Depression

[Julia]

This is a really interesting thread.

Nelly, your point about doctors and doing your own research is well made.
Some years ago I felt depressed and tearful, no energy, everything was a huge effort. Went to Dr who said "change of country, lots of stress, etc etc - you need anti depressants". Didn't make sense to me. I was happy about the change and didn't feel stressed in any usual sense. So I insisted on a check on the biochemistry - lo, it came back with a low thyroid reading. A few weeks on the appropriate thyroxine replacement and I was fine!
I just feel doctors, whether because of time constraints, or just lack of interest, are much too fast to pump out prescriptions for drugs.

Wayne, that comment from people with bipolar fascinates me too. I have a friend who is bipolar and is fine when he takes his medication. But after a while he says "I don't need this crap" and stops it. Doesn't take long for a manic phase to emerge, frenetic activity, can't stop talking, does rash things etc, but is incredibly happy, and then he crashes into a suicidal depression.

Thanks to everyone who is prepared to relate personal experiences. I think it's reassuring to know how other people manage this apparently increasing problem.

Just on that, why do you think there seems to be such an increase in depression? Is it because it's more widely talked about, recognised and treated? Or is there an increasing tendency to label oneself and others as depressed when in fact - as someone has already pointed out - mood swings and feeling anxious or sad is simply a normal part of being human?

Julia

 

[nelly]

Morning everyone.......I think if your behaviour/emotional state affects your social or personal relationships you need to check it out. It is not normal human behaviour. Yes we all have our ups n downs but anything wildly outside of this needs treatment/councelling........or mayb just a long holiday in the Bahamas.

cheerful

 

[krisbarry]

Its been an increadible struggle for me over the past 5 years. 4 out of 5 people in my family have suffered it and it goes way back through the family history.

On my worst days I would just sit in my room and cry all day for no reason at all. I sometimes cannot even venture outdoors as I would just cry in-front of people.

My self esteem just plummets and I cannot even hold a conversation.

Depression does wonders for my share-trading and account balance

Medication has helped, but massive side effects.

 

[nelly]

Its been an increadible struggle for me over the past 5 years. 4 out of 5 people in my family have suffered it and it goes way back through the family history.

On my worst days I would just sit in my room and cry all day for no reason at all. I sometimes cannot even venture outdoors as I would just cry in-front of people.

My self esteem just plummets and I cannot even hold a conversation.

Depression does wonders for my share-trading and account balance

Medication has helped, but massive side effects.

I wish I could in good conscience give you some advise, [of course I have an opinion] but as I'm not a Dr will refrain. I'm sure you have checked out your options as far as a change in meds, all I will say is I empathise and wish you 'luck.'
post script: Do you have that famous 'someone to talk to'?

cheerful

 

[krisbarry]

Here are some of the medications and techniques I use to cope with depression:

(Meds)

Aropax
Cipramil
Zoloft

(Alternatives)

Fish Oil
St John's Wort
Multi-Vitamins
Bananas

(Techniques)

Sunshine
Lifting Weights
Walking
Yoga
Meditation
Deep Breathing Exercises
Watching a comedy movie
Listening to music
Socialising
Sleep
CBT
Stop thought techniques
Self bullying stop techniques

But on some days in which I try so much of this on my list that it cannot relieve the depression I just give up!

 

[noirua]

Here are some of the medications and techniques I use to cope with depression:

(Techniques)

Sunshine
Lifting Weights
Walking
Yoga
Meditation
Deep Breathing Exercises
Watching a comedy movie
Listening to music
Socialising
Sleep
CBT
Stop thought techniques
Self bullying stop techniques

But on some days in which I try so much of this on my list that it cannot relieve the depression I just give up!

How can you do all this after spending so much time on ASF?

 

[Happy]

OK we’ve worked out how to fight it with various degree of success, however Chinese way of medical practice is to prevent ills happening in a first place.

Triggers ?
Between others

Could be chemicals – including ones we can smell in new car or house, supposedly new house is quite poisonous for about 2 years, could be longer.

Lifestyle including expectations of others that we are trying to live up to
Could be lack of quality rest – even noisy neighbourhood after a while can affect in negative way, possibly even mobile or cordless phone too close to head at night – lets remember these things emit energy 24/7
Even live electrical cables

Also if our body is positioned East – West or North – South

Could be underground water, which supposedly can affect us up to 10 metres – supposedly indicator is if cat loves to sleep on our bed you should move your bed by at least 2 metres, as cats love to sleep on watercourse.
Supposedly dogs have similar requirements in this regard to humans.

While talking about that with friends, they say it is impossible and follow their opinion with hundreds of reasons why, so suppose they are right.

