CheckEmoji Community · the emoji forum
🏠 Home 🆕 What's new ❓ Unanswered 🔥 Popular 📡 RSS Members 👥 0 online log in · register
Home › analogpuma0 › Posts

Posts by analogpuma0

28 posts shown.

How to gain weight? in Health ·
I’m running into the exact same issue... though if we’re being realistic, it isn't really an issue at all. At the end of the day, staying healthy is what actually matters. And honestly, if a girl can't accept you exactly as you are right now, I suppose one has to wonder why she was even bothering to spend time with you in the first place... As for me, I finally started using one of those stationary machines at the gym this past Saturday—something similar to a stationary bike—and I'm holding onto the hope that it might help tone up my arms and legs a bit. I still eat quite a lot, and I've always just had a smaller frame. It doesn't matter, really; I think the key is just to find some kind of activity that challenges your muscles, but I should emphasize—you have to do it for yourself, not because of some girl!
4 boxes of Sumamed! in Health ·
Jessica Edwards39 said:I’ve been diagnosed with strep throat, and my initial treatment was two boxes of Augmentin 500mg, which comes with three tablets per pack. I just went back for another checkup and they handed me two more boxes. Honestly, I’ve been feeling like a brand-new person for a few days now, so I don't really understand why I need such a massive amount of Augmentin. I mean, what could possibly happen if I take that many pills? I'm asking because, let's face it, Augmentin is pretty heavy-duty stuff... thanks in advance.

Look, I don't mean to be blunt, but did it ever occur to you to just ask your doctor why they prescribed two more boxes instead of bringing these kinds of questions to us on an internet forum?🤷🙂
Dealing with depression in Health ·
Elizabeth Hayes43 said:That sounds like a classic placebo effect. It clearly works for you. Honestly, the method doesn't matter as much as the results. The main thing is making progress, and you're obviously doing that.
It would just be ideal if it didn't require medication. 😉 😳 As for tricking myself... that's just my way of doing things. It works.
😉

Perhaps you have a point, or perhaps you don't... but at the end of the day, the important thing is that I feel better 🙂 I just worry about what it's doing to my liver.... it might take a hit eventually.... and to be perfectly honest, I think I'm one of those people where if you handed me a standard pill, say 3M, and told me it was a sleeping aid, I'd probably start feeling drowsy right then and there...... so, I find it's often better for my peace of mind if I simply avoid reading the long list of side effects for these heavy-duty medications 🙂
Dealing with depression in Health ·
Elizabeth Hayes43 said:Honestly, I think it's just the placebo effect. Try this instead: eat a Hershey bar every day and just tell yourself it's your Prozac 😁 I'm not kidding, I'm being serious. You've posted about mental health a few times before, asking why the mind is so complicated and all that. Well, it is complicated. And this is the simplest way to trick it 👍

Well, there might be some placebo effect involved, I suppose, but frankly, I don't really care... all that matters to me is that I’m actually feeling better 🙂 As for the Tic Tacs... hmm... goodness, if I were just a simpler person who didn't overthink everything, maybe I could pull off a self-deception like that. Then again, maybe if I weren't so analytical, I wouldn't have even dealt with depression in the first place...
Dealing with depression in Health ·
Elizabeth Hayes43 said:Why wouldn't you go to therapy? There's no shame in it if it's weighing on you. It'll be easier once you come clean to your boyfriend—having that extra support helps. 👍 Don't let yourself feel embarrassed; my partner knows everything about me 🙂 but just be careful that once he knows, you don't start acting out toward him (shouting, being irritable, etc.) or constantly using depression as an excuse. That isn't the way to handle it. Plenty of people deal with various struggles, and he would likely struggle too if roles were reversed, plus you don't want to become "spoiled" by it. That happens quite often with people dealing with depression when they realize others are aware; they start leaning on it constantly, which isn't the path to actual recovery. Just stay mindful of that. 😉

