[NeuroNixed Craig]

I apologize for arriving at this forum so late, noticing a number of threads regarding depression. I've learned and dealt with depression and MS but as time went on it became depression from NOT MS, but long term deteriorating chronic illness. In other words, one cannot simply attach the word depression to MS and believe all bases are covered.

In the beginning, and on two specific life altering occasions, I was on the edge of the abyss and prepared to jump in. Thanks to the right people taking notice, performing their professional jobs well, my own realizations followed by very proactive decisions and actions, I am no longer on any AD meds.

"How's that you ask?" I "CHOSE" to take a long personal journey requiring the full acceptance of responsibility for myself and actions. Gradually weened myself off the AD meds eliminating their side effects, which compound any problem. Surrounded myself with positive, personal development and self-improvement books, audio CD books, and DVD movies. I "DECIDED" I was no longer going to tolerate "depression" and to fight it head-on and bare knuckled.

In addition to the proactive actions above, I eliminated all negative influences on my life, removing a few toxic people, no more CNN or network news, no more morning newspaper. The reality is, I can do nothing personally to change it, all will continue rather I choose to participate or not. It was my conscious "DECISION" not to waste positive energy in such negative activities. If it's the Second Coming or Judgment Day, I'm sure I won't need Fox News Network to tell me about it.

My point of sharing all this with you, I know where you are and how you feel. "YOU" take the responsibility and have absolute control over your own thoughts. Your thoughts lead directly to an impact immediately on "ALL" aspects of your life. Become your own best health advocate proactively. You are at war with your body, medicine, doctors, insurance companies, work, and your own head. The real "front-line" of battle is between your ears. "YOU" have total control and impact on your own situation so stop blaming MS, your work, wife, husband, parents, doctors, whatever. "DECIDE" how you want to feel and then take "ACTION" to feel that way. You have "ABSOLUTE" power over your own thoughts, thus attitudes. Both intrinsically impact all aspects of your life.

Now! It's time to go to work on ourselves!

[Dejibo]

I told my DH he can watch all the news he wants, but when I am in the room...NO NO NO! we can see the first 5 minutes of the local news, or look up the weather, but no more being bombarded by negative news. I refuse to read the local newspaper and we cancelled our subscription.

I limit contact with my family as they are quite toxic. I am no longer speaking to a neighbor that is a Negative Nancy,and has nothing to say but bad things. I walk right past her house. I stopped attending a volunteer thing I did because of two of the woman that work (pretend to work) there. After I was gone six months, they called and begged me to go back. I refused until I heard that BOTH women were asked to leave because they got no work done, only gossip. I even changed churches.

I cannot avoid all stressors of life, but I can limit myself. Thanks for the great suggestions. I too look in to the mirror everyday and tell myself what a good person I am, and that I am worth the fight. I love myself, and I am important to this family.

[kicker]

A doctor (neuro) 3 doctors ago prescribed an AD as it might help with energy. I was not clinically depressed, maybe some situational (MS is not good!!!) I noticed no energy boost. He never monitored me or talked to me. Took my self off, 2 neuros later, none have suggested it again. We are ultimately in charge of ourselves. I know how I feel better than anyone.

"If there's a solution, try to find it.
If there is none, well, never mind it"

[PolarExpress]

Craig you are SO right. The biggest challenge we face is often our own thinking. As the old computer saying goes, "Garbage In, Garbage Out". I don't advocate dropping AD's for everyone as chemical imbalances aren't "thought away", but there is so much we can do to improve our lives, wherever we're at, just by avoiding toxic influences around us.

[barb02]

Hmmm -- interesting thread. Craig, I can't say that I agree with all of your insights, but I do agree that we have power over our own thoughts. And if these methods work for you, that is great.

I find most self help books, etc to be narcissistic and too self involved. Or to put it another way -- annoying! I would much rather escape into a good novel.

Personally, I also would not feel as if I am a productive citizen if I simply chose to put my head in the sand and not keep up with what is going on in the world. I don't obsess obsess over the news (too often), but it is important to be informed. While as individuals it may seem impossible at times to affect change, there are things we can do -- vote, contact our policy makers, volunteer if possible, etc. And collectively, I like to believe that we can still make a difference. Call me naive but thinking this way works for me.

