depression

Mrs_A.

hello all
not posted for a while, couldnt be bothered if im honest, cant seem to be bothered doing very much these days to be honest, lost my sex drive, get up and go etc. i guess im on a real downer just now. not having suicidal thoughts at least i dont think i am but i have noticed im not wearing my seat belt these days if i crash the car i crash and might die i dont seem to care if im honest.
went to the psychiatrist he wants me to have cognitive behavioural therapy once a week........ dunno how i feel about that could be difficult with work who still dont know what wrong with me i have decided i definately dont want them to know.
my eating habits have went out the window i am binging on sweets, crisps, cakes...... and have gained over 5lbs this week alone.
i keep having these what my family call unrealistic thoughts and ideas this week i want to give up work and study beauty therapy. not that i could afford to.
im just about managing to get to work everyday and perform when i get there but im just so exhausted and just live for my days off.
mrs a

muffin502

Tiff wrote:

Hi Muffin - sorry to hear how stressed out you are angel - it's understandable and if it's any help, some of us posters here have been in your shoes. SSP is all you'll get I believe BUT I am amazed that you have not applied for DLA with you having clinical depression for 21 years?
Mental ill health is classified under Disability Living Allowance and as long as you've been ill for 6+ months and it's likely to be long term, and it's certainly stopping you from working 'normally'. As you say, the stress doesn't help your illness. I think you should apply. If you do Call 08457 123456 (Disability Living Allowance Office) and ask for a claim pack to be sent to you.
- The form is long and daunting and you should either see CAB or DIAL to help you fill it in because they are experienced in using the coorect wording.
- The forms they send you will be dated - the whole process (writing to your GP etc) can take 3-4 months & if granted DLA, it will be backdated to the date on their forms.
- There are 2 parts - care & mobility.
I hope this has been helpful to someone.
Best wishes

Hi Tiff

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply.

I have never heard of DLA - is this not just for unemployed persons and not those who are employed and do receive some salary when they are at work?

rose07

hi all

how are you today?

im going to be quick as not really ok, i have hit a bit of a rock recently, just have a constant feeling of feeling awful.
i too mrs bear have not been bothered to wear a seat belt not bothered to look across the road, not bothered if the knife slips, BUT and this is a big but, we are all still here so we must have the strength in some way.
constant battle in me at the mo, didnt even know how i got here at this moment but know i will get there if i battle it and stay strong.
carol i think your right my mum def seems to stress me out which means being at home at the mo isnt helping.
though she goes back to work next week and my job should be starting soon, soo hopefully wont have to see her much.
tiff how are you doing??
muffin502 i had to quit my old job, it became soo stressful and hard enviroment to work in that i had to give it up or end myself in serious trouble, i hope it works out ok for you??
hi bb, yeah i understand what you mean i am a happy kinda person always seem to make the people around me happy but not myself???

hope everyone is fighting the battle
love and hugs to you all
xxx

bettyboop61

morning tiff, rose,mrs A
I'm in that place myself rose and mrs A, I too never wear my sit belt etc, just cannot be bothered with anything at the mo. I am comfort eating as well, have piled on the pounds not that I'm really that bothered about it. I guess i'm in the lucky position in that I don't go out to work, I don't think I could hold a job down anyway, and I really admire those of you who do go out to work, it must take some guts and sheer determination to get up and go out the door every day, I take my hat off to you.
How are you bearing up Tiff?
Muffin I claim DLA have done so since my depression started.
At the moment I am sooo stressed out with my daughter who by the way is 22, she decided she wanted to leave home, so she did, got a flat and a new job and I was so pleased for her, because she too suffers with depression and I know how hard it was for her, but then 6 months down the line she walked out of her job, that was a month ago now, she has hit rock bottom, has no job, no money coming in, her rent is due, I have been helping her out with money for food etc, she wants to go bck to college full time, but how realistic is that when she has to support herself, I have given her all the support I can and that is no mean feat considering how I am feeling at the mo, but I feel I cannot give anymore, I went to the job centre with her, got her to ring up for benefit forms, which she has filled in and still hasn't posted bk, I have to prompt her all the time. Oh i could go on forever!!
I too have problems with my parents, so much so that I cut them out of life 6 years ago and haven't spoken to them since, whether that is a good thing or a bad thing only time will tell, but at the mo I think it is a good thing. My mother was overbearing and generally down right nasty. And my children don't miss there grandparents and they weren't much cop at being grandparents anyway. Anyway I've rambled on enough.... think I will go bk to bed now.

love to everyone
betty

Tiff_2

muffin502 wrote:

Hi Tiff

Thank you so much for taking the time to reply.

