[Butterfly_Faerie]

The next bit of posts about GAD and Depression is from a new phamplet that i picked up today.

Reading the signs of DEPRESSION AND GENERALIZED ANXIETY DISORDER

the symptoms of depression and GAD aren't

*feeling tired or having little energy most of the day, every day.
*changes in your sleeping pattern (e.g. having alot of trouble falling/staying asleep)
*having touble concentrating , remember or making decisions
*feeling agitated or irritable nearly every day[/b]

While these symptoms overlap the two, depression and GAD do have some classic symptoms that do differ

In depression these include:

*feeling sad or down most days, every day for weeks or months
*loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy, including sex
*appetite/weight change
*significant feelings of hoplessness, worthlessness or guilt
*recurring thoughts of death or suicide

In generalized anxiety disorder, these may include:

*overwhelming worry more days then not for at least 6 months
*feeling restless or "on edge"
*muscle tension

It's important to remember that what makes these symptoms different from ordinary experience is 1) they're lasting; 2)they cause you significant distress; 3)they're interfering with your life and happiness. If you think you may have depression or GAD, it's also important to remember that the eariler you share your feelings with your doctor, the close you get to peace of mind. Reading through the "3 key truths about Depression and GAD" is a great first step.

Key Truth #1:

Depression and GAD are real

Depression and generalized anxiety disorder are medical illnesses- no less real then other illnesses like diabetes or heart disease. So let's begin by putting out some of the myths about them to rest.

What depression and generalized anxiety disorder AREN'T:

*The ordinary "blues" we all feel from time to time that pass relatively quickly
*The fleeting worries and stresses over every day life
*Signs of a personal flaw, weakness or failure
*just something you can snap out of, forget about, or will away all on your own
*rare conditions that affect only one gender, or people from particular walks of life
*Anything to be ashamed of
*Something you have to life with

What depression and generalized anxiety disorder ARE:

*Medical illnesses that have often lasted for many years
*Common- affecting man and women from all walks of life
*Caused by variety of factors
*Treatable conditions

Real Illnesses, various possible causes

Although depression and GAD can sometimes seem like they've come out of the blue, they usually develop through a mix of factors such as: genetics, biology, life events, and personal styles.

Genetics- Depression and GAD tend to run in families. That's why your doctor will want to know about family history.

Biology- Some people with these illnesses are thought to have imbalance in naturally occuring brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. It's believed that the imbalance leads to many of the emotional and behavioural symptoms.

Life Events- Going through a number of stressful life events, or traumas (such as serious illness, abuse, divorce, or losing a meaningful job) can make some people more vulnerable to depression or GAD

Personality Styles- Traits like being self-critical or having low self-esteem can also put people at greater risk.

Key Truth #2:

Depression and GAD are common

How common? We know that over the course of a lifetime, 17% of people will experience depression, and 5% of people will experience GAD.

That means, the chances are good that many people you know will either go through these illnesses themselves, or know someone who will.

Today, it's also known more women are diagnosed with depression and/or GAD then men- the ratio os about 2:1. However, it's not known whether this is just because women have symptoms that are easier to recongize, or whether women simply seek help more often.

The curious think about depression and GAD is that although that are common, they can make you feel very alone. Really, nothing could be further from the truth. And talking to your doctor about your experience is the first step to feeling better.

Key Truth #3:

Depression and Generalized Anxiety Disorder are treatable

Talking to your doctor

As stated ealier, everyone deserves to have peace of mind. And today, there are effective treatments for depression and GAD that have helped guide many people towards it. Some of these treatments include talk therapy (psychotherapy) and medications

Since everyone experiences depression and GAD in his/her own way, treatments should be individual too.

But how do you find an appropriate treatmen for you? It all starts by having an open, honest discussion with your doctor. Sharing your feelings can be difficult, but remember- you don't have to live with the symptoms of depression or GAD. After all, your doctor is there to help. He or she has experienced in treating these illnesses, and is ready, willing and able to lead you towards peace of mind.

Here are a few tips to help you approach your doctor:

*Jot down your feelings/symptoms in the few weeks before your appointment, and bring your record with you. Are the symptoms ongoing, or did the come and go? Are they triggered by anything specific? This information will be helpful to your doctor.

*Don't forget to mention your state of mind when you're talking to your doctor about state of your body. e.g. physical problems such as headaches or nausea. Have you been feeling out of sorts? Worrying more then usual? Let your doctor know.

*Bring along a close friend or family member to help you remember anything you have have forgotten, or just for support. They might also be able to help give your doctor a more detailed family history.

