Nursing & Depression

sphinx, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2003

Mattsmom, if ya do need any "tips", I'd be happy :-) , the patient care part was what I liked, the case management was one thing I struggled with.

Micro, I too was "predisposed" for depression from an early age. I've often wondered if I had treatment as a teen (not nec. meds, perhaps just therapy) how I would have lived the early adult years of my life....as I feel strongly that my depression and super-low self esteem influenced my life decisions. I also believe depression and perhaps a "dash" of codependency I have in me, has been a big factor leading me into nursing. My early relationships with men all had some degree of caretaking, esp my second husband who has multiple health problems. I hate to admit it, but I think some of that may have influenced my relationship with my current ( and forever!) hubby, as he too suffers from depression......but in that case he has been taking care of me more often than not, as its turned out. I think that depression may have influenced my career decision, but I also think in the long run my career decision has also had an impact on my depression. After all, even though I'd been depressed in the past, it wasn't until I became a nurse that I became depressed enough to become hospitalized........so to me, it's a complicated circle. I blame neither myself nor nursing. Depression is part of who I am. I've had a long history. I have good periods and bad. I don't know what the future holds, but I can't worry about that now. As for my job, well you all know the change I've made to decrease my stress level. I am a perfectionist though, and need to back away on that a bit, or at least try.......that too, is part of my nature.

Love-A-Nurse, you may be surprised, it's possible someone you know (ie a coworker who doesn't tell you every part of their life) may actually be taking antidepressants, and no one knows, because they are helping (doing what they should). Or not. If that's the case, you friends (and yourself) are very fortunate to not have experienced a depression severe enough to warrant meds. (and I am envious and happy for you!)In a way, it *has* become more "ok" to talk about depression, to admit you are on meds, whatever....but there are still a lot of biased people out there(we have indeed come a *long* way though!). On the other hand, a lot of PCP hand out antidepressants pretty indiscriminently, to people who may benefit from mere therapy and exercise, etc. I have come across people who think it is "cool" to be on prozac, if you can imagine! sheesh! Of course you also have off-label use for antidepressants, as well as off-label use of other meds that are used for mood stabalizers etc. So complicated. In any case, being able to discuss my depression here, with my nursing peers, has helped in many ways. I have others forms of support, but never had so much contact/rapport with nurses who are also "in the same/similar boat". Nurses have a different take on depression than do non nurses in a way. Talking about it has helped *me*, in any case. BTW, I love your "LPNs are nurses too".....while I started as an RN, I've never understood negativity towards LPNs........without exception, I have never worked with an LPN who hasn't been hard working, knowledgeable, etc. Most LPNs I've found have more "hands on" training than we got coming out of a BSN program. Anyway, that's for another thread, as I

know it's been talked about at one time or another. Just wanted to tell ya I appreciate LPNs to no end.....and I'm sure you're bringing a wonderful rich background with you into sachhol to be an RN!!

OK done babbling!!

Love-A-Nurse · Jan 18, 2003

originally posted by sphinx
mattsmom, if ya do need any "tips", i'd be happy :-) , the patient care part was what i liked, the case management was one thing i struggled with.

micro, i too was "predisposed" for depression from an early age. i've often wondered if i had treatment as a teen (not nec. meds, perhaps just therapy) how i would have lived the early adult years of my life....as i feel strongly that my depression and super-low self esteem influenced my life decisions. i also believe depression and perhaps a "dash" of codependency i have in me, has been a big factor leading me into nursing. my early relationships with men all had some degree of caretaking, esp my second husband who has multiple health problems. i hate to admit it, but i think some of that may have influenced my relationship with my current ( and forever!) hubby, as he too suffers from depression......but in that case he has been taking care of me more often than not, as its turned out. i think that depression may have influenced my career decision, but i also think in the long run my career decision has also had an impact on my depression. after all, even though i'd been depressed in the past, it wasn't until i became a nurse that i became depressed enough to become hospitalized........so to me, it's a complicated circle. i blame neither myself nor nursing. depression is part of who i am. i've had a long history. i have good periods and bad. i don't know what the future holds, but i can't worry about that now. as for my job, well you all know the change i've made to decrease my stress level. i am a perfectionist though, and need to back away on that a bit, or at least try.......that too, is part of my nature.

