Bipolar disorder. My story, smoking.
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I have MDD and PMDD with a little anxiety and social anxiety thrown into the mix. For 20 years now it has pretty much been under control with the help of meds. Some worked for years, some months and some not at all. Change it up every now and then and I would be pretty good again for a while at least. Since I quit smoking a year ago the depression has gotten severe and no medications are helping. I am so proud that I am about to hit my one year mark of not smoking but am thinking that I just will not get any better without smoking again. Finally last week I went and bought some cigarettes. I'm smoking three a day hoping that would give me enough of whatever it is in them that I am missing and it will help lift the depression. So far it isn't working either. I don't want to go back to smoking. I actually prefer vaping and have to force myself to smoke the cigs. I'm wondering if I smoke more if it will help. I know the vaping forum isn't the best place to ask this question but I am at whits end here. I am so tired of being depressed and just don't know what to do. Has anyone else gone into severe depression from quitting? Has anything helped? I know that it is common to get depressed when you quit smoking but I figured if I just kept at it I would finally even out. Unfortunately that hasn't happened.
Sorry to hear about your depression. Mine to has worsened too since I quit last month. Have you tried any WTA liquid yet. I hate to think of you smoking when that might work. I haven't tried it yet, but I'm going to real soon. I meet with my Psychiatrist tomorrow to go over it all.
Vaping has helped me, I dunno if it's the nicotine or what but it helps.
I wish I knew what was in a cig that causes me to calm down at extreme times of anxiety because what ever it is vaping don't give it to me. I want to try the WTA's but haven't put in a order for them yet.
Been there done that. I can't vape WTA, it just doesn't agree with me. I've gone the natural supplements route because the SSRIs all mess with me. St. John's Wort did nothing. I'm using 5-Hydroxytryptophan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia now. I can't say for sure it's working, but it has improved my sleep which does tend to put me in a better mood. LOL
I've tried the WTA's but didn't notice any difference with them unfortunately.
That's what's kept me from getting some....I have heard that more than once.
I know quite a few folks that swear by them too. It's worth a shot.
I just wanted to say thank you Oxygen Thief for sharing your story with us. Not that I wish mental disorders on anyone but it is refreshing to come across someone so open and honest about it and to know you are not alone.
The brain is the most complex organ in the body and the least understood. There is so much potential for disorders yet the stigma remains. People tend to hide their mental disorders but have no problem talking about diseases of other organs. It's completely amazing to me how so many people still believe it's something a person can just snap out of if they try hard enough. Or that it's not a deadly disease. Ah, hello suicide! There is even compassion for assisted suicide for people with terminal illness or severe disease but none for people with mental illness - they are just considered selfish. IMOO mental illness is the worst and most debilitating disease to live with. Thankfully health professionals have come along way with understanding it and with new medications to try to treat it. Now if only the general public would follow.
The brain is the most complex organ in the body and the least understood. There is so much potential for disorders yet the stigma remains. People tend to hide their mental disorders but have no problem talking about diseases of other organs. It's completely amazing to me how so many people still believe it's something a person can just snap out of if they try hard enough. Or that it's not a deadly disease. Ah, hello suicide! There is even compassion for assisted suicide for people with terminal illness or severe disease but none for people with mental illness - they are just considered selfish. IMOO mental illness is the worst and most debilitating disease to live with. Thankfully health professionals have come along way with understanding it and with new medications to try to treat it. Now if only the general public would follow.
I agree with GenX. Many people have gotten a lot of relief from WTAs. It is certainly worth trying. I hope it works for you!
I really strongly feel that those with a long history of crippling major depression take psychiatric medications. I feel the longer the brain's chemicals are out of whack there will only be a decline, possibly leading to psychosis. Untreated depression can ultimately cause brain damage. A blunt statement, and not meaning brain damage as in traumatic brain injury or anything, but it's just that untreated mental disorders can cause shrinkage of key areas of the brain.
Some people might be struggling with treatment-resistant depression or similar disorders, and really upping the dosages can be a world of difference. Also, combination drug therapy can sometimes be essential. It can be a long, hard road, and some may not be lucky to find the right path, for whatever reasons (be it actual access to health care or medicine, or doctor negligence, etc.), but I truly believe we have the medicinal tools to combat brain diseases. I don't know about completely cure, but hopefully at some point that'll be available.
I hate that some doctors feel the need to prescribe medications on top of medications, some to combat the side-effects of others; sometimes it seems because they're just trying to throw a bunch of cards on a table hoping some will land in the right places. Because Neuropsychology is such an emerging field, and most doctors don't continue to research and study related issues, their frame of reference and education becomes stagnated and slows down the progress of psychiatric medicine, and thus contributes to the public's negative views and wariness of related issues. Of course there's the whole needless drama with drug company/research funding/patents, bureaucracy/red tape, etc. that slows treatment and medicine progress. Stem-cell research and therapy is a big thing with this regard.