*If you can, have a few questions ready about depression or GAD, any available treatments, or what to expect. Having your questions answered can certainly help.

Treatment Options-TALK THERAPY

Today, treament, two common and effective forms of talk therapy, or psycotherapy, are Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Interpersonal Therapy (IPT). Here's a look at the basics of each:

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)

Many people with depression or GAD have negative, self-defeating ways of thinking that have become automatic, they aren't even aware of them. in CBT, a trained therapist helps recognize and change these harmful patterns that can affect the way you feel about yourself, others, and the world around you. For instance, someone with depression or GAD may have inappropriate guilt feelings about a particular situation and think, "it's all my fault," when they really had nothing to do with it. This can lead to feeling sad and hopeless, and it may be difficult to cope. Through CBT, people learn to break such cycles by replacing negative, unrealistic thoughts with more postive, realistic ones. By giving you a new understanding of how your thoughts affect your emotions, CBT can help relieve depression and anxiety symptoms and keep them from coming back.

Interpersonal Therapy (IPT)

This form of therapy can help people with depression understand how their relationships affect their emotions, and vice versa. Specifically, IPT looks at the ways in which relationship disturbances, such as serious conflicts, may be linked to depression symptoms like excessive guilt or low self-esteem. Examining relationships in this way helps many people gain insight into feelings they may not have been aware of. Through interpersonal therapy, you can learn different, more effective ways of handling difficult relationship issues. This, in turn, can help keep symptoms under control.

Treatment options-MEDICATIONS

As we saw in the "causes" section, it's believed that some people with depression and GAD may have an imbalance in certain brain chemicals called neurotransmitters. So how do anti-depressants or antianxiety medications work? Some medications work on changing the level of these chemicals in the brain, which helps ease the symptoms. Some of these may affect more then one neurotransmitter. Still other types of medications work in different ways/

As always, talking to you doctor early on is the best way to find the treatment that's appropriate for you.

Why a little patients goes a long way

The good news is- the sooner you ask for help, the sooner you start on appropriate therapy, the sooner peace of mind could be yours.

It's now known that the ultimate goal in anti-depressant theray is full remission (ie. To be virtually symptom-free), and to keep your symptoms from coming back. So set standards high.

At the same time, having a little patience is very important. Why? first, all treatments take time to work, sit it may take a few weeks to a month for you to notice a change. Second, while any medications carries a risk of side effects, some of these may tend to pass with time. And finally, having patience can help you make the most of your therapy. By staying with your treatment dfor as long as your doctor reccomends (and not stopping without checking first), you can help prevent symptoms from returning.

In addition to medication and talk therapy, there are many things you can do to care for yourself. And often the little things can make a big difference. Paying attention to your diet, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep and increasing your sources of support can help.

<font color=red>~Sundance~</font color=red>

<font color=blue>"Never react emotionally to criticism. Analyze yourself to determine whether it is justified. If it is, correct yourself. Otherwise, go on about your business."</font color=blue>

<font color=black>Norman Vincent Peale</font color=black>

[krzyk101]

That is a good source of information, and is helpful.

Please However, Keep in mind that only a Doctor can diagnose this or any medical disorder and recommend the appropriate treatment for this or any disorder. This is all good things to discuss with your Doctor if you believe you may have these or other mental health disorders.

Take Care,
Kris

I wish you the best, and the hope for a better day for us all, in out struggles no matter how large or small I wish hope for us all

If you think you have totally gave up, you haven't, because you are here!

[Butterfly_Faerie]

Yes of course I think it says something in there as well, does it not?

I just think this info can be beneficial, it actually explains alot..

Yes only a doctor can diagnose you with this , and anything else for that matter.

ALSO do not try self diagnosing yourself, that is a no no because no one is qualified , only the doctors, and of course everyone knows that.

So with that, adios.

<font color=red>~Sundance~</font color=red>

<font color=blue>"Never react emotionally to criticism. Analyze yourself to determine whether it is justified. If it is, correct yourself. Otherwise, go on about your business."</font color=blue>

<font color=black>Norman Vincent Peale</font color=black>

[Starbuck]

Hi sundance, good to see you.

Nice source of information, thank you for it.

I think, though, that we try to rationalize too much the problems we have, and that there is a limit to that kind of understanding.

Life, to me, and in a way, though I like it or not, is bigger than rationalisations.

But you, sundance, always add a touch of wisdom to it, so I like it.

Take care sundance !

Sincerely,

Starbuck

Born in 1963 of French mom and Canadian dad. Studied and worked (Majors in History, Theology. M.A. in Sociology).

