Hello my fellow AS3'ers,
Have you been behaving yourselves? No? Didn't think so. Big Smile.

I have been trying to get my life back on track here recently and I haven't had a whole lot of time to spend on the computer but I have read a couple of threads here recently that I would like to respond to.

I read where someone thinks that depression is not a topic for this newsgroup. I actually started laughing when I read this very ignorant remark. I know that my Pdoc would disagree with him. I know that the articles she showed me recognized the link between quitting smoking and depression. And I know from my year with this newsgroup that depression can be a side effect in the recovery process. So I think he is wrong. I think this is the *perfect* place to talk about quit-related depression. It is most important that information be shared about how one deals with this chemical imbalance and to learn that this depression is treatable. Another benefit of discussing this side effect in our newsgroup is so that those that are dealing with it know they aren't alone and that they aren't going crazy. That in and of itself has tremendous value, I think. And I know that part from personal experience.

There was one who thinks that depression might go away on it's own in time. Boy, do I wish that had been true for me. I waited and waited and waited.... and I ended up waiting almost too long before I got the proper treatment. My depression only got worse over time. So I want to shout from the rooftops again.... If you think you are crying too much, if you get blue and can't seem to get out of that place, if your emotions are way out of proportion, go see your doctor and have it checked out. There is also a link between thyroid dysfunction (which is another possible side effect from quitting smoking) and depression. Take care of yourselves, check it out. I do not say that it never goes away on it's own or can't or any such statement. What I do say is.... make it easy on yourself by getting help if you think you need it. It did not go away on it's own for me.

And lastly, there was one who said that treating the depression is a matter of life and death. I agree. But I would ask you, though, to not only remind us that we are dealing with life and death issues but to tell us then how you handled your depression? What did you do to get yourself out of the blue place? You told me once that I needed to develop a Tool Kit for the depression just like I had for quitting smoking. Actually, much of my Tool Kit for quitting smoking is what I have used in my Depression Tool Kit. Walking and exercise causes the release of endorphins, which makes me feel good. I have realized a break in my depression when I take off and walk and walk and get lost in my neighborhood, looking at all of the Springtime activity. It's pretty hard to be sad when one is eyeballing the gorgeous flowers around here. I write a lot (but you know that about me already, I think. Smile.). If there is a blue corner that needs to be exposed, I try and get to it by writing about it. I am not always successful in my writing but it is still doing something proactive to help myself. Hummm.... Come to think of it, relief from my depression seems to usually happen when I *do* something.... and most often it doesn't matter what the activity is. I know I do need to get up and get away from the computer. I need to change my atmosphere. I need to physically move. When I am depressed, I have a tendency to hide out, to go away, to leave my support behind and to get VERY quiet. To change that response, I use activity. One of my all time favorite tricks to get me out of a blue place is to dance. I love that old rock and roll music and dancing to it gets my blood moving, my endorphins up and puts the depression on the run.

I am still on Wellbutrin. My Pdoc tells me that I will need a full 9 months of treatment. I don't care. I am willing to do anything and everything to maintain my smoke freedom. That resolve has sure been tested this past year but I'm really happy to say I'm doing better, and I really love being smoke-free. (Omigosh, what an understatement!) Wellbutrin has made a difference in me.

The bottom line is I think we need to continue to talk about quit-related depression. I will continue to be an advocate for this topic in our newsgroup. It is a serious side effect and all information helps one to know that there is such a thing as quit-related depression, that we aren't alone, that it is treatable and that we can do things to help ourselves. I hope all of you will keep talking about this subject no matter what the naysayers post. You can bank on it that I will keep talking and sharing my experiences with you.

Keep on keeping on, my AS3 family. I hope to be back around on a more regular basis in a little while. We'll see. But until then, you guys continue to take care of one another. You are all doing so grand!!! HUGE smile.
Lotsa hugs,
Pat,
OF
www.talkingstick.net