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View Full Version : Hello, I'm new to the forum but not SJW...


Raze
28th June, 2006, 04:11 AM
Hello all! I remember stumbling across this forum some time ago, a couple of years ago when I first decided I needed to do something about my lifelong depression. I read but didn't join... but now here I am!

I'm a 23 year old canadian woman, I've had depression for almost as long as I can remember, and have always been shy and uncomfortable in groups... I was diagnosed with trichotillomania late in high school (though I'd had it since grade five) and was put on fluoxetine (prozac) which, after a year of feeling totally unable to express emotion, and gaining weight, I took myself off of... I was fine for a few years, then suddenly spiralled into a state of eating disorders and self injury...

Anyways, I started taking the St. Johns Wort a couple years ago during winter months (being a redhead I didn't want to risk the increased photosensitivity during the hot summers we have) never for more than a few months at a time; I'd take it, feel better, or sometimes start to feel... too happy?? and stop for a few months until I felt the need to restart.

I thought I was fine again until last fall; a bad breakup spiralled me back into EDs and SI (which I'd been free of for a year and a half) and after a near suicide attempt I realized I really needed to get a hold of myself...

So, here I am. :) Doing much better this week. Found a SJW oil capsule, olive oil based, it seems to have kicked in faster than the other brands I'd tried. :)

~RAZE

Kelly
9th July, 2006, 03:31 PM
Hi Raze,

Well I'm glad you came back after a hiatus of several years - and decided to register this time. I just upgraded the forum and website a few months ago, and spent many hours saving the best Experiences posts in the past five years.

It's pretty common that people stop taking SJW when they're feeling good, but then depression comes back. Usually this means you just have to take it a little longer. I took it for years, until I found that I was getting more depressed taking it, and that I actually felt better without it. But it takes time. Stick with it even when you're feeling good, and give your body and mind some time to heal. Sounds like it works for you when you're taking it.

I am Canadian as well, the winters are long and cold (I don't enjoy the winter!) and the summers are hot and nice. :) As long as you don't go out suntanning you shouldn't have to worry about increased photosensitivity... plus I firmly believe that we all need some sun for our bodies to work properly, and that sunlight has an impact on depression...

Kelly