http://antidepressionguide.org depression symptoms - depression treatment - depression help - Depression Causes, Symptoms, Types, Signs, Facts, Medication Fri, 10 Feb 2012 07:00:00 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.2 http://antidepressionguide.org/2008/05/31/sunshine-helps-those-who-are-depressedby-susan/ http://antidepressionguide.org/2008/05/31/sunshine-helps-those-who-are-depressedby-susan/#comments Sat, 31 May 2008 22:28:16 +0000 ozzieblackcat http://b804f6d4-c105-4345-b55b-0318e0cb6f55 Yesterday I saw my brother, David who is bipolar.   If you are a regular reader of this blog you know I've been concerned about him recently.   He's been suffering a great deal with depression lately even though he sees a mental health provider and takes his prescription medication on a regular basis.  

I'm happy to report David was a bit better yesterday as we visited over lunch and went to one of our favorite flea markets.  It was a beautiful sunny day and we had a good time, which reminded me of something I wrote about depression several years ago.  I'm a firm believer that in addition to professional help and medication, sunshine and fresh air are some of our best friends in battling depression.  David makes it a point to take advantage of all of these helpful ways of dealing with depression and I believe his efforts are once again getting him through a difficult time.  

The Sun Shines on Me 
by Susan King

The sun shines down upon my empty soul today
just one small ray lifts my spirits up
my depression eases and I somehow find a way
to make progress and then fill my cup
with hope of peace.

The sun shines light into my lonely heart today
I feel it's warm glow as if I were near a fire
my anxiety slowly, slowly seems to melt away
I once again want things I dearly love and I desire
to pursue my dreams.

The sun shines bright upon my troubled mind today
the enlightenment I feel is quite intense
my worries drift off to the shadows by the way
and I can finally think more clearly and make sense
as I live my life again.


Please visit:

Ozzieblackcat Home Page

]]> Yesterday I saw my brother, David who is bipolar.   If you are a regular reader of this blog you know I've been concerned about him recently.   He's been suffering a great deal with depression lately even though he sees a mental health provider and takes his prescription medication on a regular basis.  

I'm happy to report David was a bit better yesterday as we visited over lunch and went to one of our favorite flea markets.  It was a beautiful sunny day and we had a good time, which reminded me of something I wrote about depression several years ago.  I'm a firm believer that in addition to professional help and medication, sunshine and fresh air are some of our best friends in battling depression.  David makes it a point to take advantage of all of these helpful ways of dealing with depression and I believe his efforts are once again getting him through a difficult time.  

The Sun Shines on Me 
by Susan King

The sun shines down upon my empty soul today
just one small ray lifts my spirits up
my depression eases and I somehow find a way
to make progress and then fill my cup
with hope of peace.

The sun shines light into my lonely heart today
I feel it's warm glow as if I were near a fire
my anxiety slowly, slowly seems to melt away
I once again want things I dearly love and I desire
to pursue my dreams.

The sun shines bright upon my troubled mind today
the enlightenment I feel is quite intense
my worries drift off to the shadows by the way
and I can finally think more clearly and make sense
as I live my life again.


Please visit:

Ozzieblackcat Home Page

]]> http://antidepressionguide.org/2008/05/31/sunshine-helps-those-who-are-depressedby-susan/feed/ 0 http://antidepressionguide.org/2008/03/26/when-the-negative-overwhelms-the-positiveby-david/ http://antidepressionguide.org/2008/03/26/when-the-negative-overwhelms-the-positiveby-david/#comments Wed, 26 Mar 2008 11:39:28 +0000 ozzieblackcat http://afef9ae6-7969-4ae5-9a08-2a58ff5af8f1
I often want to walk or ride my bike to Walmart and then to K-Mart and then who knows where.  Well many times, if I make it to Walmart then when I come out of the store it feels like my little bit of mental energy has been drained.  I think to myself, how did I ever get this far? 

I feel like just sitting down on the sidewalk and not going any further but I know I have to go home.   It's such a job getting back home.   I'm beginning to learn not to venture out so far from where I live.  When things start getting to this point, I know it's time to get emotional and professional help, which is what I have done since starting this article several days ago. 

I get great emotional help from my sister, my caseworker and my doctor.  My doctor increased my prescription medication which hasn't changed anything yet.  However, I don't feel so alone, mostly because of my sister, Susan.  She is always there for me and much more a friend than a sister......very special. 

When I am overwhelmed with depression, it can make all the difference in the world just knowing that someone understands. 

]]>
I often want to walk or ride my bike to Walmart and then to K-Mart and then who knows where.  Well many times, if I make it to Walmart then when I come out of the store it feels like my little bit of mental energy has been drained.  I think to myself, how did I ever get this far? 

I feel like just sitting down on the sidewalk and not going any further but I know I have to go home.   It's such a job getting back home.   I'm beginning to learn not to venture out so far from where I live.  When things start getting to this point, I know it's time to get emotional and professional help, which is what I have done since starting this article several days ago. 

