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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 20 of 20. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Deneb on November 21, 2010, at 23:14:19
I think I am getting depressed because I probably won't go to Hawaii to see Dr. Bob in May. No one other than Dr. Bob is going. It's so far away and expensive that I'm not sure it is worth it to just spend two days with Dr. Bob.
Can we all convince Dr. Bob to have a Babble party in Chicago sometime next year?
I think that will cure my current depression. If not, what should I do meds wise?
Posted by jane d on November 22, 2010, at 4:28:43
In reply to I think I am getting depressed, posted by Deneb on November 21, 2010, at 23:14:19
> I think I am getting depressed because I probably won't go to Hawaii to see Dr. Bob in May. No one other than Dr. Bob is going. It's so far away and expensive that I'm not sure it is worth it to just spend two days with Dr. Bob.
>
> Can we all convince Dr. Bob to have a Babble party in Chicago sometime next year?
>
> I think that will cure my current depression. If not, what should I do meds wise?
>It's possible to be disappointed or unhappy about something without being depressed. Is there some reason you think you're getting depressed?
If you're unhappy what can you do to cheer yourself up? If you are getting depressed what do YOU think you can do about it?
Jane
Posted by SLS on November 22, 2010, at 7:00:10
In reply to Unhappy doesn't necessarily mean depressed » Deneb, posted by jane d on November 22, 2010, at 4:28:43
Hi.
> It's possible to be disappointed or unhappy about something without being depressed.It is even possible to be depressed without having a mood disorder.
> Is there some reason you think you're getting depressed?
Great question.
Deneb, are there any signs or symptoms that you are displaying that are consistent with major depressive disorder (MDD)? Have you researched the clinical presentations of MDD to be able to come to a conclusion that you have a mood disorder? Self-diagnoses can be tricky, and I don't recommend it. Are you under the care of a psychiatrist?
- Scott
Posted by Deneb on November 22, 2010, at 7:09:30
In reply to Re: Unhappy doesn't necessarily mean depressed » jane d, posted by SLS on November 22, 2010, at 7:00:10
OK, maybe I'm not really depressed. Maybe I'm just disappointed and sad, but if it continues it might turn into depression.
I have a pdoc and she says I've been depressed on and off in the past.
I've just been "depressed" for a couple of days so I guess it isn't real depression yet.
It's just that usually I am bubbly, love life and feel happy.
Posted by SLS on November 22, 2010, at 7:36:11
In reply to Re: Unhappy doesn't necessarily mean depressed, posted by Deneb on November 22, 2010, at 7:09:30
> OK, maybe I'm not really depressed. Maybe I'm just disappointed and sad, but if it continues it might turn into depression.
Yes, it can.
> I have a pdoc and she says I've been depressed on and off in the past.
Then it is important that you do not stress the brain with psychosocial stress. The more you are able to deal effectively with the issues that now produce negative thoughts, the more you are avoiding the evolution of MDD. Psychotherapy might be the best angle of attack.
> I've just been "depressed" for a couple of days so I guess it isn't real depression yet.
Smart.
> It's just that usually I am bubbly, love life and feel happy.
I'm sure that you will continue to be. I'm glad you are being managed by a medical doctor. Are you also being treat by a psychotherapist?
You're okay with me just the way you are. However, it is much more important that you be okay with yourself.
- Scott
Posted by Phillipa on November 22, 2010, at 10:10:05
In reply to Re: Unhappy doesn't necessarily mean depressed » jane d, posted by SLS on November 22, 2010, at 7:00:10
How does one know if it's a mood disorder if they feel what they think is depression. How bad is true depression. I've read the discriptions but it seems sometimes you are almost or are bedridden so if you can slowly ease into a day and then get out is that sad or depressed? Phillipa
Posted by jane d on November 22, 2010, at 13:56:23
In reply to Re: Unhappy doesn't necessarily mean depressed, posted by Deneb on November 22, 2010, at 7:09:30
You've learned a lot over the years. What do you think you can do to help manage your mood?
