all this ongoing daily struggle with my mood. (I know, however, that this will never happen without the use of medications which I am on several now.) My family thinks therapy is what I need. How can therapy help if I am so mentally messed up moodwise that I don't even know what is going on around me half the time? But how I wish it were so that there is hope.
Posted by theodora on November 21, 2003, at 8:57:01
In reply to Re: there is hope for severe depression, posted by sac on November 20, 2003, at 20:16:37
> I agree with Stavros. How do you go about improving through therapy when your moods are swinging wildly from day to day or hour to hour.? I so want to believe that someday I will find the magic combination to end all this ongoing daily struggle with my mood. (I know, however, that this will never happen without the use of medications which I am on several now.) My family thinks therapy is what I need. How can therapy help if I am so mentally messed up moodwise that I don't even know what is going on around me half the time? But how I wish it were so that there is hope.
Hi
I think one thing to remember is to lower your expectations. Maybe just make small steps at first-like making a list for how to get through the day so that you are functioning at some basic level. I do think that the right therapist can help. Mine helped me map out a plan for each day (when it was really bad). I had "homework." Forcing myself to do the simple things, like laundry, food shopping, etc...eventually began to make a difference. It was slow going at first-but there was no "magic" to it-just choosing to get through the day.
Don't give up!!Look for a therapist that seems grounded, stable, optimistic, and compassionate.
Posted by sac on November 21, 2003, at 9:05:25
In reply to Re: there is hope for severe depression, posted by theodora on November 21, 2003, at 8:57:01
Thanks for your words of encouragement. Yes I believe finding the right therapist is key. One with LOTS of patience. I do need to start focusing on getting through one day at a time. I tend to overwhelm myself with fears about tomorrow and how I will be feeling.
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 21, 2003, at 18:47:37
In reply to Re: there is hope for severe depression » theodora, posted by sac on November 21, 2003, at 9:05:25
> Thanks for your words of encouragement. Yes I believe finding the right therapist is key. One with LOTS of patience. I do need to start focusing on getting through one day at a time. I tend to overwhelm myself with fears about tomorrow and how I will be feeling.
Sorry to interrupt, but I'd like to redirect follow-ups regarding psychotherapists and psychotherapy to Psychological Babble. Here's a link:
http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20031114/msgs/282267.html
Thanks,
Bob
This is the end of the thread.
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