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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by JoshG on March 14, 2004, at 23:30:53
I suffer from major depression and find myself spending large amounts of time hiding from the world in bed. Sometimes sleeping, sometimes just lying there under the covers. I never miss work but have a hard time being “productive” during my time off.
This isn’t a new thing, just a behavior pattern that has gotten worse in recent months.
I am curious to find out how other people handle this kind of problem. Do a lot of depressed folks find themselves preferring to stay in bed?
Posted by JoshG on March 15, 2004, at 4:49:41
In reply to Would Stay In Bed All Day If I Could, posted by JoshG on March 14, 2004, at 23:30:53
Also wanted to mention that I am in the process of changing meds. Going from Lexapro to Parnate. Seems like things have been slowly sliding downhill.
Josh
Posted by Sad Panda on March 15, 2004, at 7:00:49
In reply to Would Stay In Bed All Day If I Could, posted by JoshG on March 14, 2004, at 23:30:53
> I suffer from major depression and find myself spending large amounts of time hiding from the world in bed. Sometimes sleeping, sometimes just lying there under the covers. I never miss work but have a hard time being “productive” during my time off.
>
> This isn’t a new thing, just a behavior pattern that has gotten worse in recent months.
>
> I am curious to find out how other people handle this kind of problem. Do a lot of depressed folks find themselves preferring to stay in bed?
>
>Hi Josh,
I was like that until I started on Effexor. I use to wake up in the morning & wonder why I hadn't done the world a favour & died in my sleep. Good Luck with Parnate, it's supposed to be the best med.
Cheers,
Panda.
Posted by cocohoneynut on March 15, 2004, at 7:24:09
In reply to Would Stay In Bed All Day If I Could, posted by JoshG on March 14, 2004, at 23:30:53
Hi Josh:
Yes, yes, yes...I've felt the same as you when you just want to "excuse-yourself" from the world and stay in the house, stay in your room or stay in bed til the cows came home (and you really didn't want them to come home). I've been there and done that and then you realize you can't do this all your life. Get treatment ASAP and continue your meds. I too, like SadPanda, am on Effexor and feel better than I have in years. If you need more pep talk, continue on this website....we will get you through...don't give up... "I GOT YOUR BACK"!! (smile)Cocohoneynut
> I suffer from major depression and find myself spending large amounts of time hiding from the world in bed. Sometimes sleeping, sometimes just lying there under the covers. I never miss work but have a hard time being “productive” during my time off.
>
> This isn’t a new thing, just a behavior pattern that has gotten worse in recent months.
>
> I am curious to find out how other people handle this kind of problem. Do a lot of depressed folks find themselves preferring to stay in bed?
>
>
Posted by lelebug on March 15, 2004, at 14:30:17
In reply to Re: Would Stay In Bed All Day If I Could, posted by JoshG on March 15, 2004, at 4:49:41
Josh-
I have totally had that experience. I just wanted to be cooped up in my room with the lights off and do not much more than watch TV and doze in and out. So much easier not to deal with everything that way. But Coco is definitely right you do need to get help. Let your Dr know what you are feeling and to what degree so you can get it taken care of quicker. Also was there a reason you were switching from Lexapro to Parnate? Good luck with all of this. Hope you feel better soon.LeLe
Posted by JoshG on March 15, 2004, at 21:21:08
In reply to Re: Would Stay In Bed All Day If I Could, posted by lelebug on March 15, 2004, at 14:30:17
Just wanted to say thank you for the kind words.
I've been on medication for depression for almost twenty years now. The only real relief I have ever gotten was from Prozac for about a year and half. Did ECT with no response in '92 but current docs think it may have been a bad trial.
I end up spending a lot of time thinking that my depression is caused by a character defect and that I am just not trying hard enough.
Thanks again for listening!
Posted by Donia on March 15, 2004, at 23:11:58
In reply to Re: Would Stay In Bed All Day If I Could - thanks!, posted by JoshG on March 15, 2004, at 21:21:08
Sleeping way too much is my major symptom of depression. I could sleep 16 hours a day I think. Hang in there. I am on lexapro and it is not helping much with my energy levels either. I may have to switch, Keep us updated on the med change.
Rachel
Posted by Tony P on March 17, 2004, at 3:36:42
In reply to Would Stay In Bed All Day If I Could, posted by JoshG on March 14, 2004, at 23:30:53
> I suffer from major depression and find myself spending large amounts of time hiding from the world in bed. Sometimes sleeping, sometimes just lying there under the covers. I never miss work but have a hard time being “productive” during my time off.
>
> This isn’t a new thing, just a behavior pattern that has gotten worse in recent months.
>
> I am curious to find out how other people handle this kind of problem. Do a lot of depressed folks find themselves preferring to stay in bed?