Look... I did tell him everything during that one night, and honestly, it hasn't really come up in our conversations since then. In the beginning, he was very attentive whenever I even hinted at something, but since I've been feeling better and better—and I haven't really wanted to bring it up myself—well... I suppose I still get nervous or listless sometimes. But I don't really want to tell him. And truthfully, I have to admit that people do become "spoiled," and I'll confess that I've used it as an excuse a few times myself... though, I guess even in those little lies, there's always a grain of truth to them.
Dealing with depression in Health ·
Hannah Cox16 said:I decided to do a complete "system overhaul" on myself. Once I realized I was physically healthy, I felt this massive wave of gratitude. I started taking half a pill of Zoloft every evening, and things really began to turn around. It’s honestly fascinating how complicated we humans can be; I sat with my therapist for two hours and opened up more than I ever have before. We shouldn't hold onto any prejudices about this stuff. Every fear has a root cause; you just have to understand it. Trying to navigate that without professional help isn't easy at all, even though, in reality, the path forward is quite straightforward once you start. I have to love myself, I have to be happy with who I am, and I have to prioritize my own well-being. I've truly embraced life again. I'm treating myself in every way possible—eating whatever I want, sleeping whenever I need to, and even treated myself to some shopping trips for new sandals and a bag. I've even caught myself humming tunes around the house! My husband just watches me, looking completely bewildered. I even booked a solo week at a beach resort to recharge. Life is actually quite beautiful, isn't it?

How exactly do they test those hormone levels and get the thyroid results? I might be phrasing the question poorly, but I truly don't have a clue how the process works...
Dealing with depression in Health ·
ombia;21541010 said:have you tried therapy?

Well, look... here's my take on things. After I hit my first major depressive episode, I stayed pretty consistent with my psychiatrist appointments for about a year and a half. During those absolute worst stretches, though, I really only made it to see a psychologist once, and honestly, that single session meant more to me than almost anything else. Now that I’ve spiraled again—which happened just three months after I slowly tapered off my treatment—I haven't actually sought out professional help yet. I did go back on Prozac (though I didn't touch the Lexapro), and I've reached out to schedule a follow-up, but of course, getting an appointment in this healthcare system isn't exactly instantaneous. It hasn't been easy, and even though I've been back on Prozac for a month now, taking a full dose every morning, I'm still struggling quite a bit. I suppose I know what steps I need to take to pull myself out of this, but as hard as it is, I guess you just have to force yourself to do the work. I have some experience with this cycle, so I know the drill... after the first time, I genuinely believed I was done with this forever. And then, inevitably, it happens again. And I have to say, it feels even more brutal and overwhelming than the first time.😢
Dealing with depression in Health ·
Hannah Cox16 said:I decided to do a complete "system overhaul" on myself. Once I realized I was physically healthy, I felt this massive wave of gratitude. I started taking half a pill of Zoloft every evening, and things really began to turn around. It’s honestly fascinating how complicated we humans can be; I sat with my therapist for two hours and opened up more than I ever have before. We shouldn't hold onto any prejudices about this stuff. Every fear has a root cause; you just have to understand it. Trying to navigate that without professional help isn't easy at all, even though, in reality, the path forward is quite straightforward once you start. I have to love myself, I have to be happy with who I am, and I have to prioritize my own well-being. I've truly embraced life again. I'm treating myself in every way possible—eating whatever I want, sleeping whenever I need to, and even treated myself to some shopping trips for new sandals and a bag. I've even caught myself humming tunes around the house! My husband just watches me, looking completely bewildered. I even booked a solo week at a beach resort to recharge. Life is actually quite beautiful, isn't it?

Hey... I'm truly glad to hear you're feeling better. And you know, the fact that you're only taking half a pill right now—which is exactly what I did after being on a full dose for six months—suggests that maybe your situation wasn't quite as dire as it felt at the time. It's amazing how much these medications can change things. I assume you aren't feeling overly drowsy from them, and I sincerely hope you haven't dealt with any nasty side effects at the start... I'm just really happy for you! 🙂
Dealing with depression in Health ·
Drew Alvarez56 said:Cheers - analogpuma0, stormyheron98

I've been on Prozac for three months, feeling better, no panic attacks... just a little bit of occasional anxiety left... you guys actually threw me off a bit regarding how long you should stay on these things.... I was planning to stick with it until month ten and then taper off slowly.....
But damn, if all that stuff can actually come back... because I was in a really dark place (panic, fears, anxiety, high blood pressure, neck pain... eventually I didn't even dare leave my house... and before that, I was a strong guy, always handled everything myself)... my wife left me and took the kids a year ago, and by early February, those symptoms started hitting me... I'm 40...
How much longer should one take antidepressants (once a person is functioning normally again)..
Best regards

I suppose you'll stay on them for as long as your psychiatrist decides... but what's the rush? You've barely even started the process. Besides, do these pills really get in the way of your life? Personally, I don't think they do, so... there's no reason to hurry... Panic attacks pushed me into depression, but I suspect that isn't quite what happened to you, as it seems to me that you're holding up pretty well despite everything life has thrown at you🙂... so... just take it one day at a time...😉
Fainted during a blood draw in Health ·
Joseph Gomez39 said:So you have a phobia, but did you actually pass out?
A lot of people are nervous about doctors or dentists, but not everyone ends up fainting... it sounds like you might be overthinking it a bit.

