Depression and COPD
Have you experienced depression alongside your COPD? How do you manage it?
Yes, depression is something I have experienced since 1996, brought on by another chronic illness prior to COPD. COPD did help enhance those feeling of course and on to asking for more treatment as needed. How do I handle or have handle it, once I realized what was happening I made an appt with my PCP and told them. Thus the PCP gave me a referral to a Psychiatrist for evaluation. Evaluation happened, medication trial and errors started. You see it might take a couple tries to find the medication that works for you as a individual. Many of these meds can start working with in your system after a week or two, but usually takes a full month before it's really showing or giving you the full effect of how they might be helpful to you. While this medication trial is happening, I also was sent to a counselor so they could suggest some tips and tricks to get the mind out of the negative and on to the positive of living. Some things work, some things don't, it's again individual per person. As the years have gone by, life changes, medications have been adjusted as needed, counseling slowed down but still have "refresher visits" as needed. I speak openly to those that wish to know more, you know educate the general public via one individual at a time for me anyway. Then I do the best I can to take care of myself with diet and exercise for those help to for relief. Hope that you find a way to start feeling better and will be able to live your best life possible.
Thank you for sharing your experience, Doris (
). There is so much people don't understand about treating depression and that can make them afraid to address it. You gave a solid overview, taking some of the mystery out of the diagnosis and treatment and, I hope, relieving some of that fear. I am glad your doctor referred you to a psychiatrist. Often, primary care doctors will prescribe antidepressants themselves, but they are not experts in the chemicals of the brain and what helps one person might not help another. It's best to be treated by an expert - a psychiatrist in this case along with a therapist or psychologist. Depression is a common effect of any chronic illness and anyone who suffers from it deserves treatment just as they deserve treatment for any other symptoms or side effects. It is nothing to be ashamed of or embarrassed about. Thanks for helping to normalize the conversation. Warmly, Lori (Team Member) yes, I manage mine with mood stabilizers. They work well
Yes I don't?
Hi
. I am glad you recognize that you suffer from depression, but I wish you had ways of managing it. Have you ever discussed your depression with your doctor or with someone else you trust? There are treatments that can help. I hope you will take a moment to read about 's experience above and that it inspires you to reach out and get some help. Regardless, please know that we are here for you whenever you need it. Sometimes, just know others understand what you are going through can help. Best of all wishes. - Lori (Team Member)
Yes pills
, many in our community have found medication prescribed by their doctor helpful in coping with their depression and anxiety. Best, Sam S. (COPD team).
, yes depression is very common with COPD. Anxiety can be as well.
There may be many things you can’t do that you loved. I have learned to find passive hobbies that I love. Knitting, crochet and painting come to mind.
Exercise and diet are very helpful. I live in mountainous terrain and purchased an e-bike. I could never ride a regular bike where I live. I love it. Get good exercise and get a breeze unless horribly humid out. Sometimes an antidepressant might help. Consult your doctor. I use to get anxiety just for the fact I would loose my breath & that was scary. I meditate every day. Doesn’t have to be long. At first, I thought how can this help. It gives you spaciousness inside & freedom from worry about troublesome things & makes you more positive. Teaches you to live in the NOW.
Helps you relax. You can start with breathing exercises & I use pursed lip breathing for light exercise. I’m on oxygen which has helped me greatly for more intense exercise. Sometimes I feel it was a blessing for me to slow down some & learn about many things in life that are very satisfying that I might not have experienced had I not been forced to.Thank you & I look forward to learning more from other members. I don't really notice the depression, but way back when first diagnosed with COPD, my health care provider started me on anti-depressants, and I still take them today. (A low dosage) However, anxiety gets me a lot of the time. I try to talk calmly to myself and settle down or take a nap!!!!!