[Butterfly_Faerie]

Hey Starbuck,

I'm always happy when I get a post like yours

And what you are saying is true, I posted it because I do suffer from GAD and obviously depression, and reminants of PTSD, so I figured since some people don't know what GAD is, well now they can find out...

I like posting information that will help others.... it helps someone get a better understanding on what they are going through....

That took me a long time to write it was from a phamplet in my psychiatrists waiting room...


<font color=red>~Sundance~</font color=red>

<font color=blue>"Never react emotionally to criticism. Analyze yourself to determine whether it is justified. If it is, correct yourself. Otherwise, go on about your business."</font color=blue>

<font color=black>Norman Vincent Peale</font color=black>

[Starbuck]

Hi sundance,

You're very kind to post all those informations. I'm sure it's much appreciated.

It's raining here in Quebec, I'm getting ready to go to do volunteer work at my local Historical Society-I'm repairing 19th century's local newspapers.

Although i'm not paid and that i've no stress, I'm still feeling anxious, like this morning, I dreamt I woke up and it was 9h30 am (so I was 30 min. late).

Lol, I got out of bed quite fast before realizing it was only a dream.

Have a nice day, sundance,

Sincerely,

Starbuck


Born in 1963 of French mom and Canadian dad. Studied and worked (Majors in History, Theology. M.A. in Sociology).

[Butterfly_Faerie]

Hey

I'm glad people like what I post, on another board I got bashed for stuff like that, called names etc.. lol- ah well, what can you do.. hehehe

Right now it's cold in ontario, it might have warmed up a bit today, it i was rainy and cold yesturday... needs to warm up again.

That looks like a fun job to do starbuck, I should get into something like that since i'm not working and having trouble finding work..

I'm feeling pretty good today, a bit tired.. watching my almost 4 year old niece for a few hours this morning while her mom (my twin sister) is at a doctors appt..

all is good right now..

<font color=red>~Sundance~</font color=red>

<font color=blue>"Never react emotionally to criticism. Analyze yourself to determine whether it is justified. If it is, correct yourself. Otherwise, go on about your business."</font color=blue>

<font color=black>Norman Vincent Peale</font color=black>

[Starbuck]

Hi again sundance,

It is cold here for this time of the year (5 C and the average is 12). Should be warmer by the end of the week.

I can't figure out why you were called names because of your information posts. I guess some people are cold to the idea of examining themselves a bit more seriously...

I like my volunteering work. I recently worked there on a 6 month project. The research project could not be prolonged.

I volunteer 6 to 12 hours a week, depending on how I feel.

Glad to hear you had a nice time with your niece. I have 2 neices, aged 11 and 13.

I had a nice day (also tired.. lol), so I'll leave it here for now.

Take care sundance

Sincerely,

Starbuck

Born in 1963 of French mom and Canadian dad. Studied and worked (Majors in History, Theology. M.A. in Sociology).

[Butterfly_Faerie]

Hi Starbuck.

The temperature is about here too.. Hoping it will get warmer next week, not too bad though , i can live with it.

I thought about that type of work, but don't know if i'll feel comfortable with that yet, I think it will depend what it is.

Hope you are doing well, take care.

<font color=red>~Sundance~</font color=red>

<font color=blue>"Never react emotionally to criticism. Analyze yourself to determine whether it is justified. If it is, correct yourself. Otherwise, go on about your business."</font color=blue>

<font color=black>Norman Vincent Peale</font color=black>

[Starbuck]

Hi sundance,

I hope it will work out for you.

I wish you well,

Sincerely

Starbuck

Born in 1963 of French mom and Canadian dad. Studied and worked (Majors in History, Theology. M.A. in Sociology).

Thanks for this info; however, I have a question in reference to your post that perhaps you or others could answer for me; I am fairly new to being able to talk freely about depression, and new to the knowledge of PTSD; but when I see things like your post I see so much of my self and my life in the descriptions--here's the question; could I just be a hypochondriac who just keeps latching on to more labels? My dad struggled with depression and suicidal tendencies and I always thought that he was doing it for attention...to this day I feel this--(he was a child molester so not a lot of faith in him) could I just be acting out for attention like I always thought him to be?

[Rapunzel]

It sounds like you are identifying with a lot of symptoms, and it is not for any of us to say whether it is because you are seeing those things in yourself, or if you need more labels to fill a need for attention. It could even be some of both. I have noticed for myself that I probably identify with more labels than could accurately be applied to me - I guess I am a label collector. LOL. Even so, it is real that I see those things in myself, so I probably have those traits, symptoms, or characteristics at least to an extent, and I do have actual diagnoses also. And there is some reason why you identify with those things. Even if there is validity to the idea that a need for attention is behind some of it, why do people see that at a problem? We all need attention sometimes. It is a legitimate need. We need someone to care about us, and there is nothing wrong with that. Also, there is a difference between identifying with something and acting out. You are not your father and you don't do the things that he did. It is not unlikely that your dad's struggles with depression were legitimate even though you suspected otherwise, and maybe you have inherited a tendency towards some of the same problems. But that doesn't mean that you are like him in a bad way, or that you are any less deserving of being taken seriously.