love-a-nurse, you may be surprised, it's possible someone you know (ie a coworker who doesn't tell you every part of their life) may actually be taking antidepressants, and no one knows, because they are helping (doing what they should). or not. if that's the case, you friends (and yourself) are very fortunate to not have experienced a depression severe enough to warrant meds. (and i am envious and happy for you!)in a way, it *has* become more "ok" to talk about depression, to admit you are on meds, whatever....but there are still a lot of biased people out there(we have indeed come a *long* way though!). on the other hand, a lot of pcp hand out antidepressants pretty indiscriminently, to people who may benefit from mere therapy and exercise, etc. i have come across people who think it is "cool" to be on prozac, if you can imagine! sheesh! of course you also have off-label use for antidepressants, as well as off-label use of other meds that are used for mood stabalizers etc. so complicated. in any case, being able to discuss my depression here, with my nursing peers, has helped in many ways. i have others forms of support, but never had so much contact/rapport with nurses who are also "in the same/similar boat". nurses have a different take on depression than do non nurses in a way. talking about it has helped *me*, in any case. btw, i love your "lpns are nurses too".....while i started as an rn, i've never understood negativity towards lpns........without exception, i have never worked with an lpn who hasn't been hard working, knowledgeable, etc. most lpns i've found have more "hands on" training than we got coming out of a bsn program. anyway, that's for another thread, as i
know it's been talked about at one time or another. just wanted to tell ya i appreciate lpns to no end.....and i'm sure you're bringing a wonderful rich background with you into sachhol to be an rn!!

ok done babbling!!

"love-a-nurse, you may be surprised, it's possible someone you know (ie a coworker who doesn't tell you every part of their life) may actually be taking antidepressants, and no one knows, because they are helping (doing what they should). or not. if that's the case, you friends (and yourself) are very fortunate to not have experienced a depression severe enough to warrant meds. (and i am envious and happy for you!)in a way, it *has* become more "ok" to talk about depression, to admit you are on meds, whatever....but there are still a lot of biased people out there(we have indeed come a *long* way though!)."

oops, i wasn't clear, i was speaking of my personal friends, and now that you have mentioned it, it is still possible to not fully know about your personally friend, but, as far as i know, not any of them and myself, do not take any.

sphinx, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2003

Oh, I wasn't trying to say "you're wrong, you're wrong", nothing like that at all! Just more a matter of saying that 1. some people do keep these private and 2. sometimes meds work so well, no one would know you are on them!

Sorry if *I* wasn't clear! Sometimes the internet leads to conclusions never really meant. On the other hand, I love it for oh so many reasons.....ie, I am very shy, and do not talk like this with anybody (except my husband and mom) in "real life".

:-)

Love-A-Nurse · Jan 18, 2003

originally posted by sphinx
oh, i wasn't trying to say "you're wrong, you're wrong", nothing like that at all! just more a matter of saying that 1. some people do keep these private and 2. sometimes meds work so well, no one would know you are on them!

sorry if *i* wasn't clear! sometimes the internet leads to conclusions never really meant. on the other hand, i love it for oh so many reasons.....ie, i am very shy, and do not talk like this with anybody (except my husband and mom) in "real life".
:-)

i didn't take it that way, but you gave me somthing to ponder. that's a good thing, isn't it! :kiss

susi_q · Jan 18, 2003

I too struggle with depression, and have realized with the help of a good therapist that it has been part of my life for most of my life. (My dad, and several members of his family blessed me with that genetic code.) Anyway, have managed to avoid medication so far - but not without "intervention". I do pray and participate in worship. Exercise is usually my "drug of choice", but when that doesn't do it, I turn to friends to help me get perspective again. I also can get immersed in work (either at the hospital, or home stuff) and get back on top. I guess the verdict is still out about whether this approach works (husband says "most of the time"), but knowing the side-effects of the drugs has made me want to avoid them for as long as possible. So far, so mostly good :-)

sphinx, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2003

susi_q

I think it is great that your approach is helping, and you have been able to avoid meds. If I could have my way, it'd be that way for me too, but without meds, I do not function at all. I would so love not to have the expense, the endless pill taking, the side effects (although for me, right now, I just have constipation which isn't hard to control).

