[schmidtz]

Anybody else here have it? How do you deal with it?

[DeadlyHeptet]

PMed you.

[strumminsix]

Negative for me, thank God, but it has hit close to home in the past. All I can say is get help!

For some folks meds are required but the majority have needed counseling, group therapy or otherwise a mental tune-up.

Please, please get help. Depression effects every person every person around the depressed person.

[SlowTexasZim]

If you just have a case of the blues, then playing guitar, getting good rest, exercise and healthy diet of Jerry will help you get over the hump. If you have full blown can't get out of bed depression, then go to the doctor for medical help. Good luck.

[strumminsix]

If you just have a case of the blues, then playing guitar, getting good rest, exercise and healthy diet of Jerry will help you get over the hump. If you have full blown can't get out of bed depression, then go to the doctor for medical help. Good luck.

I think if someone is ready to open themselves up here they've likely thought about it long enough to rule out the blues.

If you look at the DSM there are degrees of depression and other conditions where depression is the symptom but not the condition.

Even a case of the blues would benefit from talking with even your regular doctor who can help you understand the blues and how long they should last or to what degree. Do not tackle this alone!

[SlowTexasZim]

There is no shame in asking for help.

Depression is a monster. It can cause swings from the blues to sad to almost unfunctional and back again. The spectrum of feelings is quite vast. This isn't fun. The earlier a person gets help the better. Nip it in the bud, so to speak. Some people stigmatize people on meds but that is their problem. I have seen how meds can intervene in a wildly cascading chemical inbalance in the brain and help a person re-align and get a handle on the depression. This doesn't mean a lifetime of medications. Often, with the plan of a doctor, meds can be a temporary crutch that can be discarded when healing has occurred.

Beware of the trap of self medicating with drugs and alcohol, often they make the situation worse. As I said before, exercise is really good for the head.

Anyone struggling with this problem I wish you well. No one is alone. Good luck

"Here comes sunshine..."

[SpaceYrface43]

I'm with you buddy,
Been going threw some hard times myself. Lost my Fiancee June 17th to cancer she was only 34. Sunday will mark 4 months of this missery. I have been hitting the bottle hard along with some other stuff and i can tell you it hasn't helped me much only temporarly. One thing that does help is being around good friends and family but they can't be there all the time which is when i run into trouble. I have thought about getting help but not sure if i'm there yet. Keep your chin up and take it one day at a time. Jerry/Grateful Dead has been great throughout this time for me. PM if you want to chat i'm always down for a good talk.
Justin

[jefkahn]

Agree with the above. Talk with people, don't hold it all inside. Psychologists, psychiatrists, and counselors are well-trained to be helpful. And nothing beats a good friend or family member. Everyone has experienced this or something like it, so you have friends.

If you're battling the bottle, think about an AA visit. Everyone in AA today who is recovering thought at one point they could manage without AA, but they're still going to meetings today.

Also, if you're lucky enough to have insurance, try to get your family doctor to refer you to a psychiatrist. Family docs can prescribe depression medication, but they're not as well-trained as psychiatrists in getting the dosage just right.

Hang in there.

[schmidtz]

I am on Lexapro, to no avail, and I have gone the shrink route before, but it just seems like they want to stuff me in a mental ward. That's not for me, I like the outside world, and my shoelaces.

*Cue my credibility going down the drain...*

I'm just really struggling right now, it's midterm season (I'm in college), I'm working too many hours, the only person I talk to is my roommate and I have never had a significant other (oh boo hoo). The only thing that keeps me going is relaxing at the end of the day with some herbals and a solid Scarlet>FoTM (>Estimated for bonus points).

Thanks to all of you for your concern. I feel I can safely say I love all of you, and the community at large.

[Utah Joe]

There are many reasons for depression. Some people experience it early in life due to an inborn chemical imbalance, social stressors, or both. At other times depression can be secondary to a sudden loss, such as the death of a loved one or divorce, and is referred to as an "adjustment disorder." A full blown "major depressive disorder" is depression that persists for longer than 6 months and is associated with anhedonia (i.e. things that were previously pleasurable are no longer fun), anorexia (loss of appetite and weight loss), and insomnia.

