[KittenE]

I am fairly new here, just want to share my own experience. Dx w/PTSD and depression since 18 or earlier, and I tried prob'ly about 30 meds from different classes/types...none really helpful, or worse, they caused me to be very ill from s/e. I tried ECT for 4 years, had to stop due to not really lots of benefit, but lots of cognitive/memory s/e. Tried TMS which did not provide much relief. Now I'm on a minor med for sleep, Folate and Vit D3 for mood. I feel much better...not sure if I just spontaneously got better or if my body is just happy w/no meds? In any event, I feel better, am restarting my career, and working on improving relationships w/family. I still have bad days, w/very low mood and irritability, but have been learning to use more coping skills, internal CBT w/myself, and mindfulness to deal w/it. I have lost faith in traditional medicine to help me, though I know many people for whom meds and medical tx helps a lot. I wonder how much control I have over 'depression', since it has gotten so much better with just my changes in thinking, and focus on regular sleep and exercise, plus "work". Maybe "mind over matter" really works???

[gayleggg]

I'm so glad that you have been able to get better for whatever reason, it is great. Hope you restart you career and flourish. It's so good to hear good stories.

It's taken a year but Meds are finally working for me and have brought me (I hope for good) out of dispare.

Keep up the good work.

[Anika.]

Sometimes changing our minds thoughts, focus and perspective does actually work. It worked for me too and no longer take meds for bipolar 1, and no episodes either. I am glad you found a way to help yourself that is working. It is a really good feeling isn't it? I hope you keep at it and that it just keeps getting better for you. It is obviously having a very positive effect on you life... I'd run with that.

I used cbt and dbt on myself and lots of mindfulness which really changed how I think and feel. For me it had to come when I was ready, and I was noy ready for a long time. Glad to hear it is working for you as well. Good luck with your career and I hope you family ties will be strengthened.

I'm glad you shared that with us..

[reesecups]

I think that it is great that you are able to accomplish so much without meds. I am titrating off an AD now in hopes of being psych med free. I don't believe meds, for me, have ever made the worsening or improvement in my depression.
I would be interested to hear updates in how you are doing. Goid luck, hope everything works out for you.

[Tapering]

Glad you found a less complex way to deal with your symptoms. Psychotherapy has been found to be as effective as antidepressants for depression. You may know that already however. Thanks for sharing your experience with ECT.

[reesecups]

Originally Posted by Tapering

Glad you found a less complex way to deal with your symptoms. Psychotherapy has been found to be as effective as antidepressants for depression. You may know that already however. Thanks for sharing your experience with ECT.

I agree. I believe therapy has worked for me more than any AD. Not saying they don't help some, just not me. I'm having a few problems right now. I'm not apparently hypomanic any more, but I did make an extra appt with my therp on Monday to talk. No more ADs as far as I'm concerned!

[Tapering]

Kitten I would consider CBT if you have not already. It has been shown to be effective.

[ilive4music]

Originally Posted by KittenE

I am fairly new here, just want to share my own experience. Dx w/PTSD and depression since 18 or earlier, and I tried prob'ly about 30 meds from different classes/types...none really helpful, or worse, they caused me to be very ill from s/e. I tried ECT for 4 years, had to stop due to not really lots of benefit, but lots of cognitive/memory s/e. Tried TMS which did not provide much relief. Now I'm on a minor med for sleep, Folate and Vit D3 for mood. I feel much better...not sure if I just spontaneously got better or if my body is just happy w/no meds? In any event, I feel better, am restarting my career, and working on improving relationships w/family. I still have bad days, w/very low mood and irritability, but have been learning to use more coping skills, internal CBT w/myself, and mindfulness to deal w/it. I have lost faith in traditional medicine to help me, though I know many people for whom meds and medical tx helps a lot. I wonder how much control I have over 'depression', since it has gotten so much better with just my changes in thinking, and focus on regular sleep and exercise, plus "work". Maybe "mind over matter" really works???

That is great. my doctor also recommended vitamin d3 for mood. I should buy some. Sorry TMS did not work for you. Have you tried any studies at MGH?