I get great emotional help from my sister, my caseworker and my doctor.  My doctor increased my prescription medication which hasn't changed anything yet.  However, I don't feel so alone, mostly because of my sister, Susan.  She is always there for me and much more a friend than a sister......very special. 

When I am overwhelmed with depression, it can make all the difference in the world just knowing that someone understands. 

]]> http://antidepressionguide.org/2008/03/26/when-the-negative-overwhelms-the-positiveby-david/feed/ 0 http://antidepressionguide.org/2007/10/27/bad-hair-dayby-susan/ http://antidepressionguide.org/2007/10/27/bad-hair-dayby-susan/#comments Sat, 27 Oct 2007 11:31:44 +0000 ozzieblackcat http://01289783-7b25-4411-a843-a0f6e0219045 This article really isn't going to be about hair although I will mention hair a little bit later.   My reason for writing today is to cuss and discuss the problems I've had recently.....well, all my life, with prescription medication.   I'm sure there are plenty of others who also have allergies and really bad side effects to the medications they have tried to take.

A few weeks ago I ended up in the hospital thanks to side effects from medication!  I had no idea that something intended for high blood pressure could also cause a person's pulse to drop well below 60 while still allowing the blood pressure to be way too high.   Mine did exactly that and it felt awful!   Needless to say, my blood pressure medication has been changed. 

I've stopped taking all medications with the exception of my new blood pressure medication,  my thyroid meds and a small amount of anti-anxiety medication at bedtime.   Occasionally, I take a pain medication at bedtime if I've had a really difficult day, pain wise.   I try to avoid them because they can trigger migraines.   Welcome back migraines and fibromyalgia!  I'm dealing with these things, as well as my depression/anxiety,  in ways other than those which involve drugs.    So far, it's working on some days. 

Now, back to the bad hair thing.   Inderal is the medication I was taking for my blood pressure.   One of the side effects I read about prior to taking the medication was a possible loss of hair.  In the month while I was taking Inderal, I lost a lot of hair!   Having started out with really thick curly hair, this experience was similar to having had my hair thinned professionally in the past. 

One morning as I was getting ready to leave the house, doing all my make-up and trying to make my hair look good, I thought I was having a really bad hair day and was going to have to resort to a pony tail.   When I picked up my hand mirror and looked at the back view of my hair, it was suddenly clear to me..........I wasn't having a bad hair day!   I was having a no hair day!  Clear as day on the back of my head where hair once was extremely thick, I could see my scalp.    What a depressing development!  

]]> This article really isn't going to be about hair although I will mention hair a little bit later.   My reason for writing today is to cuss and discuss the problems I've had recently.....well, all my life, with prescription medication.   I'm sure there are plenty of others who also have allergies and really bad side effects to the medications they have tried to take.

A few weeks ago I ended up in the hospital thanks to side effects from medication!  I had no idea that something intended for high blood pressure could also cause a person's pulse to drop well below 60 while still allowing the blood pressure to be way too high.   Mine did exactly that and it felt awful!   Needless to say, my blood pressure medication has been changed. 

I've stopped taking all medications with the exception of my new blood pressure medication,  my thyroid meds and a small amount of anti-anxiety medication at bedtime.   Occasionally, I take a pain medication at bedtime if I've had a really difficult day, pain wise.   I try to avoid them because they can trigger migraines.   Welcome back migraines and fibromyalgia!  I'm dealing with these things, as well as my depression/anxiety,  in ways other than those which involve drugs.    So far, it's working on some days. 

Now, back to the bad hair thing.   Inderal is the medication I was taking for my blood pressure.   One of the side effects I read about prior to taking the medication was a possible loss of hair.  In the month while I was taking Inderal, I lost a lot of hair!   Having started out with really thick curly hair, this experience was similar to having had my hair thinned professionally in the past. 

One morning as I was getting ready to leave the house, doing all my make-up and trying to make my hair look good, I thought I was having a really bad hair day and was going to have to resort to a pony tail.   When I picked up my hand mirror and looked at the back view of my hair, it was suddenly clear to me..........I wasn't having a bad hair day!   I was having a no hair day!  Clear as day on the back of my head where hair once was extremely thick, I could see my scalp.    What a depressing development!  

]]> http://antidepressionguide.org/2007/10/27/bad-hair-dayby-susan/feed/ 0 http://antidepressionguide.org/2007/09/27/a-clear-mindby-susan/ http://antidepressionguide.org/2007/09/27/a-clear-mindby-susan/#comments Thu, 27 Sep 2007 23:08:42 +0000 ozzieblackcat http://369b9bc9-a6f7-475e-9965-def476afefbf Today I actually had several hours when I experienced a clear mind and no headache.   About an hour after taking my medication the fog lifted and I felt good for a while.   It was great! 

