Support for people with Depression

Tiff_2

Hi jess!
I know it's been a while since you posted jess, so apologies to you - and everyone else! - for the delay in replying. Of course you're more than welcome to join in here hunnie and speaking personally, this thread has been a lifeline to myself and to many others too. Well done you for making that first post, jess - it's always the hardest.

jess wrote:

Hello, I hope it's ok I join in here,
I've very recently admitted to myself that I have depression and have had it for a long time. I have started taking anti depressants and am seeing a therapist.
I've been withdrawn and basically shut myself away from the rest of the world, but now I am determined to get better and my therapist has suggested that I start doing activities to learn to be around people, trouble is I don't know where to start and I don't have much money and I don't want to seem as if I'm not trying.
Anyone have any ideas? I'm feeling quite down and apprehensive about my next session, I feel as if I'm going to be told off for not making an effort.
Jess

You've already done really well so far, jess and you seem to be taking all the right steps to help yourself.

It takes a lot of guts to admit to yourself that you have depression, so you're not alone there, hunnie. We often complain about how others are having trouble accepting our diagnosis, but I think we ourselves can be the ones that are the hardest of all to convince. I still try to fight the whole truth of my situation myself. No-one wants this illness, or any of the associated tags and baggage, and it can be a very scary fact to face, especially when it's all such an unknown quantity. Did that make sense? So I think you've got a great attitude and you should feel very proud of yourself.

Trust Tiffy guys, I would implore anyone who finds themselves giving reasons and excuses for not going out, to please seek help from your gp or mental health professionals. Having said that angel, my case wasn't helped by the fact that I became agoraphobic - it's so much harder to meet people in your own front room!

The first thing I want to say, hunnie is that no mental health professional worth their salt should tell anyone off - and if they do, you need to make an immediate formal written complaint to their manager!
They should be quite aware that it may be difficult for you to think of something and also be aware of what's already running in your area. Everything you're feeling is completely natural hunnie. Don't be afraid to raise the issue yourself in your next session by saying that you're having a hard time thinking of something to do and ask for their suggestions. This shows you're not avoiding it, that you want help to work through it and gain your confidence. You should also feel comfortable telling your therapist if you have any worries, problems, anxieties about starting an activity. It's very important that you communicate with your therapist, jess and let them know how you're feeling and if you need help easing back into things. After all angel, that's what they're there for - to help you, even when you're finding something really hard to do.

I think it's a good idea to look for an activity angel, because that could make your situation a lot easier to bear; even though it might seem scary at first, you're likely to find that you need and enjoy having a form of escape from your mental ill health. Try and think of the activity you choose as a reward to yourself.

I guess the first step is to try and think of something that would bring you pleasure - it may be something you're already good at or something you haven't done before, something you always wanted to try if you only had the time or talent.
It might be a good idea not to choose something academic at first, that may put you under more stress through having to submit homework etc, like learning Latin. It needs to be fun to encourage you to maintain it, iykwim? Maybe you could go for things like the 6 week mini-courses that do a special cuisine or an art class or salsa or ballroom dancing class?
Yet please also remember to be realistic about what you can manage with any physical or mental health problems you may have - you don't want to set yourself up for unnecessary stress when you're supposed to be doing something that will raise your confidence and bring you pleasure.

Another way of finding something is to visit your library, read your local paper and surf t'interweb, for what is available in your area first. This could include a book club, creative writing group, aqua-mobility, learning to draw/paint class, t'ai chi, singing for fun etc.
A lot of areas have local walking groups that walk small areas, like the local park, just for fun, company and for health.
There are also a lot of drop-in centres and cafes and they are not necessarily based on mental ill health or religion. It can be good to have somewhere to go for a coffee whenever you're in town.
As far as the money side of things goes, your mental health/social worker may be able to put you in touch with sources of help with this, depending on your circumstances.

I hope something here has helped, jess and please let us know what you come up with.


Safe journeys hunnie.


Much Love

Tiff xxx

Tiff_2

Hi shaz!

How are you, angel? It sounds as if you need a holiday after your holiday, hunnie.

I just thought I'd lend you a bit of moral support the best way I can atm...

You're a real star, shaz!:T

Be kind to yourself, angel.

