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Originally Posted by metis-siren  So I saw the relatively new psychiatrist this week and the consensus is that my depression is much worse than I had assumed. |
Consensus? As in you and the psychiatrist, or, was there more than one professional involved?
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So the anti-depressants have been doubled.
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All of them? At once? (I'm wondering which ones, and the new dosage levels. I used to be treated for depression.)
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it just feels like I should be relieved to know this was bigger than just willpower, but I'm not.
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I realize psychiatrists tend to be drug oriented, but wonder if a psychologist might differ and suggest trying Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), probably at first while you are still taking anti-depressants, which could be seen as a form of trained willpower.
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I thought I had the depression under control. I feel so utterly disappointed to not have recognized this in myself.
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Sounds like it blindsided you. The internet has tons of "screening" tests for depression (quite similar to this site's screening tests for PTSD). I suggest you mark your calendar to regularly take such a test say, every month or two.
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the anxiety attacks and flashbacks are killing me.
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Well, anxiety attacks are an old friend of mine and I'm one of those now fortunate enough to be able to manage them in a non-drug way. The non-CBT approaches include diet, enforced relaxation and distractions from worrisome thoughts.
Sometimes half the job of solving a problem, is simply finding out what it is. Sounds like you've taken a giant step in that direction, a job well done. Time to take a breather, imo.
Don