Comments on: A Side Helping Of Transparency

By: hariman

hariman — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 06:55:14 +0000

Nice information, thanks.

By: Sherri Moore

Sherri Moore — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:41:08 +0000

Thank you Thank You Thank you. I am bipolar (I inherited it from my father). Its so hard when the people you love, the people who are supposed to l0ve you prefer to believe you can just snap out 0f it. Its ideas like that, That keep mental health in the dark ages.

By: bridgett

bridgett — Fri, 29 Aug 2008 01:34:19 +0000

I know this struggle well, both as observer and participant. I’m glad that you got the right help at the right time for you and wish I was as forthright about seeking out what I need when I need it. I am one of those “stumble around, tough it out, put my family and myself through the mill” people. Once I dug myself out the last time, I decided that I would take whatever steps necessary if it ever happened again. So far, so good, but I’m still resolute and stories like yours only confirm me in my plan to seek out help quickly next time.

By: Terrie

Terrie — Thu, 28 Aug 2008 00:29:58 +0000

Thank you, thank you, for both going for help for yourself and for writing about it. There is still a stigma to taking anti-depressants and going for therapy, but the combination of the two is more effective than anything else you can do. Your father was wise; NO ONE can understand the black pit your life can feel like, unless they’ve experienced it. I started on Prozac years ago and am now taking Elavil (an oldie but goodie that works for me) at night, and Paxil in the morning. I can’t describe the difference in my life now! I only feel bad that I didn’t go for help sooner so my kids would have had a fulltime mother instead of a zombie after their father and I separated. But I’m good now. Keep your chin up; it gets better, much better.

By: Kati B

Kati B — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:55:34 +0000

Hip Hip Hooray!

I remember finally making that appt that I had put off for so long, and being terrified that after all of my own kvetching about whether it was time to get medicated, the doc would listen to me and say, Ah, you’re fine. Have you tried yoga?

Because I was still so stuck in thinking – I haven’t done every single thing that I possibly could to “snap out of this” myself.

And of course I hadn’t. I was depressed! That’s what clinical depression means, you can’t do the things that you know will bring joy to you!

Hooray!

By: tink

tink — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:51:30 +0000

Ivy,

I’m VERY proud of you.

My husband is military, and has only begun to battle PTSD after his last deployment.

I’m one of those “tough women” – thought I could kick my own butt out of it as I slowly watched my husband become the ghost of the man he once was.

I finally went for help(for myself) 2 weeks ago — how can I help someone else if I wouldn’t even help myself??

I’m thinking much more clearly and am just now able to take the steps he needs me to take to be able to fight for him as well as myself.

Good luck to you, and be proud of yourself – you are doing the right thing.

By: kristen

kristen — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:11:49 +0000

Ivy, I just stumble upon this post (although I have read many others of yours) and am so glad I did! It is so refreshing to see someone so open regarding depression. I suffer from depression, PTSD, and anxiety and, yes, I take an anti depressant. I was PROUD of myself for recognizing that I did in fact need this, not ashamed. And I certainly hope you feel your old self again soon!

By: Brenda

Brenda — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 22:16:35 +0000

Wow, you’ve written a post that I always wanted to write, but for me it’s anxiety. I too resisted because I didn’t want to “jump on the bandwagon”. My doctor had known me for over 10 years, delivered my kids, and he convinced me to try Effexor. It was the best thing I ever did…

I wish I could hug you in person…but a virtual one will have to do:) {{{HUGS}}}

By: holly

holly — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 20:36:42 +0000

You are so brave and inspiring.

By: MJ

MJ — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 19:38:29 +0000

Thank you so much for sharing your story! I think if more of us are as matter-of-fact about our depression and what it really IS, it won’t be such a big deal in the future. Well, maybe. We can always Hope!