<font color=orange>"If we are going to insist that people pull themselves up by their own bootstraps, we must ensure that they have boots."</font color=orange>

Thank you so much for that; it took me quite a long time to understand and truly belive that each of us ultimately have complete controll of who we are and what we choose to do; it's just difficult to do the right thing sometimes. As far as being a label-collector, perhaps we do this because we truly see ourselves in some of these diagnosis; and if we understand ourslvelves, then perhaps we can help others understand us too.

[Butterfly_Faerie]

Hmm I wouldn't say that you are a hypocondriact, You want to know what's going on right? I think it's just figuring that out.

Now if you were all the time .. say for example..... you have a headache and go to the doctors every time that you do thinking it's a tumor, or going to the doctors everytime you have a stomache , that I think could classify as a hypocondriact.....

The best thing to do is to talk to your doctor. IT could also be biological as well since your dad suffered or suffers from depression...

I don't think you are looking for attention, depression and PTSD should definatly be treated, something to look into....

<font color=red>~Sundance~</font color=red>

<font color=blue>"Never react emotionally to criticism. Analyze yourself to determine whether it is justified. If it is, correct yourself. Otherwise, go on about your business."</font color=blue>

<font color=black>Norman Vincent Peale</font color=black>

You are definitely wiser than I would expect for your age; yes, most of the time I want to figure it out, the other side of me just wants to move on and never look back on the past. Thx. Jon

[Butterfly_Faerie]

You really think so? Thanks never had such a compliment before.

I guess i'm knowledgable because I've lived with this since 16- 24 today.. lol.. so I had alot of learning, and I know what works etc.. Even though i know that it's different for everyone, I can only share my expierences.... I learn something new all the time dealing with anxiety, GAD and ptsd.. PTSD is under wraps now for the time being, anxiety is pretty less, the depression is something however that I have to watch, been getting dips here and there, but I know there is almost always a reason for it.

Take care.

<font color=red>~Sundance~</font color=red>

<font color=blue>"Never react emotionally to criticism. Analyze yourself to determine whether it is justified. If it is, correct yourself. Otherwise, go on about your business."</font color=blue>

<font color=black>Norman Vincent Peale</font color=black>

Let's get this right; you have a boyfriend, but you've never had such a compliment before...what's up with that? I see by your posts that you are always learning, and trying to teach too...perhaps you should be a therapist; I'd rather talk with someone who's been there before.
Thanks for sharing your experience. Hang in there.

[Butterfly_Faerie]

Yes I have a boyfriend he gives me compliments all the time. Not about GAD though because he doesn't understand it. IF I do something like get an interview he always gives me boost and says how great it is, that he is proud of me.

But no never had a compliment like that, in other fields yes, but not like this.

Thank you. I thought about being a therapist, there is shortages of that here, but you are looking at a person who never completed high school. And have not been in school since.. So I don't know.

I'm glad to see that the information, and me posting things have helped.. YAY job done...

<font color=red>~Sundance~</font color=red>

<font color=blue>"Never react emotionally to criticism. Analyze yourself to determine whether it is justified. If it is, correct yourself. Otherwise, go on about your business."</font color=blue>

<font color=black>Norman Vincent Peale</font color=black>

It's never too late to start; I have one day of college experience; but I don't let that get in the way...life doesn't always go my way but it's been an interesting ride--follow your heart and follow your dreams; I was stuck for 5 years with someone who didn't believe in me or my dreams, I think I am better off alone. Anyway, just babbling...if I can do it, anyone can
Look for my book in bookstores near you...ha ha--actually, I have to re-write the last chapter and then will consider publishing soon if China doesn't work out
Take care

[Butterfly_Faerie]

Yeah I suppose you are right jonalexa

I guess I just have really low confidence and self esteem issues to boot. Working on that but it is tough.

I thought about writting books, whether it be short stories what have you, but just haven't been doing that lately.


<font color=red>~Sundance~</font color=red>

<font color=blue>"Never react emotionally to criticism. Analyze yourself to determine whether it is justified. If it is, correct yourself. Otherwise, go on about your business."</font color=blue>

<font color=black>Norman Vincent Peale</font color=black>