Posted by jzp on July 31, 2000, at 15:26:47
In reply to Some questions for everyone about depression, posted by Rach on July 31, 2000, at 0:46:53
Great thread idea! It's really interesting to read over different people's responses-- it really shows you how different our situations are, even if they do all fall under the heading of "depression."
(Bear in mind as you read my answers that I have bipolar II. The depression aspect is what has always caused major problems for me, though.)
> 1. Do you believe your depression is biologically based or more mentally based?
I think that something in my wiring makes me more vulnerable to situational stressors.
> 2. Do you take medications &/or have counselling?
I take Serzone, Neurontin, and thyroid medicine, and see my therapist once a week.
> 3. Have you geared your treatment towards what you base your depression on?
One of my big therapeutic goals is to learn to value myself enough to do what I need to do to keep my disease under control, and to identify patterns of thinking that can precipitate depressive episodes.
> 4. If you believe your depression is more mentally based, what events/actions etc. contributed to your depression?
Childhood issues (emotionally abusive father) make it harder to deal with, but I don't think they caused it. Periods of extreme stress (i.e. starting graduate school) have been known to trigger episodes, but I've also had them when everything was going fine.> 5. Do you have any blood-relatives with depression?
Both my parents are on anti-depressants, although I think my dad may actually be bipolar. I suspect that both my grandfathers have struggled with this in the past, as well. Also two of my cousins.> 6. Do you believe in 'recovery', or do believe in 'remission' (or both)?
I believe in the possibility of recovery, for some people, and remission for everyone.
> 7. Do you believe you will recover/remiss? (is that the right term?)
I know that what I have is a lifelong thing. It seems to be remitting right now, and hopefully, with the right med combos and things, it will not debilitate me again in the future. However, I don't expect to just find the right meds and be totally fine and wonderful for the rest of my life (I'm only 24, for one thing!). I expect it to be an ongoing struggle, but yes, I do believe it will remit (remiss?).Thanks again for an interesting thread. Although I didn't have to think too long and hard about my answers, there is a difference between carrying this knowledge around in my head and putting it up in black and white for the world to see. It makes it a little firmer, or something. It's good to say "YES, I believe I am getting better."
-Jannette
poster:jzp
thread:41827
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20000729/msgs/41871.html