Mental Illness

[Heart]

"Depression is not a sign of weakness - it is a sign that you have been trying to be strong for too long."

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) http://www.nami.org.

[Jedi]

Originally Posted by Heart

"Depression is not a sign of weakness - it is a sign that you have been trying to be strong for too long."

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) http://www.nami.org.

Very nice...I keep getting told I'm stronger than I think.

[Andrew, Jr.]

Has anyone been watching the Discovery Health series on mental illness? I only got to watch 1 show of it. I have been way too busy to catch it when it has been on.

[chefhottie25]

Originally Posted by Heart

"Depression is not a sign of weakness - it is a sign that you have been trying to be strong for too long."

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) http://www.nami.org.

This is a great quote. I would also encourage people to check out the NAMI website that you linked. They offer some amazing support groups. I attend one here at the local NAMI branch. There is also a group for family members, partners,and friends of someone who suffers from mental illness. My dad has found the group to be supportive and insightful.

[Andrew, Jr.]

This place holds me together on some days. Today is one of those days.

[Jedi]

Originally Posted by Andrew, Jr.

This place holds me together on some days. Today is one of those days.

Hang in there Andrew. We're here for you.

[lilapache]

i had this same thing sent to me on facebook... never really thought of it that way... *smiles* of course i haven't been thinking right for awhile... but i'm starting to get back on track...

Originally Posted by Heart

"Depression is not a sign of weakness - it is a sign that you have been trying to be strong for too long."

The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) http://www.nami.org.

[Leigh]

I've been on disability for depression and panic/anxiety attacks for almost three years now, and despite that I try not to let things get Me down. I'm on wellbutrin now and it seems to be doing the trick; I was on celexa at one point and when that didn't work anymore they tried Me on effexor ...... well, I took that for only a week and it was a disaster. On effexor I was constantly dizzy, weak, shaky and had to sleep ~ I couldn't take it so wellbutrin it's been and for Me its working perfectly fine.

I have to admit that coming out as being FTM has soared My confidence and self-esteem along with the meds, I've noticed a considerable change in Myself in so many ways. I'm thankful for the meds, though some may think it sound weird, without them I don't think I'd be able to function properly. Some days I just wanna throw the pill bottle out the window, but then again as long as they help Me then I will continue to take them. I'm glad that we have threads like this on the Planet because not only does it give those of us with mental health issues a place to vent and talk about stuff with others who know what we are going through, but it also just gives us the knowledge that we're not alone!

I'm thankful for all of you

[lilapache]

i have a question... how long did it take before the celexa quit working for you?... see... i'm trying to get back on meds... i went back to my old ones because honestly i can't afford the dr. visit or the meds... and the mental health clinic around here says i make to much and they want 100 bucks... anyway... the celexa was NOT slowing my head down... o... btw.. i'm TypeII Bi-Polar with panic disorder and chronic depression... i've been unmedicated idk... about 3 years this time... and i've come to realize i CAN NOT survive without medication anymore... my head just gets WAYYY to far gone... then i become a very bad danger to myself... yeah this was just recent... i want my old med back which was lexapro... i'm workin on doin that once i get moved... after the celexa i've been on ritalin... and its helped some as far as slowing the thought processes... but its not enough... i can tell... to the point i've gone into manics and have been taking as much overtime as i can to exhaust myself enough to not think when i try and go to sleep...

anyway... i digressed... sorry... that's what happens...

but please how long did it take before the meds quit working on you...

Originally Posted by Braedon

I've been on disability for depression and panic/anxiety attacks for almost three years now, and despite that I try not to let things get Me down. I'm on wellbutrin now and it seems to be doing the trick; I was on celexa at one point and when that didn't work anymore they tried Me on effexor ...... well, I took that for only a week and it was a disaster. On effexor I was constantly dizzy, weak, shaky and had to sleep ~ I couldn't take it so wellbutrin it's been and for Me its working perfectly fine.

