Depression

bargainhound, RN · Sep 26, 2006

Medication helps tremendously. You will be pleasantly surprised how

much it helps. There are lots of choices these days on meds for

depression. So, if one does not work for a particular person, there

are others to try. I personally have been helped by medication and have

had Rx changes over the years, as new meds were invented and/or there

were other reasons to change the med I was currently taking. I thanked

God years ago for medication and personally am so grateful there is

something to help the brain chemistry. There is nothing wrong with

taking med for depression. There is a big stigma and lots of public

misinformation/misunderstanding/myths about depression.

I think you assume that depression makes a nurse/healthcare professional

unable to function appropriately ("fitness to work" comment). As long

as a person is under a doctor's care and following treatment, there is no

reason they cannot continue in their role.

bookwormom · Sep 26, 2006

Definitely medication!! If one med doesn't help, another may, so work with your health care provider and be prepared to try more than one if necessary. Also -- and you're doing it-- reach out to friends and anyone you think can give you support.

Hang in there!!! It gets better.

augigi, CNS · Sep 26, 2006

I think you assume that depression makes a nurse/healthcare professional unable to function appropriately ("fitness to work" comment). As long as a person is under a doctor's care and following treatment, there is no reason they cannot continue in their role.

I did not mean to imply otherwise. I merely know that in my current condition, I would not be able to concentrate sufficiently to feel safe at the bedside. Luckily, I have a desk job right now.

Thanks for the input.

SmilingBluEyes · Sep 26, 2006

I have a very long hx w/depression in my family and myself. I have found it's something that takes a truly 3-pronged approach:

1. Medication/medical consultation-----to address any physical and/or chemical reasons for this problem. Not just medicine, but a full body physical, to address other potential problems that go with this disease, like hypothryroidism, etc.

2. Trustworthy, reliable and ongoing talk therapy with a qualified psychologist or social worker---- it is so important to address the emotional and mental health issues that bring on or prolong depression.

3. Exercise, vigorous and regular exercise and a healthy diet. I don't believe depression can be completely treated without this important component.

If you are unwilling to address all three of these things, you will have an uphill battle with depression. As you know, like with diabetes or other lifelong conditions, there is no cure, no magic pill, only lifelong treatment. Taking responsibility and control of this chronic condition is the only way to conquer it for good. Trust me, I know this from years of living with depression.

I wish you well.

jetscreamer101 · Sep 26, 2006

I would have to agree with SmilingBluEyes.

augigi, CNS · Sep 26, 2006

Thanks for the support. Please note that I am not asking for advice on what *I* should do. I'll decide that in consultation with my doc.

I am merely asking for you own recollections of what worked for you, or how you coped.

Cardiac-RN · Sep 27, 2006

i find that feeling depressed often comes hand in hand with feeling overwhelmed and stressed out, and it becomes one negative cycle : / in addition to those things SmilingBluEyes said, i try to address and change the things in my life that are causing me a heinous amount of stress- like people i associate with (catty friends for supportive ones), or the amount of credit hours i am taking (taking less hours or a semester off to refresh!), or a leaving a work environment that is unhealthy (mentally) for one that suits better.

nuangel1, BSN, RN · Sep 27, 2006

for me it was a combo of medications ,psycotherapy ,and sleeping better .

xtine · Sep 27, 2006

Anyone have experience with depression? What helped you?
I have a strong family Hx and have intermittently had mild-moderate depression over the years. Recently though I have suffered "severe" clinical depression. First, I tried exercise. Then I tried a clinical psychologist. Now I think I am heading to medication, as I am just unable to function right now. It's so hard to explain to people what is wrong, or why you don't just "cheer up". I would if I could!
Before anyone asks, I am in a corporate job and not a patient care area right now, so fitness to work is not an issue.
I am really just looking for people that have overcome depression and methods they found useful.

By the way, what was your depression all about? Then after figuring out, try to mingle with your friends and do some unwinding...If you're a religious one or even if not, the best thing that could help based on my own experience is reading the bible. Try to talk with Him through reading your bible, and believe me, He'll heal your depression.God bless...

augigi, CNS · Sep 28, 2006

Depression isn't "about" something. It may be exacerbated by certain stressors, but it's due to a chemical imbalance in the brain. I don't personally think reading the bible will help with that as I believe "god helps those who help themself", but thanks for the input.

P_RN, ADN, RN · Sep 28, 2006

As you correctly said depression is due to a chemical imbalance. But also, remember that those chemicals are in a precarious balance. Too much serotonin or norepinephrine or too little and the scale tips the other way. Also over a period of time your medication may need to be tweaked to rebalance the brain chemistry.

It takes a LONG several weeks for the med to become effective and those weeks are the time when the depression will seem to get worse. You may indeed be unable to function properly and even sink into a despair you fear will never end. A good and competent doctor will give you the support you need, be it hospitalization, intensive talk therapy, and increasing or lessening your dosages. Depression is real. It isn't ABOUT anything.

I wish you well and though it may be trite and overused: HANG IN THERE.