Blog > Thoughts > Sean's Thoughts > Is Singing a Sign I’m Coming Out of Depression?
Is Singing a Sign I’m Coming Out of Depression?
Written by Sean on Tuesday, October 14, 2008
When I met with that new psychiatrist the other day, he said that one of his patient told him he had surprised himself singing, and that it was a good sign that he was getting better. I’ve been singing too.
So, I was discussing with the shrink the fact that I wasn’t too sure that the antidepressants were actually helping. I couldn’t swear that there was a positive effect from taking them. But I couldn’t swear there was NOT a positive effect either. So I kept taking them.
He suggested that maybe there’s an effect and because I’m living too close to it I can’t really tell there’s an improvement. Bit like you don’t see the kids growing up unless you only see them at Thanksgiving and at Christmas. He then told me about this guy who had told him that the way he had known he was doing better was when he realised he was singing again.
The thing is, I *have* been doing better. I know it, I don’t have to find myself singing to know it. Just being able to brush my teeth without spending a half hour staring at the toothbrush trying to figure out what the next step is is telling me I’m doing better. Heck, just *wanting* to brush my teeth is a sign I’m better… As you may remember reading, for the last two or so months, I have been keeping a chart of how I’m doing. That’s a good indication by itself that depression is indeed increasing slowly but surely.
And I *have* been singing. Well… It could be argued it’s not singing, it’s more like murdering songs. But that’s beside the point. :)
I’m not convinced the two are linked though. Historically, the times I find myself singing most are the times where I’ve been stressed out most!!! So I don’t know if singing is a good scale to measure where I’m at. Hmmm.
Well, the important thing is that I do indeed find myself in a better place than I was at two months ago. And the other important thing is that if you’re around me when I sing, you better be deaf, for your own peace of mind <grin>
Tags: Antidepressants, Depression, Psychiatrist, Singing
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9 Comments
Definitely, singing is a sign that you’re doing better. And if it hasn’t already happened, in the near future, you will find yourself laughing and you’ll think, how long has it been since I’ve done that?
3 On 14 October, 2008, Sophie said:
I tried antidepressants once. I have major issues remembering to take anything on a daily basis thanks to my parents discouraging me from taking regular medication, they always told me “you should be thankful you don’t have to take anything every day”. I can’t remember noticing any improvement really but my psychiatrist was a pain in the ass and I didn’t tell him about my BIID, just my depression, I’m glad I didn’t, he didn’t really care about me.
LOL I’m trying to remember to take magnesium every day at the moment as my dad’s sister (who also has familial tremors) says it’s helping her……I’m remembering maybe 1 in 7 days……
4 On 15 October, 2008, Claire said:
I’ve taken anti-depressants once and they worked wonders. I was depression-free for a long time. Then it came creeping back after a few years. This time, nobody will prescribe them for me. But I seem to be doing a lot better anyway right now.
Sophie I have a problem remembering to take some really important medications. I got this weekly pillbox organizer and it works wonders for helping me remember to take stuff (and remembering *if* I’ve taken it). Here’s a link from Amazon, realizing that you can’t order it there, but maybe you can find something similar where you are: weekly pillbox organizer. They carry these in pharmacies here and only cost a few bucks.
5 On 15 October, 2008, Sophie said:
Thanks but I don’t think an organiser would solve my problem, I’d still have to remember to take the stuff and it’s only 1 magnesium capsule and nose spray atm. I’m trying to approach of putting my stuff where I’ll be most likely to notice it.
I store my five daily pills in the same cupboard where I get my breakfast. That way, when I open the cupboard to get breakfast, the pills are staring me in the face (at wheelchair height) and I can’t forget.
7 On 15 October, 2008, Claire said:
That’s exactly what I do, too, Chloe. Right on the kitchen counter where I make my morning coffee. Can’t miss it.
I’ve been singing and whistling to myself for the last two weeks, ever since the skiing started. Of course it could be the Prozac finally kicking in. Either way, the symptoms of major depression seem to be gone for now, and the singing is happening (usually I make up fake Bulgarian folk songs) :)
Most antidepressants will help with biological symtoms of depressants within about 3 weeks of starting if a) they are the right one for you and b) they are at the right dose.
The trouble is that they can’t remove or recitfy the life problems (stress, relationship issues, loss, being in the wrong body etc etc). that is why lots of people don’t feel much benefit.
There are many reasons why people dont sleep well, feel bad (justifiably so), can’t get motivated and so on, which may well not be depression related. If there is no actual biological depression there, then the pills don’t help and are no more than placebo. Of course sometimes placebos do the job too!
This is not good news for people who feel rubbish and would like to get better, but for whom tablets don’t work, because then the only things likely to work are the more time consuming, more painful and, for many, prohibitively expensive talking therapies – CBT, psychotherapy and the like.
Even these, as we know all too well, come with no guarantees.
Spontaneous singing is a great sign that things may have turned a corner. If you do it from the bottom of your diaphragm it even counts as exercise!
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1 On 14 October, 2008, John said:
A good sign, Sean. The thing about antidepressants is that it isn\’t at all unusual to not be able to feel any effects. Yet, they can work and sometimes can take months before the effects are apparent. I hope that is the case with you–it was with me.
Good luck and keep at it.