Posted by Deneb on November 22, 2010, at 17:02:12
In reply to Re: Unhappy doesn't necessarily mean depressed » Deneb, posted by SLS on November 22, 2010, at 7:36:11
> I'm sure that you will continue to be. I'm glad you are being managed by a medical doctor. Are you also being treat by a psychotherapist?
My pdoc is also my psychotherapist! She does both. I love her. I see her every two weeks for psychotherapy and I can discuss meds with her at any of those sessions.
Posted by Deneb on November 22, 2010, at 17:07:02
In reply to Re: Unhappy doesn't necessarily mean depressed » Deneb, posted by jane d on November 22, 2010, at 13:56:23
> You've learned a lot over the years. What do you think you can do to help manage your mood?
I can try to convince Babblers to all go to Chicago and that might convince Dr. Bob to have the Babble Party in Chicago. Or, I can plan to go to Hawaii.
That will likely cheer me up.
But I'm guessing that wasn't what you meant. LOL
Well, I can do fun things, exercise, eat healthy, sleep enough etc, but I really think achieving the first two things will really help me out.
Posted by morgan miller on November 22, 2010, at 20:47:27
In reply to Re: Unhappy doesn't necessarily mean depressed » jane d, posted by Deneb on November 22, 2010, at 17:07:02
Babble party in Chicago sounds fun : )
Hope your depressive feelings don't last Deneb. I have a feeling they won't and you'll be back to your good old self.
Posted by jane d on November 22, 2010, at 21:10:50
In reply to Re: Unhappy doesn't necessarily mean depressed » jane d, posted by Deneb on November 22, 2010, at 17:07:02
Well suggesting a Chicago get together does count as doing something. But now you've done that it's out of your control. You have to wait to see what other people want to do. So, yes, trying some of those other methods does sound like a good idea. Now I just need to follow my own advice. ;)
Posted by ed_uk2010 on November 23, 2010, at 15:52:24
In reply to I think I am getting depressed, posted by Deneb on November 21, 2010, at 23:14:19
>No one other than Dr. Bob is going. It's so far away and expensive that I'm not sure it is worth it to just spend two days with Dr. Bob.
Just curious, but what would you want out of a meeting with Dr. Bob? Since you don't really know Dr. B, how can you know that spending two days with him would be great? You won't become life partners or anything. Hmmmm, I wonder if Dr. B has a partner.
Posted by morgan miller on November 23, 2010, at 18:17:48
In reply to Re: I think I am getting depressed » Deneb, posted by ed_uk2010 on November 23, 2010, at 15:52:24
> >No one other than Dr. Bob is going. It's so far away and expensive that I'm not sure it is worth it to just spend two days with Dr. Bob.
>
> Just curious, but what would you want out of a meeting with Dr. Bob? Since you don't really know Dr. B, how can you know that spending two days with him would be great? You won't become life partners or anything. Hmmmm, I wonder if Dr. B has a partner.Ed, I think Deneb does know Dr. Bob personally.
Posted by Deneb on November 23, 2010, at 22:37:25
In reply to Re: I think I am getting depressed, posted by morgan miller on November 23, 2010, at 18:17:48
> > >No one other than Dr. Bob is going. It's so far away and expensive that I'm not sure it is worth it to just spend two days with Dr. Bob.
> >
> > Just curious, but what would you want out of a meeting with Dr. Bob? Since you don't really know Dr. B, how can you know that spending two days with him would be great? You won't become life partners or anything. Hmmmm, I wonder if Dr. B has a partner.
>
> Ed, I think Deneb does know Dr. Bob personally.No, I don't know Dr. Bob personally. I just know him from being on Babble. Dr. Bob interacts with me the same way as he does with all Babblers. I have met with him several times though, all from Babble get togethers. Other Babblers were there too. Dr. Bob is a fun guy!
Dr. Bob seems to have some boundaries when it comes to Babblers though. I don't think he treats us like he does with his friends.
Posted by Deneb on November 23, 2010, at 22:40:19
In reply to Re: I think I am getting depressed » Deneb, posted by ed_uk2010 on November 23, 2010, at 15:52:24
I know spending two days with Dr. Bob would be great because I've done it 4 times already! I saw him in Toronto, D.C., San Francisco and New Orleans! He's such a fun guy!
