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Open Depression
Type: Clinical (Major) Depression

I've been depressed since being hit by a car in 2002, which changed my life forever! Now going through a divorce hasn't helped, but added to the depression.

Treatments

Meditation Somewhat Helpful

Learning to relax, deep breathing exercises, and visualization help if I'm panicking or really stressed. Sometimes my mind goes into over-time and I have to de-stress.

Positive Thinking Somewhat Helpful

I'm trying to be more upbeat, cheerful, and positive. Its hard, but I'm trying.

Open Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Treatments

Reading Working / Worked

Open Migraine Headaches

I've had migraine headaches (or what my psychiatrist calls TBI headaches) since 2002. I've had three brain surgeries, two grand Mal seizures, a spinal fluid leak, and bacterial meningitis. I get tension headaches pretty often.

Treatments

Acupuncture Working / Worked

I LOVED acupuncture, after the first time. The first time hurt for me, then was awesome every time afterward. I wish I could still get it.

Avoid Certain Foods / Chemicals Working / Worked

I avoid caffeine and attempt to limit my sugar and salt intake. I limit my alcohol intake and don't use drugs.

Imitrex Not Working

Made me feel like my brain was numb in spots, really funny feeling, but the pain would come back in an hour or so. Plus I couldn't drive or sleep the headache off.

Maxalt Working / Worked

Works pretty well on migraines, better than any other pain medication or migraine medication I've ever tried.

Topamax Working / Worked

I take this for seizures, but it helps with migraines too.

Open Epilepsy & Seizures

I've had two Grand mal (Generalized tonic-clonic) seizures. One was most due to extreme heat, dehydration, and fatigue. The second was from a high fever, caused by bacterial meningitis.

Treatments

Dilantin Working / Worked

Only in the hospital, for short periods of time.

Tegretol Working / Worked

I used Tegretol for 2+ years, (with 4 mg Folic Acid in case of pregnancy, to prevent birth defects). It slowed my cognitive function quite a bit but only 1 seizure!

Topamax Working / Worked

Been taking it about eight months, with no seizures and it doesn't affect my cognitive function as much as Tegretol did. But I hate the numb extremities and bloody gums!

Biofeedback Working / Worked

A psychotherapist worked with me to try to learn to better relax, lower my heart rate, slow my breathing, and drop my body temperature.

Open Meningitis

I had bacterial meningitis in September and October of 2005. I had a cerebral spinal fluid leak and was pretty out of it. I don't remember much, I was really sick. Meningitis is REALLY painful!

Treatments

Ceftriaxone Working / Worked

Don't recall dosage but could look it up if anyone's curious. It cured the meningitis so that's all we cared about.

Vancomycin Working / Worked

IV drip, don't recall dosage but could look it up if anyone's curious. It cured the meningitis so that's all we cared about.

Open Healthy Relationships

Someday, after my divorce is complete and I continue to heal I'd like to have a healthy relationship with someone. My marriage wasn't what I'd classify as healthy or normal, and I'm searching for something better! =)

Treatments

Couples Counseling Somewhat Helpful

I went to the counseling but my STBX wouldn't attend. Its hard to be successful without both partners cooperating.

Lexapro Working / Worked

I've been taking Lexapro for a few years and it seems to work really well. It helps with mood swings, concentration, and anxiety. There is no "magic pill" and going to a counselor helps a great deal.

Patience Not Working

I'm probably the least patient person on this planet, LOL! ;-)

Scrapbooking Working / Worked

Scrapbooking, whether its my divorce process, family events, friend activities, or church has really helped me. Its a coping technique.

Support from Friends & Family Working / Worked

Love & support from family and friends has been awesome!

Talking Working / Worked

Talking with my therapist and friends has really helped me process all my thoughts & feelings.

Writing Working / Worked

Journaling here and at home has been very beneficial! I love DS! Feedback is awesome, but not required.

Open Female Sexual Issues

I have some deep-rooted trust issues from not only my past relationships but from my childhood. I have a hard time trusting people, mostly due to past experiences.

Treatments

Reading Working / Worked

I love reading and learning about new things no matter the topic. Sex should be fun in my opinion and something people are open honest about. Reading more about sex sexuality has been beneficial for me.

Open Rape

My first serious boyfriend took advantage of me in 2001. Trust have become an issue with me as a result.

Treatments

Talking Working / Worked

I told one friend, who is also one DS and is also a rape survivor, and she was very understanding and supportive. The few other people I've told don't know how to respond or discuss it, its a hard subject to talk about for everyone.

Open Healthy Sex

I'm not a virgin, but don't have a ton of experience. Talking about sex is healthy, and I like to learn more.

Open Families & Friends Of Addicts

My father is an alcoholic (or a drunk, since he doesn't admit it) and my ex-husband is a sex addict, with other substance abuse issues. Alcoholism runs in both sides of my family. I wish there was more I could do to help my dad!

Treatments

Talking Somewhat Helpful

My friends can usually relate to my stories, they know alcoholics and sex addicts too, sadly.

Writing Somewhat Helpful

Sometimes I write about my problems with my dad or ex's behaviors here at DH, which helps. =)

Open Family Issues

For some reason I have a difficult time getting along with my parents as I get older (and sometime my younger brother as well.)

Treatments

Prayer Working / Worked

Usually seems to makes me feel more at ease.

Talking Somewhat Helpful

Talking to friends helps, usually.

Writing Working / Worked

Keeping a journal both online and to myself has been very helpful.

Open Life After Divorce

My divorce was finalized in February 2008 after a year of legal separation and a year of physical separation.

Open Codependency

I have a controlling mom and a history of dating similar men and making similar friends. I have been working on this for several years.

Treatments

Celebrate Recovery Somewhat Helpful

Celebrating small achievements helps. Every little things helps boost my self-esteem.

Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) Working / Worked

Setting boundaries is very effective and takes practice.

Reading Working / Worked

Several different books have been beneficial.

Talking Working / Worked

Therapy and talking with friends have helped me a lot. Journaling has helped too, along with feedback with that.

Open Time Management

I decided to make a list of new goal for 2009 to work on and I listed "managing time better" on my list. My friends laughed and said I'm late for everything and time and I don't mix well. This hurt me, I want to work on this and I need support!!!

Treatments

Luvox Somewhat Helpful

I tend to have OCD tendencies due to my Traumatic Brain Injury and my doctor and I thought this antidepressant would help with those my concentration and though process. While its helped with mood swings I feel like Luvox has actually made my OCD tendencies worse instead of better.

Open Caring For Aging Parents

I am helping my mom & cousin care for my elderly grandmother. This is both rewarding (since my grandma helped raise me) and stressful.