1. < Depression & Anxiety

Importance of focusing on Positive with Depression & Anxiety.

Posted by BoneHead @stsopoci, May 27, 2019

In my journey with the millions of humans who are brave enough to go down the path of recovery without alcohol, bad drug and more drugs, I have gradually more and more discovered how important it is to crawl out of my deep hole, bad attitude, self-importance, feeling sorry for myself, angry, sad, etc, etc, condition and more toward the LIGHT!!! That means changing and moving for me away from some friends that are very negative about everything. That means walking around the block when I get upset so I can calm down and see the light. That means taking care of myself, exercising, eating right and meeting new friends and keeping old friends that are well-balanced. Positivity in life is available to everyone and it's FREE. I have gone on a path throughout my early days of self-medicating with lots of alcohol, drug, etc. I cleaned myself up in 1996, OCT 13th but I still did not feel right until I could ask for help from a professional. Found out I was GAD (inherited from my MOM) and a few other close seconds. I went on medication for years on various meds until I found the chemical that keeps me pretty normal. BUT, BUT...something else was missing because I still suffered through the negativity of every situation that I could create in a moments time.

I love these groups because you are honest with yourself which is very important.
Finding good friends that understand you and the importance of staying positive with your journey through life.
Taking good care of yourself.
We all are unique so what works for me does not always work for you. I'm on 20mg of Lexipro.
What do other people do to stay positive?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.

marjou | @marjou | May 13, 2020
In reply to @merpreb "@nanners012910- Good morning and I'm glad that you found our site. I understand your frustration in..." + (show)
@merpreb

@nanners012910- Good morning and I'm glad that you found our site. I understand your frustration in finding the right drugs for your depression. I have PTSD and have also gone through many trials before I found the right one. I am one Zoloft and Brupropion and CBD oil. I also exercise and I have to tell you that was a game changer for me when I started back exercising. I know that when you are really down, down ,down it's the last thing you want to do but it's also the best thing to do. Can you grab a friend who will be tough, but gentle with you to help with this process?

https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/caution-urged-over-use-fast-acting-version-ketamine-depression-n1016176
When I see Miracle Drug every red flag in my vicinity goes to full alert. There are no miracle medicines, they either work or they don't. There is no divine power that selects which one is right for you and which aren't based on your experiences with it.
All are addictive and will take a lot of slow work to get off them. You probably have experienced this. I know that if I decide not to take mine anymore my depression will return so I have no plans on ever stopping.
But some antidepressants are more dangerous than others and I would classify Ketamine as one to be very very careful of. It's the same type of drug that Michael Jackson died from.
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/caution-urged-over-use-fast-acting-version-ketamine-depression-n1016176

Have you been exercising, being careful to eat as cleanly as possible and sleeping well?

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As you say there's no miracle drug. I've had a med or two that worked for awhile then stopped working. The other situation is when a med works is affordable then becomes financially unaffordable which is a decision made by pharmaceutical companies. What does one do then?

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BoneHead | @stsopoci | Jun 7, 2020

I wonder how everyone is feeling today and the past days of worrying about COVID. My partner and I went on a picnic today and met our grandchildren in a park by a lake. Lots of room to sit and visit all afternoon. We felt absolutely wonderful being with our grandkids and daughter. We still stayed our distance from each other and it was easy outside in a large park by a lake. We can do this! I also, rather than Zooming with my men's group started meeting with them in a driveway of one of our members. We do wear masks, but we are still 6 feet away from each other and we're out side all of the time. I bring my laptop and bluetooth to a speaker, plug into the garage outlet and run DVD's on various subjects that we're interested in. My 30+ years of IT come in handy and we enjoy looking and talking to each other (for real) rather than on a screen. Take care everyone, we need each other.

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1 reply
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Jun 8, 2020
In reply to @stsopoci "I wonder how everyone is feeling today and the past days of worrying about COVID. My..." + (show)
@stsopoci

I wonder how everyone is feeling today and the past days of worrying about COVID. My partner and I went on a picnic today and met our grandchildren in a park by a lake. Lots of room to sit and visit all afternoon. We felt absolutely wonderful being with our grandkids and daughter. We still stayed our distance from each other and it was easy outside in a large park by a lake. We can do this! I also, rather than Zooming with my men's group started meeting with them in a driveway of one of our members. We do wear masks, but we are still 6 feet away from each other and we're out side all of the time. I bring my laptop and bluetooth to a speaker, plug into the garage outlet and run DVD's on various subjects that we're interested in. My 30+ years of IT come in handy and we enjoy looking and talking to each other (for real) rather than on a screen. Take care everyone, we need each other.