And it really comes down to how your body is feeling overall... if you're in good shape and feeling healthy, it's usually much easier to push through those moments.

I haven't had an experience like that, thank God... but I don't think that means my fear isn't just as intense as yours, even if you do end up passing out. I mean, honestly, I have nightmares about it and wake up in the middle of the night...😢!
Dealing with depression in Health ·
stormyheron98 said:For most people, depression actually goes away. I just happened to land in that tiny minority that’s stuck in a constant loop of it. No matter how many books they write about depression, the actual biochemistry behind it is still pretty much a black box. After dealing with this for 24 years, I've realized there are probably a million different causes, which is why everyone's symptoms are all over the place—and why one person thrives on a med while someone else gets nothing from it. I remember reading one of those early articles about Prozac where a psychiatrist basically said: "To be honest, we don't even know if a serotonin deficiency is the cause or just a symptom, but Prozac bumps up the serotonin levels and that seems to work."

And my Zoloft 🙂 really does work... and this time, I don't think I'll be in any rush to stop my treatment; I'll take it for as long as it takes. I was on it for a year and a half before some life stressors hit—right after I finished my course—and everything started sliding back into place... 😢 whether I'm just imagining things or not, I suspect it's likely, but I restarted my medication immediately, and things seem relatively okay now. 🙂
Fainted during a blood draw in Health ·
Benjamin Martin65 said:I went to get some blood work done today, and honestly, I felt absolutely terrible. It’s happened before when I’ve had to go to the local community clinic—those places always feel so claustrophobic and overwhelming, you know? Just packed with elderly patients and feeling incredibly stuffy and cramped... so this time, I decided to try a private lab instead. Everything was lovely and professional there, but right after they drew my blood, I stood up immediately—though looking back, maybe I really should have stayed seated for a few minutes—and headed over to a chair in the waiting area. That's when it hit me: this sudden wave of nausea, weakness, everything going black, and that cold sweat. At one point, it actually felt surreal, almost like I was dreaming while being wide awake in that room. Afterward, a nurse gave me a Hershey's 😁 and a cold compress, which helped settle things down. I’ve used this same private lab before without any issues, so I’m genuinely stumped as to why 🤷this happened now. Does anyone happen to know why this occurs after a blood draw? Could it be because of the volume taken—they filled four small vials—or is it perhaps more psychological, where my body just decides to shut down because I absolutely despise needles and the sight of blood? But if it's just nerves, why did it strike so suddenly right after the procedure? I have to go back tomorrow for more tests, and I'm honestly dreading the possibility of it happening again.
Does this happen to anyone else? Is there anything I can do to prevent it?

That's interesting... very much so... because for me, I had to go in for bloodwork about three weeks ago... and normally, my fear of the whole thing is enough to drive a person crazy. I couldn't even sleep properly that night, and two nights prior, I actually had a dream about the technician who draws the blood. When I finally got there, she told me to squeeze my arm, so I squeezed both my arm and my teeth 😁 and it was over in an instant... smiling through the pain. But then it occurred to me—it probably crossed my mind that I might feel lightheaded... meaning it's likely all in my head. In the end, though, I realized I was perfectly fine... and I left feeling happy and relieved... quite proud of myself, actually...🙂
Dealing with depression in Health ·
stormyheron98 said:I'm 40 now. Been living with depression for 24 years. Something actually good happened that I wasn't expecting—I ended up Googling 😁. Even when I'm off meds, it never gets as bad as it did back when I was 16 or 20, mostly because now I actually know what's going on and can look at things rationally. I've read dozens of stories from people just like me, and it's pretty interesting to realize that people in countries all the way across from 3108 miles deal with the exact same symptoms and face the same damn dilemmas. I'm not on anything right now since I'm getting ready to start a new medication. When I'm unmedicated, I can't really control stuff like my energy levels, sleep, or how exhausted I feel, but I can manage my emotions pretty well. Sure, it's a struggle to force myself to do basic chores that shouldn't even be an issue. My twenty-five years of experience tells me that depression is a nasty piece of work, but there's no need to make it some mystical thing—you just have to treat it like any other illness, find the med that works for you, and move on with your life.

