[Gramlin]

I'm Depressed.

Had a consultation and I do indeed show signs of depression. At this early stage I have been granted a short restpite, and had the generous offer of medication, which I have decided to suspend accepting on the grounds that I do not believe lack of serotonin is my problem, and in any case there are other ways to boost that transmitter.

In addition to this I was offered councelling, which I did accept, and the possibility of future participation in a cognitive behavioral treatment.

So, could be worse. Still don't know where I stand really, but it is obviously a relief to have had this news.

I have yet to have it all finalised by a GP, this consultation was done by a psychiatrist at a local health centre, but it's not quite official yet.

Anyway, more response than I would have expected, and done in a manner that was actually quite appropriate to how I was feeling. My reasonable objections were heard and respected.

So there's a reason to be chereful.

: )

Gram

[vintagehope]

Glad to hear it went well. =) You know, just making it medically "official" and deciding to step in and make a change can make an enormous difference in your outlook. I recently went through this and though things may not have changed drastically yet, there is finally hope. GOOD LUCK!

~Jenn

<font color=red>from childhood's hour i have not been
as others were -- i have not seen
as others saw -- i could not bring
my passions from a common spring.
from the same source i have not taken
my sorrow; i could not awaken
my heart to joy at the same tone;
and all i lov'd, i lov'd alone.
-edgar allen poe</font color=red>

[bunny44]

congratulations---you seem to have 'landed' on the safe planet. i applaud your skeptical, cautious stance---now if only more would do likewise, before 'going over the falls' with a rubber ducky. if your depression is endogenous, situational, it'll go away. am i wrong or were you offered ssri's? you imply it. clever move to wait. not many are aware of the fact that at the end of dr. nash's movie, the statement that he was on newer 'atypicals' was a total lie. how the med-gang got thru to hollywood is like asking 'is there a mafia?'---stay cautous, most don't realize that once drugs are 'onboard', the horse is out of the barn. and may never return.

pirate

[bunny44]

congratulations---you seem to have 'landed' on the safe planet. i applaud your skeptical, cautious stance---now if only more would do likewise, before 'going over the falls' with a rubber ducky. if your depression is endogenous, situational, it'll go away. am i wrong or were you offered ssri's? you imply it. clever move to wait. not many are aware of the fact that at the end of dr. nash's movie, the statement that he was on newer 'atypicals' was a total lie. how the med-gang got thru to hollywood is like asking 'is there a mafia?'---stay cautous, most don't realizes that once drugs are 'onboard', the horse is out of the barn.

pirate

[Gramlin]

Thanks for replying. I'm struck by how similar everyones experiences are. It is that which makes this seem like a disease - the commonality of it. Inside our heads it seems like it's just us, but really it looks like everyone is going through a similar set of phases and responses by medical staff and friends.

Strength in numbers.

Gram

[Rapunzel]

It's a relief to finally get the right diagnosis and know that someone is going to help you after waiting and being denied before, isn't it?

You're going to come out of this okay.

<font color=green>"Someone may have stolen your dream when it was young and fresh and you were innocent. Anger is natural. Grief is appropriate. Healing is mandatory. Restoration is possible." -Jane Rubietta</font color=green>

[qt3]

Hi Gram,
CBT has changed my life after years of suffering and being on many different meds. I sincerely hope you have as much success with it as I have had! You definitely get out of it what you put into it. You may want to read a copy of "Been There, Done That? Do This!" by Sam Obitz as it is my favorite introductory book to CBT and takes you through the entire process from a patients point of view and is very inspirationally written. In addition if you like what you read you may want to follow it up with the all-time classic CBT book "Feeling Good" by David Burns.
Take care and good luck!

[bunny44]

thanks for the mail---you observation pointing to common disease is current---although one poster seemed ambivilent and a bit shy on fact.
the fact that orthomolecular is rare doesn't counter those ive seen healed. i must look into it further. i'm curious what dopamine enhancer you know of. thanks

pirate