YOU ARE NOT ALONE - A companion online community discussion board for The Mental Illness Happy Hour podcast with Paul Gilmartin

Hello all,
I have just recently discovered the Mental Illness Happy Hour podcast and I am hooked. Thanks to Paul and all those who make it possible.
Anyone out there with GAD and depression? I was diagnosed in 06, but have struggled with depression almost all of my 56 years. I am currently taking Zoloft 50 mg which works okay....except in the winter when I get Seasonal Affective Disorder.
I have been isolating myself lately, I just don't feel like doing much but listening to the podcast. I know exercise would help, but I can't seem to get myself to go out and walk...
How do some of you all cope with your anxiety and or depression? Is there anyone out there with morning nausea and diarrhea from anxiety? This is what happens to me when I go off my medication. I also use medical cannabis for my anxiety and for glaucoma...I have a doctor's recommendation and its legal in my state, thank goddess!
also, I have no medical insurance....and can't afford regular therapy. I am lucky that my life partner is a retired therapist, and he has helped me to seek sobriety and serenity.

That was my diagnosis too in 2000-2001 I too think the meds help (a bit) Celexa 20mg and for a while. Ativan 10mg as needed and clonazepam (at any dosage that stuff was horrible for me unwanted, paranoid thoughts, bordering on delusions.) went off the med wagon in 08 or so. Declined a bunch, but now back on the Celexa (going stick with that one.) Does anyone else think the "generalized" tag is just a cop out? Like doctors would rather just throw pills at you rather than get to the root of the issue. "Oh it's just general anxiety throw him/her a mood stabilizer and some downers to round it out." Well why don't you ask specific questions tailored to the patient rather than these general tests that apply generically? I can grasp that if a doctor doesn't ask I should be piping up and blowing a big fucking horn and yelling "This is the issue let's deal with THAT." I can also add here that when you're in the throws of something like this it is very difficult to sometimes put the point across in a way that is understandable to said doctor. Or in some cases you don't even know why it is you are having problems and you can't explain what's wrong, you just feel like road kill and you want to feel better. The last time I went to my GP I specifically went in with a goal "I want you to help me find someone who can deal with X (X being for me someone who can assist me with coping skills for body image issues.) Rather than going in there an just saying:" I feel like crap let's go back to the anti-depressants." (which would probably end up with me feeling a bit better but still not right with myself, feeling like the meds are a waste. Going off them again and ending up spattered on the road somewhere or end up in the ER because I sawed off my arm or something.

Mighty Mouse, do use a light therapy for SAD?

ghughes1980, I pray for the day there is definitive test for mental health issues! "Oh. Your test came back. You have ____. Take these pills. Have a nice day." 5 to 10 years away?

Yes, ScottMentalPod,

I have access to full spectrum lights until noon, but some days I don't feel rested til then. I have always had a hard time falling asleep at night and waking in the am, so because i dont wake up in time, I don't get to light therapy often enough.

ghughes1980, yes, I think that doctors in general do not take the time to listen to their patients. Some don't even review the patient's file before seeing them! I suspect that my lifelong anxiety may be from a metabolic disorder, but since I don't have insurance I haven't pursued another diagnosis. My shrink did not want to listen to my lifelong physical symptoms and tagged me as a hypochondriac. So I use GAD as my diagnosis because some of the symptoms fit, and Sertraline has helped some of the symptoms.

Thanks for responding, you guys! I don't feel so alone anymore...blessings on you all!

My big problem with the diagnosis of "general" is they don't tailor it to the individual. If there where questions specifically tailored to what I was feeling I would have answered them. But they ask questions for a broad array of people. Not once did I get asked:" Well Geoffrey how do you feel about your body?" I would have answered honestly I hate it, I want to put my limbs though a wood chipper HELP! But the doctor threw a test at me with vague existential stuff and I answered the best I could. Now the psychological test I actually got done by my therapist rather than the doctor was way more accurate because they actually friggin looked at me and asked questions that where relevant to ME and those questions lead to productive therapy. Where as the "Dr." at the hospital threw pills at me with her General Diagnosis and they actually succeeded in stalling my mini recovery for about 2 months all because she got the result she wanted and pushed me out the damn door. How hard is it to skim a medical file and go: "Holy shit, this thing could fill the room maybe some of this is pertinent maybe I should ask how these issues effect the patient rather than whether the colour blue makes him happy/sad/indifferent. Or whether when I wake up in the morning do I A: get up to great the day B. Hit the snooze button or C:Don't get up because I fear the end of the world." None of that really applies not everyone fits in your box!

OK that's enough ranting going to start rambling (more) time to stop.

If you have a smart phone try an app called Sleep Time. It's free. Test it for a day or 2 and see if it helps.