Depression and Mental Illness

[Sarah]

I know I struggle with it, anyone else. Want to share stories or commiserate?

[Gina]

So, Of course, I will chat with you on it!!!!
I'd be happy to!!!
I'm honored that you would even consider me to discuss this specific topic with, it's hard to trust anyone, when it comes to being inflicted with this condition and it sometimes is very hard and takes a long time to over-come successfully, but it is well worth the struggle in the long-run and you learn loads of tools and techniques about how to handle certain things that otherwise would be delipitating to some in the same situation and same condition, ya know? Each case is different on many levels and that's the beauty of the trial and error treatment and therapy with medications and verbally with other's. It's very interesting, if you ponder on it and makes you want to learn more so that you can safe-guard yourself in the future to prevent any repercussions, ya know?

[Maureen]

Right now, I think I'd love to observe a discussion on this, but don't think that I would have much to contribute.

My mother was bipolar, but I think her bigger issues were self-esteem related, or maybe it's all intertwined, anyway - either way, she was awesome overall. I do worry, though, about the genetic predisposition towards bipolar, though, whenever I feel especially energetic or especially lethargic or depressed. Then, it passes. Probably all hormonal, but I hate admitting that (slippery slope, in my mind, towards 'women are naturally unpredictable & ridiculously emotional').

My husband has anxiety & depression issues. Sometimes managed via medications. I'm not even sure which one he's taking now - or if he remembers to take it daily. He works 3rd shift and, until school started last week, his bedtimes were not regular, so it was/is hard for him to know when to take it on a daily basis. He has an unused masters in psychology & is a strong believer in cognitive therapy approaches, so he self-analyzes much of the time, and, if I am aware of his swings, too, and cut him some slack, make life easier for him, give him time to recover, he usually comes around pretty quick. It's all tied up in that lack of sleep that is part of his daily 3rd shift life, too, but, hopefully, with our youngest in school for a full day starting this year, he might get more regular sleep & become more stable emotionally, too. And, even then, he's on an even keel more often than not, anyway.

So, more than anything, I might be able to offer the perspective of a sympathetic observer

[Gina]

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If you ever need to chat with someone who has battled with having the condition and completely recovered and, of course, has lapsed a few times, but has also been schooled in the self-treatment and in pharmaceutical treatment, as well, just email, IM, text or call my house, sometime. I've battled with the on and off again, over and over, for 15 years now. I've dealt with slight bipolar, post-partum depression, twice (2nd child and this 4th and last one, too) and the traditional depression. My 1st post-partum depression wasn't diagnosed until my son was 5 months old and had to do the trial and error, try a few drugs until I find the right one for my body chemistry and little side effects, but, eventually, Prozac and Xanax (to prevent and/or stop my panic/anxiety attacks) and at one time had to take Depakote to decrease my mood swings and prevent my migraines. Four years later, I had my 3rd baby and didn't have post-partum, but my husband had cheated on me (turned out to be 3 times in a year and a half, cuz we thought we could work things out but, ya know how the saying goes, "shit on me once, shame on you, shit on me twice, shame on me, shit on me 3 times, we're both stupid and cruel" and I still had high hopes that it would change. Not!
Anyways, here's my information, so, if ever you need me, I am here for you, whatever time of the day, k?
Gina
landline - (209) 462-1036
cell/text phone - (209) 430-3481
email or IM: babybyegrewup@yahoo.com

[Maureen]

Cool! That's good to know Thanks!

[Gina]

I'm one of those people that hates to see anyone suffer in any way, shape or form and so I will gather all resource information for anyone on any given day cuz I've been the single mom without child support or alimony or medical from their father's, had to go on welfare system 100% and came to work it well as far as getting the best for my food stamps and money too, as well as, have had to work and still collected welfare for a few years and then, shut my butt down and then, with worked income couldn't afford to be on my own when rent was $695 and my 25-40+ hours a week paid me between gross of $1200-1600 and net $800-1200, but not guaranteed any more than 25 hours in union/corporate contract to guarantee medical, so getting 40+ was not predictable, but did happen at least one week in a month more times than not.
When I had severe depression, I had no one to turn to really, who had been there done that or understood it at all. I'd rather prevent someone from doing something rash to someone or themselves, or prevent them from it increasing and find them stuff that might help decrease it, closer to recovery than just let someone have to go through the works until death or locked up in jail or mental institution, ya know?
Cuz I wouldn't wish it on even my worst, darkest, most hated enemy. No way, cuz I'd like to think that no one would do that to me, ya know? What comes around ends up coming back around, so forget all that mess!!! lol Seriously.

Gina