Re: Depression & Eating Intuitively

[Guest guest]

Hi Emma, I am still working on this subject as my eating still get out of control often. However I also suffer from depression and it also run in my family.

Both of my parents suffered from mental illness and it just seem natural to need help. Taking medication has been the single biggest thing I can do to control and live with my depression. I take 40 ml of Prozac daily. Best think I ever did.

Hope this helps, Sandi

See what's free at AOL.com.

[Guest guest]

Hi, Emma: I'm new here and really can't speak to whether or not

depression meds might affect " Intuitive Eating " , but I can speak to

how they can affect depression. I'm not a doctor or medical

professional of any kind, but I've been dealing with depression for a

couple of years, myself. I would encourage you to give medication a

try, I really believe it saved me, if not my life, then my sanity. It

took some trial and error with a couple of different meds to hit on

the right one, but what a difference it made! It's not a cure all but

it sounds like you're doing so many other positive things, maybe

that's the missing piece. I believe that taking control of your life

(such as with IE)is more difficult when you are dealing with clinical

depression, but every day that goes by when I've been good to myself,

is uplifting to me. I hope you have a doctor whom you trust. I wish

you all the best with this, keep fighting and it will get better! I

hope that knowing you're not alone, helps. Your IE Buddy: Jane

>

> Hello everyone,

>

> I would like to know, if any of you (willing to share) have

experienced depression and presently taking medication, considering

medication or have been on medication?

[Guest guest]

Hi, Emma: I'm new here and really can't speak to whether or not

depression meds might affect " Intuitive Eating " , but I can speak to

how they can affect depression. I'm not a doctor or medical

professional of any kind, but I've been dealing with depression for a

couple of years, myself. I would encourage you to give medication a

try, I really believe it saved me, if not my life, then my sanity. It

took some trial and error with a couple of different meds to hit on

the right one, but what a difference it made! It's not a cure all but

it sounds like you're doing so many other positive things, maybe

that's the missing piece. I believe that taking control of your life

(such as with IE)is more difficult when you are dealing with clinical

depression, but every day that goes by when I've been good to myself,

is uplifting to me. I hope you have a doctor whom you trust. I wish

you all the best with this, keep fighting and it will get better! I

hope that knowing you're not alone, helps. Your IE Buddy: Jane

>

> Hello everyone,

>

> I would like to know, if any of you (willing to share) have

experienced depression and presently taking medication, considering

medication or have been on medication?

[Guest guest]

> I would like to know, if any of you (willing to share) have

experienced depression and presently taking medication, considering

medication or have been on medication? How has your depression

affected eating intuitively?

<snip>

> Emma

Hi Emma,

I am new to the site.

I read what you said about your depression. I am taking medication for

my depression. I feel it has helped me. If I were you, I would give it

a try. If you feel it isn't helping you just don't take it anymore.

I have been dealing with depression for many years. I have been on

several anti-depressants, but am now on Welbutrin and it is the best

one for me.

>

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

> Get your own web address.

> Have a HUGE year through Yahoo! Small Business.

> http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/domains/?p=BESTDEAL

>

[Guest guest]

> I would like to know, if any of you (willing to share) have

experienced depression and presently taking medication, considering

medication or have been on medication? How has your depression

affected eating intuitively?

<snip>

> Emma

Hi Emma,

I am new to the site.

I read what you said about your depression. I am taking medication for

my depression. I feel it has helped me. If I were you, I would give it

a try. If you feel it isn't helping you just don't take it anymore.

I have been dealing with depression for many years. I have been on

several anti-depressants, but am now on Welbutrin and it is the best

one for me.

>

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

> Get your own web address.

> Have a HUGE year through Yahoo! Small Business.

> http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/domains/?p=BESTDEAL

>

[Guest guest]

> I would like to know, if any of you (willing to share) have

experienced depression and presently taking medication, considering

medication or have been on medication? How has your depression

affected eating intuitively?

<snip>

> Emma

Hi Emma,

I am new to the site.

