I have a disease! Since summer I've been wrestling with horrible depression. Excepting the adrenaline shot of the Revolution, it's been a fight to get out of bed most mornings. But it looks like a big part of the problem is hypothyroidism. Apparently, my thyroid just isn't making things happen.
So the doc has put me on some pills. Positive effects are said to be increased energy and weight loss. This could be great. I'd gotten in the habit of sleeping almost nightly. As for weight loss, I can finally lose this last 162 pounds and fulfill my latent Gnostic dreams of transcending the physical.
Posted by Discoshaman at février 22, 2005 12:54 AM | TrackBack
I have depression too. It's very common with chronic pain conditions. Good for you for going to the doctor and accepting medications. Not everyone is as responsible and forthcoming as you are about mental illness. It's admirable and hopefully will encourage others to seek medical advice. Take care of you.
Posted by: HerWryness at février 22, 2005 02:33 AMI had a friend who had hypo-thyroidism - how is your salt intake? My friend who hates taking pills found himself feeling better and would go off the medicatio - guess what? what end up feeling lousy and back on the meds. - end up feeling better and off the prescription medication --- like a revolving door which I heard is really bad for the body.
Wonderful that it was properly diagnosed and all my best to you and your family. How the little ones? Fine, I hope.
Disco, I also have to say that in terms of victimhood - I would like to mention the Evangelical Underground. I nominated your blog but the Ev Un NEVER added it to their list of the best Ev Political Blogs, and I have no understanding of why this occurred. It ticks me off no end. I am truly sorry that your blog was not in the finalists. :((((((
Here is hoping to a better and happieer tomorrow!
hypo-thyroidism is not mental illness but a sluggish working thyroid - it is a physical condition like diabetes - google the phrase "hypo-thyroidism" (I wanted to post a good link but it was denied for questionable content)
hypo-thyroidism is not depression - I guess, Disco, that people misunderstood your difficulty in getting out of bed example. It is due to fatigue as a result of too little thyroid hormone.
Posted by: Hello at février 22, 2005 02:43 AMFor what it's worth, living in Ukraine can certainly contribute to the blues.
The lack of sunlight in the winter can cause physiological effects--maybe not hypothyroidism, but something called Seasonal Affective Disorder.
Ever notice how Ukrainians love to go to Crimea in the summer (along with lots of people from more northern climes) and sprawl on the beach and soak up the sun? Sunburn is not good for the skin, but I think it's their way of making up for January.
There are special lamps you can use, btw, in the meantime....
My wife has that. You'll feel better with those pills, so gobble away!
For years I kept a single panel cartoon of a character reaching up above his head to scratch one of those dark clouds they draw over cartoon heads when they're feeling blue. The guy is saying: "It's SLUDGE! Shit, I thought I was depressed."
Posted by: WRY at février 22, 2005 03:35 PMI solve my depression problems by jogging. After 15-20 minutes, I bend down, feeling my face getting warm. Then "the sun" will start shining again. Hypothyroidism will of course need treatment (sufficient iodine?). Still, I have the feeling that exercise makes the entire body function better. For me, it has to be jogging, not just walking, if I shall get that feeling of warmth.
Posted by: Claes at février 22, 2005 08:14 PM