Depression.

[don simon]

I think it's time to start dealing with this, and fitst thing is to get it out there and say that I have been diagnosed with depression.

[Lazy-Ferret]

Originally Posted by don simon

I think it's time to start dealing with this, and fitst thing is to get it out there and say that I have been diagnosed with depression.

Try putting it into 4wd low, not met a deep enough hole that does not work on...

Sorry, being a bit flippant, I have the same, but most of the time can keep it under control by looking at the bigger, hopefully brighter, picture.

Having a back log of jobs with no end in sight seems to trigger mine, and things that are out of my control, like having to find someone to do things if I can't do them.

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

[johnb5177]

Don,

I read with sadness and interest, your post. However, recognising that you have a problem and confronting it yourself, is a huge leap forward in getting help and hopefully resolving the greater crisis......you have to want to help yourself.

I curse roundly those people that just say.. ..oh, just pull yourself together...!!!!! What utter nonsense and crass behaviour, I would almost wish it on them and see how they got on.....but I wouldn't wish it on anyone....

It has been a recurring problem for me.....I have have had medication in the past, when first diagnosed, along with very good counselling.

On the second occasion, I had no medication, but again received very good counselling.

Currently I believe I am very down, but just about coping......

All the episodes I think, were triggered by critical events in my life. I also learnt a while back that my Father was depressive, and gather that this may be hereditary.

I learnt and developed coping strategies, and also learnt the little alarm bells/early warnings to look out for......they do help enormously.......it's just a shame that this time around, I was too busy and engrossed in my move back/house renovation, to notice them......and crashed and got a little burnt.....

Medication is not the definitive cure (there isn't one really) but good counselling (talking therapy) is very often a great way forward. It depends greatly on your individual GP' s attitude and resources to help you, rather than just doling out tablets, and hoping you'll go away.....I know I was mega lucky with my GP.. ..

As a family on here, we confronted Uncles life changing events, and supported him and others through them.....lets hope that mental health problems can receive the same open and caring support......

I'm sure they will....

[Thomas61]

Hi,
This is definitely something that should a open subject. A very positive step Don simon, we as blokes should talk more.

We were shown this video at some training I attended late last year and one that I actually thought was well put together and at least to me thought provoking.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XiCrniLQGYc

[don simon]

Originally Posted by Thomas61

Hi,
This is definitely something that should a open subject. A very positive step Don simon, we as blokes should talk more.

We were shown this video at some training I attended late last year.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=XiCrniLQGYc

I'm sacred to death about talking about it at work, as a glorified salesman I'm supposed to be upfront and confident, which I am (and which has no connection with depression). I also know that there is a strong likelyhood that it'll be misunderstood (it has happened in the past with a company that claims to have stong links with mental health charities and a strong internal mental health policy). I mentioned to my previous employer that their mental health policy was failing (me), and they responded that I was talking rubbish and that the policy was robust. That really makes you want to talk about it and be concerned about companies that promote mental health policies.

There's enough people out there talking about it that I feel quite confident discussing it now..... Just not at work....
Hopefully it is positive.
We all have something wrong with us, my failure is depression.

Thanks for the replies.

[Banshee]

PM'd mate

[johnb5177]

Originally Posted by don simon

There's enough people out there talking about it that I feel quite confident discussing it now..... Just not at work....
Hopefully it is positive.
We all have something wrong with us, my failure is depression.

Thanks for the replies.

Don, Your depression IS NOT YOUR FAILURE.......

It is merely the side effect of submicroscopic trace elements missing, causing a reaction.....thats a bit of science out of the way......

I'm a big hairy lumberjack, so what ! What you are doesn't make you who you are...

So don't tell work, tell your friends, your family (this one included) and certainly if they have the regard they should have for you, they will listen and try to help.....

[zephyr]

Originally Posted by don simon

I think it's time to start dealing with this, and fitst thing is to get it out there and say that I have been diagnosed with depression.

...Recently I'm steps behind from other members, but just read this post. Sorry to hear about this but I praise your courage and I appreciate you what you shared how you are. Hope you are doing good.

As my partner used to have depression, I understand how hard things can be. Although it really depends on how it comes out, how heavy it is, how your circumstances are, in my very humble opinion most of people who have/had depression that I have met, are someone who usually makes their best effort, trying things to be perfect, have a higher expectation on things that she/he is dealing with, very thoughtful on people/things. So all who are hard workers

My partner's case was she had so many things to deal with, making her best efforts with all things she had ended up physical impacts on her body like pain/burning sensation with her shoulder, neck, back, then it came down to her arms, legs. She had to be off work for three months+. At that time I had a bit of problem to face the situation to support her. (I thought I'm like J-Tac, me too, I'm sometimes too light hearted. Looks like I have a laugh tolerance at quite low so it is easy to make me laugh) But in the end I have learnt but not 100%, to support her. When she's in a depression mode, she could get easily cry, shout or with pains over her body. But as she started to take medication; citalopram, she started changing her mood gradually for over long period of time to get back to how she was before depression happened.

