Support for people with Depression

fluffnutter

If you've suffered before, you know how fragile your mental state can be and it's no surprise, loveandlight, that the truly horrible things that have happened to your brother and sister recently have brought you back to a bad place.

Working is a good thing. I know that you probably don't even feel you have the energy some days to put one foot in front of the other, but any routine you can immerse yourself in will help. Don't be hard on yourself; don't expect to be able to achieve what you normally do, but try to work if it's at all possible. Make sure you get out, see people, eat well and try to do some exercise, even just a quick walk.

Most importantly get yourself back to your GP. You don't say whether you take anti-depressants. If not, I'd highly recommend that you do (but get your doctor's advice, obviously). If you're already taking them, talk about dose or changing the type. Ask your GP about cognitive behavioural therapy if it's not something you've considered before. It's incredibly useful, particularly for those whose depression manifests as anxiety, panic or obsessive thoughts.

You're probably feeling very frightened right now. Scared that you're regressing back to a really dark time. But you also know that you do have strength, and you do have resources. You've come out of a very deep depression before and you will do so again, I promise. Good luck x

jessilu1

Avoriaz...you're a star,:A excellent post :T

((((hugs)))) loveandlight , wishing you lots of help and support :A

BillScarab

I don't know if this website will be of any use.

http://www.livinglifetothefull.com/

I'm currently taking anti-depressants and am supposed to be getting CBT at some point. The website is an online CBT course that my GP recommended I take a look at while I wait for an appoitnment for 'real' CBT. Anyone can register to use it.

amistupid

What an incredible post Avoriaz.

I have shared the hopelessness you've so eloquently described and agree with your view on how to best deal with it.

I compared it to pollution, spoiling everything good about you and causing such unhappiness for your loved ones.

Oil slick coming into view
Blackens out the deepest blue
Getting bigger every day
Hiding all the good away
Heavy blanket blocking light
Keeping beauty out of sight
Sparkling surface faces doom
Smothered by the darkest gloom
Waves of passion meet their fate
Flattened by its awesome weight
Crashing breakers once so loud
Silenced by the filthy shroud
Curtain closing out the sky
All beneath it starts to die
All the warmth, all the love
Chilled by shadows from above
Nothing has the chance to grow
Suffocating life below
No one ever tames the sea
Abusing it relentlessly
You the ocean wild and free
Pollution my mentality

fluffnutter

BillScarab wrote: »

I'm currently taking anti-depressants and am supposed to be getting CBT at some point. The website is an online CBT course that my GP recommended I take a look at while I wait for an appoitnment for 'real' CBT. Anyone can register to use it.

Good luck with the CBT, Bill. It really helped me and I've been tablet-free for 10 years now. It's hard work at times, but CBT has given me the tools I need to prevent myself spiralling into anxiety. It really has been life-changing. :T

amistupid

fluffnutter wrote: »

Good luck with the CBT, Bill. It really helped me and I've been tablet-free for 10 years now. It's hard work at times, but CBT has given me the tools I need to prevent myself spiralling into anxiety. It really has been life-changing. :T

I found Overcoming Depression (a self help guide using cognitive behavioral techniques) by Prof. Paul Gilbert very helpful.

delmar39

The fact that you've asked for help is a great sign. Some people with depression don't ask and will in actual fact cover it up with disastrous consequences.

Yes, first port of call is your GP. They'll be able to give you advice about the options available to you. Friends and family of course can help with immediate problems, but you want to get yourself a long term solution that you can stick to and work at. I'm sad that you feel this way, I know it's really hard when you feel like it, but you've got to try and remember that life really is too short so aim to get the support and help you need and work towards getting yourself back on track in your own time.

There must be numerous websites devoted to this. Have a read and see if you can pick up a few pointers.

Stay focused, be positive and I wish you all the best

chirpchirp

I've suffered depression many times and been treated by the doctor for it. The last time, I was advised by an alternative therapist to do lot of werid and wonderful things but one of her pieces of advice was particularly useful.

The type of depression I have suffered from is endogenous which means it doesn't need a particular thing to trigger it, it just rears its head from time to time. The therapist suggested I eat a more balanced diet and that I moved onto organic foods (tried this, too expensive, normal food just as good) with a large proportion of fruit and vegetables. When I do this, I feel so much better. When I feel myself getting low, I respond by buying lots and lots of mushrooms, this seems to work ( not they aren't magic mushrooms! before some smart Alec makes a comment!). Apparently, some research showed that people with depression lack certain B vitamins which are largely found in mushrooms.

This may or may not be true. Either way it works for me and so what if it's a placebo. Bit of a problem if you can't stand mushrooms though.

poorly_scammo

Not much to add except been there done that, worn the t-shirt, washed it, ironed it etc.

Like others have said a healthy diet with regular meals helps, missing meals for me is a definite no, no as my blood sugar plummets which makes me feel awful. I luckily found a good therapist but I had to wait a year.

One thing I can recommend is evening primrose capsules. I know they're recommended for PMT but I've found them incredibly stabilising - I take one every day. Obviously, my hormones have a lot to do with my depressive episodes.

amistupid

poorly_scammo wrote: »

One thing I can recommend is evening primrose capsules. .

A bit of Primrose anytime bucks me up.