Anxiety and depression. I have depressive episodes, and anxiety when I start getting better. Started about 3 years ago. Might be triggered by seasonal affective disorder, my father's death, or changes at work?

Lexapro 10mg and Welbutrin upped Thursday from 100 to 200 mg seem to be helping a great deal. And it feels really good, when I feel overwhelmed by a plethora of little things, to do a Xanax or Valium and be able to calmly focus on one thing, and be OK with things.

Back to therapy the 31st. I've been taking people's advise this time, going to a shrink instead of letting my DO prescribe, and going to a therapist my grand-sponsor who is in the business suggested.

Experiences I've been close to in AA is that drug addicts can definitely be "triggered" back into their active addiction by medicine, but alcoholics seem to do just fine as long as they stay close to the doc's prescription. My sponsor's take is "don't be a martyr, get the help you need."

I'm far from alone, several people I know with substantial sobriety are battling depression. Probably similar to the percentage in the larger population, I guess, but maybe we are quicker to seek help. Medication seems to help most of these folks. I've not inquired about what meds everybody is on.

I went to a depression discussion forum, and Jesus, it was the most depressing thing I'd ever seen. Young people debating whether to cut themselves, talking about having no hope for life. I just want to lie on the couch and sleep a lot when I get really bad, but I'm doing much better. I know some people with serious psychiatric disorders, and I'm nowhere near them, thank God. But, this thing did kick my ass hard for a while.

-Chuck, Vegetarian fanboy