>
>
You've described my #1 behaviour pattern when depressed. I stay in bed, read novels continually (not working at present) and try and pretend I don't exist. If I have a few productive days, I then tend to crash in exactly the way you've described.I'm also tempted to see it as a character defect ("why can't you just use a little will-power"), but I suspect THAT self-image is also a symptom of depression ("bad me").
I find that 2 cups of coffee do the trick for me (believe it or not). This works best if I have somewhere to go or a purpose to motivate me, and also better in combination with some anti-anxiety med (benzo or Lamictal). Provided of course I can get out of bed to make the coffee.... ;-)....the auto-start button on my coffee-maker helps when I KNOW when I want/need to get up.
Wellbutrin was the only A/D that really countered the stay-in-bed pattern for me, but I found the side-effects too bothersome (it was _too_ effective).
Tony P
Posted by sjb on March 17, 2004, at 9:37:42
In reply to Re: Would Stay In Bed All Day If I Could » JoshG, posted by Tony P on March 17, 2004, at 3:36:42
Although I'm sorry to hear that others go though this, I'd just like to add that I've had many days like you are describing and you are not alone. It helps me to know that I'm not alone. My husband, who has been for the most part, very supportive and patient (he's still around, amazing), NEVER has any of these problems. He NEVER overeats, excercises a lot EVERY day without fail, doesn't drink at all and, well, is like perfect. It drives me crazy sometimes. No pun intended. Sometimes it would be just so hard to see him go about his day when I would just go from couch to couch feeling like a worthless slug.
I've been helped by a link on the PsychCentral site called something like "7 Ways to Spead Your Recovery From Depression". It just a one page list of things you should TRY to do every day. During a really bad spell, I just think of this list and try to do what I can on that list. Some are non-issues for me, like avoiding street drugs, but others are applicable, esp. during really dark times. If you want the link, I'll find it and post it.
Even if I don't go to work I try to get "up" at a reasonable time and make a point of making my bed. Even if I just end up going from couch to couch the rest of the day with books and the paper, just avoiding the bedroom helps a little bit.
We may get redirected since we're off the topic of meds.
Posted by KathrynLex on March 17, 2004, at 17:21:31
In reply to Would Stay In Bed All Day If I Could, posted by JoshG on March 14, 2004, at 23:30:53
Hi Josh,
I've spent months at a time in bed, and like you found that Prozac worked wonders but haven't found an equally good medication. I'm currently on Lexapro which helps a lot with my anxiety, but getting out of bed in the mornings is still a struggle. I've been thinking about adding Wellbutrin to my med combo, did you try that? Wellbutrin is supposed to be stimulating and also has anti-depressant effects.
I feel for you. In addition to trying to find the right med, get a good therapist and try to do something at least once or twice a week that gets you out of the house. (Even if it's something like going to rent a video.) Please keep us posted on your progress...we'd all love to see you take pleasure in getting out of bed!
K.
Posted by gardenergirl on March 17, 2004, at 21:09:19
In reply to Re: Would Stay In Bed All Day If I Could, posted by JoshG on March 15, 2004, at 4:49:41
I had exactly the same sx as I have atypical depression. I think you will find the parnate helpful. I tried several SSRI's and Wellbutrin without much help. Nardil (an MAOI similar to Parnate) is the first that has helped me get out of bed. I still have days when I sleep later, but I find that if I really take care of nurturing myself and don't get too bogged down in work and school stress, then the Nardil is a wonder drug for me.
Good luck,
gg
Posted by mvice on March 19, 2004, at 2:15:46
In reply to Re: Would Stay In Bed All Day If I Could » JoshG, posted by gardenergirl on March 17, 2004, at 21:09:19
i feel the same way alot o times.spending time with friends helps alot.make it a point to have dinner at a friends house a talk.also try provigil(meds).i say friends because parents and relatives dont understand.
Posted by JoshG on March 21, 2004, at 0:52:53
In reply to Re: Would Stay In Bed All Day If I Could » JoshG, posted by KathrynLex on March 17, 2004, at 17:21:31
> Hi Josh,
>
> I've spent months at a time in bed, and like you found that Prozac worked wonders but haven't found an equally good medication. I'm currently on Lexapro which helps a lot with my anxiety, but getting out of bed in the mornings is still a struggle. I've been thinking about adding Wellbutrin to my med combo, did you try that? Wellbutrin is supposed to be stimulating and also has anti-depressant effects.
>
> I feel for you. In addition to trying to find the right med, get a good therapist and try to do something at least once or twice a week that gets you out of the house. (Even if it's something like going to rent a video.) Please keep us posted on your progress...we'd all love to see you take pleasure in getting out of bed!
>
> K.Hi,
Thank you for the kind words. I have tried Wellbutrin several times but I get a really annoying ringing sensation in my ears from it. I feel lucky in that I see an excellent psychiatrist for meds and therapy. A real rarity these days. The meds have been really tough.
Josh
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