The mental health thread

[David.]

Does anyone have a strategy for dealing with depression coming back and the traditional coping sources (friends, activities, etc.) are not available?

It's been a rough few weeks for me. Only thing that has helped has been playing guitar, and that's not easy to do everyday.

Everyone save this

Self reported levels of happiness per activity.

Get out of your head. Get a dog. Volunteer. Join a sports league. Download "meetup".

 

[Jordan]

Excercise? watching some of your favourite stand up comedy? A really really cold shower? Possibly whim hoff breathing. Phone up an old friend and catch up, sign up an old enemy to a Mexican pharmaceutical email list?

These are all good ideas. It is just weird to be thrown back into it. I have had bouts every year for the past ten years, but once I got on medicine a few years ago it became significantly easier to manage. To the point where I developed strategies that worked every time. It has just been one thing after another the past few weeks and it all adds up.

Me I really like watching Lego builds right now when I have a smidgen of stress and anxiety. My wife likes really tiny things (like my penis ) and dolls house furniture. Go for a hike? Also watching that la Bron mural getting trashed is fun as hell

I am not a big lego guy but, as a general rule, this sounds like a good idea. I have not thought about watching anything. I am a big fan of watching concerts on YouTube. I am going to give that a shot. Thanks!

Curious as why none of your coping mechanisms are around. Hope everything is ok

I have a few friends I usually call, play guitar, and read books in my academic field. The latter especially helps.

The problem is, outside of guitar, the other options are unavailable. The friends that I usually call are going through their own, more important things... And a big reason that I am depressed deals with an attack on my ability to do the latter. I got some bad health news earlier in the week and it has all coalesced. It feels like the Wellbutrin is not even working.

 

[Adam]

I am not a big lego guy but, as a general rule, this sounds like a good idea. I have not thought about watching anything. I am a big fan of watching concerts on YouTube. I am going to give that a shot. Thanks!



I have a few friends I usually call, play guitar, and read books in my academic field. The latter especially helps.

The problem is, outside of guitar, the other options are unavailable. The friends that I usually call are going through their own, more important things... And a big reason that I am depressed deals with an attack on my ability to do the latter. I got some bad health news earlier in the week and it has all coalesced. It feels like the Wellbutrin is not even working.

Sorry to hear about your health. I do want to remind you that if you have received genuine bad news that is objectively hard to handle then it's not really depression and it's a natural response we would all have. You will bounce back. Hope the concerts help. If you want more support just let us know

 

[Jordan]

Sorry to hear about your health. I do want to remind you that if you have received genuine bad news that is objectively hard to handle then it's not really depression and it's a natural response we would all have. You will bounce back. Hope the concerts help. If you want more support just let us know

No, I know that. This is the kick-back. It's not even the news. It's a state of mind. I could barely get out of bed this morning.

Thanks for the help! Seriously, I mean it.

 

[1B4IGO]

Depression is nothing to mess around with. Exercise is good as is self hypnosis and breathing and there are some good free apps. It could be a chemical imbalance and never ever be ashamed to get therapy.

 

[cavman]

I'm just now coming back from my 6 month crash. I learned a lot about my depression during that time. I had a hard time excepting that I had something wrong with me, and now that I'm being treated for it and I understand that just because I feel great now does not mean I'm cured. I'll never be cured, but I don't have to be sick.

Man the hardest part was finding the right meds, I really thought for a bit there that there was nothing that could help me.

 

[Otsego Mar]

Everyone save this

Self reported levels of happiness per activity.

Get out of your head. Get a dog. Volunteer. Join a sports league. Download "meetup".

Wtf is this garbage David.

 

[David.]

Wtf is this garbage David.

A scientific study

 

[David.]

Wtf is this garbage David.

1408 citations

http://science.sciencemag.org/content/330/6006/932.full

 

[Sebastian]

Can this conversation be moved to a psych thread? I’d love for @Hydroponic3385 to elaborate and learn more from some of the other guys.

I do find the personalities of most doctors to share a common pattern of arrogance and almost resentment for patients. Seems to be particularly common amongst surgeons. Would anyone agree to this?

Opinions on thought replacement? I found it very effective after I was experiencing some very serious depression (I am not generally a depressed person) after two seizures in one day a couple years ago.

