Anxiety / Depression

Ramble all you want man. I get people process things differently. My sister was bi-polar so I've dealt with mental health issues on a personal level. I'm also a highly analytical and critical thinker. I can find flaws in damn near anything. This time I found out that the flaw may be me. That's the hardest part to rationalize in my skull. I've already read a ton on the subject and continue to read to try and understand things. For the first time in my life I've accepted things as they are and am working towards making myself the best me I can be. I honestly hope it will be as simple as the red or blue pill but I know it won't be.

Are you on any meds for depression? They worked well for my sister if she stayed on them. When she went off them she was a totally different person.

 

I'm happy this thread exists. Cuz talking to family and friends isn't always an option. I feel like family some understand what I deal with. But get tired of the constant cries, complaints. And some friends just don't understand mental health. What makes it harder for me is I no longer have health insurance so coming out of pocket for docs gets pretty expensive. I struggle with being in group settings. Can't ever hold a job. I'm a complete disaster and the roller coaster just keeps going up and down.

 

It sounds like you are in the right mindset to improve, and good for you on seeing a shrink. I have found that a shrink didn't magically fix my problems, but they were more of a training coach that showed me the right tools to approach my problems. I learned some pretty cool communication methods from counseling and I picked up some ideas on how to break some habits. It's still up to me to lift the weights, but at least I know how to use the equipment now.

Being introspective is your most powerful tool for self improvement. You got this.

 

Good to hear. Thanks.

I specifically looked for a shrink that specializes in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. After all this introspection I think I know what I need to work on. Removed from the moment it's easy for me to see what I could have done differently. In the moment old habits take over and that foresight gets lost. CBT seems like it will be the best way for me to address that.

Psychoanalytical sounded like it would be a waste of my time. For one, I've already studied a lot of philosophy. Two, I like to argue. Sitting through a psychoanalytical session would most likely end up in me just arguing the point the poor guy was trying to make. Curious to here @crashngiggles thoughts on my choice of shrink.

 

CBT gives you tools to help get through difficult times and try to change your perspective on a situation. My IOP (intensive outpatient therapy) was CBT based.

 

Do you feel that it worked for you? More tools for in the moment is exactly what I feel I need.

 

What didn’t work for me may very well work for you. Go into it with an open mind. I was in a very, very dark place. It got me through it and lifted me up just a little bit.

 

So I have a friend that has a lot of history which they get to deal with - abuse, trauma, the whole nine yards. Recently did a gene mapping lab test which really yielded a lot of clarity with regard to what kinds of drugs will and definitely will not work. Still waiting to see the long term results of the resulting adjustments, but so far it seems like a really good thing to check out.

EDIT: Should also say, the result was an overall reduction in meds - throwing out ones that had no chance of really being helpful, and substituting far simpler ones that are less profitable but fit the need better.

 

I had no idea that was a thing. Gene mapping to predict the efficacy of behavioral meds, pain management meds, or both?

That's pretty cool.

 

I have been examined by the finest psychiatrists on the Planet. Do you want to know what each one of them did after our examination?






































They all booked off with stress.

 

I am with you all. depression, anxiety, bipolar schizophrenia, add, adhd and PTSD. Here. Was thrown in the Pysch ward about 4 years ago. can’t tell you how many medication’s my psych doctor has me on.




Prayers and thoughts go out all y’all

 

There really are not many behavioral therapist and psychologists that do Psychoanalysis anymore many due to it being outdated. CBT and motivational interviewing are the 2 main therapy I help my patients with. People that know what is wrong and have the motivation and tools to start slowly changing themselves for the better is where the hardest work needs to happen. Having support from others is a necessity as well. Depression and anxiety is very common in our society today unfortunately but there is always help as long as people are willing to:
1. Ask for help
2. Understand that nothing is going to change with a magic wand, it does take a lot of hard work, but also fully understand that it is not the amount of work that the person needs to do to change, it is how much work a person is willing to do to change. We all have our faults and all have our own issues but we can all be there for one another. There is always support out there.

 

Behavioral in this case. For example there are some people that some ssri meds simply won’t work for, and that can be identified through mapping

 

I also want people to know that outside of Psychiatry (medication management) and talk therapy, there are a lot of new and very promising techniques that have been helping people especially with depression and pstd. TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation) therapy is working wonders for a lot of the patients that go through my practice as well as new Spravato (ketamine) therapy looks very promising as well.

 

What’s your thought on trying TMS if one had tried Spravato and the ECT and was stopped by the Dr’s due to lack of improvement? Yale offers TMS (that’s where I tried the others).

 

Indeed. You've probably already read it but Micheal Pollan's How To Change Your Mind is a great read about the history of treating depression/PTSD with micro dosing psylocybin. Promising for sure.

 

It can be, but understand that each person is different. Spravato is only 2x weekly but has to be continued on a weekly basis for a long time, TMS is more intensive being at least 5x weekly but after the initial mapping the daily treatment is only 30 minutes for a total of 6-7 weeks, but afterwards is OK for a number of years in between treatments. Only your provider can determine if it is appropriate for you. You can always setup your appointment to find out and I have actually seen more positive outcomes even over conventional ECT.

 

I'm 50 and grew up with the men don't have feelings attitude. Just to post in this thread made me look real hard at that logic, again, and realize it's bullshit. Up until about 5 years ago I used to joke that I had two ways of existing. Content enough and pissed. Looking back it's not that funny. lol

 

Thanks Doc. This does give me hope. I’ll bring it up again with my doctor.

 

Boy, did you hit the Mother Load!