Hello down here...
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: VA
Posts: 111
Hello down here...
I've been mostly lurking around the mental health part of the boards, but figured it would be good to introduce myself and say hello to everyone. We can only isolate so much, right?
Anyway, I've been dealing with my current bout of major depression and anxiety for the last 3 years or so. I spent most of the first two years focusing on traditional talk therapy with some CBT aspects added in, trying to avoid having to go the medication route, for a few reasons.
About a year ago I bottomed out emotionally and decided that I needed to look at all the available options because the way things were going, it just wasn't to a good place. I started seeing a pdoc and got on meds. It worked wonders for my anxiety, but not as much as I would have liked for the depression, but it was back to a manageable level for the most part.
Through a variety of factors, including my pdoc and therapist continually being on my case for drinking while on the meds, family concern, and some really stupid behavior I realized a I had to quit drinking in July 2007.
I've recently switched over to Effexor XR and another med for anxiety. The Effexor seems to be helping with energy levels at least, the anxiety meds I'm not quite so enthralled with. But, I know it takes time to figure out the balance. I'm just a wee bit impatient sometimes. lol.
Well, that's a little about me. Hope to see you all around.
Anyway, I've been dealing with my current bout of major depression and anxiety for the last 3 years or so. I spent most of the first two years focusing on traditional talk therapy with some CBT aspects added in, trying to avoid having to go the medication route, for a few reasons.
About a year ago I bottomed out emotionally and decided that I needed to look at all the available options because the way things were going, it just wasn't to a good place. I started seeing a pdoc and got on meds. It worked wonders for my anxiety, but not as much as I would have liked for the depression, but it was back to a manageable level for the most part.
Through a variety of factors, including my pdoc and therapist continually being on my case for drinking while on the meds, family concern, and some really stupid behavior I realized a I had to quit drinking in July 2007.
I've recently switched over to Effexor XR and another med for anxiety. The Effexor seems to be helping with energy levels at least, the anxiety meds I'm not quite so enthralled with. But, I know it takes time to figure out the balance. I'm just a wee bit impatient sometimes. lol.
Well, that's a little about me. Hope to see you all around.
Waiting For Engines
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: brooklyn, new york
Posts: 572
Welcome to SR and I know you will come to view it as an extremely supportive, caring, and informative forum.
As a fellow Effexor patient, I can tell you that it has definitely worked for me, although it took 6 weeks from the time in I first took it, to work. The depression I had, truly began to lift. My anxiety definitely was helped by the medication, too, although I recall that the Effexor took around two months to work as an anti-anxiety medication.
I just want to share my experience with this medication. Of course, please do not take any advice from me or anyone, other than your own physician.
As a fellow Effexor patient, I can tell you that it has definitely worked for me, although it took 6 weeks from the time in I first took it, to work. The depression I had, truly began to lift. My anxiety definitely was helped by the medication, too, although I recall that the Effexor took around two months to work as an anti-anxiety medication.
I just want to share my experience with this medication. Of course, please do not take any advice from me or anyone, other than your own physician.
Philippines/Canada
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Left Coast
Posts: 454
Hi Mad
finding balance with this whole mental health/meds/addiction thing was a painfully slow process for me (10yrs) so i know where your coming from there. For me nothing improved till i finally had enough alcohol. Thank you for posting.
finding balance with this whole mental health/meds/addiction thing was a painfully slow process for me (10yrs) so i know where your coming from there. For me nothing improved till i finally had enough alcohol. Thank you for posting.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: VA
Posts: 111
Thanks for the warm welcome!
Barb - I do post up in the Alcoholism forum from time to time, didn't think anyone would remember me though. *grins*
ksos - Always good to hear other's experiences with the meds, we're all different but I'm a fan of having more info to draw from than less.
StayinAlive - I'm learning slowly that my preferred timeline for a lot of things isn't necessarily what's in the bigger plan. Ahh, the wonders of learning a whole new way to live.
Hope you are all having a restful weekend!
Barb - I do post up in the Alcoholism forum from time to time, didn't think anyone would remember me though. *grins*
ksos - Always good to hear other's experiences with the meds, we're all different but I'm a fan of having more info to draw from than less.
StayinAlive - I'm learning slowly that my preferred timeline for a lot of things isn't necessarily what's in the bigger plan. Ahh, the wonders of learning a whole new way to live.
Hope you are all having a restful weekend!
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