I read what you said about your depression. I am taking medication for

my depression. I feel it has helped me. If I were you, I would give it

a try. If you feel it isn't helping you just don't take it anymore.

I have been dealing with depression for many years. I have been on

several anti-depressants, but am now on Welbutrin and it is the best

one for me.

>

>

________________________________________________________________________________\

____

> Get your own web address.

> Have a HUGE year through Yahoo! Small Business.

> http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/domains/?p=BESTDEAL

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Emma ~

I love and appreciate your postings and support too!

I love this message board b/c people here seem to be willing to focus

on what is working for them and allow everyone else to do what is

working for them too. This message board seems to focus on the

positive and willingly let go of the negative as best we are able.

This being said, I have had many troubles with chronic depression. I

actually went through therapy for about 10 years and took some

medication for a couple of years in paticularly stressful periods of

those times. My psychologists really helped me get to the core of my

issues but there was still the time needed to bring that awareness

from my head to my heart.

I am definitely a black and white thinker! I wax and wane between

perfection and the biggest loser alive. In the past and still

sometimes, I start with rigid intentions and outlines only to

discover it is unrealistic to expect such changes overnight and

comprehensively! Once a friend told me, it is like a pendulum that

ticks from one side to the other but with determination to change it

would eventually swing less dramatically until it comes to a rest in

the middle. I now see that happening with many of my new endeavors.

The medication worked but for a couple of months and often the side

effects (no libido, increased/decreased appetite, a general feeling

of malaise and numbness) were so uncomfortable for me that I would

stop taking it and struggle through with the help of my 12 step

program. As I said before, it has taken me 10 years to get to a

place where I am finally putting what I learned in therapy into

action in my life, but it feels wonderful. I am grateful that I am

doing this without medication, but I acknowledge that it hasnt always

been this way.

When I used medication, I accepted that it wasnt a permanent solution

for me but that it might help me through this tough spot and it did.

I will say that I recognize in retrospect that having a psychiatrist

encourage me to use sedatives and other mood altering drugs supported

the belief that something outside a deeper relationship with my

higher power could save me, but that was for me and perhaps its not

the same for you.

Whatever you decide to do, I am sure that youll take care of yourself

and do what is in your best interest. You sound like youve already

done alot to expand and explore your world beyond its boundaries.

Thats awesome! Give yourself some credit, girl! Youve got plenty up

on me with all you are doing!!!! I feel that anything that supports

and encourages your wellness is a positive thing and you should do

whatever you need.

I hope this helps.

Love,

>

> Hello everyone,

>

> I would like to know, if any of you (willing to share) have

experienced depression and presently taking medication, considering

medication or have been on medication? How has your depression

affected eating intuitively?

>

> Although IE appears to be working quite well for me, I am grappling

with depression and this weekend, it seems to be getting to a place

where I feel I am losing control....

>

> I have toyed with the idea of going on medication, but I am doing

everything in my power to exhaust every other option. Although I have

only started this recently, I am currently seeing a therapist;

exercise as often as I can (yoga and jogging - which does nothing for

my depression btw, contrary to experts that say otherwise); and have

recently incorporated some lifestyle therapies in my life ( including

massage therapy/ facials once a month; pedicures once a month;

outings with friends weekly; dates with husband bi-weekly; reading

novels and books that are positive; attending church - praying daily

and writing in my journal as often as I could). My next step is to go

out into the community and volunteer, despite my busy news/freelance

writing jobs.

>

> This forum has been one of the best forums I've ever been on and I

want to thank each of you for your unbelievable support. This is a

sensitive topic for me, as I believe depression runs in my family,

but until recently, was not talked about a lot.

>

> Anyone willing to share their story, it would be a great help for

me. I am finding myself slipping with body acceptance, due to

depression and how I view my life....the last thing I want is to de-

balance the small strides I have made with intuitive eating. I was

doing sooo well until this weekend!

>

>

> Thank you all.

>

> Emma

>

>

>

>

______________________________________________________________________

______________

> Get your own web address.

