Let's Talk, BOTL and mental health

[GreekElite]

hey brothers, figured i would pop in here and introduce myself, offer what little bits i can.. i'm an addiction counselor in a detox (and previously at various levels) and licensed mental health counselor. I love the support among people in recovery on the forum, as well as people just sharing life experiences and instilling some hope. I'd be very happy to help anyone and point someone in the right direction if they'd like, or just to listen to what's going on.

I feel I need to update a bit. I've decided a more professional approach is needed, I have an appointment with an actual psychiatrist rather than my GP. The meds I'm on are obviously not working as this past week has shown me. I will refrain from posting in my depressed mood as I don't want to bring the cheerfulness of this great forum down, but I do want to thank a couple of brothers publicly for reaching out privately to me. They can speak up if the want their greatness known to all. Thank you for all of your well wishes regardless. Things will get better, I just need to remember a couple of things, first, the light at the end of the tunnel is not necessarily a train, and second, in the immortal words of Suicidal Tendencies (I know, not really something that should be talked about in the same thread as depression) "You Can't Bring Me Down". I cannot let the actions of other affect my mood.

Again, thank you brothers for being here for me...

Until we meet again, hopefully soon.

Fantastic idea, and definitely in the right direction, bro. GPs just don't have the training and vested interest in staying current with new meds and applications. Keep your head up because you are making progress. It's going to get better soon.

I agree completely, most GP's don't even have training on how the medications work in the brain, let along how they'll interact with other meds. Hell, they see the patient as one step closer to their quota for their paid vacation. in all honestly, your pharmacist probably knows more. a psychiatrist is closer, but still someone who may push a script. in my opinion, medication should be a last report, or at least used in conjunction with some ongoing counseling

 

[stukibuilt]

hey brothers, figured i would pop in here and introduce myself, offer what little bits i can.. i'm an addiction counselor in a detox (and previously at various levels) and licensed mental health counselor. I love the support among people in recovery on the forum, as well as people just sharing life experiences and instilling some hope. I'd be very happy to help anyone and point someone in the right direction if they'd like, or just to listen to what's going on.

I feel I need to update a bit. I've decided a more professional approach is needed, I have an appointment with an actual psychiatrist rather than my GP. The meds I'm on are obviously not working as this past week has shown me. I will refrain from posting in my depressed mood as I don't want to bring the cheerfulness of this great forum down, but I do want to thank a couple of brothers publicly for reaching out privately to me. They can speak up if the want their greatness known to all. Thank you for all of your well wishes regardless. Things will get better, I just need to remember a couple of things, first, the light at the end of the tunnel is not necessarily a train, and second, in the immortal words of Suicidal Tendencies (I know, not really something that should be talked about in the same thread as depression) "You Can't Bring Me Down". I cannot let the actions of other affect my mood.

Again, thank you brothers for being here for me...

Until we meet again, hopefully soon.

Fantastic idea, and definitely in the right direction, bro. GPs just don't have the training and vested interest in staying current with new meds and applications. Keep your head up because you are making progress. It's going to get better soon.

I agree completely, most GP's don't even have training on how the medications work in the brain, let along how they'll interact with other meds. Hell, they see the patient as one step closer to their quota for their paid vacation. in all honestly, your pharmacist probably knows more. a psychiatrist is closer, but still someone who may push a script. in my opinion, medication should be a last report, or at least used in conjunction with some ongoing counseling

Welcome. I'm a Clinical Manager of an inpatient SA program. LMHC, NCC as well. Glad to see someone else in the field chime in.

 

[javajunkie]

... in the immortal words of Suicidal Tendencies (I know, not really something that should be talked about in the same thread as depression) "You Can't Bring Me Down"...

brother, a LOT of punk has been about being down, and trying to stay up. use what works. try bouncing souls "better things". o)

 

[Ducttapegonewild]

... in the immortal words of Suicidal Tendencies (I know, not really something that should be talked about in the same thread as depression) "You Can't Bring Me Down"...

brother, a LOT of punk has been about being down, and trying to stay up. use what works. try bouncing souls "better things". o)

I know that punk is about that, but, just prior to posting that, I had some of my music playing in the background. If I remember correctly, it went, Patsy Cline, Violent Femmes, then Suicidal. On that particular day, at the particular moment, the gods aligned with the fates and decided to play that song. Which, at that particular moment, was needed.

