Screw the Fox--What Does the Jester Say?

[ArcticChicken]

I was initially surprised that I scored medium on the anxiety scale and only low on depression - though thinking about it further it makes sense. I've always thought the depression was the big thing, but that seems to be clearing up with regular exercise. I still get anxiety issues though, which feed the depression.

The one that surprised me was I scored medium on bipolar. Totally did not see that coming. Oh, well. I was planning on visiting my doc about the anxiety as soon as my health insurance finished processing. Might as well bring up the other thing.

One of the things that helped me was working out what in my life was dragging me down or simply not returning value for time. Then assessing if they were able to be modified, changed or simply removed.

I've learned in the last couple of months how much it helps to understand WHY I'm feeling like I do. I feel like as soon as I can put a logical framework around an emotion, I can deal with it, no matter what it is.

[Seshat]

I did the test just for the hell of it. BIG surprise: apparently I'm at a high risk of having a depression and/or anxiety disorder. (Gee whiz, I have been diagnosed with both.)

Heh. Did a round of puns the other day at Toth and Bast and our friend when we were out for my birthday.
Toth had claimed that if a spy is bipolar, he's a double agent.
I asked if that meant the spy belonged to a mixed state.

... anyway.


I agree with the advice of going through your life and gradually (gradually!) making your whole life more comfortable.

Sure, don't throw away responsibilities: but choose responsibilities carefully. Gradually give up ones which you can give up, and which don't add anything to your life.
I know that sounds selfish, but a certain amount of altruism and social responsibility adds to your life. Work that into your decisions. But ultimately your goal is to be the best YOU that you can be.
If being YOU means that your altruistic responsibilities are contributing to community entertainment, then so be it. If it means spending a year in a poor village helping Medicins Sans Frontiers, then also so be it. Different people have different things to give.

Other than your chosen, natural altriusm, consider what else is involved in being YOU. Make your life comfortable.
If it always annoys you that your cupboard door opens to the right, buy new hinges and some putty and get out the drill and change it so it opens to the left.
If you play the guitar, and you've always thought maybe you'd rather play the banjo or the violin, figure out if you can afford to buy or rent the other instrument and give it a go.

So yes - both physically and emotionally/lifestyle-y, make your life more comfortable.

But one change at a time.

[Gravekeeper]

Ok, I came out as "ummm, you are still alive and even slightly aware right?" on that quiz (eg. All High).

I had to click "yes, I know I should get some help, thanks!" at least 3 times before leaving the site.

Yeah I have to lie a tad on them so I don't leave a trial of alarm every where ;p

I would say even though you don't think there are phsyical/mental factors consider getting a general checkup at the docs anyway - although depending on your insurance costs I can see some things will be expense for no reason.

Yeah, first thing my doc did was run blood tests and what not to make sure I had no physical factors that were causing or contributing to my anxiety. But that's all free in the socialist dystopia of Canada.

I got a free EKG at the ER too ( A place I've ended up twice now, ugh ). Nothing like having your nipples wired up by a slightly perplexed Asian girl. -.-

One of the things that helped me was working out what in my life was dragging me down or simply not returning value for time. Then assessing if they were able to be modified, changed or simply removed.

Thats what my mom had to do after she developed an anxiety disorder when she came out of retirement to run an apartment building. She has a bad habit of just doing everything herself so she took on everything in the building including maintenance and cleaning. Burnt herself out.

[Gizmo]

Ok, I came out as "ummm, you are still alive and even slightly aware right?" on that quiz (eg. All High).

I had to click "yes, I know I should get some help, thanks!" at least 3 times before leaving the site.

(However since I'm moving this weekend thats 1 step to clearing up some of the crap).

I would say even though you don't think there are phsyical/mental factors consider getting a general checkup at the docs anyway - although depending on your insurance costs I can see some things will be expense for no reason.

One of the things that helped me was working out what in my life was dragging me down or simply not returning value for time. Then assessing if they were able to be modified, changed or simply removed.

[Jester]

Yes, as I said....it could be worse. Not just like your situation, but like my friend's situation, which is clinically depressed and taking meds, and at one point was in such bad shape that his doctor or therapist (I forget which) was shocked that he was still making it into work.

[Gravekeeper]

Can't say I'm surprised by this, to be honest. About what I figured.

Still sucks, but of course, it could be worse.

Yes, you could be taking two different medications and still have your nerves shot half the time like me. >.>

[Jester]

Can't say I'm surprised by this, to be honest. About what I figured.

Still sucks, but of course, it could be worse.

[Gravekeeper]

Took that test, GK, and it said that my chance for suffering from a disorder was low, and that I did not appear to be suffering from one at the moment.

About what I figured, but good to see anyway, even if it is just an online test.

Good, depression is a *bitch*. I had some bad brushes with it as a side effect of the first meds they put me on. Wouldn't wish it on anyone. Temporary low mood is just being in a funk though. Funks will pass.

[Jester]

Took that test, GK, and it said that my chance for suffering from a disorder was low, and that I did not appear to be suffering from one at the moment.

About what I figured, but good to see anyway, even if it is just an online test.

[Seshat]

And if it shows up as you having it, one of the forms of 'physiotherapy for the mind' is cognitive behavioural therapy.

Among many other online programs of CBT, there is http://moodgym.anu.edu.au/ (provided by the Australian National University: which I would personally trust as a source of such things).

Edit to add: CBT can - like most forms of physical physiotherapy - be helpful for the healthy mind as well.
Also note that there's a reason there's a kazillion forms of mental physiotherapy: it's like physical physiotherapy. No one form works for everyone. CBT is a good one to try out, but if it doesn't seem to 'make sense' to you or 'gel' or whatever, try a different one.

[Gravekeeper]

Got a link, GK?

Here's a quick and dirty one that covers the basics. They all generally have the same questions and these are similar to the ones my doctor ran over with me.

This one pegs me at 90% chance of having an anxiety disorder, which I do. -.-

[Jester]

Got a link, GK?

[Gravekeeper]

Mild to moderate depression can be induced in just about anyone with the right circumstances. It is temporary and not "clinical" as you put it. IE the result of actual chemical problems in the brain rather than environmental stress, etc.

Take a quick screening test. There's a fairly standard one that shows up on most websites on Google. Its the same one doctors tend to use for an initial screening.

I haven't been able to score lower than moderate on it since June. -.-

[Kheldarson]

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!

You DO realize that I live in the Florida Keys, right?

Yeah, I know :P

But I was living in SC when I had my worse case of winter blues. However I was inside a box store all day and saw the sun maybe at sunrise or sunset depending on my schedule, so it's a valid question.

Other than that, I'd try picking up a new hobby of some form. At the very least, it'll break up some of the monotony of routine and, even if you find you don't really like new hobby, might help to alleviate your bad mood.

[Jester]

So...how much sun are you getting?

Hahahahahahahahahahahaha!!!

You DO realize that I live in the Florida Keys, right?