 

[Julia]

STC

I'm really sorry that you have had/are having such a bad time with this.

You've listed some really good "management techniques" there.
Any form of exercise is good in that if done to a sufficiently sustained and intense level will produce endorphin release.

Could I just suggest that talking to family and friends is probably much less useful than talking to a counsellor. (a) family/friends usually don't have any training in how to listen effectively, and (b) they are too connected with you to be objective.

After I left a destructive marriage, I had repetitive nightmares which relived the person trying to kill me. I constantly woke up terrified and the awful feeling stayed with me most of the day. Finally went to see a psychologist and talked it all through (had never discussed it with anyone properly), and now only ever get the very occasional nightmare when I feel very anxious about something.

Julia

 

[x2rider]

hi folks

Hi Julia
Having come so close to the edge a couple of years ago and having been to the counsellors for "treatment . I think I have found that there was just really nothing in it for me .
I found them way easy to talk to and you end up pouring out your guts to them but I found there was no magic cure that they could give me . The pills made me feel worse and your friends seem to stop visiting as much as they used to . Ã don't know why . You are still the same person you were before but things just seem to change in people . They probably don't even know it or notice it them selves but it is there
I know it still effects me greatly and it lingers just below the surface and some times doesn't take much to bring it to the surface . Just spilling sugar over the bench top while making a coffee can just seem like the end of the world sometimes .
So I work. I wake myself up a couple of hours before I need to go to work because sometimes it just takes that long to get things working and get on the right track for the day .
I like to listen to music and find it helps some times but other times music can be quite destructive as well .
Just one question though and it is just an observation . Why do people think that a good holiday in an exotic place will be the cure for depression . Your just moving it to a different place . It's always with you and will still be there when you get home
Cheers Martin

 

[barney]

So many people suffering here that I don't know where to start.........my sympathies with all who are troubled.......if anyone would like to discuss and get some genuine empathy/hopefully solutions, please private message me (my best friend is a psychologist....and he suffers from depression)....Cheers, Barney.

 

[MalteseBull]

yes back in the sons of gwalia days

 

[nioka]

Remember it is all in the mind. So are dreams. Treat it like one and move on.

 

[Julia]

Remember it is all in the mind. So are dreams. Treat it like one and move on.

Nioka,

With respect, that comment is guaranteed to make people suffering from severe depression feel a thousand times worse. The whole point of a real clinical depression is that the person just cannot move on. If they could, they would!

I guess you have never known anyone with an incapacitating depression. It simply removes your capacity to act normally. Telling someone in this situation to "move on" is frankly useless. Your comments are completely ignoring the consideration of the brain's biochemistry and placing the problem in the category of "motivation". It's just not that simple.

I'm all for positive self talk etc etc and personally I've always been able to sort of "flow with periods of depression" and come out the other side. But I've known many people who simply can't do this and who are absolutely incapacitated and/or suicidal without professional intervention.

Julia

 

[Julia]

So many people suffering here that I don't know where to start.........my sympathies with all who are troubled.......if anyone would like to discuss and get some genuine empathy/hopefully solutions, please private message me (my best friend is a psychologist....and he suffers from depression)....Cheers, Barney.

Well, yes, but there are psychologists and psychologists. A close friend of mine is a psychologist but she honestly has no real understanding of depression. She is deeply religious and her answer is to ask for God's help!!!
She's a great person and a good friend as long as we don't discuss religion.
But I would never go to her in her professional capacity!

Julia

 

[Smurf1976]

Lifestyle including expectations of others that we are trying to live up to
Could be lack of quality rest – even noisy neighbourhood after a while can affect in negative way, possibly even mobile or cordless phone too close to head at night – lets remember these things emit energy 24/7
Even live electrical cables

I would very strongly suggest that nobody should be sleeping with a mobile phone anywhere near them. If you must keep it in the bedroom for some reason (such as being on call for work etc) then on the floor in the corner or some other place well away from you is the place for it.

Radio comms safety 101 - you don't expose yourself to above background levels of RF radiation if you wish to live a long and healthy life. You keep any transmission antenna as far away from the body as possible, preferably locating it in a fixed position and connecting the equipment via shielded cables. Amateur radio enthusiasts ignoring these basic principles are known to not live too long.

Mobiles send RF straight into your body 24/7 - not exactly rocket science that you don't want to be sleeping with one.

That said, there is no proof in a strict sense of any danger. An observed relationship but no strict proof. Just like there is no actual proper proof that cigarettes or asbestos are dangerous to health. A causal relationship yes, but that's not strictly defined proof.

