Antidepressants

[faust.dtc]

It sounds like you need someone to give you lifestyle advice more than therapy for a major problem, go talk to some religious people... Buddhists might be the easiest because they've got no religous dogma going on that you'd need to subscribe to to be 'accepted'. One of the best things I ever learned that helped me relax and think straight was Raja Yoga at a Brahma Kumaris, they told you the accompanying Hindu philosophy but you didn't need to believe it explicitly and I've got quite a few Hindu mates anyway so I know vaguely how it works, I haven't really given it much thought in that respect. I've been meaning to go down to a Buddhist centre in Leeds and now I have the time I think I'll go down this week...

Funny you should say this because on Thursday of last week I went to a spiritual meeting in the park.
Not knowing what to expect I decided to put any preconceptions aside and see what it was all about. I actually found it very enlightening, it was nice to be outside and around positive people with a different outlook on life. I took away from it what I thought was relevant to me and have been researching some of the meditation and yoga techniques further.

I have increased the amount of exercise I do and have also started eating healthier. Ive cut snacks and sugary drinks replacing them with nuts and fruit. I'm also spending a lot less time on the internet, and any usage is usually researching things that may give me a better life.

I have only had one spliff since which i put off for as long as possible but since it was the end of a very productive day I thought it wouldn't hurt. It was nice but I didn't get to sleep until 4am that day and woke up feeling a bit groggy so don't think I will be doing that again too soon. My sleeping habits are still bad regardless, I'm still having trouble switching off at night even with meditation.

Might seem like I'm going a bit over the top to some but I don't care because overall I've been feeling much happier since I posted this topic, mostly by simply thinking more positively and being more determined to motivate myself. I have faith it will only continue to get better.

[capo ultra]

sounds like you're #winning

[nousd]

spiritual
meeting
Not knowing what to expect
I decided
preconceptions aside
enlightening
nice
outside
positive people
different outlook on life.
meditation and yoga techniques
exercise
eating healthier
less time on the internet
Might seem...but I don't care
feeling much happier
thinking more positively
motivate myself
I have faith

[Lectric]

Which chemicals, might I ask?

serotonin predominantly

[test_recordings]

Sooo... imbalance as in lack of? Have you tried other ways of raising levels like exercise programs and 5-HTP supplements? Dr Mercola compiles quite a lot of good natural strategies based on research evidence

[kingGhost]

Jesus loves you, Travis

[Blerim]

shit i didnt realise these kinds of problems were so common

not trying to sound condescending or anything i realise its a real disorder/mental state

[test_recordings]

shit i didnt realise these kinds of problems were so common

not trying to sound condescending or anything i realise its a real disorder/mental state

This state doesn't exist in some cultures though, they don't package this particular set of symptoms as a 'state' or anything like that (it didn't 'exist' in Japan until Japanese psychiatrists were trained with funding from Euro/American drug companies to recognise this particular diagnosis and it's treatement... coincidently requiring lots expensive drugs) - China even has it's own psychiatric diagnostic system to reflect what consitutes healthy living, 'disorders', and relevant treatment in Chinese culture.
The jury's also still out over what actually constitutes biochemical 'depression', e.g. is low serotonin a cause or a symptom? Another problem is that diagnostic criteria is very overly-inclusive and people can get categorised for certain criteria very easily - the newest version of the widespread Diagnostic Statistical Manual, DSM-V, had been heavily criticised for lowering the gradings needed for diagnoses to the point of large amounts of the population eligible for meeting a lot of criteria (it also got criticised for 'medicalising' rape amongst other things)...
The best thing to do is take medical advice with a pinch of salt and do your own research to check the science is sound, there are quite a few good books about to help non-professionals do this too (notable ones I have read are "Food Is Better Medicine For You Than Drugs" and "Madness Explained" - I can get both out of my local library in the UK so you might be able to, they should also be available from the British Library)

[magma]

shit i didnt realise these kinds of problems were so common

not trying to sound condescending or anything i realise its a real disorder/mental state

Our brain and natural psyche evolved to suit a hunter/gatherer that led an exciting, active, but short life. The situations we put it in in order to be part of modern society can be feel deeply unnatural and can be alienating in ways the individual might never notice... especially extended days through electric lighting, large periods of the day spent still and silent whilst working at computers, far higher levels of sugar than we'd normally consume and pressure to "fit in".

I think that we'll eventually crack this by reaching a stage where a more natural work/life balance can be found, but for now we're apes lost in complex society. It'll be a hell of a ride, but it can be a bit unsettling too... we'll survive disease, go to the best parties humans have ever been to, listen to the best music we've ever made (i.e. all of it) and expand our consciousness in ways that our ancestors never dreamed.... but we might also spent the odd 10 minutes staring into space wondering what the fuck we're actually doing with ourselves.

Healthy food, exercise, plenty of socialising and identifying/reaching goals is the best way to love your brain.



Really glad to see you're feeling more positive Trav...

