[earle58]

there was a period of months, that i took ativan.
but i personally struggled w/knowing i was dependent on an anxiolytic, and hated taking them...even if it did help.
actually, they did help the anxiety, but also added to the depression.
i took myself off them and have learned to manage any anxiety.

one of the more frustrating symptoms i had, was abrupt and extreme agitation.
i hated the fact that i would just lose it.
my np put me on inderal la...something about how it interrupts the adrenaline response, and it suppresses flashbacks from a horrible past.
within 3 wks, i noticed the agitation was gone, as well as much of the acute anxiety.
so, through a process, i have carefully eliminated most of my meds, except the cymbalta (which has been magical for me) and the inderal.

as your disease process rallies on, i strongly recommend ongoing evaluation of what is working and what is not.
it's important to weigh the benefit vs burden.
see what you can manage on your own.
it really does give a feeling of accomplishment, when you realize you don't have to be dependent on 20 different meds to "function". (i love the irony of that statement)
for months, i mindlessly took what was prescribed.
through that process, i realized how much control i had lost of myself and my life.
3 yrs after the dx, i still have much work to do.
but i have never felt better, and more hopeful about today and tomorrow.
for all of you who are just beginning, please, be an active participant in your recovery.
don't be afraid to complain about a med being too much, or not working.
plant goals for yourself, i.e., i want to feel more alert, or today i will clean the bathroom.
initially, everything is in baby steps.
the most important outcome of this entire journey, is to restore, and even transcend to a level of functioning that acknowledges your personal best.
that will entail active participation with a good therapist and minimal medications.
you will all get there...
one baby step at a time.

leslie

[sharona97]

Lovely post Leslie,

I could relate with the pro-active approach to recovery.
However, I find myself at times slipping backwards and
despite knowing that baby steps, one moment at a time
I can soar into a recluse. Especially when it involves
anything with my son.
This explains my last week. I'm going to talk
to my provider about the Inderal LA, but if I remember
correctly I bottomed out in BP.

Just needed to vent.....express some stuff, I think
all of us that have or are suffering with depression
have also done.

Thanks for listening.

[sharona97]

Markjrn:

How are you and your wife doing? Wishing you both peace in healing.

[sail81]

I'm in nursing school now and going into this I was determined not to let anxiety and depression get in my way. Easier said than done. I'm on sertraline and also listen to Joel Osteen a lot which seems to help me bypass depression on those "bad" days. Its not fun and it doesn't help when people just tell you to "get up and go" or "stop worrying".....it's a disease. My prayers are with you guys! Hopefully she'll gain strength because with her experiences she probably brings valuable knowledge to the world of nursing and there are many patients that need her.

God Bless.

[sharona97]

[quote=sail81;2485603]I'm in nursing school now and going into this I was determined not to let anxiety and depression get in my way. Easier said than done. I'm on sertraline and also listen to Joel Osteen a lot which seems to help me bypass depression on those "bad" days. Its not fun and it doesn't help when people just tell you to "get up and go" or "stop worrying".....it's a disease. My prayers are with you guys! Hopefully she'll gain strength because with her experiences she probably brings valuable knowledge to the world of nursing and there are many patients that need her.

I'm looking at Spring Semester sign up next week and have the same thoughts...
Will the anxiety/depression get in the way of memory and thinking.
Still determined to plug along, hoping the stimulation in an area I love will get me through with passing gades and a good clinical experience. Good Luck to you!

[CITCAT]

in response to dutchgirl depression and anxiety are considerd illnesses and dis-abilit-ies whe the illness interferes with activites of daily living thaat is my humble opinion.

[Suesquatch]

Hey, better living through chemistry.

Lexapro and Xanax are my dear, dear friends.

[CITCAT]

[quote=Suesquatch;2456599]?

My sister has schizophrenia. I'd certainly call that a disability.[/quote
as per your quote sue I empthize and hope your sister is getting proper treatment schizophrenia is a difficult disability to deal with my prayers are with your sister

[CITCAT]

during this time of year near the holiday season we all need to be on guard with depression and anxiety increases during this time of year, high expectations ,stress of giving to others , commerialization of holiday , find some friends , either on line or in the flesh to support all who suffer withdepression/anxiety mayprayers with every nurse female and male may your angel wings keep flying and if they are broken no worry they will heal

[jhamrn]

Struggling with depression and anxiety can be difficult. Last year I studied for my Psychiatric nursing certification exam. I already knew alot about psychiatric nursing because I have practiced psychiatric nursing for 12 years. However, I did learn some things besides theory, medication and human development etc. I tried to begin by thinking that every human behavior has meaning. Anxiety is caused by a combination of biological, psychological and social factors. When we are faced with a threat to our physical well-being we experience increased anxiety. I still struggle with anxiety. I began thinking about the times in my life when I have experienced anxiety attacks. Problems in relationships, financial difficulties, and problems at school or work were my major stressors. Today, I try to keep things fairly simple and stable. Fortunatly, I have a loving fiance and I have resolved alot of problems related to a previous divorce.