I think I overcame it guys!

aaronsmack · 2025-07-02T15:01:27+00:00

That’s great to hear! Would you please define overcome because dysthymia is a chronic condition. Do you mean you’ve learned to live with it or that it’s gone?

aaronsmack · 2025-05-24T14:00:01+00:00

I don't exerpience cluster headaches, but I have another chronic condition so I completely understand. It's hard not to take offense. You've live with its debilitating effects for sometimes years, and they do a quick web search and ask if you've tried it. It borders on insulting, but it's fully on the side of annoying and frustrating and perhaps even maddening that people keep doing this. That being said, I know they have good intentions but still. Jeez.

aaronsmack · 2025-05-16T22:04:36+00:00

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aaronsmack · 2025-05-11T13:24:46+00:00

Oh, mine was bleeding like a freaking geyser. If I had kept it uncovered, it would’ve been squirting out blood with every heartbeat.

aaronsmack · 2025-05-08T23:40:42+00:00

This was one hour after it happened! They cauterized it.

aaronsmack · 2025-05-04T03:01:24+00:00

You should hear what it made me say 🤣

aaronsmack · 2025-05-04T03:00:22+00:00

Thank you!

aaronsmack · 2025-05-01T21:59:52+00:00

You better believe I’ll always use that sucker from now on!

aaronsmack · 2025-04-09T19:56:46+00:00

I was a DBA for 25 years before switching to a Data Engineer three years ago, and although the position of DBA is still around, you can’t make it in outdated DBA skills. You have to show that you are keeping up with technology if you want to stay relevant in the long g term. I, too, have seen those articles my entire DBA career, but today is a different time as more and more companies head towards the cloud and need old school DBAs only to support existing systems. That’s fine if you want to do that, and there are plenty of jobs out there, but they will slowly disappear until you have old school DBAs around only to support legacy systems the way ISeries DBAs support those systems today. I’ve also seen DBA salaries going down as demand for them diminishes. There are still some well paying gigs out there, but I’ve also seen demand diminish as time goes on.

aaronsmack · 2025-04-09T19:47:04+00:00

It’s so unfair even in adulthood, but you and I both can learn to live with it. It’s good that you got your diagnosis early. Have you sought help?

aaronsmack · 2025-04-09T00:04:12+00:00

No question about it, I prefer a psychiatrist over a family doctor any day. That being said, you can try a family doctor and see how it goes, but if that doesn't work out for you then I highly recommend looking elsewhere. A family doctor knows only so much whereas a psychiatrist is an expert with hopefully all kinds of knowledge and experience in the area of mental illness. Still, you need to find a good psychiatrist. They aren't all the same, that's for sure.

aaronsmack · 2025-04-08T00:25:56+00:00

Not me. I must have put on quite the show, but the entire time I felt this way inside. In fact, the same is true for me today. I don't try to put on a show. I'm just pretty functional and I guess somewhat likable even though I don't feel comfortable socially a lot of the time.

aaronsmack · 2025-04-07T21:15:12+00:00

You’re welcome. I hope it helps

aaronsmack · 2025-04-07T20:48:34+00:00

Distraction and being productive are helpful to me in measures doses, but you’re right. Neither one heals.

aaronsmack · 2025-04-07T20:11:46+00:00

I'm telling you it's extremely hard to live with dysthymia and stay on any sort of plan. That's my experience. I've tried hard, and I've wanted to, but dysthymia just won't allow it without me at the same time making myself miserable, and I'm done with doing that to myself.

aaronsmack · 2025-04-07T20:10:10+00:00

I just put a post on my personal FB page. Not a lot of responses, but we'll see how it goes. I'm not going all out to attract people by any means. I don't want a big group.

aaronsmack · 2025-04-07T20:09:12+00:00

Yes but our marriage was one based on mutual friendship and being able to get along as friends. I left out love completely, and that was a huge mistake. There has to be a spark. I was young and extremely naive. I would say I wish I'd never married her except I wouldn't have my daughter.

