Depression...

[Ocean1]

Whelp, I'm really farkt if I know what to do now.
I visited the psychkitriatrist on Monday, forked over $300, and he gave me a prescription for Epilin (epilepsy medication!) which I've been too scared to take. He was pleasant enough, but looked about 102, and I found it a little hard to relate to him. I was hoping for someone who could perhaps ask me the right questions and get me to say the right things, so we could between us sort out what my problem is. I'm convinced it's mostly psycho/neurochemical, with some elements of psycological (which become irrelevant when I'm functioning/feeling OK). Talking about it helps, but I can't talk to my wife any more, as she's convinced it's primarily attitudinal/situational and the neurochemical aspect is secondary. I'm sure it's the other way around, as when I was first diagnosed, there were no situational things going on - I just felt "waves of sadness" for no reason at all.

At the moment, I'm semi-functional (my brain works most of the time), but I feel terrible emotionally, and feel realy farkn awful in the mornings (both physically, mentally and mood wise).

I'm not sure whether to give the Epilim a go, as it may just complicate things. I feel (mostly) like me at the moment, I'm just struggling a lot, and I'm worried things could degenerate to where I can't make rational decisions and give up. I think talking to a therapist/psychologist or another psychiatrist might be useful, but I dunno where/who to go to. A crazy friend of mine said I should talk to her therapist, but the sheet of bumf she gave me was so wanky and waffly it put me right off.

Gaahhh!!! :whocares:

Me for one, I'd be seriously pissed if you gave up.
Had any luck doing it by youself?
Not suggesting that every health Pro knows more about your problem than you do but give 'em some credit.
Belief is the ultimate barrier to knowledge, and make no mistake self knowledge is the only begining to your journey. Use their advice carefully by all means, but use it. Not suggesting you simply do what your told either though, research the links between epilepsy and depression. Research the use of Epilim and it's effects.

It's not unusual for those not intimately familliar with depression to think there's some form of self control lacking or actual choice available. Those close to you aren't imune to that, and that can be hard to deal with. Has the wife talked to a Pro about it?

This might help:

The Silent Killer of Intimacy

As much as everyone desires closeness, companionship and harmony in their relationships they cannot avoid the fact that there are a number of things in life that may keep them from enjoying true intimacy.

Some of the more common threats to intimacy include stress, unresolved conflict, anger, unforgiveness, etc. But the "Silent Killer of Intimacy" that often goes unaddressed is depression.

Although the quality of a relationship can be impacted when either partner is depressed, research has shown that women may experience greater emotional difficulty when either her or her partner is depressed. This is significant because they are more likely to derive a sense of well being from their roles in intimate relationships with others than men are (Jordon, Kaplan, Miller, Stiver & Surrey, 1991).

Depression can also cause people in otherwise reasonably healthy relationships to perceive themselves and their relationships in negative ways, often resulting in behaviours that sabotage positive interaction (see Dobson, Jacobson, & Victor, 1988). Let's consider, for example, a man who begins to show less outward signs of affection to his partner. His partner interprets it as a sign that he no longer cares for her when, in reality, he is depressed. As a result of her assumptions, she avoids him and withdraws from him. This causes him to feel isolated or rejected, and he, in turn, reacts by finding excuses not to spend time with her. Unless the silence is broken, the cycle of negative perceptions and rejection will fatally undermine intimacy in the relationship.

Depressed people not only feel different from those who are not depressed, but they behave and think differently as well. Depressed persons speak less often and more slowly, with lower volume, more silences, and greater hesitancy. They also take longer to respond to the remarks of others. In addition, they make less eye contact, don't smile as often and often seem to isolate themselves from others physically (Segrin & Abramson, 1994). These behaviours can be misinterpreted by those close to them as a lack of interest or affection, and create barriers to communication, which is essential to relational intimacy.

[more_fasterer]

Whelp, I'm really farkt if I know what to do now.
I visited the psychkitriatrist on Monday, forked over $300, and he gave me a prescription for Epilin (epilepsy medication!) which I've been too scared to take. He was pleasant enough, but looked about 102, and I found it a little hard to relate to him. I was hoping for someone who could perhaps ask me the right questions and get me to say the right things, so we could between us sort out what my problem is. I'm convinced it's mostly psycho/neurochemical, with some elements of psycological (which become irrelevant when I'm functioning/feeling OK). Talking about it helps, but I can't talk to my wife any more, as she's convinced it's primarily attitudinal/situational and the neurochemical aspect is secondary. I'm sure it's the other way around, as when I was first diagnosed, there were no situational things going on - I just felt "waves of sadness" for no reason at all.

At the moment, I'm semi-functional (my brain works most of the time), but I feel terrible emotionally, and feel realy farkn awful in the mornings (both physically, mentally and mood wise).

I'm not sure whether to give the Epilim a go, as it may just complicate things.

As a user of Epilim, I would suggest that you at least give it a try. I've never heard of it being used for depression but it's a very benign drug. At the very least do some interweb research and see if there's anything that applies to you that would render it unsuitable.

In my experience it did improve my outlook on life, but I feel that was more from the ability to lead a normal life after being restricted by my epilepsy since puberty.

If Epilim doesn't have the desired effect, then when you wake up in the morning just remind yourself that you have a VFR

(Sorry for the off-topic tangent)

[smoky]

Whelp, I'm really farkt if I know what to do now.
Epilin which I've been too scared to take. I'm not sure whether to give the Epilim a go, as it may just complicate things.
I just felt "waves of sadness" for no reason at all.

