Dealing with Debt and Depression.

Lucy1982_2

Hi.

As many of you will know I am currently suffering from Stress and Depression (I don't do things by halfs!) And I have notice the seemingly large number of other DFW's who have/are suffering. Personally I need a support network and you guys are really important.

While I was chatting to my Dr he mentioned that people with depression/stress tend to eat more and spend more to cheer themselves up. Obviously this is not good especially when you are already in debt.

I was wondering if anyone wanted to join my little support group, I want to try and beat my debt, while realising that I have other problems in my life that need addressing. Suffering for depression effects everything in my life, even though I know sometimes I shouldn't eat/spend that I need to anyway. I thought that it might be helpful for some of the people here to share experiences and advice on how to get through this and deal with the panic when it starts.

I was given a link to the royal college of psycology which was helpful - http://www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinformation.aspx

I currently have over £14,000 of debt which needs to be reduced, now I know all the basic's ebay/Amazon until there is nothing left, but a lot of the time I suffer from lack of motivation and really can't be bothered.

I guess I just need some people to hold my hand through this and hopefully it will be of some use to other people. I know that when we are depressed we feel extra vunerable and alone. I know I'm not, but still hand holding would be appreciated!

Thanks x

immoral_angeluk

Having not long just gotten over postnatal depression I know exactly what you're going through so feel free to hold my hand if you need it. will pm you my email address/msn addy now.

Shineyhappy

Well you already have my email address so you know where I am whenever you want to chat!

I am happy to talk whenever you want, its a shame you dont live closer or I would take you out for a nice cup of tea.

Lucy1982_2

Well Our tea machine is being fixed at the moment, otherwise I would run and get one!

x

Jacks_xxx

Hey sweetie,

I'm sorry to hear that you feel poo sometimes and I definitely think I try to cheer myself up when I feel low with a new lippie or a piece of Banoffee pie (just as a random example!)

I need my !!!! kicking on the motivation front as much as anybody.

So have a virtual :coffee: and we'll get through it together.

I nearly forgot to say that I've been there - with the stress at least.

I jacked in my last job because of the stress and insomnia that went with it.

I went to see the doc in desperation and asked her to "give me something" to help me carry on since I couldn't sleep and was a grumpy moo most of the time and my splendid doc told me not to be ridiculous! :eek:

She said if the job was making me ill then I should be looking for a new job, not looking for pills to help me continue in a job that's making me ill!

Then hubby did the sums and we worked out that we'd be better off if I worked somehwere local where I didn't need a car, and part time so I wouldn't need a childminder and it all spiralled from there.

I still have trouble sleeping sometimes though.

So count me in hon.

Love Jacks xxx

Lucy1982_2

Thanks Jacks!

I'm lucky that the only person who makes work hard has just announced that she is leaving at the end of Dec!!! Which is one less stressful things to worry about.

I'll have that cup of tea!

Toto

Hey Jacks, if ever you feel low, go and look at my facebook page. You'll see on the left hand side on compare friends what everyone thinks of you! You and Tig are top on everything Cos you're special.

Lucy depression is a horrible thing. I have something, not sure what, but I'm on the prozac and mostly function well. Mine is migraine related, a seratonin thing which makes me feel really depressed, tearful and de-motivated, but while crying my eyes out I can laugh at myself at the same time. So, I don't have standard depression but it sure as hell gives me an insight into what living with the real deal is all about.

I also find it's a double edged sword as far as eating and spending goes. For me, when I have a migraine/depression attack coming I feel so low I eat and spend to cheer myself up, but on the flip side, when the migraine passes I get the high feeling too, a seratonin peak so I feel on top of the world, that makes me spend and eat too. Neither is good or healthy, and I'm probably useless as a support (although I'll certainly try) but I do really understand what you're going through and I hope even that helps a bit.

Lucy1982_2

The problem is I eat/spend to make myself feel better and then I feel guilty as I know I shouldn't have done it which makes the depression worse... then I eat and spend more. Even I don't get the logic on that one!

mumoftwins

Hi Lucy,

Can I join too please?

Totally understand about depression and eating - so far this year year I've put on 1.5st which is soooooo awful and adds to my depression .

Friends say why not go bacl to WW and eventually when I'm settled and not so depressed I will and I'll go back to the gym too.

When you say you 'eat' when you're depressed do you mean chocolate or just FOOD;) in general?

Toto

There isn't a lot of logic in any of it Lucy, I quit trying to find it. All you can do is re-train yourself out of the guilt. Tell yourself that whatever you do during a down time is ok, just one of those things you'll work on, that way you can attack the guilt spending/eating.

Do you have a small amout you can save somehow for guilt free spending when you're depressed? Maybe make a tin pained in bright happy colours with 'Lucy's treats' written on it. Pay a little into it when you feel good and when you feel down empty it and blow it on whatever you like, guilt free.

falady

Hi Lucy and everyone,

I think this is a really good idea for a thread, as it is something that many people suffer with (me included) and support is always welcome.

Good news about the work colleague leaving - that should make things easier! Luckily my boss is pretty understanding and supportive, and I work with nice people, so that is a huge help when I'm feeling low.

I ended up having 3 months off sick with depression last year, and ended up eating and spending too much to cheer myself up, just like so many other people. I used to walk into town (dr said exercise is good for me and its only 20 mins down the road...) and end up spending money on silly things. Of course this then carried on and spiralled, and now i'm in the situation i'm in. :rolleyes:

Hopefully now we're all on the road to recovery (both debt and depression wise):T

I'll try to offfer any support I can,

Ali x