Long story short...My dad died when I was a young kid and I inherited the brain lesions that lead to a seizure that killed him. I have seizures every few years. When I have them, I become very conscious of my mortality afterwards...kind of fixated on it almost. The last time around I began experiencing panic attacks where I imagined I was experiencing auras prior to having seizures, upwards of a dozen times a day. They were getting debilitating. My brain chemistry was so fucked that I was experiencing these thoughts that were very similar to hallucinations. Hard to describe.

Anyways...I went to a psychologist/psychiatrist and she recommended thought replacement therapy. It worked immediately...like within days for the panic attacks and hallucinations (or whatever they were, presque vu or jamais vu may be a better description but still not quite).

I am curious how common this therapy is and whether it is effective for other conditions. I have recommended it to other people in conversation but do not know whether they have tried it.

One last thing...I found it very useful to be vocal to everyone around me that I was experiencing these things and to tell them I was going to see someone. I didn’t feel any shame about it whatsoever and I honestly felt that it made it easier if I ever had to see someone again to do it. I wish others could feel the same way. My wife has OCD and anxiety disorder and recently went to see someone. It made me happy. She has also begun to recognize that all of the women on her side of the family (two sisters and mom) have it as well.

Anyways...I’m fascinated by this topic and have a lot I could discuss.

The more mental health issues are de-stigmatized the sooner more people will get the help they need.

I mean, if you blow out your ACL, do you hide the fact for years? No. Of course not.

 

[CleveRocks]

In sharing mode.. I have ADHD and have wrestled with depression on and off. Both contributed to marital issues.

I have been to four counselors, but was not ADHD diagnosed until the last..( no one thought to give the test)..

I read a couple books, (Married to ADHD was one) and it was as if someone had been secretly recording my private life. ( pre-Alexa). Outside looking in most people see me as the same and steady guy in the room, but ADHD was my own personal crazy, and it crippled my relationships.. understanding the mechanisms has helped me right the ship and stay focused...

So in short.. seek counseling, preferably with your spouse. Be open about everything that's going on between your ears, and open to accepting responsibility.

It's also worth bearing in mind that you dont really know what's playing in somebody's head. If your crazy girlfriend seems irrational, most of the time there is something you dont know..

Life is too short to be shackled by your own demons..

 

[David.]

In sharing mode.. I have ADHD and have wrestled with depression on and off. Both contributed to marital issues.

I have been to four counselors, but was not ADHD diagnosed until the last..( no one thought to give the test)..

I read a couple books, (Married to ADHD was one) and it was as if someone had been secretly recording my private life. ( pre-Alexa). Outside looking in most people see me as the same and steady guy in the room, but ADHD was my own personal crazy, and it crippled my relationships.. understanding the mechanisms has helped me right the ship and stay focused...

So in short.. seek counseling, preferably with your spouse. Be open about everything that's going on between your ears, and open to accepting responsibility.

It's also worth bearing in mind that you dont really know what's playing in somebody's head. If your crazy girlfriend seems irrational, most of the time there is something you dont know..

Life is too short to be shackled by your own demons..

How did it effect your marriage

 

[Cavatt]

Can this conversation be moved to a psych thread? I’d love for @Hydroponic3385 to elaborate and learn more from some of the other guys.

I do find the personalities of most doctors to share a common pattern of arrogance and almost resentment for patients. Seems to be particularly common amongst surgeons. Would anyone agree to this?

Opinions on thought replacement? I found it very effective after I was experiencing some very serious depression (I am not generally a depressed person) after two seizures in one day a couple years ago.

Long story short...My dad died when I was a young kid and I inherited the brain lesions that lead to a seizure that killed him. I have seizures every few years. When I have them, I become very conscious of my mortality afterwards...kind of fixated on it almost. The last time around I began experiencing panic attacks where I imagined I was experiencing auras prior to having seizures, upwards of a dozen times a day. They were getting debilitating. My brain chemistry was so fucked that I was experiencing these thoughts that were very similar to hallucinations. Hard to describe.

Anyways...I went to a psychologist/psychiatrist and she recommended thought replacement therapy. It worked immediately...like within days for the panic attacks and hallucinations (or whatever they were, presque vu or jamais vu may be a better description but still not quite).

I am curious how common this therapy is and whether it is effective for other conditions. I have recommended it to other people in conversation but do not know whether they have tried it.

One last thing...I found it very useful to be vocal to everyone around me that I was experiencing these things and to tell them I was going to see someone. I didn’t feel any shame about it whatsoever and I honestly felt that it made it easier if I ever had to see someone again to do it. I wish others could feel the same way. My wife has OCD and anxiety disorder and recently went to see someone. It made me happy. She has also begun to recognize that all of the women on her side of the family (two sisters and mom) have it as well.