Regardless of the cause the sooner you start treatment the faster things will improve. Things don't change overnight but early intervention with counseling, medication (if needed; often meds can be provided by your family doctor), and lifestyle modification can make a difference. If insurance is an issue there are sometimes community health services available, depending on the situation. If professional help isn't available then speaking with friends, exercising, and cutting back on things like caffeine, tobacco, and alcohol (to help with the insomnia and anxiety) can be helpful. Personally, I found Southpark and The Three Stooges (Curly and Shemp only...Joe and Curly Joe suck) provided some much needed comic relief after a bad break-up.

The bottom line is that you aren't alone; most people experience depression to some degree during their lifetime. It's tough to take that first step and ask for help but only you can do it. Also, even though things may seem dark now everything really does get better with time.

[Grateful Dad]

Anybody else here have it? How do you deal with it?

I don't know your situation exactly, but if it helps sometimes it's good to give of yourself, to volunteer and help senior citizens, be a Big Brother, volunteer some of your time in a homeless shelter, hospital, or work with MHMR kids, or any other activity that gets you out of thinking about yourself and your situation. No matter what you may be going through chances are there are people out there with similar needs that need just a little time and caring to make a big diference in their lives.

The greatest quality we share as Deadheads is that selfless and intangible gift of kindness, laughter, not taking ourselves too seriously, and a willingness to share joy with each other through music. Some people find this quality through being a Deadhead, or having faith in a loving God, or just being a down-to-earth nice person who loves life.

"There is a fountain that was not made by the hands of man" - Robert Hunter

[Adam Deckard]

long distance running, playing guitar, family, medicine.

[strumminsix]

Amigo, work with someone. What's the worst that can happen?

You invest a few months trying to beat the depression and you learn you need a different therapist?

I've seen folks try 3 or 4 therapists and as many RXs before finding the right combination!

You can do it!

[JonnyBoy]

I may be off base by saying this, but if the herbal remedies you speak of have a delta 9 in it, you may want to reconsider that use for at least a short time period while your meds get stable (about 60-90 days). It is amazing what a completely sober mind can do in terms of our ailments we have. I know how many say its natural and no big deal, but it has been proven to make depression way worse in most cases. Even though it is not as damaging to the body as other drugs like cocaine and alcohol in excess, it still messes with brain chemistry and will inflate the negative symptoms you may be having. If you are getting meds right now I assume a DR is in the know of your issues, be sure to let him know everything you are feeling. He can't treat you as effectively without knowing whats going on in good detail. I am almost certain those drugs take a few weeks to become effective and will level off a few weeks more than that in some people.

Brother, you are not alone. We all have our struggles. "Prozac Nation" is not a best seller for no reason. The world expects us every year to work harder, faster, learn more, communicate faster, earn less etc... A lot of us remember when you would make a phone call to someone and maybe get an answering machine if they had one, and maybe get a call back that week. These days if you miss a call on your cell and don't call back in a minute, you are considered lazy and unprofessional. We are all feeling the pressure to be better robots for the man. All of this is where the Dead was born from, trying to flee from the capitalistic machine that gobbles up individuality and freedom. Though, their experiment like most modern forms of communism, had its failures too. Just don't loose touch with yourself and you'll be OK, and if you need meds to help with that, then go for it.

[jackr]

Schmidz,

Depression is a dangerous and life threatening illness. Not to be taken lightly. I have had many suicidal thoughts but havent now for many many years and I am not on any medication.

The mere fact that you posted something like this on the forum is awesome. To me that says that no matter how bad your depression is, there is something in you that wants to live and get healthy. This was a very safe way to do it. You have a bunch of anonymous people here most of which care and any one that says anything whacky it doesn't matter.

Here is the answer, you MUST seek PROFESSIONAL medical and psychiatric help. Do not really solely on friends, family or any home grown remedies. And left untreated the odds are against you getting better on your own.

Your treatment will not be overnight but it has to start with the first step, so please take it and call a professional for help. That all sounds bad but you can do it and it is well worthwhile. Its easy to be overwhelmed in your state of mind that it is too much work to be worth it but it is not.

Please keep up informed.