> Have a HUGE year through Yahoo! Small Business.

> http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/domains/?p=BESTDEAL

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Emma ~

I love and appreciate your postings and support too!

I love this message board b/c people here seem to be willing to focus

on what is working for them and allow everyone else to do what is

working for them too. This message board seems to focus on the

positive and willingly let go of the negative as best we are able.

This being said, I have had many troubles with chronic depression. I

actually went through therapy for about 10 years and took some

medication for a couple of years in paticularly stressful periods of

those times. My psychologists really helped me get to the core of my

issues but there was still the time needed to bring that awareness

from my head to my heart.

I am definitely a black and white thinker! I wax and wane between

perfection and the biggest loser alive. In the past and still

sometimes, I start with rigid intentions and outlines only to

discover it is unrealistic to expect such changes overnight and

comprehensively! Once a friend told me, it is like a pendulum that

ticks from one side to the other but with determination to change it

would eventually swing less dramatically until it comes to a rest in

the middle. I now see that happening with many of my new endeavors.

The medication worked but for a couple of months and often the side

effects (no libido, increased/decreased appetite, a general feeling

of malaise and numbness) were so uncomfortable for me that I would

stop taking it and struggle through with the help of my 12 step

program. As I said before, it has taken me 10 years to get to a

place where I am finally putting what I learned in therapy into

action in my life, but it feels wonderful. I am grateful that I am

doing this without medication, but I acknowledge that it hasnt always

been this way.

When I used medication, I accepted that it wasnt a permanent solution

for me but that it might help me through this tough spot and it did.

I will say that I recognize in retrospect that having a psychiatrist

encourage me to use sedatives and other mood altering drugs supported

the belief that something outside a deeper relationship with my

higher power could save me, but that was for me and perhaps its not

the same for you.

Whatever you decide to do, I am sure that youll take care of yourself

and do what is in your best interest. You sound like youve already

done alot to expand and explore your world beyond its boundaries.

Thats awesome! Give yourself some credit, girl! Youve got plenty up

on me with all you are doing!!!! I feel that anything that supports

and encourages your wellness is a positive thing and you should do

whatever you need.

I hope this helps.

Love,

>

> Hello everyone,

>

> I would like to know, if any of you (willing to share) have

experienced depression and presently taking medication, considering

medication or have been on medication? How has your depression

affected eating intuitively?

>

> Although IE appears to be working quite well for me, I am grappling

with depression and this weekend, it seems to be getting to a place

where I feel I am losing control....

>

> I have toyed with the idea of going on medication, but I am doing

everything in my power to exhaust every other option. Although I have

only started this recently, I am currently seeing a therapist;

exercise as often as I can (yoga and jogging - which does nothing for

my depression btw, contrary to experts that say otherwise); and have

recently incorporated some lifestyle therapies in my life ( including

massage therapy/ facials once a month; pedicures once a month;

outings with friends weekly; dates with husband bi-weekly; reading

novels and books that are positive; attending church - praying daily

and writing in my journal as often as I could). My next step is to go

out into the community and volunteer, despite my busy news/freelance

writing jobs.

>

> This forum has been one of the best forums I've ever been on and I

want to thank each of you for your unbelievable support. This is a

sensitive topic for me, as I believe depression runs in my family,

but until recently, was not talked about a lot.

>

> Anyone willing to share their story, it would be a great help for

me. I am finding myself slipping with body acceptance, due to

depression and how I view my life....the last thing I want is to de-

balance the small strides I have made with intuitive eating. I was

doing sooo well until this weekend!

>

>

> Thank you all.

>

> Emma

>

>

>

>

______________________________________________________________________

______________

> Get your own web address.

> Have a HUGE year through Yahoo! Small Business.

> http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/domains/?p=BESTDEAL

>

[Guest guest]

Hi Emma ~

I love and appreciate your postings and support too!

I love this message board b/c people here seem to be willing to focus

on what is working for them and allow everyone else to do what is

working for them too. This message board seems to focus on the

positive and willingly let go of the negative as best we are able.