I acknowledge that some people are able to function with severe metal illnesses without medication (be it prescription, herbal, illicit, whatever), but for those who are struggling and want a better life, I know it's out there and that drug intervention can make all the difference in helping the body begin to regain normal function.
Just my 2 cents regarding psychiatric medication.
Some people might be struggling with treatment-resistant depression or similar disorders, and really upping the dosages can be a world of difference. Also, combination drug therapy can sometimes be essential. It can be a long, hard road, and some may not be lucky to find the right path, for whatever reasons (be it actual access to health care or medicine, or doctor negligence, etc.), but I truly believe we have the medicinal tools to combat brain diseases. I don't know about completely cure, but hopefully at some point that'll be available.
I hate that some doctors feel the need to prescribe medications on top of medications, some to combat the side-effects of others; sometimes it seems because they're just trying to throw a bunch of cards on a table hoping some will land in the right places. Because Neuropsychology is such an emerging field, and most doctors don't continue to research and study related issues, their frame of reference and education becomes stagnated and slows down the progress of psychiatric medicine, and thus contributes to the public's negative views and wariness of related issues. Of course there's the whole needless drama with drug company/research funding/patents, bureaucracy/red tape, etc. that slows treatment and medicine progress. Stem-cell research and therapy is a big thing with this regard.
I acknowledge that some people are able to function with severe metal illnesses without medication (be it prescription, herbal, illicit, whatever), but for those who are struggling and want a better life, I know it's out there and that drug intervention can make all the difference in helping the body begin to regain normal function.
Just my 2 cents regarding psychiatric medication.
How high of nicotine do you go with vaping? While I thought I'd need just a max of 18mg in my e-juice, I've found that 24mg really makes a world of difference. I'd even maybe try higher. Also, I don't know if it's psychosomatic and perhaps it is, but I like having caffeine in my e-juice (Better Vapes offers it in various levels). STIMULANTS! WOOHOOOO!!!
Though I do know that it's been tough sometimes with really wanting some real cigarettes. Though I know that when I was smoking, I was reaching a level when chain smoking a few didn't seem to cut it. And that's basically when I turned to vaping. Didn't want to become a full-time chain smoker. Now it's a chain-vaper. :-\ Don't feel the best about that either, but it is better, since I don't smell like cigarettes, and I don't have to go through all the energy of trying to hide such a strong habit. Still a closet vaper, but it's much easier to hide.
there are a lot of options when it comes to treating mood disorders and as someone who is on psych meds I understand that many people dont want to take them for various reasons. I'm going to have to do more research on that article you posted, psychology today isnt the most reputable source and I like reading the studies for myself
there are a lot of options when it comes to treating mood disorders and as someone who is on psych meds I understand that many people dont want to take them for various reasons. I'm going to have to do more research on that article you posted, psychology today isnt the most reputable source and I like reading the studies for myself
It's not so much that they don't want them but rather it is real easy to convince ourselves that there isn't anything wrong and we don't need them...
For some yes, for others simply knowing side effects etc decide they would rather not. I know quite a few people who have gone that route or decide to try more natural methods (ie herbs etc) rather than use psych meds.
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Oh, and another random post to this thread. I was part of a clinical study at Mass. General Hospital's Bipolar Clinic that was investigating the genetics of this disease. After answering some questions and filling out some forms, they drew blood and that was it, all data was anonymous. Think the payback was a base pay of $50 and then I had $25 in transportation costs ($20 for parking! I parked in the wrong place I guess ).
I'm not advertising for MGH or clinical trials/research in general, but some people might not know they exist or how to participate. If you're interested, just look into a research hospital near you for related clinical studies. You don't have to be a true guinea pig to directly contribute to research progress, and you can get a few dollars towards vaping gear in the process. And of course there's clinical trials and studies regarding electronic cigarettes and such.
). I'm not advertising for MGH or clinical trials/research in general, but some people might not know they exist or how to participate. If you're interested, just look into a research hospital near you for related clinical studies. You don't have to be a true guinea pig to directly contribute to research progress, and you can get a few dollars towards vaping gear in the process.
And of course there's clinical trials and studies regarding electronic cigarettes and such.there are a lot of options when it comes to treating mood disorders and as someone who is on psych meds I understand that many people dont want to take them for various reasons. I'm going to have to do more research on that article you posted, psychology today isnt the most reputable source and I like reading the studies for myself
I just used that as a general link for the masses, but of course there's more fun actual research papers to read on the topic.
@Flarg - I vape 24mg and have trouble finding higher. But I will look into it and Better Vapes. I don't think the stimulants are psychosomatic because they will sometimes use stimulants like Adderall in conjunction with antidepressants for resistant depression. Thank you for that interesting article. I've gone back to smoking three cigs a day but don't notice any difference. I could try a pack a day but there is NO way I am going there! I can't even stand the three I smoke. It's amazing to me how much better I like vaping now.
@Star - Let us know if you find any good articles please.
@Star - Let us know if you find any good articles please.
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