Only a few days ago I wrote about taking too many pills and how I didn't think I could do much about that.  Well, now I'm happy to report that I have successfully reduced my prescription pain medication to 7 per week as suggested by my doctor.   The osteoarthritis and the fibromyalgia hurt more but it's worth it not to be triggering migraine headaches. 

I increased the Topamax for prevention of migraines for the last time this morning and I believe that's what gave me a clear mind at last.    I've been working on reducing or stopping some of my other medications too.   They are too expensive and also have too many negative side effects.   I plan to take only what is absolutely necessary from now on. 

Next month I will begin some alternatives to medication such as acupuncture and massage.  I'm looking forward to trying these.   I'm glad I'm no longer going to be taking "too many pills".   I feel certain it will be a benefit to my physical health and probably won't make much difference in my level of depression or anxiety.  

An improvement in my health and an improvement in my bank balance would make me feel great!  ]]> Today I actually had several hours when I experienced a clear mind and no headache.   About an hour after taking my medication the fog lifted and I felt good for a while.   It was great! 

Only a few days ago I wrote about taking too many pills and how I didn't think I could do much about that.  Well, now I'm happy to report that I have successfully reduced my prescription pain medication to 7 per week as suggested by my doctor.   The osteoarthritis and the fibromyalgia hurt more but it's worth it not to be triggering migraine headaches. 

I increased the Topamax for prevention of migraines for the last time this morning and I believe that's what gave me a clear mind at last.    I've been working on reducing or stopping some of my other medications too.   They are too expensive and also have too many negative side effects.   I plan to take only what is absolutely necessary from now on. 

Next month I will begin some alternatives to medication such as acupuncture and massage.  I'm looking forward to trying these.   I'm glad I'm no longer going to be taking "too many pills".   I feel certain it will be a benefit to my physical health and probably won't make much difference in my level of depression or anxiety.  

An improvement in my health and an improvement in my bank balance would make me feel great!  ]]> http://antidepressionguide.org/2007/09/27/a-clear-mindby-susan/feed/ 0 http://antidepressionguide.org/2007/09/20/too-many-pillsby-susan/ http://antidepressionguide.org/2007/09/20/too-many-pillsby-susan/#comments Thu, 20 Sep 2007 11:56:14 +0000 ozzieblackcat http://69848975-a41c-4baa-b741-896cb645c302 I don't like taking pills.  I can remember when I was a young woman.  It was rare for me to even take a Tylenol.  Now, I'm taking too many medications and I'm very unhappy about it.

On a recent visit to the Headache - Pain Management Center in our area, I was told that I was taking more than the recommended ten pain pills per week.  So, I've managed to cut that down to seven and am having a lot of pain from my Osteoarthritis and Fibromyalgia.  This is not working for me at all, so I will be going back to taking fourteen pain pills per week. 

While not wanting me to take 14 pain pills per week, which is understandable, (I guess) they put me on three new prescription for other problems.  I'm not a happy camper.  I feel as though my breakfast consists of pills with a little yogurt to go along with them. ugh!

I had always heard about those elderly people who couldn't afford many of the comforts of life due to their high prescription costs and now it looks like I'm going to be one of them.  This makes me sick.  We have good insurance coverage but the cost really adds up when paying so many co-pays for all of your prescriptions and doctor visits.

Well, I just needed to rant a little bit.  In October I'll be starting some alternatives to medications such as massage and acupuncture at the Wellness Center.  Maybe then I'll be able to cut down further on my pain medication.  I've heard that these methods can be very helpful for some people.  I sure hope they will help me!]]> I don't like taking pills.  I can remember when I was a young woman.  It was rare for me to even take a Tylenol.  Now, I'm taking too many medications and I'm very unhappy about it.

On a recent visit to the Headache - Pain Management Center in our area, I was told that I was taking more than the recommended ten pain pills per week.  So, I've managed to cut that down to seven and am having a lot of pain from my Osteoarthritis and Fibromyalgia.  This is not working for me at all, so I will be going back to taking fourteen pain pills per week. 

While not wanting me to take 14 pain pills per week, which is understandable, (I guess) they put me on three new prescription for other problems.  I'm not a happy camper.  I feel as though my breakfast consists of pills with a little yogurt to go along with them. ugh!

I had always heard about those elderly people who couldn't afford many of the comforts of life due to their high prescription costs and now it looks like I'm going to be one of them.  This makes me sick.  We have good insurance coverage but the cost really adds up when paying so many co-pays for all of your prescriptions and doctor visits.

Well, I just needed to rant a little bit.  In October I'll be starting some alternatives to medications such as massage and acupuncture at the Wellness Center.  Maybe then I'll be able to cut down further on my pain medication.  I've heard that these methods can be very helpful for some people.  I sure hope they will help me!]]> http://antidepressionguide.org/2007/09/20/too-many-pillsby-susan/feed/ 0