As a side note, my first appointment is in Tuesday afternoon after I get out from my new position, part of what the depression was about.

 

[SFerrojr]

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... in the immortal words of Suicidal Tendencies (I know, not really something that should be talked about in the same thread as depression) "You Can't Bring Me Down"...

brother, a LOT of punk has been about being down, and trying to stay up. use what works. try bouncing souls "better things". o)

I know that punk is about that, but, just prior to posting that, I had some of my music playing in the background. If I remember correctly, it went, Patsy Cline, Violent Femmes, then Suicidal. On that particular day, at the particular moment, the gods aligned with the fates and decided to play that song. Which, at that particular moment, was needed.

As a side note, my first appointment is in Tuesday afternoon after I get out from my new position, part of what the depression was about.

Best of luck. Seeing a specialist is a great step. I've been there myself and I know how hard a step just that can be. Sending positive thoughts your way!

 

[SDShark]

I am in a bad mood today. I'd rather not get into it, but I need to pose a question. If you are feeling shitty, wouldn't you want to let the feelings run their course, or have people hound you over why you are not happy at any given moment? I get that these people are trying to help lift your spirit, but I tell them to let me be and they take offense to it. I don't mean to be an asshole, but I'd rather let my funk run its course rather than talk about it all the time just to keep a happy face. Maybe it's just me..

 

[sean]

Sounds like it may be lebowski-30...

In seriousness, I like to get some space from people and things run their course. Unless it is really serious, urgent, or could result in harmful outcomes, that is.

 

[Hoshneer]

I am in a bad mood today. I'd rather not get into it, but I need to pose a question. If you are feeling shitty, wouldn't you want to let the feelings run their course, or have people hound you over why you are not happy at any given moment? I get that these people are trying to help lift your spirit, but I tell them to let me be and they take offense to it. I don't mean to be an asshole, but I'd rather let my funk run its course rather than talk about it all the time just to keep a happy face. Maybe it's just me..

Unless it's a serious situation where you need to be around people I say it's better to be left alone. I get why people want to help as well but sometimes it just annoys you.

 

[LikeAPuma]

I am in a bad mood today. I'd rather not get into it, but I need to pose a question. If you are feeling shitty, wouldn't you want to let the feelings run their course, or have people hound you over why you are not happy at any given moment? I get that these people are trying to help lift your spirit, but I tell them to let me be and they take offense to it. I don't mean to be an asshole, but I'd rather let my funk run its course rather than talk about it all the time just to keep a happy face. Maybe it's just me..

I'm a very happy-go-lucky kind of guy 99.9% of the time. On the rare chance I'm in a mood/dealing with something, I would much rather be left alone. My wife generally understands & actually encourages me to get out for a hike (my way of sorting things out). She knows it's a rarity & I don't want to bring anyone around me down.

Find something solo. Could be as simple as going for a drive in a general direction, or splitting wood in the backyard. I prefer hiking, regardless of weather. I know I won't see many people, & there's nothing to distract me from my thoughts.

 

[zama80]

I am in a bad mood today. I'd rather not get into it, but I need to pose a question. If you are feeling shitty, wouldn't you want to let the feelings run their course, or have people hound you over why you are not happy at any given moment? I get that these people are trying to help lift your spirit, but I tell them to let me be and they take offense to it. I don't mean to be an asshole, but I'd rather let my funk run its course rather than talk about it all the time just to keep a happy face. Maybe it's just me..

If it is a short term funk, no more than a day or two, then yeah, revel in your misery and get it out of your system. If it lasts more than a few days, or starts to happen more often, then you need to see a doctor. Hope you come out of it soon. Feel free to contact me if you need to talk.

 

[eastcoast paul]

I find my bad mood is far shorter if left to run its course, i'm not sure why but more often then not my bad mood will deepen if someone tries to interfere.

 

[plumber1965]

I'm all for the get out there and drive in a general direction and let you sort yourself out. Like has been said though if sticks around then talking can help.

