Posted by twinleaf on October 19, 2008, at 14:29:34
In reply to Re: it crept up on me when I wasn't noticing... » Phillipa, posted by lucie lu on October 19, 2008, at 13:23:59
Thank you, Lucie. I couldn't agree more about the seriousness of depression and the need to treat it promptly- because of those changes which take place in the brain which you mentioned. But it does seem like almost all of us have to spend a lot of time floundering around trying different medications, and trying to find a helpful therapist.
Even though my previous analyst really did break down, I had a terrible time dealing with it, and for a long time thought it was my fault that it had happened.. Now, I feel more objective about what happened; at the time it caused me endless sleepless nights and long bouts of hopeless crying- actually, part of almost every day for a year. It was a tragedy for everybody. It happened during the spring of 2007, and is documented in painful detail in the archives under my then posting name, Pfinstegg- in case anyone wants to read the gory details!. But I don't think I communicated how long and painful the mourning period was for me. The Babblers were absolutely wonderful - tons of unconditional understanding and support.
TMS is Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation, which has just been approved by the FDA on October 9 of this year for TRD depression. It uses electromagnetic pulses, and unlike ECT does not require anesthesia and does not cause any memory loss or other mental changes. Even though the good effect was only a few weeks long for me, one or two treatments would reliably bring me back to a depression-free state. I think, because it is so safe, it is going to rapidly become important in the treatment of bipolar and unipolar depression. People who need more help than their medication and therapy are giving them can give TMS a try and have peace of mind while they are doing it. The worst thing it can do is not work; it won't damage you the way ECT might.
poster:twinleaf
thread:858205
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/psycho/20081018/msgs/858261.html