This being said, I have had many troubles with chronic depression. I

actually went through therapy for about 10 years and took some

medication for a couple of years in paticularly stressful periods of

those times. My psychologists really helped me get to the core of my

issues but there was still the time needed to bring that awareness

from my head to my heart.

I am definitely a black and white thinker! I wax and wane between

perfection and the biggest loser alive. In the past and still

sometimes, I start with rigid intentions and outlines only to

discover it is unrealistic to expect such changes overnight and

comprehensively! Once a friend told me, it is like a pendulum that

ticks from one side to the other but with determination to change it

would eventually swing less dramatically until it comes to a rest in

the middle. I now see that happening with many of my new endeavors.

The medication worked but for a couple of months and often the side

effects (no libido, increased/decreased appetite, a general feeling

of malaise and numbness) were so uncomfortable for me that I would

stop taking it and struggle through with the help of my 12 step

program. As I said before, it has taken me 10 years to get to a

place where I am finally putting what I learned in therapy into

action in my life, but it feels wonderful. I am grateful that I am

doing this without medication, but I acknowledge that it hasnt always

been this way.

When I used medication, I accepted that it wasnt a permanent solution

for me but that it might help me through this tough spot and it did.

I will say that I recognize in retrospect that having a psychiatrist

encourage me to use sedatives and other mood altering drugs supported

the belief that something outside a deeper relationship with my

higher power could save me, but that was for me and perhaps its not

the same for you.

Whatever you decide to do, I am sure that youll take care of yourself

and do what is in your best interest. You sound like youve already

done alot to expand and explore your world beyond its boundaries.

Thats awesome! Give yourself some credit, girl! Youve got plenty up

on me with all you are doing!!!! I feel that anything that supports

and encourages your wellness is a positive thing and you should do

whatever you need.

I hope this helps.

Love,

>

> Hello everyone,

>

> I would like to know, if any of you (willing to share) have

experienced depression and presently taking medication, considering

medication or have been on medication? How has your depression

affected eating intuitively?

>

> Although IE appears to be working quite well for me, I am grappling

with depression and this weekend, it seems to be getting to a place

where I feel I am losing control....

>

> I have toyed with the idea of going on medication, but I am doing

everything in my power to exhaust every other option. Although I have

only started this recently, I am currently seeing a therapist;

exercise as often as I can (yoga and jogging - which does nothing for

my depression btw, contrary to experts that say otherwise); and have

recently incorporated some lifestyle therapies in my life ( including

massage therapy/ facials once a month; pedicures once a month;

outings with friends weekly; dates with husband bi-weekly; reading

novels and books that are positive; attending church - praying daily

and writing in my journal as often as I could). My next step is to go

out into the community and volunteer, despite my busy news/freelance

writing jobs.

>

> This forum has been one of the best forums I've ever been on and I

want to thank each of you for your unbelievable support. This is a

sensitive topic for me, as I believe depression runs in my family,

but until recently, was not talked about a lot.

>

> Anyone willing to share their story, it would be a great help for

me. I am finding myself slipping with body acceptance, due to

depression and how I view my life....the last thing I want is to de-

balance the small strides I have made with intuitive eating. I was

doing sooo well until this weekend!

>

>

> Thank you all.

>

> Emma

>

>

>

>

______________________________________________________________________

______________

> Get your own web address.

> Have a HUGE year through Yahoo! Small Business.

> http://smallbusiness.yahoo.com/domains/?p=BESTDEAL

>

[Guest guest]

(laughing) leave it to me!

Im a strange bird.

I know. I know. The libido thing was a real problem for me.

Thats my strength, hope and experience......weird as it is.

I just remember feeling great for about two weeks and third week I

felt a feeling of " flat line " . This meant I couldnt go down to the

depths of depression I was experiencing (grateful for that) but it

also meant I couldnt go up to the euphoria of orgasm too (cant live

without that!)? Funny. I guess I am odd.

Thanks for your post.