Anyways...I’m fascinated by this topic and have a lot I could discuss.

My friend who was a surgeons assistant said she had to quit because the doctors were always talking smack on their patient, especially about how fat they were. There was a famous court case where a women had a tape recorder recording the doctors making fun of her the whole time they were operating on her saying nasty things and she got a big settlement for it.

I think it stems from Doctors being really meticulous and being hyper aware of health concerns so they often take care of themselves more than your average person, and like the car guy who is disgusted that you have never rotated your tires or flushed your cooling system, so are doctors disgusted with people who don't know anything about the body and don't take care of it.

You saying that you aren't ashamed of seeing someone about your panic attacks is interesting. You know your issue is very tangible in that you dad had it and actually died from it, and these lesions appear on your brain. So while the effects are both mental and physical, there is a really clear physical cause of it. Obviously, it sucks that you have it, but at least you know what is going on and where it came from. I think a lot of the issues that people have with mental health is that while your serotonin or other biochemical actors may be out of whack, there is no clear cut cause like you have for the issue, and many people expect you can snap out of it, by thinking positively or just force of will. For you there is no argument that can be made that way, you have these specific lesions that have a specific effect. Not trying to downplay it or anything, I just think it is very understandable that you could have emotional/mental issues with a disease that took your dad from you when you were young. No one is going to fight with you on that or just tell you to man up about lesions on your brain.

 

[CleveRocks]

How did it effect your marriage

ADHD is a burden on your spouse.. there is shit you do without even knowing it that poisons the well. Then she reacts, and you misread it.

It's best to read the book.. but the 30 second version:
Having ADHD is like living your life with a giant spotlight on your forehead.. whatever you are looking at is more brighly lit than everything else.. in early stages this makes you mr wonderful. The relationship is in the spotlight and it has your full attention..

But later, when something else is in the spotlight like kids or work.. you are distant and out of touch..

If she assigns you a task, which will happen, at some point you will forget and that will repeat.. you will be in and out of the doghouse, unreliable and so on..

At the same time you are sensitive to criticism, because it's happened your whole life.. you let people down, because you experience time differently, and because you are easily distracted.

So when she starts in, you are prone to depression, and withdrawal..

Also, when dealing with ADHD, you develop strategies to cope, even if you dont know your doing it.. while these may be useful on your own they may not be good for relationships..

So this is the basic, but read the book if you or your spouse have it.. And get counseling. It helps..

I do not take the meds. My youngest is severe, and took vivance for a while, but has stopped. My oldest has it too, but he is Mormon, which requires him to reflect a lot, which helps him stay focused..

Symptoms: if you are smarter than most people but your grades aren't the best, you might be ADHD. If people think you are forgetful, you are late to meetings or forget appointments, guess what...

If your significant other says to you.. I told you I needed you to (fill in the blank) and you weren't listening..again! You might be one of us.

 

[DJTJ]

ADHD is a burden on your spouse.. there is shit you do without even knowing it that poisons the well. Then she reacts, and you misread it.

It's best to read the book.. but the 30 second version:
Having ADHD is like living your life with a giant spotlight on your forehead.. whatever you are looking at is more brighly lit than everything else.. in early stages this makes you mr wonderful. The relationship is in the spotlight and it has your full attention..

But later, when something else is in the spotlight like kids or work.. you are distant and out of touch..

If she assigns you a task, which will happen, at some point you will forget and that will repeat.. you will be in and out of the doghouse, unreliable and so on..

At the same time you are sensitive to criticism, because it's happened your whole life.. you let people down, because you experience time differently, and because you are easily distracted.

So when she starts in, you are prone to depression, and withdrawal..

Also, when dealing with ADHD, you develop strategies to cope, even if you dont know your doing it.. while these may be useful on your own they may not be good for relationships..

So this is the basic, but read the book if you or your spouse have it.. And get counseling. It helps..

I do not take the meds. My youngest is severe, and took vivance for a while, but has stopped. My oldest has it too, but he is Mormon, which requires him to reflect a lot, which helps him stay focused..

Symptoms: if you are smarter than most people but your grades aren't the best, you might be ADHD. If people think you are forgetful, you are late to meetings or forget appointments, guess what...

If your significant other says to you.. I told you I needed you to (fill in the blank) and you weren't listening..again! You might be one of us.

God this is speaking to me. Need to go buy.