Friends and Kitties!
This Sunday finds me in a much better state of mind, and I'm verreh thankful for that. I've been awed and humbled by your comments and emails this past week; it's great to be understood, and know that there are scads (a totally scientific number) of crazy people out there, just like me! To answer a few questions:
* Yes, I do take meds for my condition. I've tried Prozac, Zoloft, one that starts with an "A"--I can't recall the name, and finally Effexor, all of which are all Serotonin Specific Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRI). Effexor has a little chemical twist that messes with my norepinephrine metabolism, and this seems to work for me the best, with the added benefit of relaxing my gut; I have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), too, which isn't so strange when you think about it. The gut uses up to 80% of the serotonin your body produces, so if my brain is short (a few bricks of a load) of serotonin, my guts will be too. Doctors talk about IBS and depression and how they so often appear together like it's some big mystery--I say no shit, Sherlock, consider the root cause!
* I feel bad that I may have given the wrong impression about folks who are miserable and mopey when they are overtaken. I gave it some thought and decided that I have always been so independent both in my head and living alone-wise (for many years) that I've never been able to decompense. My mental sock-pulling-uppering is simply my coping mechanism. Those of you who crawl into bed have my sincere sympathy. Even in misery I have to be different.
* In many ways I view my alternative mental health as a gift. I'm pretty sure my thinking processes differ from "normal" (whatever that is, don't get me started) which allows me to see the world in a fun and skewed way; and I know that my humor and word-play stems from my wonkily wired brain. It's not the best trade in the world, depression for creativity--but I'm satisfied. Life is what you make it and I decided last Monday that I was sick of feeling crappy, so I made the effort to smile and harangue the crap out of my co-workers, which made me feel much better. (They don't mind, where I work Insulting People is an art form.) And I think I've turned the corner! Only normal cleaning this week, LOL.
So, how about a few fun photos?
So, how about a few fun photos?
Ladybug on the Orange tree
Butterfly on the Lantana
Damselfly
The Baby LOVES to eat these--when she can catch 'em!
Through the windshield on the way to work
So that's it for me this week...I hope to have a nice newsy edition for y'all next week! Fingers crossed that something exciting happens so I can report it. heh.
Happy Sunday, and have a Great Week!
XX Sheebie XX
Our mom would never survive without her Ambien and occasional Tranxene. She's a type A personality and has been diagnosed with a type of OCD with Perfectionism. She's been through depression and has also taken medication for that in the past and will take it again in the future, if needed.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful pictures today!
Our mommy thinks it's a pretty great trade! The ladybug pic really speaks to her. (either that or now it's voices in her head...) Happy Sunday! xoxo
ReplyDeleteWe are glad you are feeling so much better0
ReplyDeleteThe pictures are bootiful! We hope ya feel better.
ReplyDeleteTBT here: Creativity and depression (or some other conditions) seem to go hand in hand. I sometimes think of some mental conditions as pushing you deep into your mind, and creativity as the laser shots that come back out after the visit.
For what it's worth, we LOVE your humor over here! You make us giggle and snort regularly! Glad you're feeling better!
ReplyDeleteGlad you're feeling better.
ReplyDeleteSomething exciting did happen here!
Sima came back home. She is all stinky, but she is home :)
Thanks for the purrs!!!
We fink you could make a living as a writer if you ever get tired of WATER, WATER EVERYWHERE. Maybe all that working with WATER is to compensate for living in the desert--kind of a whole yin-yang dealio?
ReplyDeleteBut I digress. I'd like to see a picture of The Baby eating a damselfly, or any fly really, or even just her catfood.
Also, you are not "stubby"; you are "petite."
That is all. Purrs. Me and the Human are glad you're feeling better.
Sounds like you are making the most of life which is all that matters. Love your blog. Anesha :)
ReplyDeleteAlternative mental health... Oh, I am so embracing that phrase... Crazy runs in my family! srsly. Everything from schizophrenia to bipolar and everything in between.
ReplyDeleteLOVE DOF, esp. in the butterfly shot!
I'm glad you're feeling better this week, Trish. Actually, I am too, probably because the hormonal thing is over with for oh, a couple of weeks. LOL.
