Posted by FredPotter on December 1, 2002, at 22:52:39
I would be interested in people's views. I've had treatment resistant depression for years, very much mixed with/preceeded by anxiety. Because of the dramatic anxiolytic effects of alcohol I never went a day without it. As I entered my 50s it seems my brain could no longer take this treatment. My wife left me over a year ago and I hit the bottom. I was seriously ill with depression and alcohol. I stopped drinking (with some help) and day by day I began to feel better and life became a joyous experience. There were times when I'd have loved to drink of course.
I gradually started drinking again but eventually the same thing happened. Acute illness. I stopped again. And gradually the improvement began again.
The psychiatrist I was seeing said that various parts of the brain atrophy with prolonged use. But with abstinence they actually grow back. This can be over a period of years. Of course we used to believe that nerve cells never grew back, but they've been found doing it.
During my first recovery I didn't take ADs, lithium or fish oil. This time I do, to maximise my chances of a prolonged recovery. However, the common feature is abstinence I'm afraid to say. I never wanted to believe this.
I say this not to lecture anyone, but simply to pass on the my experience to any whom it may benefit. Life can still be hard, frustrating, painful and frightening, but it is also beautiful and joyful. And it's nice to feel my brain working better as each day goes by
Fred
poster:FredPotter
thread:130180
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20021127/msgs/130180.html