I have to admit that coming out as being FTM has soared My confidence and self-esteem along with the meds, I've noticed a considerable change in Myself in so many ways. I'm thankful for the meds, though some may think it sound weird, without them I don't think I'd be able to function properly. Some days I just wanna throw the pill bottle out the window, but then again as long as they help Me then I will continue to take them. I'm glad that we have threads like this on the Planet because not only does it give those of us with mental health issues a place to vent and talk about stuff with others who know what we are going through, but it also just gives us the knowledge that we're not alone!

I'm thankful for all of you

[Andrew, Jr.]

I feel like I am standing at the edge of a cliff ready to fall. That is what my depression is like today. I fight it day in and day out. I am tired of battling it constantly.

Braedon, your symptoms and mine are pretty much 100% the same. I too get the anxiety and panic attacks. They are aweful. But I am an Aspi, and don't have bipolar disorder (according to the therapist).

I too am grateful for everyone here.

[Jedi]

Originally Posted by Braedon

I've been on disability for depression and panic/anxiety attacks for almost three years now, and despite that I try not to let things get Me down. I'm on wellbutrin now and it seems to be doing the trick; I was on celexa at one point and when that didn't work anymore they tried Me on effexor ...... well, I took that for only a week and it was a disaster. On effexor I was constantly dizzy, weak, shaky and had to sleep ~ I couldn't take it so wellbutrin it's been and for Me its working perfectly fine.

I have to admit that coming out as being FTM has soared My confidence and self-esteem along with the meds, I've noticed a considerable change in Myself in so many ways. I'm thankful for the meds, though some may think it sound weird, without them I don't think I'd be able to function properly. Some days I just wanna throw the pill bottle out the window, but then again as long as they help Me then I will continue to take them. I'm glad that we have threads like this on the Planet because not only does it give those of us with mental health issues a place to vent and talk about stuff with others who know what we are going through, but it also just gives us the knowledge that we're not alone!

I'm thankful for all of you

I sooooo know about the functioning part...I can relate totally. I thank God for my meds and that they work. I have had meds stop working before......and lilapache.....for me it was after several years on the medication. I have been on Effexor but didn't like the side effects. The medicine that plateaued (when they stop working) for me was Paxil. And I had a rough time coming off the Paxil even after it stopped working....I had some serious "brain zap" (another med term.....for a symptom that I can only describe as my nerves throbbing). Any paxil derivitive gives me brain zap. I was on the newest form and it was bad coming off. I believe that one is called Pexeva. Keep in mind not everyone has the same chemistry.....that's why there are so many drugs out there. And almost infinite combinations there of. I'm on Invega, Prozac, and Wellbutrin (low dose) and xanax for when I have anxiety attacks and the like. My combo has been working for the last 9 months.....keep your fingers crossed it continues.

Just remember.....no matter how you feel......you are not alone.

[Andrew, Jr.]

Today I just feel very isolated and depressed.

[Jedi]

Originally Posted by Andrew, Jr.

Today I just feel very isolated and depressed.

Andrew......giving you a brotherly hug......you're ok......

[Andrew, Jr.]

Thanks Jedi, but no I am not. Not by a long shot.

[SingularNYCFemme]

I'm very happy to have found this thread. For years I was treated for dysthymia. Only after a second antidepressant pooped out on me (can't believe that's a medical term) was I reevaluated as having bipolar II. At the moment I am taking lithium, Abilify, lamictal and Klonopin. My doctor and I have been working on the lamictal level, but somehow it's not working very well for me. If we go up, I get fuzzy and have a hard time concentrating; if we go back to the previous level, I get cranky and irritable. I'm not happy that the lithium has put weight on me, but I am happy to be stabilized. The doctor before the one I have now just kept throwing all kinds of medications at me, and I went through such a hard time; it was awful. My new doctor is much more careful about what he prescribes and the dosages given. I'm not completely sure about the Abilify, which was prescribed by the previous doctor, except that apparently the withdrawal is really awful.
Anyway! It's really wonderful to have a place to come and share about these things. Thanks for being here.

[SingularNYCFemme]

Strange to post right below my last post but oh well. I am going through more medication changing; I also found out I have a vitamin D deficiency, and will be taking something to restore that and then supplements. My psychiatrist is all for it, as he says it should improve my mood, which definitely needs improving.

I hope everyone is doing okay.