This summer I’ve been discussing with my team at the ketamine clinic about switching my infusions from every week to every two weeks. This is a major deal because I’ve had weekly infusions for over two years and the thought of having them less used to send me into a panic. After my infusion todayContinue reading “i’m ready”
Tag Archives: major depression
happiness
I took these pictures before a concert on Friday and since then, I’ve looked at them many times— feeling weird and shameful about it, like I was being too vain— but today I realized that it’s because I look happy, like genuinely happy. I have the energy and desire to put on makeup and tryContinue reading “happiness”
TMS is for fighters
My depression is not improving so I’m starting another round of TMS (transcranial magnetic stimulation). Certain parts of your brain sort of stop working properly when you’re depressed. […] TMS sends electromagnetic pulses through your skull into specific parts of your brain and stimulates the part that isn’t working, like physical therapy for your brainContinue reading “TMS is for fighters”
Ketamine
Today I went from sobbing in bed in the afternoon, to swinging on our play-set with Tucker, and having a dance party with the girls in the evening. Why? Ketamine infusions. It’s more than that— it’s also weekly therapy, medication, support and encouragement from others, better sleep hygiene, and improving my relationship with food. ButContinue reading “Ketamine”
puppy
We adopted a puppy from Healing Hearts Rescue. Her name is Ginny and she’s 8 weeks old. We brought her home on Saturday and I’ve noticed a significant boost from my depression. I know that playing with a dog can elevate levels of serotonin and dopamine which make us happier and more calm. The nameContinue reading “puppy”
crashing hard
For minutes I starred at my reflection in the mirror, watching tears roll down my face. I’m begging myself to be strong and just hold on. Thoughts of self harm have been popping in and out of my thoughts all day. Even suicidal ideation returned after being absent for a couple months. Trying to findContinue reading “crashing hard”
Because you’re always sad?
One night this week during dinner, we were talking about how my three-year-old son Tucker is a lot like me (because he is sensitive and empathetic), and my 6 year old daughter said, “because you’re always sad?” It took my breath away. I knew that this was a teachable moment and my reaction was importantContinue reading “Because you’re always sad?”
less like drowning
9 pages in my new journal tonight. I’m not under any illusion that 2021 is going to be easier for me, but hopefully it will feel less like drowning.
Let’s talk about memory loss.
Why don’t we talk about the link between depression and memory loss/function? I struggle with memory loss, the majority of it is related to going through 5 ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) treatments in August while I was hospitalized. I was informed this would happen, and at the time, my depression was so severe that I viewedContinue reading “Let’s talk about memory loss.”
suicidal thoughts
Ketamine infusions have proven to be the most effective for treating my depressive episode. For most of the fall I was getting an infusion twice a week, but tried to space it out (because it’s expensive) to every 10 days, with the goal of getting it every 3 weeks. But as soon as I goContinue reading “suicidal thoughts”
keep going..
keep going.. keep going.. keep going.. keep going.. keep going.. keep going.. keep going.. keep going.. keep going.. keep going.. keep going.. keep going.. keep going.. keep going.. keep going.. keep going.. keep going.. keep going.. keep going.. keep going.. keep going.. keep going.. keep going.. keep going.. keep going.. keep going.. keep going.. keepContinue reading “keep going..”
pause
This past week I’ve had pockets of happy in the sea of darkness that is in my head. It seems like I have unintentionally paused my life– I’m literally just trying to make it to the next day. I’m waiting, not living. The ketamine infusions keep me going, but it was becoming quickly obvious thatContinue reading “pause”
suicidal ideation
My depression has been LOUD the past 7 days. I’ve been mentally white-knuckling it, trying to fight it while being so fucking exhausted. My passive suicidal ideation has been debilitating all week. The truth is, even during my favorite time of year, I don’t always feel strongly about being alive. On the particularly bad days,Continue reading “suicidal ideation”
self-worth
When did I start thinking so little of myself? Tonight I had therapy with my partners. While they talked about their feelings, I was repeating this over and over to MYSELF: “you’re not worth it.” I’ve convinced myself on a very deep level that I’m not worth any effort. Medical bills & debt? I’m notContinue reading “self-worth”
health insurance
I received an email from my therapist today telling me that I need to make a payment so that my account balance is under $2k. Even with a monthly payment, we are still paying this years health insurance deductible and are weeks away from starting over with our 2021 deductible. And this is just oneContinue reading “health insurance”
self-compassion
Polyamorous relationships are hard. Monogamous relationships are hard. Relationships during a pandemic are hard. Focusing on relationships while parenting is hard. Navigating relationships while battling mental illness is hard. Everything is okay now, but it’s been an emotional weekend at home with my partners. As an empathic person, I absorb the feelings and energy ofContinue reading “self-compassion”
self-preservation
After feeling my emotions so intensely for so long, I’ve recently started to feel kind of numb… but not in a negative way, more of a self-preservation way. I’m trying to keep things simple and avoid deep processing anything. I’ve been working on getting back to basic self care– keeping up with personal hygiene, gettingContinue reading “self-preservation”
test results
I received my neuro-psych results today– the two tests I took were the MMPI-2 and the MCMI IV. Jim and Woody took the ABCL to gauge symptoms and difficulties that they noticed. My primary diagnosis: Persistent Depressive Disorder with Persistent Major Depressive Episodes. This is also called Dysthymia. It’s basically long-term/chronic depression. The symptoms ofContinue reading “test results”
i will grow from this 