Hi Ray. I can't answer you question concerning therapists, but I certainly can relate to the depression. I can tell you 2 things that have worked well for me in the past. The first thing i try and do is get out the ipod, find some good jams, and take a long walk. I was always told that physical exercise is good to help treat depression. I remember the first time I decided to try it. It was really hard just to get up the motivation to do it, but when I finally did I was surprised to discover how much better I felt. It's never worked real well for long term relief, but it helps to clear my head enough to start examining what the causes are behind my depression. Doing that last summer, I got into pretty good shape lol. The second thing that helps me, even more than the exercise is working with another person who might be struggling as well. I always try and call someone when I'm feeling blue, and it seems like every time I go through 3 or 4 #'s before I get through to someone, and that someone is the exact person I'm supposed to be talking to. I was told from the start that our secrets keep us sick, so I try not to keep my depression a secret. It always helps when I can take the focus off of myself and help someone else. I also try and remember that it will pass if given enough time. I'm fortunate in that since I quit drinking I don't have to be treated for extreme depression, but many people do. I think it's always a good idea to seek professional help when it comes to matters like this. In the mean time, try giving yourself a break, and treat yourself to something special!
Brian
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Nothing ever truly dies. The universe wastes nothing. Everything is simply, transformed. :confuse:
Right there with you, Ray. I've struggled with depression all of my life. Can't help you with any therapists in Vegas (though man, I'd love to be in Vegas right now! :) ), but Brian's suggestions work for me too, big time. I find the approach and avoidance for exercise really hard, even though I ran a 10k race a couple of weeks ago. But like the man says, speaking to some others in the Fellowship works every time, as does speaking with my sponsor and getting to meetings. I agree too, you're onto the right idea by seeking a professional to speak with this.
And keep coming back here...we're all in this together...:)
Sharing my experience, I needed professional help in addition to my 12 Step program(s). Gratefully, it is my 12 Step program that enables me to seek and accept that help! I knew that depression and anxiety hangs around a while in early sobriety--up to 6 months or more. But after I was stable and sober a long time, it was still there-actually getting worse--so it was time to get an assessment.
I made it my business to actually "interview" prospective health care practitioners. If any one refused a free informational session with me, I crossed them off my list. I checked their credentials, their experience, their specialties, their local reputations, and most of all, their knowledge of co-occurring disorders and state-of-the art appropriate pharmacological supports, if needed for me.
With some trial and error--which I had to become willing to stick to--I have attained almost total relief, minus a couple of periodic downturns over the years. But I now know what to do with the downturns and am surrounded with support and good doctors to get through the occasional really serious tough time.
My tools include the iPod therapy with a good walk or workout mentioned above, and focusing on others (but being self-protective-I don't work with people where I end up feeling worse, and I make a real effort to balance with reaching out, for myself, to positive, uplifting people). FOR ME, forced socialization just to be around people is not good, so when I want to be "around" people but not actually with them, I treat myself to a nice lunch in a local friendly cafe, or go walk around an antique shop or something). In contrast, a degree of of self-imposed isolation, where I entertain myself, with things I enjoy doing by myself (art, music, film, hobbies,reading-whatever), is restorative.
I especially tend to my nutrition (good book: Eating Right to Live Sober)--shifting to a significantly healthier diet has made a major difference in supporting my mental health. Plus water and rest, of course!
Schooner, I'm going to be 64 and have 28 years continuous, so I really relate to what you are dealing with. I am also living proof that help and restoration to live with dual disorders is absolutely possible. I did not give up and stayed receptive--very hard to do when you are falling to the bottom of a very deep pit.
But I also trust my gut and do my homework. If a practitioner does not seem to understand alcoholism, relapse prevention, AND major depression, I ask to see some else. I also read all the fine print regarding insurance and my rights. A calm, informed, well-phrased, assertion of one's rights usually goes a long way to blast through some of the ignorant knee-jerk crap that some practitioners or their assistants put forth. Just sayin' :)
-- Edited by leeu on Sunday 29th of May 2011 12:56:09 PM
-- Edited by leeu on Sunday 29th of May 2011 12:56:33 PM
As you know this an AA website, no one here is really qualfied to give ANY advice...that being said.....
