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        New Message Board Archives >> 2004 Cluster Headache Specific Posts >> clusters and depression (important).
        
(Message started by: survivor13 on Nov 17^th, 2004, 9:32pm)

Title: clusters and depression (important).
Post by survivor13 on Nov 17^th, 2004, 9:32pm

have shared alot of post this week, some funny, some serious and some general. but this is probally the most important. i'm sure those who have suffered long term like me, can easily relate. clusters will bring on depression. those of you who are new "clusterheads" are lucky in some since. you have this site available to you. in my first ten years there was no site (that i knew of), no one i knew had any idea of what c/h's. were. that's why i've shared so many post in the last week. people started shunning me, avoiding me and even made jokes. i got to where i wrapped my whole life around my dog, but he can't talk and that is what i wanted to do. even though we now have this site (thanks to dj) you will still go thru depression. when your depressed talking is very important. to anyone who needs to talk, my personal e-mail is on my profile. send me a message and i will glady send u my phone #. i wish that no-one have to go thru cluster/depression alone. i'm sure their are many people on this site who feel the same. i'm six days cluster free, alive and otherwise healthy and happy. :)

Title: Re: clusters and depression (important).
Post by lionsound on Nov 17^th, 2004, 9:50pm

Six days PF ....Yahoo!

So glad you found a comfortable place here. Thank you for sharing your experience and what a difference this place has made for you. I know a lot of us, myself included, feel the same way.

And now you're offering your support...that's wonderful!

be well,
lionsound

Title: Re: clusters and depression (important).
Post by MOMO3 on Nov 17^th, 2004, 10:04pm

Survivor-
Congrats on being pain free.

How wonderful you are to offer your support. I know there are people out there that need it.

Here's to more pain free days ahead!! :)

Title: Re: clusters and depression (important).
Post by taraann on Nov 18^th, 2004, 12:49pm

That's wonderful to hear you are PF. I agree Depression is a big issue with CH (or any chronic pain or incurable disease I'd imagine) that's wonderful of you to offer your support. Here's to many more PF days ahead for you.

Title: Re: clusters and depression (important).
Post by Svenn on Nov 18^th, 2004, 12:58pm

seems that a few things is forgotten here the way i see it:

1,

Pain

2,

Fear of getting hit

3,

Depression

4,

lack of sleep
5,

the most infamous line in the world, "not now darling,i have a headache" ;;D ;;D ;;D ;;D

Sorry could not resist to say nr 5

The very best from

Svenn

Title: Re: clusters and depression (important).
Post by survivor13 on Nov 18^th, 2004, 1:41pm

been there done that! read my post at funnies and jokes (clusters while having sex) me and testy had fun tossing that one around. (WAS'NT FUNNY THEN THOUGH). JUST NOW STARTING TO DATE AGAIN. THAT WAS 5 OR 6 YEARS AGO.

Title: Re: clusters and depression (important).
Post by Mac_Muz on Nov 18^th, 2004, 3:02pm

survivor13, Take care what y wish for, I called Johnny once! LOL

Being serious, Hell yeah this Ch will kick yer ass's and create depressions.. it does me too... I also extend my e-mail and will hand over my number if anyone ever with in reach locally or mentally wants to chat with yet another demon... Thats me... I have one thing better than the beast... You can reach right out and give me one good wack in the chops.... and who wouldn't wanna do that to the beast! Mac

Title: Re: clusters and depression (important).
Post by toolong on Nov 18^th, 2004, 6:39pm

Don't know if CH cause depression or I have CH because I'm depressed.Keep close to those who mean the most to you,they will understand and help you thru the rough times. ;)David

Title: Re: clusters and depression (important).
Post by thomas on Nov 18^th, 2004, 9:27pm

One of the characteristics of ch is low serotonin levels. Low serotonin levels can cause depression. What we have here is a chicken and egg type situation.

Title: Re: clusters and depression (important).
Post by Wendy1 on Nov 18^th, 2004, 9:55pm

I think depression would be a normal symptom of a Clusterhead... for several reasons.

I find myself unwilling to share my 'illness' with others because it's just to damn hard to explain the pain. No one but a sufferer understands. So we live this pain that we feel we cannot talk about. Although (the pain, etc) is life altering.

We live in fear of the next attack that grips us and has control over our lives, and again, how do you explain this to someone.

I know that God (and DJ) made this site for us. We would not have survived without it.

I love you all!!

Title: Re: clusters and depression (important).
Post by Ruth on Nov 19^th, 2004, 8:44am

You are just so right on there.
I have taken antiderpessants for over 10 years now.
When I was younger I had no idea what depression was but when my cycle would start I noticed I would start to feel really down and very tired.
Back then I had no computer and Doctors who didn't have a clue.
So the years have gone by and progress has brought us to the age of computers and internet. Thank you God and Thank you God for people like DJ and all of those that are able to find this site.
We have found a home where people really understand our pain and we can share and offer our help.
I am so glad you found us survivor 13 and I too am here for anyone that needs a big helping of love.
Ruth

Title: Re: clusters and depression (important).
Post by Bob_Johnson on Nov 19^th, 2004, 9:55am

That we pay so little attention to depression & clusters always surprises me until I recall that depression is the most underdiagnosed and misdiagnosed of the emotional disorders. This is so for at least three major reasons: 1. We still bear the burden of major social stigma about and, therefore, fear of emotional issues; 2. About 50% of depressions are not recognized because a marked "sadness" is not experienced by the person; 3. And, over the last decade or so, we have seen the use of "chemical imbalance" dominate talk about depression to the point that some of the most valuable elements of understanding it and finding a "cure" are not on the table to become appreciated by the public.

The reality is that most depression is not the automatic effect of serious illness or even of emotional/social trauma. (Recent research has show some exceptions to this statement but I'm trying to focus on the more "garden variety" depression which is so common in our society.) Some of the most important and valuable research into the nature and treatment of depression points to two majors factors: First, there is a chemical imbalance which can be modified by some of the wonderful antidepressants which are available; Second, it's clear that how we THINK about our problems has a direct effect on how we FEEL.

The National Institute of Mental Health has repeatedly published research reports showing that the most helpful treatment for depression is a combination of medication and cognitive based therapy/counseling. Cognitive therapies, in its various forms, help the person recognize and alter their ways of thinking which feed the development and enduring nature of depression. (Some of the most exciting developments in the use of exotic brain imaging technology support this research. You can image changes in brain functioning due to depression, changes resulting from using antidepressants, and changes from use of "talking" therapies [used without medication)]. In fact, the use of antidepressants has changed as a result of these brain studies. Today, medication is continued for 18-24 months past the point where the depressive symptoms have lifted because the brain continues to go through changes which help to prevent relapses.

As applied to us & our life with clusters: This research strongly suggests that that how we think about Clusters and how they affect our life, can have real impact on our coping skills and, ultimately, our vulnerability to developing depression.

Title: Re: clusters and depression (important).
Post by Thomas_Martin on Nov 20^th, 2004, 3:09pm

on 11/18/04 at 18:39:36, toolong wrote:

Don't know if CH cause depression or I have CH because I'm depressed.Keep close to those who mean the most to you,they will understand and help you thru the rough times. ;)David

I think I can relate to both of them. I think I'm getting shadows and Kip 7-8 because I'm depressed and I'm depressed because I get hit by the kips and shadows.

It should be noted that I've had a depression because I had a relationship gone bad. Right about the time the depression hit so did the chronic CH. Right now I'm beginning to get out of the depression and the chronic CH seems to be going away.

Since I'm new to this board it should be noted that I was diagnosed with CH before I became depressed and therefore it isn't the cause but more like a trigger.