It’s strange how we talk about depression like it’s this curable ailment... but how does one actually live with it for twenty-four years? Is it really impossible to stay on therapy for, say, five years, then gradually taper off and just move forward with a normal life without meds? I mean, it might be possible...👍 All I know is that ever since I started my Zoloft, I’ve felt completely numb. It’s as if I need something truly devastating to happen—something to actually wound me or make me angry—just to feel a flicker of something, maybe a hint of nerves or tension. And honestly, I really felt the weight of that nervous energy two years ago when I was in the middle of a particularly brutal depressive episode... and even today, I just can't stand that sensation. I don't mind being spirited or even a bit temperamental, but I absolutely cannot deal with feeling anxious or jittery... because that anxiety just makes everything worse, and before you know it, your libido just disappears entirely... god, it's exhausting.🙂
Dealing with depression in Health ·
George Clark19 said:So, based on what people have been saying on here—if you’re feeling depressed, exhausted, and super cranky, could that all just be down to iron or vitamin deficiencies?😕
Is it actually possible to spiral into full-blown depression just from that? Like, it starts as being tired, then you get irritable, and then it all just snowballs and feeds into itself?
I gotta say, the meds I was on (Prozac, Wellbutrin) didn't do squat for me. I ended up quitting them cold turkey and didn't really deal with any issues.
The depression usually hits me hardest in the winter—it'd last from maybe October until February before things started looking up again. This year was actually pretty decent through the winter, though, but now that we're hitting March, it's starting to creep back in. Only difference is this time I'm not letting myself sink into that total lethargy; I'm getting out, studying, stuff like that. Honestly, I'm starting to wonder if it's even actual depression or if it's just finally facing whatever reality is left over.
P.S.—I wouldn't say it's ever been *quite* as catastrophic as what some other people go through, but it's definitely enough to freak me out and make me feel paralyzed about life.

It’s entirely possible that you might spiral into a depressive episode if that constant exhaustion starts getting the better of you; once that happens, the irritability usually follows right on its heels. It seems like everything is feeding into everything else, just like you mentioned, but I suppose it all depends on the individual—how intense the symptoms are and how much weight they give to everything happening around them. In my estimation, this doesn't quite sound like the same depression you dealt with back in March. If it were truly that same episode, I doubt you would be able to shake it off quite so easily. And if I am right about that—which, perhaps, I am—then it might even be something better than that. So, honestly... maybe don't even bother bringing this topic up on the forum anymore, because it sounds like you don't actually need to. 😉🙂
Dealing with depression in Health ·
George Clark19 said:Based on everything you guys are saying here, it makes it sound like I’ve spent my entire life running on empty—like, totally deficient in iron and B vitamins—and that's the whole reason I'm dealing with this depression. I mean, I guess I could say it helps lift the fog, but can I actually say it's the root cause of the whole mess? Or am I just overthinking things?

I don't think I quite follow your logic... are you suggesting you're depressed simply because of an iron deficiency? I mean, I certainly know that low iron causes exhaustion, which was my first red flag—it just slowly dragged me down into this deepening sense of despair. You sleep and sleep, yet you never actually feel rested, and eventually, that irritability starts to creep in too. I remember going to see my doctor to have my iron levels checked, but everything came back perfectly normal...
Dealing with depression in Health ·
Hannah Cox16 said:There’s something about the idea of just sitting in a field of grass that sounds incredibly soothing, isn't there? It’s a lovely thought, but I certainly don't envy your schedule. Pulling ten or twelve-hour shifts every single day is exhausting, and when you're running on empty like that, you really do need to be able to stay sharp and functional throughout the daylight hours. Regarding your question about medication: antidepressants aren't something you can just pick up off a shelf at a drugstore like you would with some Aspirin. In the US, these are strictly prescription-only medications. You'll need to sit down with a doctor or a healthcare provider first; they'll evaluate what you're going through and, if they decide it's the right path, they'll write a prescription that you can then take to your local pharmacy. It's all very regulated to ensure everyone stays safe. Hang in there—taking care of your mental health is just as important as managing those long workdays.