The Yellow pages, that's a start, I would imagine that with all the gambling and people losing everything, the following life or death depression that might follow would make Las Vegas a real HUB for great pychiatrist...my Son is a Pychiatrist, and was at their Convention in Las Vegas earlier this year....His Mental Health Clinic sees hundred of people on Medicare, he also works in a major Hospital at an ER for all the emergencies that come in. I will ask him about the Hospital taking Medicare....and get back to you. it sure wound make sense, since many Depressions that are acute, cannot even imagine any Doc turning them away...
I noticed that a few here gave you some Behaviour Modifications suggestions....without knowing anything else about you.....
There are some very powerful and effective medications that a doc. could write an Rx for. And to closely monitor you til they start working.....
Personally I would use the Public Health world and the ER rooms, the Private Doc. just might not take Medicare...but there is a BIG world of people or docs that really live by their hypocratic Oath.....more than the money grumbers docs. Just my opinion.
I will talk to my son later and ask him, since he was just there (he lives in San Diego, I live north on the Coast.)
I will be certain to have a talk with him and get back to you Right away.....you might see a PM (Private Message)
Hold on sweet friend, Praying that you will slowly breath in "Be Still and Know that GOD is with YOU"
with very tender compassion for your suffering.
You new friend, Toni
-- Edited by Just Toni on Sunday 29th of May 2011 01:06:08 PM
Wow, 34 years sobriety -- thanks for giving me some more living hope that if I keep working this program, I can stay sober.
Like I say, I too suffer from depression, badly. I have my entire life, and was hospitalized for it when I was 19 years old. I've never been diagnosed, but I do wonder if I have bipolar II -- sometimes I can be on top the world, go a bit nuts buying things, being really impulsive, though able to keep things in some semblance of reality.
My depression had never gone away permanently, though at times I thought that it had, that I had the whole thing beat, world by the tail, etc. A lot like booze, really. I have to admit that I am powerless over my depression and that my life had become unmanageble on that score. I take meds intermittently.
I guess that the only thing that has given me hope with that disease has been the Fellowship. At least now, I know that there is someone I can speak to or a place to go when everything else seems the worst.
So, I know what's it like. I do think that you're onto the right thing, looking for therapists, and like Toni says, meds may help, one to discuss with the doctor.
I am a therapist by trade. In addition, I have had to take meds for clinical depression for 11 years. I have been sober for 2 years and 8 months. The issues with depression run in my family even more than addiction. Hence, I do understand and identify that being sober IS NOT the only answer for depression. Many who don't have this issues will state "God and the program" keep them from having those problems, but that is obviously an easy thing to say when one doesn't have the genetic vulnerability and simply isn't prone to clinical depression.
Yes. Therapy is helpful and it works best in conjunction with meds for me. I have to continue taking the meds prophylactically because statistics show that after 3 major depressive episodes (which I have had) the odds of having another one without being on meds is over 95 percent. Hence, going off meds is about as stupid as drinking for me. Not saying you need meds, but if it comes down to that and your therapist recommends seeing a doctor, I just wanted you to have my experiences to draw upon cuz you know how much BS you hear in AA about this issue.
Lastly, just so you know you are even less alone....Depression in older males is growing exponentially and at a higher rate than any other demographic. This I take to be due to the way our society devalues older people, the state of our economy, and misconceptions about males "handling" their problems and not needing help. Also, as any of us should know in AA, life is a huge journey and there is no "easy time" regardless of how old we are. My sponsor is 68 and I am aware that despite all his years in sobriety and his wisdom, he still has problems and has to live life on life's terms just like I do. In fact, he has to deal with his contemporaries having serious medical problems, some dying, his own health issues...and yet he still listens to me whining about stuff I am LUCKY to have as my problems (such as my job and my relationship).
Also, the office on aging is a good resource to check out. You might obtain services for free there.
Hope you feel better soon,
Mark
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Keep coming back. It works if you work it. So work it. You're worth it!
I dont like to call it depression, cuz I was so very depressed while drinking and that is the alcoholic depression I suffered. ( and the kind of depression only an alcoholic can relate to ).
Today I have what I call 'blue' days or moments. they are temporary ... because what I really have is that daily reprieve that our book talks about.
When I read the book, apply it to me and do the work, I dont suffer. Its my decision, my choice and whether I do the work or not is based on my attitude.
