Adventures in depression

[WhoWhatWhere]

So I'm interested in others experiences in the dark and cloudy land that is Major Depressive Disorder. Whether it be coping techniques or just being close to a loved one who suffers with it.

Do you think this is something that will affect your ability to function in the long term?

Is it comorbid with any other mental problems?

How has it affected your past?

How do you think it will affect your future?

When did you realize something was not right?

Have you had to deal with the stigma that is often associated with this sort of thing? How did it affect you?

What are your experiences with both seeing psychiatrist and/or psychologist?

How does it effect those around you?

What meds are you either currently on and what have you tried in the past, be it a positive experience or negative.

Have you dealt with suicidal ideation?

And finally have you accepted this will be a life long issue?

Obviously feel free to pick and choose the questions you'd like to answer. I understand these sorts of things are personal. If this thread has a decent response I'd be happy to contribute my own experiences dealing with the topic.

 

[Dr. Joel Fleischman]

I've just learned to accept it. I've been on seven different meds. Five did nothing. Wellbutrin gave me hives. Remeron made me hallucinate.

Depression is horrible. Physical symptoms not withstanding, which I won't go into because :powerlevel:, depression makes everything that much more difficult to do, and it makes those fleeting moments of energy and productivity so much more precious.

Depression's not all horrible though. There's a reason it's so prevalent. It shuts you down, makes you cautious and wary and anxious and awkward, but that also protects you from the horrible (and the wonderful) things in the world. It would have been wiped out long ago if there wasn't some genetic benefit to being depressed. I'm not saying depressed people are genetically superior; I'm just saying depressed people tend to protect themselves and take fewer risks and lead less astounding lives than other people, so they tend to stick around, y'know?

That's my two cents at least. Also, I don't think there's anyone with MDD who hasn't had suicidal ideation. It's just an aspect of the beast. The heavy, obscure, sluggish, ubiquitous beast.

tldr: just deal

 

[Petronella]

This is gonna get powerlevel-y and autistic as hell, sorry. uwu

Do you think this is something that will affect your ability to function in the long term?

Honestly, I'm not sure. I suppose I just have to wait and see, heh.

Is it comorbid with any other mental problems?

Anxiety and possible OCD.

How has it affected your past?

To be honest, it hasn't had that much of an effect. There was one time in high school and another time in college when things got pretty bad and I had to take (very brief) breaks to let everything settle, but otherwise I've been fortunate enough to not have any major incidents.

How do you think it will affect your future?

It's something I'll have to deal with forever, so in that way it will have an effect, but otherwise I plan to just keep trucking.

When did you realize something was not right?

There were little hints of it here and there early on (which I've only realized years after the fact) but things really manifested when I was around 15, at which time I was formally diagnosed.

Have you had to deal with the stigma that is often associated with this sort of thing? How did it affect you?

Again, I was pretty fortunate here in that most people either were supportive or just didn't mind. The only real stigma I had to face was from my husband's family, but that was because they're the sort of people who believe anything more severe than a sniffle is caused because you didn't pray enough, so
¯\_(ツ)_/¯

What are your experiences with both seeing psychiatrist and/or psychologist?

I only saw a therapist for a little bit (again, back when I was 15) but it did help immensely. That being said, I think talking through your feelings with anyone is a huge help, you don't necessarily need to speak with a therapist.

How does it effect those around you?

I try to be cautious about who I mention it to so I don't come off as whiny or anything (which totally explains why I'm making this long-ass post all about it, right?) My family and close friends have known for years, and have been and continue to be enormously supportive.

What meds are you either currently on and what have you tried in the past, be it a positive experience or negative.

I actually am not currently taking any meds and haven't for about 3 or 4 months now. (Doctor took me off them, we'll see how that goes) I took Prozac off and on from ages 15 to 24; the only other drug I've tried was one month's worth of Lexapro a few months ago. They worked well enough, but some of the side effects were kind of shitty.

Have you dealt with suicidal ideation?

Spoiler: possible triggering shit

Ooh yeah. I self harmed for years and often contemplated suicide, and I once made an attempt by overdose, but only that one time.

And finally have you accepted this will be a life long issue?

I like to think so. At the very least I've accepted that it's just part of me/something I have to deal with in life. Everyone has their own cross to bear, so to speak.