My thoughts align with SG for the most part, however, I have witnessed post-partum hallucinogenic psychosis and have known suiciders that no amount of self-will training or loving support from others would have prevented. There is a very real need for medicines which manipulate brain chemistry, and fortunately we have progressed in our ability to protect the most fragile in times of severe crisis. I hope that we can all be sensitive and respectful of people who have to resort to urgent pharmological interventions as the most effective and life-enhancing treatment for some types of depression, psychosis and other forms of severe manifestations of emotional distress. By and large, we've come to recognize and accept that brain chemistry and circuitry problems are indeed real physical diseases and that, just as with other diseases, there are various approaches to treating these types of illnesses. But SG's suggestion that it is an industry that is undermining our health is well-founded. Yes, there are appropriate usages for these drugs, but caveat emptor: there are several studies that suggest there is a price yet to be determined in terms of long-term cognitive ability with protracted use of anti-depressants. Consequently, they are currently in disfavor in much of Europe after having been tried, and other more natural treatments are now more routinely explored initially. I don't think these meds are the panacea to be used to mask garden variety discomfort, and I believe that is the segment that is best addressed by SG's approach. I concur with SG and others who suggest that far too many have been persuaded the appropriateness of dealing pharmocologically with the discomfort that is a consequence of simply being human. Grief, anger and other unpleasant emotions serve a real purpose, are often very appropriate responses, and are an intrinsic part of our journey. Often anxiety and difficult emotions are a sign that we really have difficult inner homework to do, and I'd opt for working through the issues whenever possible rather than placating through meds. (I hope readers understand my emphasis is on whenever possible and repeat I'm well aware that it is not always possible or advisable.) My SS, a neurologist, and some physician friends do not agree, and often routinely recommend for themselves and their patients meds to deal with stress and unhappiness rather than undertaking the arduous task of changing the structure of one's life and/or learning healthier responses to challenges. Ergo, it seems we will continue to be less able as a society to go down the path SG suggests. I believe many would be better served by accessing inner resources than by pills, but also know that a requisite foundation of skills, or access to a means to acquire this knowledge, is not within reach for some. Philosophically I can agree with SG that the answers lie within, and wholeheartedly endorse our responsibility to respond with love at all times, but IRL I know some are equipped with damaged circuits through no fault of their own upon arrival as Kkay suggests and others whose circuitry becomes damaged from illness, toxins or accidents, some have been badly wounded experientially, and some just may prefer an easier way out. I'm not sure that SG said there is no physical basis for depression. "Depression/anxiety is actually being stuck, neural-activity wise, in the primal mind of the lower brain." Rather, I understood her comment to signal a real understanding of physiological responses but that we can trigger better responses by substituting different thought patterns, widely endorsed by cognitive therapists and other gurus. SG is quite capable of defending herself, but I know many intelligent, non-cult, independent thinkers, medical professionals and main-stream religious and total non-religious types who concur with this approach. There is no one path to wholeness, and while it is always preferable to rely on inner resources and loving support, it is not always possible. Wholesale dismissal of alternate, non-pharm approaches is not helpful nor is insistence on innate ability to cope with severe illness without intervention. Intelligent discussions of this type can be a wonderful resource for countless anonymous readers in cyberworld who are facing difficulties, seeking solutions and who may need encouragement to face another day.

More than a month has passed since I updated this thread so here goes.... I had mentioned that I planned to write that letter to the other mother, but at this point I still have not done it. First, I want to make absolute certain that DD is still having contact with her, but have not been able to substantiate it as of yet. Of course I -know- their friendship remains intact, just no proof. It's not as often as it had... no where nearing being as often since she now has returned to seeing her other friends. DD attends a community college, going to the Gateway to College Program. This is a satellite campus with stores surrounding it. Her hours are 8AM to noon, and I take her and pick her up. One day last week she called and told me she had a ride home with another student. I told her fine, but still went to the campus anyway. After waiting awhile, I finally called her cellphone and she said she was on her way home... class had gotten out early. So, the next day I got the same call.. she was riding home with another student so I made sure I got there early. Saw DDas she was coming out the door and she stated that she was waiting for the other student to finish up. I pulled off, circled around and came back. Just 8 parking spaces from the campus door sat the other mother. This is what I had been expecting. So, I got out of my car, asked her where DD was, she asked me how the "f" was she suppposed to know. Well, I was livid and got in my car and pulled off, my phone ringing. Of course it was DD, mad because she saw me go to the other mother's car. And I can not prove that the other mother was there to pick up DD. Anyway, DD ended up riding home with me. Hasn't called to tell me she was riding with another student. If I get one of those calls, I'll be checking up. It's not time to back down yet. Other than that, things are going fair. She comes home on time, goes to school daily, makes all her counseling sessions. But, I never know where she is when she's gone during the day. I have not been successful in getting her to check in with me. This is something she will answer to her PO for.

I adopted a Shepard/Hound at four months old. She was traumatized by her experiences before I came along at this early age. Anxiety takes many forms, you should research it on Google to educate yourself. It can be a very difficult, frustrating experience, as you and your dog are a testament to. I agree with most of what was already posted. I do think it very important that you come up with a battle plan to slowly, patiently deal with this, and stick with it, assuming it is working. If the plan is not working, be prepared to alter it until positive results start to show. This theory will give you a way to deal with this, document what is going on, and build on success. At this stage of the game, you have what I would term a serious situation, one that requires a serious way of dealing with it. This means you need to take the upper hand with this. For some reason, your vet is not getting what is going on here. This also needs to be addressed. If you have told him/her the full story, then you have an incompetent vet, and need to find another one. If you have not fully explained what is going on, similar to what you posted here, you need to call the vet today, and do this. Demand that you get something to help your dog, today. If nothing comes of this, start looking for another vet. If you do not take this approach, your dog could injure himself. Medication in the form of a sedative for short term relief, and Doxipin for long term relief MAY be in order. You simply must do something to get things under control, and this seems the most immediate way to go. A "competent" (key word here), vet should be able to bring temporary immediate relief, the long term situation may take someone who knows the dogs wiring, along with medication use. You have a real mess on your hands that is completely out of control. You need to take a patience pill (even if you have tons of it) and consider how you got where you and your dog are, and take serious steps to correct it. I spent about 8 months giving my dog medication for anxiety (not separation). My experience taught me that it can have a long lasting effect on other behaviors, some that I am still dealing with over two years later. Good luck! SG

I'm very sorry for all that's going on in your life, and your anxiety. You have a lot on you, and taking care of yourself needs to be a priority. Please be kind to yourself with special treatments, such as massage and other pampering. I could write a chapter on dealing with complicated grief/anxiety/depression and the drugs that my doctors prescribed, etc. that didn't work for me due to the side effects. I'm very sensitive to drugs and even with something like Excedrin Migraine, can take only half a dose. Wellbutrin caused scary muscle weakness in my thighs and upper arms. I couldn't go up stairs without huffing and puffing (and I usually run up stairs). It made me feel as though I were having a heart attack. Zoloft didn't lift me up at all. Anyway, I now have Trazadone 50mg to take, as needed, if I'm feeling overly anxious in the evening, before bedtime. My doctor would like for me to take it daily, but I can't handle it daily, due to the morning hangover. I take it probably 1-2 times per month and try to calm myself in other ways...including, reaching for sweets, when I shouldn't! Hugs.