 

[Hoshneer]

It doesn't hurt to get help when you need it man. I am a super optimistic person to the point of annoyance sometimes. I think for the first time about a month ago I just had to much shit hit me at one time. Several deaths with close friends and families and a 5yr nephew with a brain tumor. I honestly couldn't even recognize what my issue was until the doctor asked me if I was okay and that I looked kinda stressed. Sometimes you are blind to your own depression or anxiety. I took some mild anxiety drugs for a couple weeks and was able to pop out of it. I guess the moral of the story is sometimes you need other people to recognize if you are having problems. I honestly had no idea that anxiety could cause so many physical symptoms.

 

[BenvolioMustDie]

I'm a big believer that sometimes you don't know you're in a rut till you start to come out of it. So I absolutely agree with Hoshy that sometimes you need other people to help you realise you're having problems. Even if that them means you need to take some time alone to work through them.

 

[Hoshneer]

It's just interesting how sometimes you don't realize you're not okay until someone seriously asks you.

 

[Ducttapegonewild]

It's just interesting how sometimes you don't realize you're not okay until someone seriously asks you.

^^^^ this. This is why you ask...

 

[BenvolioMustDie]

It's just interesting how sometimes you don't realize you're not okay until someone seriously asks you.

Yep, exactly this happened to me this past week. Wasn't until someone sat me down and asked me what I had going on that I listed through quite a bit of shit and realised I had some stuff to sort.

 

[bdc30]

It's just interesting how sometimes you don't realize you're not okay until someone seriously asks you.

That's a really great point man. Always enjoy seeing this thread on the front page, because it means the brotherhood is looking out for one another.

 

[ItsBarbarino]

I am in a bad mood today. I'd rather not get into it, but I need to pose a question. If you are feeling shitty, wouldn't you want to let the feelings run their course, or have people hound you over why you are not happy at any given moment? I get that these people are trying to help lift your spirit, but I tell them to let me be and they take offense to it. I don't mean to be an asshole, but I'd rather let my funk run its course rather than talk about it all the time just to keep a happy face. Maybe it's just me..

I've always found this to be a difficult topic. On the one hand, you should be proactive about getting yourself out of shitty moods; it doesn't help to throw yourself a pity party and just be angry at people. Who among us is able to be in a bad mood, but not let it affect the people we come into contact with on a day to day basis?

On the other hand, what's wrong with letting yourself be where you're at? By saying "I shouldn't be upset, I should be happy", you're kind of removing your own right to be upset, which is natural. Part of the human experience is to feel your feelings.

At the end of the day, I try to minimize casualties when I'm in a bad mood. It doesn't mean that I can't be upset, it doesn't mean that I can't be angry. However, it means that I shouldn't be proactive in being angry. I shouldn't seek out people who will push my buttons (I have a nasty habit of doing this). I shouldn't seek out people who will join my pity party and help lament on how stupid/incompetent/obnoxious everyone else around me is. I should just acknowledge the feelings to myself or someone else, keep my head down, and go about my business. Bright side is that most of the time, it has been/could always get much worse.

^ That's what a couple psych wards and tons of therapy will do to you. Money well spent.

 

[teamrandr]

Wow this topic hits home.really hard for me. My wife saved my mothers life after she discovered she had taken her entire script of zoloft. It was a cry for help, the family heard it loud and clear. She was in bad shape partly due to chemical imbalances partly due to my brother threatening to take his own life. One thing I can say without a doubt is chemical imbalances SUCK! I deal with OCD, which in turn causes severe anxiety and depression. I am very thankful for my wofe and my family who all support me and are there for me.
Brothers take care of yourselves! I know Im not the only one who has people who count on them everyday. It is a huge factor that keeps me going strong. Eating healthy and excersizing are my best friends. Of course I do enjoy the unhealthy stuff too. I find for me that when I am on my bike on the trails I am at peace with myself and the world. We all need a way out whether it be smoking a cigar or whatever. I feel comfortable sharing with you guys because hell I feel comfortable sending strangers on here over $100 worth of cigars just cause! Great topic even greater site!