Comments on: Reader Question: Depression

By: Jim Blaha

Jim Blaha — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 18:04:44 +0000

Julie; Enjoy your blog & web-site. Are you aware of the “consumer peer specialts”? Each state deals with the program differently’ I am active in IL., Va., Ga. & Fl. I think it would make a great addition to the categories you have listed. I would be happy to supply basic information & contacts. Regards; Jim Blaha

By: nichol

nichol — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 00:46:44 +0000

wow, to the reader who posted question on depression-you connected with my heart-thank u. i am not depressed so much anymore (miracle)due to meds, but was laying on couch today with heart racing. i rarely am manic anymore, but today the thoughts were racing and somewhat tangential/disorganized. so, i need to read julie’s post on weight gain/med stuff cause i started to feel again like i am “doing the dance” of trying to control weight gain while going manic/seroquel stuff. sometimes or most times it is a very imperfect scenario where i am just doing the best that i can. stable as i have ever been and body ok. but not perfect. today i will take a deep breath and just be grateful. blessings all,
nik

By: Anita

Anita — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 15:29:38 +0000

What a great blog, especially on a monday! I have been battling depression for some time now. It feels like weeks although I know it has only been days. Waking up is as big a chore as getting through the day! Questions I battle with are…why am I living ? what is the purpose of life ? Am I going through all of this only to die ? What a battle ! It is really hard to get through the day with all of this negativity. I do my best to get out. Going to my sister-in-law’s house is my escape from all of this and to get me out of this house. I need to purchase the books Julie speaks of ! I know I have a psychiatrist appt. friday but I am going to call and see if it is possible to move it up. I may need an increase in antidepressants which has to be managed carefully as to not send me into mania. Any advice from yall would be appreciated! THANKS !

By: C

Mon, 06 Apr 2009 13:29:28 +0000

Morning! I need to get the depression book for sure. I have the others but not that one and I have been talking to my depression but need to learn more about it.

By: Sandra

Sandra — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 09:11:59 +0000

Wow, does Julie’s letter bring back memories! I had three little ones to take care of by myself and it was really tough at times. Fortunately, I had very supportive friends who taught me to call and ask for some help. Sometimes, I just needed company while I did dishes or watched our children play together. Other times, we’d clean something, fold laundry – those mundane tasks that get so burdensome to me when I’m depressed! I learned from my friends that I tend to isolate myself when I’m depressed, and that it’s harder to stay depressed (for me, anyway) when I’m out with people. Even something as basic as grocery shopping with my kids could help me.

My three children have watched me learn to cope with bipolar illness. When life seemed to deal me more than I could handle, I also learned to call in professional help – my psychiatrist or therapist. It was (and is) important to me that my children see me managing healthy ways of coping.

Julie’s books have also helped me learn when it’s “bipolar depression talking” and what to do to overcome those times. I’ve learned to do little things for myself that make me happy, too!