))

>

>

> In a message dated 6/10/2007 8:10:52 A.M. US Eastern Standard

Time,

> voxunpopuli@... writes:

>

> The medication worked but for a couple of months and often the

side

> effects (no libido, increased/decreased appetite, a general

feeling

> of malaise and numbness)

>

>

> You know the thing is I never have had this once. Sorry but

difference

> drugs work differently. Sandi

>

>

>

> ************************************** See what's free at

http://www.aol.com.

>

[Guest guest]

(laughing) leave it to me!

Im a strange bird.

I know. I know. The libido thing was a real problem for me.

Thats my strength, hope and experience......weird as it is.

I just remember feeling great for about two weeks and third week I

felt a feeling of " flat line " . This meant I couldnt go down to the

depths of depression I was experiencing (grateful for that) but it

also meant I couldnt go up to the euphoria of orgasm too (cant live

without that!)? Funny. I guess I am odd.

Thanks for your post.

))

>

>

> In a message dated 6/10/2007 8:10:52 A.M. US Eastern Standard

Time,

> voxunpopuli@... writes:

>

> The medication worked but for a couple of months and often the

side

> effects (no libido, increased/decreased appetite, a general

feeling

> of malaise and numbness)

>

>

> You know the thing is I never have had this once. Sorry but

difference

> drugs work differently. Sandi

>

>

>

> ************************************** See what's free at

http://www.aol.com.

>

[Guest guest]

(laughing) leave it to me!

Im a strange bird.

I know. I know. The libido thing was a real problem for me.

Thats my strength, hope and experience......weird as it is.

I just remember feeling great for about two weeks and third week I

felt a feeling of " flat line " . This meant I couldnt go down to the

depths of depression I was experiencing (grateful for that) but it

also meant I couldnt go up to the euphoria of orgasm too (cant live

without that!)? Funny. I guess I am odd.

Thanks for your post.

))

>

>

> In a message dated 6/10/2007 8:10:52 A.M. US Eastern Standard

Time,

> voxunpopuli@... writes:

>

> The medication worked but for a couple of months and often the

side

> effects (no libido, increased/decreased appetite, a general

feeling

> of malaise and numbness)

>

>

> You know the thing is I never have had this once. Sorry but

difference

> drugs work differently. Sandi

>

>

>

> ************************************** See what's free at

http://www.aol.com.

>

[Guest guest]

This isn't meant to offend anyone currently on antidepressants. Many people that

I love

and respect take them; but I have a different view from my experiences. I hope

that if

you're on them you won't be offended, or at the other extreme do anything

without your

doctor's recommendation.

That said, I was on medication for depression from 8 years old until I started

college. I had

(and still have) many ups and downs. I could usually control myself at school,

where I was

known as a nerdy goody-two-shoes. But when I got home the self-control flew out

the

window. My parents liked me on antidepressants because the mood swings were

fewer.

They kept switching meds and dosages, and also had me on ritalin, so I was one

messed-

up kid. I hated being on the medicine because I felt like my personality had

been put on

mute. I stopped taking it in college because I wanted the chance to be myself,

without any

brain altering chemicals in my system.

For me, I will probably not go back on antidepressants unless the situation is

dire (like

contemplating suicide or self-harm). Psychiatrists cite " chemical imbalances " as

the reason

that these medications work, but I don't know of any studies showing what the

normal

balance is vs. what a depressed person has. Clinical depression is diagnosed

based on

symptoms, not lab tests. I know they can work, but the medical community isn't

quite sure

why they work. That bothers me.

Also, I use food or lack of food to suppress my emotions. I know that taking a

drug to do

the same thing could be very effective, and that makes it tempting (especially

if the result

is losing weight), but ultimately I think I have to deal with the demons inside

me--let them

out instead of silencing them. Part of this intuitive eating process for me has

been to let

myself experience the full fury of my emotions and try to work through them.

It's been

difficult, and my friends and family have been kind in allowing me to make

mistakes, but I

think I'm learning to let my emotions give me the signals that they're supposed

to without

masking them over. Just my POV

Jess