Much Love,

Tiff xxx

beachbeth

My goodness, Tiff! You have been busy while I was cooking the tea!

Have a break and something nice to get your energy back:



Sorry to hear about your Sidpuss, WVW. This is so upsetting. We had a flyer come through our door recently saying that someone's cat had gone missing and they were very upset. We checked our sheds just in case but she wasn't at our house (with 6 dogs we don't tend to see cats in our garden!:p). My SIL had a cat go missing just before Christmas and she was a lovely cat. So laid back and affectionate. They do sometimes turn up though so fingers crossed for you.

AB can be found on the Depressingly Optimistic thread if anyone wants to chat - he is getting married on Friday though, so may be away for a bit!

I'll think about you on your Occupational Health Medical whilst Im attending my tribunal. Fingers crossed for both of us that it won't be as bad as we think. Im really wishing it was all over, as you must be too. It doesn't do us any good to be going through these things though does it.:o I wish I could win the lottery because I could then just stick my fingers up to all these stupid people who just don't understand depression and how it affects us.

Sssssss

whitevanwoman wrote: »

Me too. This year is turning out to be a "annus horibilis" for me. But if AB was here I'm sure he would be talking about changing the way we see things.

Hi WVW been awhile, you'll find AB, me and some others hanging around here

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1607085&page=8

maybe we'll see you there as well.

roxalana

Hi all,

I had a really good therapy session today! Yay!

I was feeling quite bad when i went which was helpful cos she could see what a bad patch was like for me. I now feel loads more positive.

Big hug to everyone currently feeling blue.

Also can anyone tell me how to do the smileys and things? I don't know how to make them happen!

Stephb1986_2

Hi Everyone, Sorry I've not dropped in for a while I've been busy

I hope your all ok and doing well.

Steph xx

shazrobo

morning all, hope everyone is well this morning, i'm going out today with my support worker, not seen her for few weeks, so a bit of catching up, and we are going to a woolen mill, in bradford, so lots to buy lol, i have an addiction to wool at the mo, but knitting does help to relax me so its harmless enough.
took daniel to the youth offending team, and he was given his final warning, and signed an acceptable behaviour contract, and no longer has to answer to bail, so that a big rfelief, just hope he learned his lesson, or next time he goes straight to court, as he has had his last chance.
been talking to both kids schools, (took lots of courage, but got there), and instead of being resedential all week, daniel is coming home tuesday nights, and josh will be staying at school in his place. so josh gets a taste of some of activities in dan's after school resedential, and daniel and myself get to spend some quality time just me and him, which i am looking forward to, as he is such a loving boy when he away from his brother, as most of you know they just dont get on.

hugs all

shaz xxx

Sazbo

"addicted to wool" - thanks for making me smile shaz! As you say, there's no harm in it and to people who say there is, I say "baaaaa humbug":rolleyes:

Well I am feeling :mad: today! Sorry everyone, I'm better go out for a walk or something and calm down, before I do someone in this building an injury lol:o

Much love to all,
Sazzy xxxxxxxxxxxx

shazrobo

hope you feeling better now sazzy

hugs

shaz xxxx

clipboard2

Sazbo wrote: »

Thanks CB2. My boss isn't all that bad tbh, altho his communication skills could be somewhat improved lol:rolleyes:, but I have to email him to say that I am withdrawing my application for a position I applied for recently (internally). He's supposed to be interviewing me for it on Thursday, so I really am going to have to email him today to say that I have changed my mind:o... Don't know why I'm struggling with this so much, because having talked it all through with Gilly badger I am totally at peace with my decision - I know I am doing the right thing. I agonised for ages about whether to apply in the first place, then talked myself into doing it, but in my heart it just never felt right, so it's best to withdraw now before I get any further down the road. Maybe I'm struggling it's because I'm not sure of how to word it.... but as my dear father would say, "The less said, the more the better." And I have a feeling he may be right in this instance - economy of words is probably the way to go?

Ok that's enough rambling from me I reckon.

Sazzi,
Tis not rambling hun ...

Sounds to me like you are ready for a change in your working life, but you do not know yet what it is. Perhaps this is the reason for your struggle.
What else, if anything is troubling you?

Sorry to hear you had a difficult day today. Hope tommorow will be better.

Have a good weekend everyone CB2X