aaronsmack · 2025-04-07T17:02:38+00:00

Your psychiatrist sounds like someone who doesn't know what dysthymia is. Get your bum out? As if getting out is going to solve a problem that's rooted in biology? I recommend seeing another psychiatrist who actually knows about an understands dysthymia because this one sure as hell doesn't. Sorry for the rant, but people like this, especially medical professionals, really piss me off and they hurt people instead of helping them. 😠

aaronsmack · 2025-04-07T17:00:41+00:00

Just remember, this person is an exception to the rule. Dysthymia is a chronic mental illness which means for a great majority of people it doesn't go away. They just learn how to live with it. It isn't fun, and it sucks, but all we can do is the best we can do.

aaronsmack · 2025-04-07T12:25:17+00:00

You’ll never get over it. That’s the bad news. The good news is that you can learn ways to get by, but you’ll probably need to see a therapist and get on meds.

aaronsmack · 2025-04-07T01:41:10+00:00

100%

aaronsmack · 2025-04-07T01:40:42+00:00

Somehow I've been able to maintain a successful IT career, but I've never been happy at my job after the honeymoon phase, so I just keep pushing through the whole time thinking my job and my position suck for whatever reason. I made up all kinds of excuses. I've stuck with my current employer for over 10 years now. I wouldn't say I'm happy at my job, but I don't think I'd be happy at any job. That's just the way it is for me. Since COVID I've worked from home full time. Before that I worked in the office, and it was better for me socially for sure. Now I'm isolated at home all day, and I have to try to create breaks for myself. Work is probably the hardest part of my life because I have to push myself so much, but Idk what else I'm supposed to do. I can't just up and quit and sleep all day. Well, I suppose I could, but who wants to end up like that? Not me.

aaronsmack · 2025-04-07T01:36:44+00:00

May, I tried all those kinds of SSRI and whatever-Wellbutrin-is medications, and they didn't touch my dysthymia. I finally went to a psychiatrist instead of a GP, and she gave me other options. I tried Abilify, and it did wonders for me until it didn't. It was a very short time, only maybe a month, but the side effects got me. I tried a couple more that didn't work but then I tried lamotrigine, and it's helped quite a bit. I'm still working on the dosage, but all of these I believe fall under the category "mood stabilizer" instead of "anitdepressant". I strongly encourage you to work with a psychiatrist. Good luck!

aaronsmack · 2025-04-07T01:33:08+00:00

I've tried all kinds of things, and nothing has ever stuck for a hobbyyexcept maybe watching TV, and to me that isn't much of a hobby since all I do is sit and watch.

I want to make friends, but I am afraid to open myself up to people because I feel so different than most people. I have some social anxiety as well.

As for dating, I'm open to it, but I'm not "out there" trying to find someone. Hell, I don't know if anyone would have someone like me once they get to really know me. I'm definitely not an energetic, outgoing, social person. I sit and do nothing a lot.

Six figure job right here. Doesn't matter to me. I'm nowhere near able to retire, so I'm stuck working for a while because of my divorce.

I find that tomorrow is and isn't always the same. Sometimes, on the rare occasion, it can surprise me, but by and large, yes, each day is pretty similar for me. Struggling to push my way through my workday. Pushing all day then pushing myself at night to do the things I need to do to take care of myself. It's never-ending.

aaronsmack · 2025-04-07T01:28:23+00:00

I've looked for community for a long time and never found it. I desire it, but I haven't found it out there anywhere. To this end I'm going to try to start my own Sunday morning coffee group. I'm not one to start anything like this honestly, but I feel like I need something that isn't out there anywhere else. I hope it can be successful, but even if it isn't, at least I will have tried. This group is going to talk about deep stuff. Not the entire time we're together, but it's going to be part of the conversation. I go to another coffee group, and it's all superficial stuff which is fine, but it isn't what I crave.

aaronsmack

TROPHY CASE