Stills and Depression SO IMPORTANT

[Guest guest]

Thank you Jack,

Even though I suffer from bipolar disorder and have had ongoing excellent

treatment for many years, my husband has had depression from his arthritis and

work injuries for the past couple of years and it has really been so much like

most of the symptoms on the list here in the past 6 months. He is not suicidal

thank goodness but in therapy and on medications. He has been taking Cymbalta

with other medications and getting treatment since September for it. Although

it has helped it doesn't take it away. Paralized is the word I use for his

inability to do some of the things he's needed to do and can't because of his

fear and denial. Again, thank you for posting this because as I have seen with

him, it's very different from my bypolar depression. His depression and anxiety

are much harder for me to help him with even though I've lived it and

understand.

Stills and Depression

Depression is common among people who have autoimmune diseases, take

medications, the list of reasons are many. It has a lot of symptoms: I suffer

from depression now, and take Cymbalta. I feel better physically and mentally. A

lot of my pain has decreased and I sleep better and my wife says I have a better

attitude. I suffer from Stills, nerve damage in my lower back, legs and feet.

Everyday is a battle, however a lot of my SD symptoms and nerve damage have been

relieved since I have taken Cymbalta.

A lot of our complaints we have may be helped with treatment of depression. I

would recommend to look at yourself and see if depression is part of your pain.

Everyone occasionally feels blue or sad, but these feelings are usually

fleeting and pass within a couple of days. When a person has a depressive

disorder, it interferes with daily life, normal functioning, and causes pain for

both the person with the disorder and those who care about him or her.

Depression is a common but serious illness, and most who experience it need

treatment to get better.

Many people with a depressive illness never seek treatment. But the vast

majority, even those with the most severe depression, can get better with

treatment. Intensive research into the illness has resulted in the development

of medications, psychotherapies, and other methods to treat people with this

disabling disorder.

Symptoms include:

Persistent sad, anxious or " empty " feelings

Feelings of hopelessness and/or pessimism

Feelings of guilt, worthlessness and/or helplessness

Irritability, restlessness

Loss of interest in activities or hobbies once pleasurable, including sex

Fatigue and decreased energy

Difficulty concentrating, remembering details and making decisions

Insomnia, early-morning wakefulness, or excessive sleeping

Overeating, or appetite loss

Thoughts of suicide, suicide attempts

Persistent aches or pains, headaches, cramps or digestive problems that do not

ease even with treatment

Men often experience depression differently than women and may have different

ways of coping with the symptoms. Men are more likely to acknowledge having

fatigue, irritability, loss of interest in once-pleasurable activities, and

sleep disturbances, whereas women are more likely to admit to feelings of

sadness, worthlessness and/or excessive guilt.

Men are more likely than women to turn to alcohol or drugs when they are

depressed, or become frustrated, discouraged, irritable, angry and sometimes

abusive. Some men throw themselves into their work to avoid talking about their

depression with family or friends, or engage in reckless, risky behavior. And

even though more women attempt suicide, many more men die by suicide in the

United States.

Jack