I have not found AD's to work for me. I could not handle the side effects and I decided that I have the right to get depressed from time to time. But I would like to second Polar's comment that it is not a good idea for everyone to simply stop using AD's.

[SallyC]

Thanks Craig, for sharing your strong self-help for Depression theory. I am so happy to hear that this is working for you.

I was unlucky enough to have the chemical imbalance thingy that Barb mentioned and could not "think that away". My life was literally saved by by an anti-axiety AD.

What you suggest will work in so many situational depressions, though.

Good work..

[Debbie D]

Mind is the builder...so said seer Edgar Cayce. And it is true. I believe that our mindset has a huge influence on our perception of reality.
That being said, I have used and am currently using an AD...I too have come close to falling off of the cliff. I know my self, I know when I can not do the mind work to climb over the hill of depression, and when that time comes, my doctors/therapist are there to help me and guide me.
I use meditation, prayer, and reading spiritual books/mags to help me keep a positive mindset, with gratitude being upmost in my mind. Yes, even gratitude for the challenges of caring for my elderly in laws, and having MS. Due to these situations, I have had lessons brought to me that have given me great shifts in perspectives, and have also brought wonderful people into my life, including people on this site.
We are dealt a hand in our journey on this planet; it comes down to how we choose to play it. Are we a victim or a victor? We can die doing it either way; it in fact is certain we'll die. Do we want to go with anger and regrets? Or with a sense of a life of wonder and fulfillment?

Not saying it's easy, and you all can point out many posts where I have been in the basement mood wise. But it's possible to live a life of joy and fulfillment, even when ill.

Off the soapbox...great thread, Craig. Blessings to you as you walk your journey...

[FaithS]

I was on AD's in 2004 for depression. After being on for 9 months, and having no depression symptoms for 5 of those, I was ready for the psychiatrist to wean me off.

My depression was also situational, based, in large part to an incident in a medical facility that was reported to the state and investigated as abusive to me.

The doc was not willing to, originally, and not supportive, at all, of me going off. Ever, in fact. He believed that, because I had MS, I would need to be on AD's for the remainder of my life.

I told him, in no uncertain terms, that I was going off, with or without his support, and that I would prefer to have his professional advice regarding how to do that most safely.

He gave me taper guidelines that would've taken another year to complete. Rather than follow those, I did my own research on the internet, and was off in 3 months.

My 2 siblings were horrified that I would consider disregarding his advice, as my father had been through 3 annual depressions, the last two returning because he went off AD's too quickly. The last time, he, like me, went off more slowly, and his depression has not returned.

My depression did not return, and I have never needed to be on AD's again.

~ Faith

[NeuroNixed Craig]

I must sooo apologize guys! I did not desire one to believe in all circumstances of depression one may "think themselves out of it." No! Not at all! Had it not been for insightful, compassionate, professional intervention "AND" Rx'd AD's to treat the chemical imbalance aspects, I may not be here today.

Each has its rightful place in our treatment based on the uniqueness of our situations. My point was we do have control over many aspects of our psychological condition which must first be recognized and then acted upon in a positive manner. What I have shared has worked well for me and many clients whom I provided counseling in personal development.

Put one's head in the sand? No, you're right, that is not the answer either. To be attuned to current events is fine, to obsess is not. I make a point to "be informed," emailing my congressman and senators when appropriate and especially exercise my right to vote.

However, I'm not so lucky when it comes to reading. Always severely challenged with reading growing up, the only real novels I've read and enjoyed are Harry Potter. Otherwise I feel I must be educating, learning new things, almost studying life and myself for my reading to be of value to me. Yea! I know that will make the real readers of novels, romance and otherwise, simply cringe. But remember, that's me.

You have all made many very good points providing excellent dialogue and insight. Again, I apologize should any one have taken it that my expressions were the only way to do things. As stated by one poster, if it works for me, great. That hits the nail on the head. Should any one else derive benefit and value from my experiences, the thread was worth posting.

Thank you all for your insights, patience, and tolerance. I greatly appreciate your thoughtfulness.

[Debbie D]

It was a really good thread, Craig...it's beneficial to all to discuss our various philosophies regarding mental health...they're as diverse as our MS symptoms!