ReplyDeleteBTW, the only med I've been on is Celexa (the first time) and then the generic Citalopram the second. Terrible carb cravings and upset gut, plus a weight gain of 15 pounds. None of which the doctor attributed to the meds. *sigh* If I ever have to go the med route again, I'll be trying something else, thanks. I'll keep Effexor in mind, I know someone else who had been on it successfully. Of course, everyone is different.
Won't it be great when there are tailor-made meds for each person? I know that's a goal, from recent reports I've read, but I doubt I'll see that in my lifetime. Still, who knows?
Wonderful photos, btw! Have a fabulous weekend and week ahead. :-)
BTW, depression and other mental health problems plus creativity do go hand in hand for some. You just have to look at all the artists who suffered from depression or who were/are bi-polar, etc!
ReplyDeleteI am glad some better founds its way to your doorstep, hugs from all of us!
ReplyDeleteAwesome photos!! Those pictures of bugs made us hungry! ;)
ReplyDeleteAnd we and the mom are glad you are feeling better!
Yay for feeling better! I didn't know that about the serotonin in the gut, explains lots of 'issues' I have when super stressed! Oh and I agree with the creative part also! Love the photos!
ReplyDeletehugs, Linda
Awwww mum of Katnip Lounge! You are super awesome in your uniqueness and individuality and personality! You go Girrrrrrl!!!!! And do things your way! So long as you are happy and at peace with yourself! The rest of the world will just have to accept! Yay! take care
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Honestly, I am pretty happy to be a kitty, since our minds are nowhere near as complicated as you humans! Mine is a bit mental also, although different from you - they did not diagnose it when she was a kitten, but she is probably high-functioning Aspergers - she has many of the characteristics. And judging from the condition of my (not her) house before she started having a housekeeping service, cleaning was NOT a coping mechanism.
ReplyDeleteBest Wishes to you for always!
ReplyDeleteGlad to know you are better!
Normal? I don't think "normal" exists, at least not in reference to humans. And if it did, it would never be something I'd aspire to be. I like being different, even weird.
ReplyDeleteLove the ladybug and other photos!
Sheebie
ReplyDeleteYou are the best even on your worst day and we 200% admire you stick-to-it-ness!! Each person handles things in their own way...your way works.
Hugs and purrs all around
Madi and Mom
Glad you are feeling better.
ReplyDeleteI LOVE the desert!
So happy it's been a better week for you. I don't think I can say that I am depressed but on my off days, I do find comfort in cleaning and reorganizing stuff around the house. Cleaning is just so comforting to me. Oh, and scooping poop. :)
ReplyDeleteGlad you are feeling better! I love your sense of humour. US and UK humour is quite different over all, but your comments on blogs crack me up.
ReplyDeleteSure glad you are feeling better. Sure makes life easier. It is good to have your funny self back. Love the pictures. Take care.
ReplyDeleteglad to hear you are feeling better. On a completely different topic, how is the new park coming along?
ReplyDeleteI've been on several different SSRI drugs. I never knew this about the serotonin being associated with the gut. I'm glad you're better. I appreciate your sense of humor, always leaving a funny comment. Insects make such good subjects too.
ReplyDeleteWe're glad you're feeling better. And we get it - our Mom has some rough times too. But it's good to know that we have the CB to share things with.
ReplyDeleteThat butterfly pic is spectacular.
ReplyDeleteWOW you have that awesome view going to work!! Amazing.
ReplyDeleteA note of caution--if you ever decide to stop taking Effexor, go very very slowly. It is notorious for being difficult to go off of (been there, done that).
WOW you have that awesome view going to work!! Amazing.
ReplyDeleteA note of caution--if you ever decide to stop taking Effexor, go very very slowly. It is notorious for being difficult to go off of (been there, done that).
Our Mom's been taking passion flower for anxiety. Ever since her green paper hunting place closed and Auntie El got sick she's had anxiety attacks.
ReplyDeleteBTW...Mom read that you purchased additional storage space for pictures for a one time fee of $5. We can only find monthly fees. Can you guide us to the plan you have? We're close to being filled up too.