IMO it's treading a very thin line to be saying that "there's no proof mobies aren't safe" given the virtual impossibility of proving such a danger even where (as with cigarettes or asbestos) it has been observed often enough to be accepted as reality. Something must be causing the rise in brain tumors ...

 

[scranch]

nioka,
Depression is of the mind,not in the mind.A big difference as to cause and effect.
Brian

 

[nelly]

hi folks
Just one question though and it is just an observation . Why do people think that a good holiday in an exotic place will be the cure for depression . Your just moving it to a different place . It's always with you and will still be there when you get home
Cheers Martin

Hi Martin.....sorry I sounded flippant when I was going for a bit of levity, of course you are right.
cheerful

 

[dr00]

my partner is an occupational therapist working in the voluntary psychiatric ward at perth's biggest hospital, so the following is from her

Depression is a huge topic and people on here have brought up heaps of different issues - too many for me to talk about but i will cover a few.
I always tell my patients never to come off their meds without talking to their doctor beceause of side effects, risk of relapse etc etc. So many people stop taking them cos they feel better and then 2-3 months down the track have relapsed and feeling suicidal. It is also really important to tell your doctor if the meds aren't helping cos they should. There are so many different anti depressants out there and different combinations so can take a while to find the right one - if you're not feeling better within 4-8 weeks, go back and get them re-assessed. Studies have shown that combination therapy (medications and psychotherapy) is the most effective treatment for depression.

This is a really interesting thread.

Nelly, your point about doctors and doing your own research is well made.
Some years ago I felt depressed and tearful, no energy, everything was a huge effort. Went to Dr who said "change of country, lots of stress, etc etc - you need anti depressants". Didn't make sense to me. I was happy about the change and didn't feel stressed in any usual sense. So I insisted on a check on the biochemistry - lo, it came back with a low thyroid reading. A few weeks on the appropriate thyroxine replacement and I was fine!
I just feel doctors, whether because of time constraints, or just lack of interest, are much too fast to pump out prescriptions for drugs.

I agree with what you have said Julia and in order for a proper diagnosis of any mental illness to be made organic causes need to be ruled out. I work in a tertiary hospital and we screen every pt that comes in to rule out any organic causes. It is not uncommon that we pick up on physical problems that can impact on people's mental state.

From an OT point of view I talk to pts alot about how their depression (or other mental illness) impacts on their ability to function in day to day tasks. Anxiety and feeling sad or low are normal responses but it is when they are persistent or impacting on your ability to engage in day to day activities that it becomes a problem and you need to seek professional help. If you're not getting the help you need from the GP dont be afraid to present to ED for a brief psych admission to sort out meds, psychotherapy, CBT and regular follow up care through a mental health clinic etc.

I know this is a bit medical but i strongly believe that medications have a role in treating the symptoms of depression and then doing some psychotherapy in conjunction once some of the symptoms have lifted a little, ie slightly clearer mind, improved concentration etc.
If anyone wants any info from me ie education, where to get help, coping strategies etc on an informal basis i am more than happy for people to pm dr00 and i will do my best.
Cheers for reading what I have to say - in case you cant tell i am passionate about mental health!

 

[barney]

Well, yes, but there are psychologists and psychologists. A close friend of mine is a psychologist but she honestly has no real understanding of depression. She is deeply religious and her answer is to ask for God's help!!!
She's a great person and a good friend as long as we don't discuss religion.
But I would never go to her in her professional capacity!

Julia

Hi Julia, Enjoy your posts, obviously a caring person............Re my last post.....Just want to clarify I wasn't indicating that I wanted to "refer" anyone to see my friend the Phsycologist..........I was just trying to point out that anyone (even phsycologists) can suffer from Depression....Cheers Barney

 

[nioka]

Nioka,

With respect, that comment is guaranteed to make people suffering from severe depression feel a thousand times worse. The whole point of a real clinical depression is that the person just cannot move on. If they could, they would!

I guess you have never known anyone with an incapacitating depression. It simply removes your capacity to act normally. Telling someone in this situation to "move on" is frankly useless. Your comments are completely ignoring the consideration of the brain's biochemistry and placing the problem in the category of "motivation". It's just not that simple.

I'm all for positive self talk etc etc and personally I've always been able to sort of "flow with periods of depression" and come out the other side. But I've known many people who simply can't do this and who are absolutely incapacitated and/or suicidal without professional intervention.

Julia

Been there twice so I know what I'm talking about. The first time treated with all sorts of pills which worked but had lots of problems, particularly getting off them.
A few years later with another problem I was at the bottom of the pit again when I was told that it is only in the mind, examine the mind, get busy, get active, and get your mind busy on other things. It worked and still works for me. It's worth a try.