Now she's fine (but easily can get pains all over her neck, shoulder, back so we are very careful about it), though sometimes she can get very stressed and unhappy when things didn't go well. Still I'm not doing 100% good to deal with her mood, sometimes something I do/I say would make things worse, but I think we are doing ok.

Thanks, Jim for reminding Mental Health Awareness week.

[don simon]

I guess it's time for an update and give thanks for the words of support, the light at the end of the tunnel isn't always an oncoming train...
It's good that you can be open about it at work Jim, I think that working in sales is a bit different and that there is so little understanding that depression would be seen as a weakness. I tend to look at as being challenging and character building, that when days go well that I look to see how the days went well and try and replicate this.
That might actually be normal for most.
This last week has been brilliant, and the weather has played a major part. I have done more cycling this last week than in the rest of the year. Exercise is important, and as Jim knows, diet is important. I think we know that I already take my food seriously and try not to eat rubbish, even when out and about camping.
So part of the self improvement is putting a greater priority on cycling, it has taken a bit of a backseat due to weather and work, I'm developing a strategy for when the weather is rubbish and when I'm working away from home.

One of the things I missed when I was in Spain was music. There's a huge amount of rubbish Spanish music out there, but thanks to 6 Music, I'm getting back into it.

As I said, this week has been good and one of the reasons has been that I've been busy, so guess what my objective is now.
Again that's probably normal for most, but a little insight into the thought process is connected into the point of doing things and it becomes a downward spiral. What's the point of ironing a shirt? It'll only get dirty and creased.
What's the point in doing the washing up? Plates will only get dirty again, just clean the ones that you need.
What's the point in hoovering? Etc, etc.
It's a negative thought process that makes inactivity a very easy option.
Training myself to think differently is a challenge, but so far, so good.

I'm trying to deal with things on my own, there is no family support because those barstewards are one of the contributory factors. I found a packet of Cilatropram last week and was tempted to open it, but I see that as a failure, I didn't need tablets to help me get depressed, I shouldn't need them to get me out of here.

I'm not sure if any of that makes sense, but it's kind of good to get it out there.

Thanks for the positive replies and feedback.

[RJL Services]

i suffer with severe depression for the last 5 years and tablets is all the doctor offers i did take them for the first year and found myself not being able to do anything that i used to do or make any type of descision i ditch them one day and suffered a severe withdraw from them the shakes was the worst but now i do feel better without them but still suffer from the depression and due to other health issues meant i had to retire but having time on your hands is the worst bit i find but try and stay positive and focused does help and even if it just setting little goals to get done does help to but the wait for any kind of therapy around me is a long one i have been waiting a year now for cbt with no help insight yet but do find my monthly talk with my therapist lady really helps me to gives me drive so the next time i see her i have acheived what she had set out for me

[Blocky10]

Well those 2 posts are full of positivity
Glad you're feeling better about yourselves.
Just reading this thread is helpful

[johnb5177]

It is sometimes so very difficult to be or gain positives.....but they are there, we somehow cannot see through the fog...good friends help, as does exercise and good diet, as stated in previous posts.
I have been able to organise myself again, and returned to twice weekly sessions in a gym and pool....feeling the difference already.
My son in law is going through another bout of depression, and trying to help him......nearly the blind leading the blind....except in the land of the blind, the one eyed man is king......
This site is so good, so much support from an extended family....

[macabethiel]

Originally Posted by don simon

I'm trying to deal with things on my own, there is no family support because those barstewards are one of the contributory factors. I found a packet of Cilatropram last week and was tempted to open it, but I see that as a failure, I didn't need tablets to help me get depressed, I shouldn't need them to get me out of here.

I'm not sure if any of that makes sense, but it's kind of good to get it out there.

Thanks for the positive replies and feedback.

Good weather always helps with mild depression (e.g. SAD) and of course exercise releases endorphins that affect mood in a positive way as does having sex. The brain is a complex organ that is really not well understood, it is sensitive to chemical changes that affect the circuitry & thus how you feel.

You should not see taking medication if it is prescribed by your GP as a failure, quite the reverse it takes courage to visit your GP and get help .

Just like you might have a vitamin injection for certain conditions as your body is lacking in certain nutrients (hence need for a balanced diet) so the brain sometimes causes physical manifestations like depression due to chemicals like serotonin being either too high or too low. Drugs such as S.U.I.'s can fix the brain function over time, some drugs work better with some and not others it is a bit trial and error. That said nothing ventured nothing gained.

You might be able to tough it out with self help and recover much like a bad sore throat often gets better without antibiotics. But the question I ask myself is can I avoid another sore throat by addressing the cause and treat the cause rather than the symptom.
This why CBT can help.

Not trying to preach or be smart just giving an opinion based on my personal journey through the last 70 years as a flawed human being

[perelaar]

Don Simon, glad to hear things are going a bit better for you. Can't offer any meaningful advice as I have no experience with depression, but if you want to leave things behind for a few days and visit the land of Kafka, chocolate and beer I'm very willing to share some proper beers with you here in Belgium!