The Florida Furkids
Love those pics. For anyone who wants to understand mood disorders from the perspective of bipolar psychiatrist, I recommend The Unquiet Mind and Touched By Fire both by Kay Redfield Jamison. She beautifully explores the connection between creativity and mood disorders.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it wonderful that all over the world we can find people to whom to connect? When you speak, dear 'Sheebie', I listen. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteAlternative Mental Health!!! Mommy LOVES that! She has been calling it interchanging cerebral wellness.
ReplyDeleteKisses
Nellie
I am so glad you're feeling better too! I think you are blessed more than you realize! My human LOVES the view on the way to work--all she sees in gas stations, pavement, and speed limit signs of 35 mph!
ReplyDeleteNoir
xxxooo
We are so glad you're feeling so much better! We LOVE your sense of humor.
ReplyDeleteHugs!
I love the ladybug picture. They are my favorite insect.
ReplyDeleteI wrote you a longish email the deleted it thinking "why would you care about my problems" but that was the depression talking. I've been on a downward slide for a couple weeks.
But I'm glad you are doing better.
I think you have to find what works for you and run with it, everyone is different. And I am thinking 'normal' is over rated - no? Haha! Humour is good medicine! :)
ReplyDeleteHugs!
xo Catherine
Awesome pics!
ReplyDeleteHope one of those works for you!
-JB
P.S. have heard about the $5 on google for storage, thanks for mentioning it! Mom has to find how to do it now! Mom is not very smart on stuff like that. :-)
Glad that things are looking up as it is hard when feeling very meah
ReplyDeleteThose are very detailed bugs picture with the ladybugs and Damselflys.
Good golly it seems that I completely missed the last week, consumed with my household of sick cats. Dear friend, I am so sorry to read that you were having a rough time, but very relieved that you have turned a corner. Sending you good vibes and lots of purrs from the boys :-)
ReplyDeleteGood news that you've turned the corner. I'm with you on not trading the creativity for a "normal" brain -- since there really isn't such a thing as normal anyway.
ReplyDeleteAs with anything, it seems you can't have pleasure without some pain. There'd be no yin without the yang, would there?
Glad you are feeling beter! Meowms fighting depression shows up in different ways. Sometimes it is cleaning, sometimes it is not cleaning. Sometimes it is sleeping. Other times it is just general grumpiness. It is sad how many people are affected by it. But thank goodness there is help for it as well. Oh, Meowm says she takes Zoloft for hers.
ReplyDeleteSkewed is the only way to be! Glad you are feeling better.
ReplyDeleteI have a neuroimmune disorder and it is true (think I’ve said before) that the immune system is based in the gut, so any neurological conditions also can be greatly helped by sorting out a diet. We are certainly very intricately put together! xx
Lurrrrve the photos!! Lots and lots of mental health issues in my family. Glad you're feeling better and have meds that work without nasty-ass side effects. Hugs!
ReplyDeleteHiya Miss Trish...Mom speaking: I did not jump in with the comments from Sunday Aug 5 post, but yes, I too know clinical depression...diagnosed at age 48, but probably since at least high school. Probably both parents had a degree of this too...it is in fact genetic, so I have been told. I am now 65...take my little pill every other day...and work on my life. Every morning is like pushing a mountain of sludge off me..but I get up, move, exercise and clean up and off to the races, that's it...if I can ever help let me know...many hugs to all the anifamily, Mom and Savannah
ReplyDeleteI missed this post when you first made it. I know well the joys of depression myself. It also frequently goes hand-in-hand with the condition that I blogged about: anxiety.
ReplyDeleteIt's always comforting to know that there are others in the same state, even if I don't wish these issues on anyone.
Where was the picture going to work taken? I think you're in LV, where I lived for about 10 years and haven't been there for almost 10 years, but it looks familiar to me.
ReplyDeleteI'm another one here who is depressed and though I have tried ever sort of pill over the many years, none of them have been the magic to get me right with the world. I'm open to trying again, but also cautious since it seems so many of the meds offered up today give as many problems as they are supposed to solve. I don't need to fix something and get another ailment in the process! Well, none of us needs that.
Right now some daZe are just better than others, and so it goes . . .
Sorry, forgot to select the box for me to get an email alert for other posts and have to put something here to do it now.
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