How quitting antidepressants healed depression which sparked my weight loss

I've never been what you'd call a confident person. I might give the impression of positive self-image, but it's a mask I where to keep people from seeing how really fragile I am emotionally. But one thing that has boosted my self-esteem is weight loss. I <---lost ----="" 100="" and="" confetti="" dance="" do="" joy="" of="" pause="" pounds="" that="" the="" throw="" to="">

I feel prettier now. Not beautiful--operative suffix pretty-ER. I have also noticed that I have become more self-aware as I gain confidence. I'm more mindful of how I speak and don't babble nervously as much as I used to. Even my writing has improved because I can think more clearly. That's partly due to quitting anti-depressants and switching to herbal, healthier mood management.

St. John's Wort, magnesium, kava kava and B-12 have eased depression so much more than Paxil ever did. And they don't cause weight gain--of which the medical community doesn't warn you--like Paxil and other SSRI. And let me tell you, that IS depressing. So quitting the antidepressant helped me get out of the drug-induced mind fog, see the weight gain clearly so I could lose weight which reduced anxiety, panic attacks and depression which helped me see everything more positively and think more clearly, which helped...you get the idea. It's been a

happy spiral up instead of a vicious cycle down. #winwinwin

Panic Attack Survival Tools: Emergency Kit for Coping with Anxiety

Do you struggle with chronic anxiety? Do you, like me, default to panic over healthy responses? Do you come out guns blazing or retreat in the face of stress. Fight or flight is a common though no healthy, coping skill. Taming anxiety takes time and work (I've been at it all my life). No matter how much progress you make, it never quite goes away. Here's an emergency kit of A-Z panic attack survival tips.  Panic Attack Survival Tools: Emergency Kit for Anxiety

Diet Tip, Get off the Scale. Seriously. For Emotional Peace of Mind

I'm just a few pounds shy of my weight loss goal of 100 pounds. It's taken me about two years total, but the weight came off faster in the second year because I understood better how to diet. I just tried on last summer's pants and found I've dropped four sizes since then. Losing weight is as much about emotional as much as physical health.  Diet Tip, Get off the Scale. Seriously.

Acknowledge Burnout Before It Consumes You

I don't do balance well. My MO is to ignore exhaustion or displace with more work. It scares me not to be busy. So I don't let myself experience burnout, rest and move on. Our oldest daughter flew up from Louisiana for a our youngest daughter's 16th birthday. Our oldest son came in from Detroit with his girlfriend. It was his b-day too, but he came to see his sister.   I Think I Need to Acknowledge Burnout

Six Bad Mood Lifters (With Six You Get Cat)

Raise your hand if winter is getting to you. Maybe you have SAD (seasonal affective disorder) or winter blues? Here are some things I found help. With six, you get cat! Like the Doris Day movie? (let's see how many oldies out there remember that reference?)  Six Ways to Shake a Bad Mood

How I Quit SSRI Antidepresssants, Why I Went Off Drugs

I took the SSRI (selective seratonin reuptake inhibitor) antidepressant Paxil for seven years, then weaned myself from antidepressant medication in 2010. I did this against doctor advice. He warned me of all kinds of problems coming off AD pills. He prescribed another antidepressant to help me quit the Paxil. I quit my own way. Here's how and why. How I Quit SSRI Antidepresssants 

Menopause-Depression-Anxiety Hormone Connection

I started writing a series on panic attacks after I found how many people had experienced and wanted to discuss them. As part of that series, I'm looking at health conditions that affect or cause anxiety. And a biggie is menopause. Here's how.

In menopause, hormones get gradually stripped from a woman's system. Gone are the neutralizing estrogen and prolactin (the breast-feeding hormone, which by golly I miss). Those hormones affect feelings of well-being, balance, peace. During the menstrual cycle, they temporarily deplete and then build back up after menstruation occurs. Ahem, guys, that's why we gals get so cuddly and happy when the dam finally breaks. Our hormone well is filling back up.   Menopause-Depression-Anxiety Hormone Connection

Drug-Free Self-Help for Panic Attacks, Anxiety, Fear

 I sought treatment for what I thought was depression in 1999. Therapy and self-help reading showed I was experiencing panic attacks. I realize I've struggled with anxiety and fear all my life. I've experienced it as mood disorder, anger, OCD, PMS, even bi-polar. I've dealt with it in different ways. Some things, like anti-anxiety drugs didn't help. Here are drug free tips that do.