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@stsopoci Hi, there, and good for you for being able to visit and adapt! It is so important to try and maintain the relationships we have had that were positive for us, and finding new ways to do that. These times recently have really underscored how we took things for granted, right? Fri night my neighbor and I stopped at a restaurant and had a meal out, as I drove back from a Dr appt. It felt so strange. While appropriate measures were taken by the eatery, to sit down and be served seemed so novel. I will continue to practice safe measures because I am in a health compromised state, but it is nice to see a loosening of restrictions.
Ginger

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1 reply
imallears | @imallears | Jun 8, 2020
In reply to @gingerw "@stsopoci Hi, there, and good for you for being able to visit and adapt! It is..." + (show)
@gingerw

@stsopoci Hi, there, and good for you for being able to visit and adapt! It is so important to try and maintain the relationships we have had that were positive for us, and finding new ways to do that. These times recently have really underscored how we took things for granted, right? Fri night my neighbor and I stopped at a restaurant and had a meal out, as I drove back from a Dr appt. It felt so strange. While appropriate measures were taken by the eatery, to sit down and be served seemed so novel. I will continue to practice safe measures because I am in a health compromised state, but it is nice to see a loosening of restrictions.
Ginger

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@ginget

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caf | @caf | Jun 8, 2020
In reply to @stsopoci "Lexapro 20mg works for me. I’m able to maintain a positive thought process and keep constructive..." + (show)
@stsopoci

Lexapro 20mg works for me. I’m able to maintain a positive thought process and keep constructive thoughts moving forward. The issue with my GAD is mostly my Dad who was told to me by 3 professional psychologists to be a narcissist. He would tell me to look at him and then he would slap my face. I do not wish to live in the past because it doesn’t help me so I go to 1. Gym to exercise 4 times a week. 2. Men’s meeting at church every Wednesday spiritual studies. 3. Men’s meeting every Saturday discussions on health, etc, sports. 4. Bike club riding every week. 5. Mayo discussion group to validate positive life.

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Such a hopeful bright light! I am 59 and have been battling with depression & anxiety for years ( alcoholism and depression in my family) and just tapered off of Effexor thinking I had arrived to a place where I could handle my life .. then covid, a business with daily adjustments & changes and wound up in another major depression. I’m back on Effexor and pray to god the negativity and anxiety will wane..thank you for your encouraging words

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2 replies
Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Jun 9, 2020
In reply to @caf "Such a hopeful bright light! I am 59 and have been battling with depression & anxiety..." + (show)
@caf

Such a hopeful bright light! I am 59 and have been battling with depression & anxiety for years ( alcoholism and depression in my family) and just tapered off of Effexor thinking I had arrived to a place where I could handle my life .. then covid, a business with daily adjustments & changes and wound up in another major depression. I’m back on Effexor and pray to god the negativity and anxiety will wane..thank you for your encouraging words

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@caf Welcome to Mayo Connect! we're glad you are here to join us, and share experiences. Sometimes our best intentions need to be placed on a side shelf while we deal with harsh realities. Will you be thinking about tapering off Effexor again in the future, when you feel on a more level keel?
Ginger

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caf | @caf | Jun 9, 2020

Hello ginger, thank you for your message. I am once again perplexed at the power of my debilitating dark major depressions so i am not sure what i will do in the future. I have had depressions on and off since the age of ten so i am wondering if it is just my brain chemistry that has for years been compromised.. i didnt start taking meds till i was about 42.. so nice to hear from you! Carrie

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3 replies
Mentor
Teresa, Volunteer Mentor | @hopeful33250 | Jun 9, 2020
In reply to @caf "Hello ginger, thank you for your message. I am once again perplexed at the power of..." + (show)
@caf

Hello ginger, thank you for your message. I am once again perplexed at the power of my debilitating dark major depressions so i am not sure what i will do in the future. I have had depressions on and off since the age of ten so i am wondering if it is just my brain chemistry that has for years been compromised.. i didnt start taking meds till i was about 42.. so nice to hear from you! Carrie

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@caf Hello Carrie,

I just noticed your post. It seems that many of us have a problem with brain chemistry and sometimes the work of anti-depressants is very helpful in balancing out that type of problem. I wish you well and hope that you keep in touch with Mayo Connect.

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Mentor
Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Jun 9, 2020
In reply to @caf "Hello ginger, thank you for your message. I am once again perplexed at the power of..." + (show)
@caf

Hello ginger, thank you for your message. I am once again perplexed at the power of my debilitating dark major depressions so i am not sure what i will do in the future. I have had depressions on and off since the age of ten so i am wondering if it is just my brain chemistry that has for years been compromised.. i didnt start taking meds till i was about 42.. so nice to hear from you! Carrie

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@caf Carrie, it was a challenge for me to learn to rip the power away from the depression I also deal with. But, as I have control issues LOL, I had to, in order to keep going. I decided whatever it took to keep those dark wolves from my door, even if it meant they were still in the front yard, waiting for me to invite them back. Medication, therapy, exercise, writing it out, all have helped me. Will the battle ever end, probably not. But I am working hard. What other methods have you worked with to help you in depressive episodes?
Ginger

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3 replies
caf | @caf | Jun 9, 2020

Hi ginger, yes it seems the healing never stops but i am committed and so inspiring to hear your words, thank you. I am starting with a new therapist, going to try emdr, and exercise will resume when the effexor Kicks in. At this point cant eat and no motivation Its a tough first couple weeks on effexor..it too shall pass. What kind of medication are you on?

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