Depression Support Group

Hi, my name is Ann and depression runs throughout my family. Some are treated and some are not. There is also some OCD, anxiety, bipolar. Adult daughter has had a lot of psychiatric problems.

I have been a chronic depressive my entire adult life. I have been on many medications; some have worked better than others. Right now I am in a slump. I sleep a lot, feel groggy when I am up, have little motivation for anything and not accomplishing much. I learned about this site from my daughter who has found it very helpful. I have an appt with my psychiatrist in July. People have told me I'm getting more depressed but it may be situational. My psychiatrist is very good; I just hate adding more meds - I'm already on Welbutrin, Lamictal, and Lexapro. Also clonazepam, but for seizures (leg kicking while asleep) rather than for psychiatric purposes.

It's nice to feel there is a "family" here, although I must admit my depression sometimes prevents me from getting on line every dah.

Thanks to all who read this and care - I know I care about other depressed and otherwise mentally ill people.

P.S., if you are wondering about my picture of Pluto, it is because I don't think Pluto should have been demoted from a planet, and feel bad for Pluto (this is a tongue-in-cheek discussion) and I want Pluto to be "grandfathered in" as a planet. It's been a planet for so long, why upset it by taking away it's status now??

Hi Daffylady, Welcome to the group. I too have chronic depression for years. Runs in my family too. I however have had success with medication. Some better than othes as you say. Most recently taking Prisiq and I really like the way this one works. I don't feel depressed much at all unless it's a situation but doesn't last long which is good. Plus I'm out of the red zone peak of depression which for me is January and February. Share anytime... I agree about Pluto and if you want to put up a profile pic please do Rachele

Thanks a lot, Rachele. It's very nice to be welcomed so soon. I think hearing other people's trials and tribulations will help me as much as getting advice for me.

Ann

Hi, welcome to the group. I have fibromyalgia and adhd and depression, i have tried almost everything I think. I am currently taking about 5mg of lexapro because everything is to hard for me to take because I am so freaking sensitive to everything. I have been cutting the 10mg in half for about 2 weeks and then it happened. I went to bed and heard the last song i had listened to in my head all night long. so I stopped it and I have started it back again because it was helping. So far so good, anyway, I really like Pristiq but my insurance won't pay for it, but I'm hoping someday it will. I have been so depressed mostly because of money problems , it always seems to be money. UGH!!

Hi Ann and Welcome!

yes we are a big family here, we understand each other and pretty much know what each other are going through. I wouldn't wish it on anyone but we have it and have to deal with it. So you say it runs in your family, my father is very depressed and anxious and I must have gotten it from him. I take the clonazepam for panic attacks and anxiety and so far so good. Good luck to you Ann and again, welcome!

Hi, Maggie's Dream, Yes, financial woes are with me too. Pristiq made me kind of nutso. Prozac made me REAL nutso. If the Pristiq helps, and it isn't on your health plans formulary, sometimes the doctor can write a justification for the meds you need. A doctor did this for me once when I was in an HMO, and the med was covered. I was on Effexor and Welbutrin for a long time; then I ran into a really bad situation at work; I was being abused, and I needed meds changed. I am now on Welbutrin, Lexapro, Lamictal, and clonazepam (although that is for muscle twitching and restless leg syndrome). Plus I take diabetes meds. It was funny; when I went to this new doctor to get a new combo of meds that work, she took my history. I told her that one day I hoped to get off all the psychotropic drugs. She looked at me and said "Oh no, not YOU". She's right and she's a great psychiatrist. I know fibromyalgia is very painful and I'm sorry you have it.

Thanks for your comments.

Annie M

Hi adllmag,

Thanks for your kind response. I am getting the feeling already that this is a big family and it feels great, especially since my biological family has distanced themselves from me. My Mom was anxious and OCD (never treated), maternal aunt and brother chronic depressives on meds all of adult lives, maternal grandfather bipolar but never diagnosed or treated, maternal grandmother depressed; also never diagnosed or treated.

My daughter, now 27, has had a really rough time of it. Anorexia in 5th grade, anxiety, ADD, depression, cutting, suicidal ideation, and incorrect diagnoses for years. She finally got the correct diagnosis a few months ago (Borderline Personality Disorder) and it has made a tremendous difference for her. She is doing so much better. She is studying up on the disorder and can now understand the feelings she has and can "intercept" them. My prayers answered - we all worry about our kids and want them to be happy.

Thanks,

Annie M

I'm so sorry your having a tough time right now. I'm just now coming out of a stretch svery similar to yours. After so long of it you start to think that nothing is gonna work cause you tell yourself what else can I try? Feel like crying every time your awake. Mine was also situational. I'm so sorry you've gone through so much with your husband especially you being pregnant at the same time. I can only imagine how difficult that must have been for you. I'm glad you have a good therapist. I hope they can give you some guidance about how to learn to try to lesson the degree of the stretches when they come. All of us here in this group know what depression does and how it affects us. So glad to have you in the group and I hope as you start therapy you feel some of the weight lifted. You sound like a very sweet person. If you need anything just let us know

Whitney,

Thanks for the nice welcome, adllmag.