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Faith Hamby

Suite101 Member

<h1>The FAQ of Faith</h1>

<blockquote>

<a href="#1">1. So, you run the Psychotherapy & Self-Help topic. What sort of credentials do you have?</a>

<a href="#2">2. Are you currently in therapy? And, if I might pry, what are you in therapy for?</a>

<a href="#3">3. Prozac, huh? What's your stand on medications and therapy?</a>

<a href="#4">4. Enough about therapy. Do you have a life?</a>

</blockquote>

<a name="1">1. So, you run the Psychotherapy & Self-Help topic. What sort of credentials do you have?

First, kudos to you for asking. Always know the credentials--personal or academic--of anyone who wants to offer you advice.

My own credentials are entirely personal. I have no degree in Psychology, nor am I a doctor, a counselor or a therapist.

I have, however, been in therapy off and on for three years now. The information I relate on my web site is drawn from that experience and my own research into the subjects of psychotherapy and self-help.

<a name="2">2. Are you currently in therapy? And, if I might pry, what are you in therapy for?

Why yes, I am. I'm coming up on a one-year anniversary with my current therapist. And since I'm throwing my life up on the web, I suppose you're allowed to pry.

More and more, science is proving that depression is genetic. I believe I'm adequate proof of that. Depression runs in my mother's side of the family, and my mother has been battling depression off and on since I can remember. Unfortunately, I've inherited her depression.

I've had four bouts of major depression. My first was in junior high after my grandmother died. My second was in high school during my junior year right before the overwhelming stress of the infamous College Search. My third was my sophmore year in college when I decided to give up a lucrative Physical Therapy major for the glory and renown of a Writing Intensive English major. And the fourth culminated right after my wedding.

Out of these four bouts of depression, I've only been treated for the last two. My depressions are usually set off by major changes and upheavals in my life that set me floudering. Besides therapy, I am also on Prozac.

<a name="3">3. Prozac, huh? What's your stand on medication and therapy?

Personally, I believe that medication without therapy is useless. A way of treating the symptoms and not the cause.

Therapy is essential to really dealing with any problems you might be facing. Medication only raises the depths of your depression, taking the edge off so that you can better, objectively, deal with these problems.

However, the more I read, the more I see proof that exercise can be as effective as medication. Right now, I'm beginning my own exercise program in the hopes that I might be able to stop medication. Though Prozac has worked for me, I want to be on the least amount of medication possible.

Having seen how Prozac helped curb my mother's depression, I must admit that I think medication can benefit some people. But, I also think anyone taking medication for mental disorders would be wise to work closely with their doctor and report any negative changes they may be feeling while on medication.

It's a matter of self-awareness. If medication doesn't seem to be helping you or is making you feel worse, talk to your doctor!

<a name="4">4. Enough about therapy. Do you have a life?

Surprisingly enough, I do.

My cat, Parker--named for the infamous Dorothy Parker and with teeth sharp enough to prove it, and my Australian Cattle Dog, Jack, keep me active out in suburbia. We live in a two-story house, complete with front porch, in a slice of apple pie community.

When I'm not writing during the day, I work nights at a community college library. And my interests range from contemporary folk music to Great Lakes maritime history.

In terms of my writing, I've done everything from short stories to non-profit work and technical documentation. Some of my job descriptions were software tester, documentation specialist, newsletter production editor, contributing editor and promotions and public relations specialist.

I've been active in virtual communities and online for seven years now.