Posted by ruth on April 15, 1999, at 7:37:33
Torrey and Phil,
Thanks so much for both of your responses--it was a great
comfort to me, just knowing there are other people
out there having the same struggle I am. I have
no problem with taking medication for depression, and
I'm grateful for what they've done for me--but I when
I started I did see it as something I would do for a
limited amount of time. I had no idea what a struggle
it would be to go off medication, and it's been a
great source of disappointment to find that it's been
so difficult. Being educated on withdrawal has helped
alot--I never knew what was going on when I would go
off a drug (even taper with a dr's supervision) and
feel worse than I've ever felt in my life. I would
think to myself ("is it my imagination, or I am feeling
worse than ever, even worse than the depression that
drove me to take medication in the first place!?")
And like you say, Torrey, even that can be long term,
and I've never quite mastered the art of patience, but
I do feel more ready than ever before (probably b/c of
therapy and all the support I have right now).
I think it's going to take patience, and a certain
amount of gentleness with myself--not panicking every
time I get in a bad mood. Giving it time, giving the
sjw time...
Anyway, Torrey I wish you the best too, and I'll be
thinking about you :-), I start the sjw today too :-)Thanks PHil, for your insights too, I really appreciate
all you had to say. And I totally agree with you--
depression IS a sneaky little bugger, and part of it's
nature, like alcoholism, is denial. That's why
when I experiment with going off medication, I tell
all my friends, so they can keep an eye on me, keep me
real, let me know if they think something's seriously
wrong...May the force be with us :-)
poster:ruth
thread:4908
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/19990401/msgs/4908.html