* Identify the source. Anxiety is generalized, disproportionate fear, says Medicine Net. It's not irrational, but the origin may be unclear and triggers unrelated. Mine stemmed from early chronic stress and dysfunction. Seemingly trivial incidents sent me over the edge. Dig beneath triggers to roots--addiction (yours or someone else's), trauma, unresolved issues, illness (emotional or physical), relationship problems, unmet needs. Drug-Free Anti-Anxiety Tips, Self-Help for Panic Attacks, Fear

Quit People-Pleasing, Take Care of Yourself, Heal Relationships

Our priest asked last Sunday at mass, "What is your biggest sin?" Thinking about it, mine surprised me: fear. My worst life choices have been motivated by panic or anxiety, mostly fear of displeasing others. I routinely do what I think others want, to avoid hurting them. It's part of the codependent behavior 12-step recovery gurus like Melodie Beattie speak of. IFS Systems refers to it as a "people pleasing pattern." By whatever name, this over-care of others manifests as lack of self-care. It's making me miserable and hurting my relationships. Sound familiar? Read on. We'll explore together how to quit people-pleasing and start pleasing ourselves.Quit People-Pleasing, Take Care of Yourself, Heal Relationships 

Free (or Cheap) Mood Lifters, Stress Busters, Pick-Me-Ups

Depression. It's everywhere I look. Medicated or not, more people seem to getting less satisfaction from life. Here are free (or cheap) mood lifters and stress busters.

* Avoid drugs. I don't say this pedantically, but from painful experience. I took Paxil for several years. It caused health problems, didn't help depression and left me dull and listless. I believe it caused me to give birth to a stillborn baby. It was mentally addictive. I put on 100 pounds taking it. If you take antidepressants, get brand facts and don't expect a panacea.
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Natural Depression Therapies for Parents

"Octomom" Nadya Suleman, the single mother of 14 (including octuplets) routinely provides us with glaring examples of what not to do as a parent. Suleman checked herself into mental health rehab for stress and anxiety stemming from a Xanax addiction, says ABC Good Morning, America. Depression affects most parents at some point, but powerful mood-altering drugs like Xanax aren't a solution. From experience, I can say that they only make things worse. For seven years I took antidepressants, but weaned myself two and a half years ago. To treat depression symptoms, I use these methods.  Natural Depression Therapies for Parents

How to soothe a fussy, crying baby

Have you ever been in a store where a baby is endlessly crying? Probably every parent has experienced the chagrin of trying to comfort a child who will not be comforted. I've been that mom. Crying jags are distressing for parents, other shoppers, but mostly for baby herself. This one child was our little fuss pot. She got ill very early and cried frequently. Here are some tried-and-true tips to soothe from my 23 years of parenting successes and failures.  How to soothe a fussy, crying baby

Panic Attacks--Symptoms, Coping Skills, Triggers, Healing

Seven years ago, I discovered by accident that I suffer from chronic, undifferentiated panic attacks. After dropping my older children at a nearby church for their violin lessons, I was visited by a horrific sense of impending doom. I felt an acute sense of worthlessness, powerlessness and despair. I felt nauseous, shaky and broke out in a cold sweat. If I'd had the means, I might have ended it right then and there, even though our youngest was in the van with me. Here's how I learned to recognize triggers of panic attacks, understand symptoms and cope with episodes. Emotional health help for sufferers of panic attacks and fight or flight response. Click here...

12 Step Slogans for Emotional Health

12 Step Meditations, Al-Anon Slogans Feel like you're up to your neck in hot water? Depressed or angry and don't know how to cope? Learn how to manage emotional issues with 12 step slogans! 12 Step programs like Al-Anon and AA have proven successful in the treatment of all sorts of emotional issues. Depression, anxiety, addiction, bi-polar, eating disorders, OCD and other emotional health issues respond well to 12 Step programs. Here are some reflections on the Al-Anon and AA slogans. These slogans have helped me manage my anxiety attacks much better. View more »