The Chimp Paradox

Mental health
1

I had depression for some years and did 12 months on mirtazapine. I later found out that the depression was caused by me not knowing my wife was having an affair for years, but knew there was something, i couldn't put my finger on it. When it eventualy came out i went on mirtazapine. After a month or so and all the side affects which we all know about, getting on with my life and looking after 3 kids seemed straight forward. in my experience the mirtazapine put the emotional side off my brain to sleep so i could carry on without the bitterness and hurt eating me away. The Chimp  Paradox is a fantastic book. I dowloaded the audio book which explains your mind and how to manage it. Basically you, have you in  your head as a computer working things out and doing your daily stuff. Then you have your chimp, which controls all your emotions and you can't really control it. Absolutley fanisating to listen to it, and i believe the mirtazapine sadated my chimp to get me through. I've been off mirtazapine for 5 month and seem to be fine now as i know what was causing my depression. The Chimp Paradox seems to explain in lamens terms how to deal with your mind and emotions and i would recomend it as it really  worked for me afterwards to understand what was going on and how things work in your head. I believe our mind is very powerful and sometimes needs help in what ever ways we can. Understanding just a little bit and making it work better can only be a good thing. Read or listen to the Chimp Paradox and learn how to deal with your gremlins. xx

2

This is a brilliant example of rational self help. Well done! I came across something similar recently in terms of training your mind to prevent binge eating except the inner problem self was a pig rather than a chimp. It was a revelation and has been hugely helpful - see Never Binge Again by Glenn Livingston. As a concept it can quite easily be extended to other problem issues in life 

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Sorry to hear about your experience with your wife. I will look out for the book you recommend. Hope ur well now

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FAB work richard..  this is exactly something we can all grasp "WOW"!!!!!                   cheers 

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I have to just about force feed myself each morning, but from lunchtime I find my appetite. Just looking forward to normality

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Thanks Richard.I have been on Mirtazapine now for 8 days and so far the depression has got even worse to the point where I can't see how I can cope any more. Do I need to give it more time and how much do you reckon? Nothing causes my depression apart from my own crazy thoughts, so there is currently nothing to alleviate it

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Thanks for the tip.     Tess

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Hiya hope you're ok, it  took me about six weeks for it to kick in, keep in touch with your doctor I was only on 15 mg don't alter your dose unless your doctor agrees. Its not a quick fix, i asked my gp how long i need to be on them an worried about coming off,  he said if you broke a bone and had a pot on, you wouldn't take it off until the bone was fixed, otherwise it would still hurt. Same with your head, if you come off the mirt and go back into depression, your not ready. Hope they work for you, good luck :-)

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Thanks Iris i'm a lot better now, they helped me through a bad time, and luckily i came off them within a month with only a few side effects x

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Hi Richard

Have heard about this book and am going to get a copy it sounds good X hope you're ok x

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Hi Chris14174, im great thanks. I got it as an audio book for the car, even the kids relate to it and start a disscusion about it lol. Very interesting book that helps you make sense of your mind, actions, anxiety depression etc

Hope it helps you too x

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Thanks Richard. The depression  is still getting worse but thanks for your concern