At the moment, I'm semi-functional
but I feel terrible emotionally, and feel realy farkn awful in the mornings

You sound bipolar to me – rather than just depressed. I wouldn’t be scared to try Epilim;

It’s used for treating people with bipolar. They don’t really know how it works but it is a mood stabiliser, I think it increases the activity of receptors that respond to the neurotransmitter acid in your brain, that act as a natural 'nerve-calming' agent.
You will notice however with long term use you may put on weight, worst case scenario is it could affect your liver or pancreas. Your doctor should have your blood tested to monitor your liver function for the first six months of taking it.

One thing I would mention though is how it’s linked to an increase in aggression and confusion – if you start to notice that side of things be careful.

But remember; what works for one person may not work for someone else. So you really need to shop around and find a doctor your comfortable with – my suggestion is you tell the old doctor your not comfortable with him and ask if he knows of anyone you may feel comfortable with – you’ll be surprised how well he’ll take it and he will probably know someone for you to try. When it comes to depression or bipolar issues – doctors don’t normally have egos and are real happy for you to say things like that.

Try therapy, therapy is not about getting all the answers or advice; it’s a way of learning more about your self, and getting honest feedback. It can help you regain confidence in yourself.
Educate your self by reading about bipolar, learn what triggers your moods, join a support group, keep a very tight routine sleep, eat and crap the same time each day and take time to exercise daily.

I know this is unpopular but avoid alcohol and recreational drugs, at lest while your not feeling right.

I have a theory about water and vibration, about positive language and the cellular make up of our bodies – and how we have more control of things like this than we realise – if your interested PM me.

[Hitcher]

Although it may be well intentioned, I think people should avoid the temptation to diagnose the mental health conditions of others when they have no formal training in psychology or, if they do, without doing a proper consultation.

[smoky]

Although it may be well intentioned, I think people should avoid the temptation to diagnose the mental health conditions of others when they have no formal training in psychology or, if they do, without doing a proper consultation.

Diagnosis? when did I do that? I appologise if it read like that - but he went to a doctor who diagnosed him, and it was the doctor who prescribed him Epilim, he was just wondering about taking it.
Nothing in what’s been said here is trying to diagnose the mental health conditions of others. My comment about it being Bipolar rather than normal depression was for more_fasterer’s benefit, he said he’d never heard of Epilim being used for depression – he’s right it’s not, but it is used to treat a bipolar disorder.
I’m damb sure vifferman knows what he's been diagnosed with – vifferman went and saw the doctor.
More_fasterer also said that Epilim was a very benign drug – I was pointing out that that’s not everyones experience with it – I know that personaly.
No ones making a diagnosis here mate.

[KATWYN]

I think people should avoid the temptation to diagnose the mental health conditions of others when they have no formal training in psychology or, if they do, without doing a proper consultation.

I reakon a trained psychologist would probably already know not to do that -at least I would hope they would

It would indicate to me they were probably untrained ??

[Hitcher]

Diagnosis? when did I do that?

You sound bipolar to me – rather than just depressed. I wouldn’t be scared to try Epilim

And prescribing restricted medicines. As I said, well intentioned, but I suspect your medical credentials are non-existent.

[smoky]

And prescribing restricted medicines. As I said, well intentioned, but I suspect your medical credentials are non-existent.

Never claimed to have medical credentials - but read it again man - the doctor prescribed him Epilim not me - he sounds like hes bipolar because they dont give Epilim to people who are just depressed. I was suggesting he listnen to what the doctor prescribed for him - if he didnt like the doctor or had no faith in him then go to another - read it
I'll say it again incase you still don't get it - I didn't at any stage prescribe any thing to him - the doctor did.

[Hitcher]

he sounds like he's bipolar because they don't give Epilim to people who are just depressed.

Again, sounds like a medical diagnosis to me.

[KATWYN]

Sounds more like an assumption than anything......

[Hitcher]

Either way. Depression and other mental illnesses are a serious matter, and should only be diagnosed by qualified professionals, rather than by well-meaning folks just having a guess, based on personal experiences or what they've read or whatever.

[smoky]

Whelp, I'm really farkt if I know what to do now.
I visited the psychkitriatrist on Monday, forked over $300, and he gave me a prescription for Epilin (epilepsy medication!) which I've been too scared to take.
I'm not sure whether to give the Epilim a go, as it may just complicate things. I feel (mostly) like me at the moment, I'm just struggling a lot, and I'm worried things could degenerate to where I can't make rational decisions and give up.

Now Hitcher - follow the thread, above is what he said.

So I replyed
"You sound bipolar to me – rather than just depressed. I wouldn’t be scared to try Epilim".

Do you get it now?

can we get back to positive discussion again?

[Kittyhawk]

Im on a job hunt. GP said Im not ready to consider working full time till August, Psycotherapist said I should be looking for a job now.

My mission is to not return to the banking industry, but to find a physicial job. ( hate desk jobs) Want to see if physicially working hard will reduce my depression. Am thinking either a postie run or study to become a gym instructor. Posties cycle up to 28kms each day, 6 days a week.

I'll try anything to reduce my current state.

[Ocean1]

Cool, they must think you're on the mend


Postie sounds good, pay's crap but the local ones get to use scooters ... which makes ya a pro rider right?

.

[Bloody Mad Woman (BMW)]

Geez Kittyhawk sounds too energetic for me!! One thing I found quite therapeutic during my downer last year was growing herbs. In pots. I live in an apartment but outside my back door is my little "herb garden" they are GROWING and doing very well. So I got bold and have planted some pansies in pots - the seeds were so tiny - ye of little faith here - thought they won't all grow - they are. Ok no flowers yet - apparently these things take time lol. I will then press them and make cards or put them on candles - make beautiful simple cheap gifts usually put a "inspiration quote" on them as well.
Takes my mind of myself and problems.