Hi Judy P, I'm sorry to hear that you're going through all of this and I hope you can take some comfort in the fact that because you shared your story, other women will learn from it and can possibly take a different approach.
I have forwarded your question regarding the different types of medication to a well-respected, nationally known thyroid expert.
In the meantime, I'm hoping that -- together we can work on ideas to help ease your depression. Not sure if you're much of a reader (although I get that feeling from your articulate writing you might be) but I've heard Unstuck by James S. Gordon, MD is a wonderful book. Instead of viewing depression as a disease, he sees it as a journey -- and he should know. In addition to being a student at Harvard, a psychiatry resident at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and a researcher and clinician at the National Institute of Mental Health, he also had a private practice and suffered his own bouts of depression. I think his outlook will amaze and inspire you.
Some other first steps in dealing with depression are:
Getting regular sleep;
Participating in an exercise program (any activity can be good as Gordon mentions in his book)
Cutting down/out on alcohol, tobacco or caffeine;
Building a strong support system;
Participating in activities you enjoy (although it is sometimes difficult to work up the motivation to engage in these activities)
Eating small, frequent meals that include complex carbohydrates;
And stress management either through meditation, prayer, yoga or other focus activities.
Have you considered support groups Judy P? We can help you find one in the Phoenix area if that is something you are interested in doing? And hang in there. We're here for you.
Comment Reply
Hi Judy P, I'm sorry to hear that you're going through all of this and I hope you can take some comfort in the fact that because you shared your story, other women will learn from it and can possibly take a different approach.
I have forwarded your question regarding the different types of medication to a well-respected, nationally known thyroid expert.
In the meantime, I'm hoping that -- together we can work on ideas to help ease your depression. Not sure if you're much of a reader (although I get that feeling from your articulate writing you might be) but I've heard Unstuck by James S. Gordon, MD is a wonderful book. Instead of viewing depression as a disease, he sees it as a journey -- and he should know. In addition to being a student at Harvard, a psychiatry resident at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine, and a researcher and clinician at the National Institute of Mental Health, he also had a private practice and suffered his own bouts of depression. I think his outlook will amaze and inspire you.
Some other first steps in dealing with depression are:
Getting regular sleep;
Participating in an exercise program (any activity can be good as Gordon mentions in his book)
Cutting down/out on alcohol, tobacco or caffeine;
Building a strong support system;
Participating in activities you enjoy (although it is sometimes difficult to work up the motivation to engage in these activities)
Eating small, frequent meals that include complex carbohydrates;
And stress management either through meditation, prayer, yoga or other focus activities.
Have you considered support groups Judy P? We can help you find one in the Phoenix area if that is something you are interested in doing? And hang in there. We're here for you.
September 30, 2008 - 8:03amThis Comment
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