looking for info

[mammakanin]

sorry, this got long!


thanks for listening.

[Velvet Elvis]

Hi, glad you found us.

Yes, it's possible to be depressed without crying. It's also possible to be depressed without knowing it. I've had the experience a couple of times where I was depressed for so long that I didn't realize I was until I came out of it.

Benzo addiction isn't something to get terribly worried about if you're taking a low dose daily and then a high dose in case of attacks. You just need to taper off it when you quit taking it and not go off it cold turkey. Here's what you've got to accept. Yes you might get mildly addicted, but if it helps you a lot, that's totally OK.

It's my impression that Xanax/alprazolam is the most effective benzo for killing panic attacks. It's the only one specifically developed for panic anyway. There is also an extended release Xanax-XR that might be more helpful for preventing attacks because the regular stuff is fairly short acting (peak plasma concentration is 1-2 hours).

SSRIs can also be used to prevent panic attacks but the attacks need to be at least partially controlled by benzos first because during the initial weeks of taking an SSRI increased anxiety can be a side effect. Since benzos have the potential side effect of increased depression, it's not a bad idea to be on some kind of antidepressant along with them if you already prone to depression anyway.

[mammakanin]

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[Catnapper]

i have had a friend (diagnosed with depression) suggest that i am depressed. i score really high on internet tests, but i don't pass because i can not honestly say that i am sad all the time/most of the time. but i am a poster child for the not sleeping/waking early/can't fall back asleep, no interest in my previous hobbies, no energy to do anything constructive (or not even distructive for that matter) inspite of feeling wired/hyper, can't concentrate, i even know how i would kill myself if i were so inclined.. so i don't think the mdoc or tdoc will say that i am depressed. also, i used to cry all the time. even at sappy tv commercials. since this has started, i haven't shed a tear, although g*d knows i've tried on many occassions.

it is possible to be depressed without the crying/sadness? because something is wrong, but dr. internet isn't helping. well, actually dr. interent could make me believe almost anything right now.

Even when I've been suicidal, I've never been particularly sad, and during some horrible multi-year depressive episodes I've never been really sad or crying much. I just felt dead inside, could give a shit about anything, could barely function, bathed much less than normal, was unable to work, mostly slept as much as I could and ate a lot. But it's also common in depression to wake up in the middle of the night and not be able to get back to sleep.

If you're doctor is suggesting an anti-depressant, why not try them? When you find one (or a combination) that works you'll be amazed at how much better you feel. I'm like VE in that I don't necessarily realize I'm depressed until I'm really far along, and then I mostly know it when I get better and realize how much better I feel is normal, and how I felt when I was depressed isn't normal.

Also, don't be discouraged if your family and friends remain completely clueless, even if they bother to educate themselves. My experience has been that unless someone has actually suffered from some variety of MI, they won't really understand. That's why I hang around here so much.

You can get back to normal with the right meds, although it will probably take some trial and error before you find the ones that work best for you. I feel like my regular old self these days and it's great. Good luck to you.

[AnneMarie]

she also gently suggested sometype of anti-depressive in combination with the talk theraphy but i said no. the side-affects and adjustment period scared me. i might revisit that thought, though, depending on how things go. good to know that benzo addiction can be a good thing if it helps. i will try to stop worrying about it everytime i take one!

i will ask the tdoc about depression if/when i ever got an appointment.

An antidepressant could go a long way in reducing or eliminating the need for the benzo. This would be a good thing. An AD would also help with your depression, which it sounds like you probably have. There are different types so hopefully you could find one without serious side effects.

Therapy could also do a lot for your panic attacks. It's not really just something nice to do in addition. It could be what resolves your problems. I'd push for an appt and look for a tdoc you can respect.

[mammakanin]

[mammakanin]

[Indigo 'n dye]

Hi, welcome to CB. It has been my experience that when my depression is uncontrolled my anxiety and panic rise and agoraphobia lurks around every corner. When I have a handle on depression, so to speak, the techniques that I learned to manage anxiety and its siblings are controllable.

CBT can be very helpful, but if I am depressed it is impossible to "work" the systems taught in therapy.

I resisted medication for a long time, but can say without hesitation that daily doses saved my life.

Cheers and best wishes, Indigo

[mammakanin]

Cheers and best wishes, Indigo

[AnneMarie]

i have had a friend (diagnosed with depression) suggest that i am depressed. i score really high on internet tests, but i don't pass because i can not honestly say that i am sad all the time/most of the time. but i am a poster child for the not sleeping/waking early/can't fall back asleep, no interest in my previous hobbies, no energy to do anything constructive (or not even distructive for that matter) inspite of feeling wired/hyper, can't concentrate, i even know how i would kill myself if i were so inclined.. so i don't think the mdoc or tdoc will say that i am depressed. also, i used to cry all the time. even at sappy tv commercials. since this has started, i haven't shed a tear, although g*d knows i've tried on many occassions.

The following is straight out of the psychiatrict manual, DSM IV. These are the main criteria most doctors use to diagnose. The coloring is mine.

A. Five (or more) of the following symptoms have been present during the same 2-week period and represent a change from previous functioning; at least one of the symptoms is either

(1) depressed mood or

(2) loss of interest or pleasure.

Note: Do not include symptoms that are clearly due to a general medical condition, or mood-incongruent delusions or hallucinations.

(

1) depressed mood most of the day, nearly every day, as indicated by either subjective report (e.g., feels sad or empty) or observation made by others (e.g., appears tearful).

Note:

In children and adolescents, can be irritable mood.

(2) markedly diminished interest or pleasure in all, or almost all, activities most of the day, nearly every day (as indicated by either subjective account or observation made by others)

(3) significant weight loss when not dieting or weight gain (e.g., a change of more than 5% of body weight in a month), or decrease or increase in appetite nearly every day.

Note:

In children, consider failure to make expected weight gains.

(4) Insomnia or Hypersomnia nearly every day

(5) psychomotor agitation or

retardation nearly every day (observable by others, not merely subjective feelings of restlessness or being slowed down)

(6)

fatigue

or loss of energy nearly every day

(7) feelings of worthlessness or excessive or inappropriate guilt (which may be delusional) nearly every day (not merely self-reproach or guilt about being sick)

(8) diminished ability to think or concentrate, or indecisiveness, nearly every day (either by subjective account or as observed by others)

(9) recurrent thoughts of death (not just fear of dying), recurrent suicidal ideation without a specific plan, or a suicide attempt or a specific plan for committing suicide

Sadness and crying are not required symptoms if loss of pleasure/interest is occurring along with four more of the above symptoms.

Although I am, as well as others, pointing out the criteria for a depression to you while suggesting that you may be experiencing a bout of it now, we here at CB are no more qualified to diagnose than Dr. Internet, which is to say we are not qualified. What we can do is help you become more informed and knowledgeable about MI and mental health. Take the info you learn here, weigh it, and then speak with your provider openly and honestly about your mental health issues. Diagnosing yourself too often is detrimental whether it is that your are ruling in symptoms or ruling them out. Always, work it thru with your doctor instead. So, I guess what I'm saying is share all of your symptoms with your provider, and I'll add that sooner would probably be kinder to yourself than later.

[Velvet Elvis]

Oh, you're aware you can be on both an antidepressant and benzos at the same time aren't you? It doesn't have to be one or the other? Such combinations are in fact very common.

[mammakanin]

[mammakanin]

[notfred]

Antidepressant + benzo is a common combo. Benzos do not make me depressed as is with a lot of people. No way to know until you try and you can always stop a med if it does not work for you.

nf