I have never heard of DLA - is this not just for unemployed persons and not those who are employed and do receive some salary when they are at work?

Hi Muffin
Disability Living Allowance is totally independant of means tested benefits.
It only considers your health and how your day to day life is affected.
You can work fulltime and still qualify.
If you are already on benefits, and you are awarded whatever level of DLA, it is not included as an income so you would still get housing/council tax benefits and any other benefit you're on. Your benefits would not be affected.
DLA is meant to help you maintain an independant life where possible. The lower rates aren't a huge amount but every little helps when you're that ill.
Hope this was helpful.

Tiff_2

Hi Rose, Hi Everyone,
I had an idea (yes I know I promised not to do it again! ) which may help with your freelance photography.
My DS is about to go to college to study Performing Arts. There is a huge gap in the market for photographers who don't charge an arm, a leg and a kidney, to do head shots, black & whites etc for their CVs & portfolios. Most colleges have a Performing Arts section so you could approach their department & ask if you could put a notice up & offer a discount.
The important thing is that in this field their photographs need updating regularly because they change their hair colour/length & their looks change as they grow more etc and casting directors etc get highly ticked off when they're looking through the photos looking for a blonde and ending up with a redhead! You could also maybe advertise near a college in local shop windows so students will see for themselves.
Hope you're well & that you don't think I've totally lost the plot - I'm just missing a few pages!

muffin502

Tiff wrote:

Hi Muffin
Disability Living Allowance is totally independant of means tested benefits.
It only considers your health and how your day to day life is affected.
You can work fulltime and still qualify.
If you are already on benefits, and you are awarded whatever level of DLA, it is not included as an income so you would still get housing/council tax benefits and any other benefit you're on. Your benefits would not be affected.
DLA is meant to help you maintain an independant life where possible. The lower rates aren't a huge amount but every little helps when you're that ill.
Hope this was helpful.

Hi Tiff
thanks so much for your help and info. I have just been online to the gov website and filled in a claim form. Nothing to lose so fingers crossed I get a bit of something. Will keep you posted. Have a nice day! Muffin

pug_in_a_bed

Hello

Just wondering does anyone know if you can continue taking the pill whilst taking antidepressants such as prozac, just asking for my friend who is considering taking ad's but like me is plagued with acne and dianette is the only thing that works for us! I know we can't give medical advice but if anyone can provide a link or something with the answer I would be grateful.

Thanks again
Pug

bettyboop61

Hello pug

Don't know if this helps any, but my daughter takes venlafaxine and she takes dianette along side it, I'm almost sure you can take the pill along side anti depressants, but of course its better to be sure. I'm sure someone will be along who knows for sure.
Betty

jellycat40

Hi just found this thread.

I have suffered with depression on and off for 22 years. However have been on antidepressants for 6 years this time round. I have also been having analytical counselling since January this year. This is long term counselling and some of the people in the group have been there for 6/7 years. I was determined to be well after a year but things are not panning out.

I wanted to come of Cipramil and see what happened, I have weaned off them over the last few months and was feeling optimistic - however the withdrawal is awful. I have been off them for 3 weeks and had hoped to feel better by now. Went to see GP today who said that 6-8 weeks was normal for withdrawal and she gave me some diazepam 3 times a day to counteract the withdrawal. She also said that it may be that I will have to have life long antidepressants! Not cipramil but something else. Not sure what yet she will talk to my psych team and they will talk to me to discuss what next. I am booked for some physiotherapy to learn techniques to manage the panic that I get with the depression and the therapy that I have should sort out some of the reasons for the depression but apparently the depression itself may never completely go away.

I feel gutted, I really felt that I was going to get better and now I feel like I have no hope.

I do not work at the mo, I haven't worked for about a year now, I haven't applied for any benefits as I am sure that as hubby works I will get nothing. So I have no money of my own, Child benefit and tax credit aside. That goes on bills!

Feel zonked with the first lot of diazepam taken today, 3 times a day will have me a walking zombie but it may be better than the electric shock feelings, headaches and joint pain that I have been getting.

She has also referred me for bloods and urine check just incase a miracle has happened and I suddenly have thyroid or something. I think I was just checked a few weeks ago though!!!!

Louise