[Genevieve]

shit i didnt realise these kinds of problems were so common

not trying to sound condescending or anything i realise its a real disorder/mental state

This state doesn't exist in some cultures though, they don't package this particular set of symptoms as a 'state' or anything like that (it didn't 'exist' in Japan until Japanese psychiatrists were trained with funding from Euro/American drug companies to recognise this particular diagnosis and it's treatement... coincidently requiring lots expensive drugs) - China even has it's own psychiatric diagnostic system to reflect what consitutes healthy living, 'disorders', and relevant treatment in Chinese culture.
The jury's also still out over what actually constitutes biochemical 'depression', e.g. is low serotonin a cause or a symptom? Another problem is that diagnostic criteria is very overly-inclusive and people can get categorised for certain criteria very easily - the newest version of the widespread Diagnostic Statistical Manual, DSM-V, had been heavily criticised for lowering the gradings needed for diagnoses to the point of large amounts of the population eligible for meeting a lot of criteria (it also got criticised for 'medicalising' rape amongst other things)...
The best thing to do is take medical advice with a pinch of salt and do your own research to check the science is sound, there are quite a few good books about to help non-professionals do this too (notable ones I have read are "Food Is Better Medicine For You Than Drugs" and "Madness Explained" - I can get both out of my local library in the UK so you might be able to, they should also be available from the British Library)

That's kinda easy for someone without a psychiatric disorder to say.

[capo ultra]

shit i didnt realise these kinds of problems were so common

not trying to sound condescending or anything i realise its a real disorder/mental state

This state doesn't exist in some cultures though, they don't package this particular set of symptoms as a 'state' or anything like that (it didn't 'exist' in Japan until Japanese psychiatrists were trained with funding from Euro/American drug companies to recognise this particular diagnosis and it's treatement... coincidently requiring lots expensive drugs) - China even has it's own psychiatric diagnostic system to reflect what consitutes healthy living, 'disorders', and relevant treatment in Chinese culture.
The jury's also still out over what actually constitutes biochemical 'depression', e.g. is low serotonin a cause or a symptom? Another problem is that diagnostic criteria is very overly-inclusive and people can get categorised for certain criteria very easily - the newest version of the widespread Diagnostic Statistical Manual, DSM-V, had been heavily criticised for lowering the gradings needed for diagnoses to the point of large amounts of the population eligible for meeting a lot of criteria (it also got criticised for 'medicalising' rape amongst other things)...
The best thing to do is take medical advice with a pinch of salt and do your own research to check the science is sound, there are quite a few good books about to help non-professionals do this too (notable ones I have read are "Food Is Better Medicine For You Than Drugs" and "Madness Explained" - I can get both out of my local library in the UK so you might be able to, they should also be available from the British Library)

That's kinda easy for someone who knows what they are talking about to say.

[64hz]

kinda hard for someone with a psychiatric disorder to accept maybe

[Genevieve]

Oh look, people dismissing something that they don't understand. Never seen that before.

[capo ultra]

[Genevieve]

Well, seeing as I'm diagnosed bipolar, been getting treatment for over a year, from both good and bad psychiatrists, have researched it and actually associate with people who have psychiatric disorders, I think I'm in a much better position to judge this. Articles on the internet are only half of the equation. You really gotta get in the head of someone who experiences depression. And it's hard, I can't even get into their head right now and I was depressed up until only a month ago.

You don't understand, you never will and no one with depression expects you to. But they also expect you to respect them enough to, I don't know, not talk about them as if you know them better than they do themselves.

I mean, I know everyone loves to raise their fist to society and claim that all psychiatrists wanna do is push drugs on you, never mind the number of people who often have to beg their psychiatrists to put them on meds to feel better (I'm talking diagnosed, treated, bipolars here), but who are refused because their psychiatrist doesn't think it's a good idea at the time, for whatever reason. Yeah, there are bad psychiatrists who just wanna push drugs on you. There's also good ones, great ones actually, but no one ever bothers to mention those.

But of course, some random dude on the internet knows actual depression way better than the people who are affected by it.

[64hz]

project much?

[Genevieve]

project much?

I would be if I was only talking about my experiences. Also, the 'system' was criticized by some people outside of it. Well, I'm an insider, I am in the system and I'm actually telling people the way it works. So, I'm sorry, but I'm more likely to know how treatment works seeing as I'm actually being treated and experienced both extremes.

It's not all all idiots trying to push a diagnosis on you so they can perscribe you drugs. Yes, they exist, but that's only one of the extremes. The good psychiatrists I've dealt with are extremely hesitant to put any diagnosis on anyone. Sure, some love to push drugs on you, one of them tried to push an anti-psychotic on me claiming it was merely sleep medication (and while this drug IS meant to calm you down and ensure sleep, he didn't mention anything about it being an anti-psychotic). I refused to take it and told my nurse-practioner about it.

I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after my psychiatrist spent weeks reading up on it some more, and she was hesitant about diagnosing me in the first place. After more talking and testing it turned out I was truly bipolar. I've also been told about the tons of people who get tested each year who turn out to be 'normal' with just some problems they need to fix.

So it doesn't look like mental healthcare is just some big corporate machine out to tell healthy people there's something wrong with them and enslave with drugs, does it? I know the thought is really exciting, but it's simply not true. Now you can be an internet warrior fightin' the good fight by posting on a message board that people with depression should just man up and get on with their lives. But you know, at the end of the day, it doesn't mean shit and only makes you kinda look like a dick.

[capo ultra]

I love how Genevieve is the only person struggling with depression and everyone else is 'some random dude on the internet'

you need to climb out of your own arse man, the world does not revolve around you

[Genevieve]

I love how Genevieve is the only person struggling with depression and everyone else is 'some random dude on the internet'

you need to climb out of your own arse man, the world does not revolve around you

Are you just a really, really bad troll?

[64hz]

you've just been promoted capo; from 'random dude' to 'troll'