Posted by morgan miller on November 23, 2010, at 22:49:52
In reply to Re: I think I am getting depressed, posted by Deneb on November 23, 2010, at 22:37:25
> > > >No one other than Dr. Bob is going. It's so far away and expensive that I'm not sure it is worth it to just spend two days with Dr. Bob.
> > >
> > > Just curious, but what would you want out of a meeting with Dr. Bob? Since you don't really know Dr. B, how can you know that spending two days with him would be great? You won't become life partners or anything. Hmmmm, I wonder if Dr. B has a partner.
> >
> > Ed, I think Deneb does know Dr. Bob personally.
>
> No, I don't know Dr. Bob personally. I just know him from being on Babble. Dr. Bob interacts with me the same way as he does with all Babblers. I have met with him several times though, all from Babble get togethers. Other Babblers were there too. Dr. Bob is a fun guy!
>
> Dr. Bob seems to have some boundaries when it comes to Babblers though. I don't think he treats us like he does with his friends.
>
>
>So you have met him in person, you just don't know him well personally. Babble get together, that would be weird, but cool.
Posted by Dr. Bob on November 24, 2010, at 2:18:46
In reply to Re: I think I am getting depressed, posted by morgan miller on November 23, 2010, at 22:49:52
> Babble get together, that would be weird, but cool.
Psycho-Babble 13th Birthday Party
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=168914719799505Bob
Posted by Deneb on November 24, 2010, at 4:05:37
In reply to Re: weird, but cool, posted by Dr. Bob on November 24, 2010, at 2:18:46
Yay! Dr. Bob replied to my thread. LOL
Thanks for trying to help me out Dr. Bob!
Babblers, you should definitely come to Hawaii if you can. It's going to be really fun! Someone can share a room with me in a hostel for only about $32/night. That will help my expenses out a lot. I'm pretty easy going. If no one will share a room with me, that is OK. I might just share a room with strangers from the hostel. Maybe I will make some friends. I want to stay in Hawaii for 2 weeks. I want to eat really cheap except for a few treats and dinners with Dr. Bob.
I'm starting my really cheap living right now by cutting out all fast food and expensive foods. I will save money both for Hawaii and for my tax free savings account!
Life is too short to not have fun! I definitely want to go to Hawaii one day, I may as well go in May. You should use this as a excuse to go to Hawaii.
Posted by Deneb on November 25, 2010, at 0:29:23
In reply to Re: weird, but cool, posted by Deneb on November 24, 2010, at 4:05:37
I'm still sad. I'm thinking really hopeless thoughts about my career and life. What can I do to make this feeling go away?
Posted by SLS on November 25, 2010, at 6:50:09
In reply to Still sad, posted by Deneb on November 25, 2010, at 0:29:23
> I'm still sad. I'm thinking really hopeless thoughts about my career and life. What can I do to make this feeling go away?
I can tell you what won't work. You won't be able to sit back and do nothing in the hopes that ill feelings will go away by themselves.
You have real issues to deal with. Life happens one moment at a time. To deny that you will need to live in the moment and work hard in order to attend to your issues is to insure that negative thoughts and feelings will continue. Even if an episode of major depressive disorder (MDD) has emerged and is best treated biologically, your issues will likely remain. To begin to deal with issues is to accept that they are there and that they are real. If you are currently depressed (MDD), progress in dealing with your feelings of inadequacy will be very difficult, if not impossible. You need to attack the MDD first (if you indeed have it) before you can make sense out of the world around you and the psyche within you. Either way, you will need to do psychological work to fully recover from your feelings of sadness.
You might make an exercise out of journaling your thoughts as they occur and how these thoughts make your feel. You can then present this journal to your doctor on your next visit. It will help him decide how best to treat you.
You are *extremely* intelligent. This is a true gift. If you commit yourself to using this gift constructively and with a positive attitude, you will be able to build a mentally healthy and productive life for yourself where most of your feelings will be of joy rather than sadness. I believe that you are capable of feeling joy. You already do. Continue to marvel at the miracle of life. It is your nature to find joy in it.
Just do it.
- Scott
This is the end of the thread.
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