Comments on: Meditation, Medication, and Where I’ve Been Lately

By: The Beauty in the Breakdown | Drinking to Distraction

The Beauty in the Breakdown | Drinking to Distraction — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 15:57:47 +0000

[…] hand, when I wrote ‘Why bother?’ gets a firm answer, Have I told you lately that I love booze?, Meditation, medication, and where I’ve been lately, Practicing imperfection, or the most popular one ever, Can we break free of the perfection […]

By: Mitzi

Mitzi — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 05:26:12 +0000

I am pleased you have some clarity in your situation now. I really like the way you described the ‘space’ and how when you are depressed you don’t have space. That resonated with me. I loved the theory that people with depression have higher sensitivity predisposing them to more empathy, compassion and creativity. Interesting and touching blog. Thanks again for sharing.

By: This Is My Brain on Drugs « Drinking to Distraction

This Is My Brain on Drugs « Drinking to Distraction — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 15:30:38 +0000

[...] Comments « Meditation, Medication, and Where I’ve Been Lately [...]

By: Katrina

Katrina — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 14:58:55 +0000

This post is so timely for me. I started anti-depressants again this very week – and felt as though I was giving in to failure when I took the first pill. I was comfortable with “I just take them to deal with SAD”…and felt that I had no excuse for taking them in the summer. I am trying to be gentle with myself and look at this as just another step in the journey to getting better.

By: thinking thursday. | 37days.com - Home of Patti Digh

thinking thursday. | 37days.com - Home of Patti Digh — Thu, 21 Jun 2012 13:12:33 +0000

[...] Meditation, Medication, and Where I’ve Been Lately: [...]

By: byebyebeer

byebyebeer — Mon, 18 Jun 2012 13:07:29 +0000

I stopped drinking about a year ago and have been on an antidepressant for a few months longer than that. The first one I tried made me feel almost nothing negative…it was lovely at first, but the drug also made me want to eat like there was no tomorrow. I switched to another one that gave my emotions back, in addition to motivation, energy and clarity. It’s funny how differently just those two antidepressants reacted with my brain’s chemistry. Eventually I’d like to wean off my current medication, but I’m not sure why I want that. I feel good…right…you know?

Really loved your meditation instructor’s text. Such wisdom there. You could just suffer, but it seems to a loving outsider that perhaps it’s better not to. Thanks for sharing your experience here.

By: drinkingtodistraction

drinkingtodistraction — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 01:31:39 +0000

Thanks for your comment, Tori. I think there is a lot more to this situation than we currently understand. Some of the research I’ve read suggests that chemicals (neurotransmitters) are indeed responsible for our decisions to do what is “good” for us versus what isn’t. Like a lot of things (addiction included) I feel it is a combination of nature and nurture, of chemicals and choices, one doesn’t necessarily define the other but they cannot be fully separated. That said, sometimes just making the slightest move in the direction of things that ultimately make me feel better can open up the space that allows me to do more of that. I really appreciated your thoughts. Best wishes!

By: drinkingtodistraction

drinkingtodistraction — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 01:26:33 +0000

Thank you, Kristina. I wish you the same.

By: drinkingtodistraction

drinkingtodistraction — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 01:25:53 +0000

Thanks for your comment, Rebekka. I keep finding that one of the most difficult things is figuring out where I am in the gray area – in this case, when has depression become so oppressive that no amount of sitting, exercise, or dark green leafy vegetables are going to make a difference. I’m so glad that you found this post helpful (it was helpful to me to write it!).

By: drinkingtodistraction

drinkingtodistraction — Wed, 13 Jun 2012 01:24:07 +0000

Lizerella! Thank you for your support. I’d love to see you and catch up. Congrats to your son!