Hi

[zombie]

Hi Paul, et al,

I've been dealing with depression for well over ten years, which I sort of discovered recently. I'm 27, and started going to therapy about a year ago when I couldn't take how much I was self-medicating and just feeling like such an empty husk. I've been an addict of sorts for a while now, which covered up the depression quite a bit. After I got sober I could barely get out of bed in the morning and my therapist suggested I go on SSRIs. I tried Celexa in various doses, which did help, but the side-effects were not very helpful. It basically made orgasms quite difficult, which was a drag. My doctor then got me on Cymbalta, and it's been working quite well in that respect. About three months ago I stopped going to therapy and returned to drug abuse in an even greater degree. I've known about my 'addictive personality' for a while now, but it just got out of control. I went back to see my therapist last week and I've felt better for it. I think I'm going to get into AA (beer and weed are my drug of choice). When I was sober for the first time some months ago, it was very difficult, but I hadn't felt that good in ages. It's just so hard, especially with the drinking because it's so socially accepted.

Anyhow, that's possibly a little much to divulge in my introduction, but I very much appreciate the podcast and hopefully this board will continue to grow. I know I can get myself out of this again, because I've done it before, but it takes a lot of hard work. My problem is when something comes up that is challenging (at work, or with relationships) I can very easily fall back into the old patterns. But, therapy has helped me a lot, and the medication has very much reduced my anxiety and the crippling, can't get out of bed depression.

Look forward to getting to know you all. Thanks Paul.

[the cheat]

welcome aboard, zombie.

don't think about going to meetings, just go. you know you gotta do it to feel better. any excuses your brain comes up with is just your disease fighting to keep you in it.

[Eternally Learning]

Welcome to the boards Zombie!

[Paul Gilmartin]

Zombie,
Welcome. Weed and alcohol were my drugs of choice as well. My meds didn't work effectively until I gave up getting loaded. The minor side-effects are a small price to pay compared to feeling dead inside.

Paul

[zombie]

I do this sometimes. Get real excited about something and just kind of drop it. I still love to listen to the show, but I tend to stop commenting on stuff. Thanks for the responses, I am going to AA tomorrow actually. And I'm back in therapy.

Here's hoping I can get my shit under control again.

[Paul Gilmartin]

Sounds like a good plan.

Paul