Thread: depression---will it get better??

Hello,

I have battled anxiety and depression most of my life and have talked openly about it in this forum. Depression is a chemical imbalance in your brain that can lay dormant for years and suddenly be triggered by the smallest of events in our lives. Anxiety is a little harder to figure out. My anxiety has been all but gone for quite a while now, though I still battle with depression on a daily basis.

Prescription meds. for depression work to balance the chemical imbalance in your brain that helps you regain your pre-depression happiness levels. They ARE NOT miracle cures and you still have to do some of the "work" to regain your happiness. Antidepressants are "bridges" that help us get over "bumps" in our road back to happiness, but you still have to take the "steps" or "drive the car" over those bumps. The medication is only the bridge and no bridge is any good that is not used.

Xanax is a fast acting prescription med. that relieves the symptoms of anxiety in 30 to 60 minutes from the time you consume it (for most people). Taking it at night is ideal, as it also helps some sleep easier and better while not having to deal with any possible side effects. There is a risk of it becoming habit forming and it is also widely abused. So take it EXACTLY as prescribed and ONLY as prescribed.

It is not my intention to scare you or make you upset but rather give you the information in order to help you as best as I am able.

I have ZERO medical training of any kind. I'm just a regular guy who has battled with these issues all of my life....and for the record...I am winning!

Only YOU can make yourself feel better by taking the meds as prescribed when prescribed and doing the things necessary, in addition to taking your meds., that will enable you to re-gain your happiness.

Eat right, exercise...even if you haven't exercised in the past, start today! Exercise releases the "happy chemical" in our brains (it is believed by medical experts), so put the remote control down, grab your husband and walk around your neighborhood for a half an hour each night. Fresh air, exercise and time spent with the man you love...see, it's getting better already! . Get a good night's sleep.

Hint: An easy way for ANYBODY to boost your happiness levels is to go outside in the bright sunshine for at least 20 minutes. The brighter the better. NOTE: DO NOT stare up at the sun, merely be out in the brightness. This serves two important and HEALTHY purposes:

1) Direct exposure to the sun's rays for 15 - 20 minutes causes our bodies to manufacture Vitamin D which most of us need, and

2) There is a direct association with bright light from the sun, the kind that makes you squint and reach for the sunglasses, and human happiness. This is caused by bright light reaching the optic nerve in the back of your eye that is "wired" directly to your brain and the signal sent by the bright light to your brain is to be "happy". I'm sure there is a more scientific definition/explanantion but you get the idea.

So leave the sunglasses off for the first 15 - 20 minutes you are out in the bright sunlight....your mood will thank you!

I wish you well in your battle and hope that the info. above was of some help.

I don't advocate drug therapy for depression, but in most cases, people want it, doctors prescribe it and think it will help. Chemical imbalance in the brain could be addressed with anti-depression meds but also with natural means, depending on the severity and the person's willingness to do something with it and not just rely on the prescription. I say, try what Seeker has already told you to do. Combine taking meds with some more "work" on your part. Try to get out of your shell and do some volunteer work, get more sun. Try joining a tai chi class or yoga to help you with relaxation. It works for me.

thanks to both of you for your very helpful responses.

i feel like i am hopefully starting to take the right steps by at least admitting that i have depression and seeking help and you are absolutely right, i need to be proactive in taking the initiative to be happy.

luckily i do workout on a regular basis to get some of my positive energy flowing and to let go of some pent up anxiety, in fact my husband and i are going on a power walk after work today so seeker you were spot on by your suggestion

i know it won't be an easy battle and i will have good days and bad days, but i am hoping that the medication combined with the willingness on my part will eventually get me out of this darkness.

again, thank you both, it gives me comfort knowing i am not alone in what i am going through.

A couple more thoughts...

I saw my need for meds as a "band-aid" of sorts in that they were there for me when I was trying to work through the toughest times with my depression and anxiety.

I have been free of Xanax for about 18 months and free from my anti-D meds for about 5 months.

One way to get immediate results.... Instead of thinking you have or will have bad days, think ONLY that you have "bad parts" to your day(s). It can make a big difference.

To date, there has yet to be a study published that supports the theory that depression can be cured through diet, exercise and other "good" habits alone. Clearly, it is a chemical imbalance in the brain and the only way to rebalance the chemical that is missing is with molecules/meds that are designed to do just that. Diet, exercise, healthy lifestyle and making yourself do the things that "happy people" do will be a tremendous help in your efforts.

Enjoy your power walk with your wonderful husband !!

thank you so much Seeker for your encouraging words!! i will try to take each day as it comes and as you advised not look at the overall day as bad but as having its good parts and bad parts.

warmest regards!