Well, to get any kind of antidepressant, you're going to need a referral to a psychiatrist first, and they'll be the ones to decide which specific medication might work best for you... I suppose. About two years ago, I went through a really heavy bout of depression myself. I was on Zoloft and Helix back then, and honestly, it turned me into someone I didn't quite recognize. I ended up stopping the meds, though looking back, it seems like I probably quit far too early, because the depression eventually caught up with me again. I just couldn't seem to handle the constant daily stress that's been hitting me over the last couple of months. So, about a month ago, I started back on Zoloft... and I can genuinely feel that, combined with my own efforts, things are getting a little better every day. I think I'm starting to see the point in things again...🙂 Good luck!
Dealing with depression in Health ·
stormyheron98 said:Sounds like you’re dealing with depression paired with some pretty intense anxiety. I went through the exact same thing when I was about 16. It wasn't even officially diagnosed until I was in my twenties, mostly because when doctors see a moody teenager, they assume it’s just "growing pains" or whatever, rather than actual depression. From what I’ve seen, a lot of doctors just don't get it. They think it’s just being in a bad mood and you should just "snap out of it." Some of them straight-up can't recognize it. Even some psychiatrists miss the mark. Depression hits deep—it's like someone turned down the volume knob on your brain and suddenly your capacity for everything drops by like 70%. Every emotion just shifts into the negative zone. And it doesn't need a "reason," which was my case too. In some places they call it essential depression, but here in the US, people usually just call it clinical depression. I started feeling exactly like you described around 16. I struggled for a long time, but once I finally got on medication, things got better. The catch is that antidepressants aren't one-size-fits-all. I had to cycle through four or five different kinds before I found the one that actually worked for me. Even with meds, I never quite get back to 100% of how I was before; I'm more like an 80% version of myself. Some people respond better to them than I did. My advice? Don't obsess over why it started or why it's happening to you. Just find a good psychiatrist ASAP and talk about starting antidepressants. Depression is a medical condition, plain and simple. Just like someone might have diabetes because their pancreas isn't doing its job, some people have depression because a tiny part of their brain isn't firing correctly. There’s no such thing as a "perfect" antidepressant; they all have varying side effects, so you might have to trial a few. Also, contrary to what people say, antidepressants aren't addictive. Don't let that scare you. Benzodiazepines (like Xanax) are a totally different beast and *those* are the ones that cause dependency. Hang in there. If your doctor isn't listening or doesn't seem to get you, walk out and find another one. There are plenty of specialists out there now, including private practices, so there's no reason to suffer under someone who doesn't understand what you're going through.

The internet is basically a massive, messy dumping ground of info, but if you want to start somewhere, maybe try this little quiz:
http://psychcentral.com/depquiz.htm

There’s also this thing called the Hamilton Scale, but honestly? It’s pretty outdated. Some of the questions are just... off. Like, they focus way too much on insomnia, totally ignoring the fact that some people—myself included, if we're being real—actually sleep way too much when they're depressed. Makes sense, right?
http://www.real-depression-help.com/...ion-scale.html

How old are you now, and how are you holding up? You wrote that so beautifully, telling me to grit my teeth... honestly, I’d rather just break. I feel like I’m clenching them for the second time in my life... it's just awful. It is so incredibly hard.
Dealing with depression in Health ·
Hannah Cox16 said:What kind of meds are we talking about? Is there anything out there that isn't strictly chemical—maybe something plant-based that won't leave you hooked?

Well, I suppose there are options, but when things get as heavy as they are for me right now, I honestly don't care whether it’s botanical or some lab-made concoction... I just want to recover and feel okay again... to live a normal life... even if that means relying on medication for the rest of my days... I think the first step is realizing there's absolutely no shame in taking antidepressants or seeing a psychiatrist... I haven't quite fully embraced that myself yet, but one day I will... my best advice would be to go see a doctor and have an honest conversation with them... if you truly believe something herbal might be enough, maybe ask them about St. John's Wort.😉
Dealing with depression in Health ·
Honestly, everyone... I am just counting down the days until things finally settle back into some semblance of normalcy... it’s been incredibly difficult lately... this constant, gnawing anxiety is just draining the life out of me... it's exhausting. I can't help but wonder why human psychology has to be such a bizarre, unpredictable mess. There is simply no way I could ever quit my medication easily now, even if I had to stay on them for the rest of my life... they've given me a sense of self-assurance I never had, turning me into someone who isn't easily shaken by whatever chaos comes my way...
Dealing with depression in Health ·
Casey Palmer5 said:analogpuma0 - hey, try not to use all caps, it comes off like you're shouting at everyone online. Just stick to lowercase, alright?

Fine, 🙂 I suppose there is something else weighing on me... I start my new job this Monday, and honestly, the anxiety is just eating me alive. I haven't had any appetite at all, which isn't helping since I was already quite thin to begin with; now, I've managed to lose even more weight. It creates this intense pressure where I feel like I have to force myself to eat, but there really isn't anyone else to lean on... that's how I managed to pull through the first time, I guess. But what if this job turns out to be just as stressful as the last one? There is a very real possibility that I might just collapse from exhaustion... it wouldn't be surprising, really. I decided to open up to my boyfriend about everything tonight, and I'm planning to head to my primary care physician to ask for some helex, which I've used before to help settle my nerves when things get overwhelming... because right now, I'm only on Zoloft, and my follow-up appointment with the psychiatrist isn't until August 7th.😢