At one point, work used to help me get through rough spots...that was about 7 years ago. It slowly changed, and it became a source of great anxiety instead, and I was baffled! Needless to say, that job evetually was lost.

I also envy people who take meds, get back on track, then go off them. I have never been able to do that. And before I went on meds at all, *whew* was I a train wreck!!!! :-)

Good luck to you on your continued journey battling depression the "natural" way....BTW, do you have any problems with SAD? I know even though I have depression that does not discriminate over the seasons, I do find it is usually worse in the winter. I bought myself a light box, which helps. We also replaced most of our light bulbs with full spectrum bulbs. That's just an FYI to anyone whose depression increases in the winter (ie, lights can help, esp if used in the am....trouble is, making time to use it)......

susi_q · Jan 18, 2003

sphinx: Yup - SAD is a real issue, would love to get out of Michigan for that reason - but with kids in high school, and husband with a good job - it's just not an option. I have a good friend at work that also stuggles with it, and has to increase his meds during the winter. We both try to remind each other that a brighter day is coming (ha ha), and so far have both made it. (We've been friends 3 winters and counting). Appreciate your comments - I hope this winter is manageable for you - you have my best wishes.

sphinx, BSN, RN · Jan 18, 2003

Yeah, I am in NY state, and the winters are dreadfully long, dark, and gloomy. Some day I'd like to move somewhere that doesn't have long dark winters, but I too, can't leave, for a variety of reasons, similar to your own.

Well you take care, and here's some (((hugs))) for ya.

Youda · Jan 19, 2003

Not a cure-all, but do try the light boxes. They are expensive, but you can also get "regular" light bulbs that are full spectrum light. They're only about $9 and last about 10Xs longer than "regular" light bulbs, so considering that, they cost about the same. I have one in every light fixture . . . I'm sitting under one now as I play on my computer tonight. It seems to help brighten up those long winter days . . .

Several pages back, we talked about Omega 3 oils. I've felt a noticeable difference since taking the Omega 3 as an adjunct to meds.

Long Term Care Columnist / Guide · Jan 19, 2003

Me too, Youda.... I started these about a month ago and feel much better, although it also could be due to the fact that my antidepressant dose has been doubled and I'm finally going to get all my female problems taken care of soon (hyst scheduled for Feb. 11th). The only problem I've noticed is the capsules make me burp for a couple of hours after I take them and I taste fish oil, which isn't exactly pleasant. I suppose I could try taking them with food, but I don't eat until the middle of the morning and by then I've taken all my other meds, and I'd never remember to take the fish oil caps separately. So I just put up with the burping and try not to be obvious about it, because I'm going to continue taking these....there are so many benefits to them besides possibly helping with depression.

Youda · Jan 19, 2003

Please forgive me for not turning back the pages and trying to find who said this, but an earlier poster recommended Natrol's Omega 3. The nice thing about this is that it contains Omega-3, Flax, and Borage (rather than straight Omega-3). That way, you mix the Omega-3's with the Omega-6's, and your body will use the fats as needed and convert. Also contains all the "essential fatty acids" going with part plant source. Some studies would now suggest that the Omega-6's are more important than the Omega-3's in cardio health and depression. I don't have sources for that, but should be easy to find in most reference books or the internet. So, forget the burping and try a combination of plant and fish oils in one handy capsule! :)

mattsmom81 · Jan 19, 2003

You guys are making me smile...I too dislike the fishy burps altho my cat enjoys them..hehe. Funny how fish does not produce this burpy side effect but the oil does. And it definitely doesn't taste better the second and third time around...LOL!

Thanks for the tip Youda...I will check out a somewhat less 'fishy' source such as the Natrol Omega 3. :)

Nursing & Depression

Nurses and Depression/Anxiety