Dealing with Debt and Depression.

ms_london

Mupeteer wrote: »

I've had depression for the last eight years on and off (but mostly on:o ) and one thing I can't stand is people telling me I just need to get over it. They have no idea what it's like and obviously aren't interested. I even lost my best friend because she took that attitude. As far as she was concerned it's time wasters and lazy people who 'claim' to suffer from stress and depression. Nice!

Anyways, I'm now fully medicated :j but that doesn't make life rosy all the time.

One thing that has made a difference is that I was diagnosed with having an underactive thyroid a couple of years ago. Once that got sorted I had more energy, lost weight and felt a bit better. It might be worth asking your doctor to chech your thyroid levels as it is something that can have quite a big impact and I have heard it can be related to depression in many cases.

I still have some really tough times but I like to think I'm getting there.

Hi!

I think that is half the battle, with some people not understanding & making us feel worse than we already do.

I have an underactive thyroid - depression is a sympton (even when you are on medication!). Actually, possibly best not to get me started - doctors are !!!!!!! useless when it comes to treating thyroid issues. IF we were being medicated properly we wouldnt get the symptoms - this is only something I looked into recently (www.stopthethyroidmadness.com) is a fab website with great info and a forum on there, well, actually through another link on the site. Great to speak to others with the same thing. I've had it since birth which is unusual but I've always struggled with everything that goes with it, esp depression.

I took an overdose 3 years ago on good friday - it wasnt a cry for help, I really wanted to do it - THANKFULLY it didnt work (the doctors were amazed with the quantity & mix I took), that was really an eye opener and I knew I had to get help - had really low moments since then but never thoughts like that again. Having to deal with this for the rest of my life though makes me doubly depressed!

With easter coming up I always reflect on it quite a bit. Oh joy. Will need some serious chocolate I think :rolleyes:

Debt really didnt help matters and needless to say when I was debt free a huge weight was lifted and I did feel better - but that was only temporary. Now I am trying to get my weight issues sorted (not helped by the thyroid), because instead of spending money now I am more inclined to turn to food - I think its called 'addiction transfer'. Diet & exercise helps me deal with it all though, although usually last thing I feel like.

I really sympathise with everyone on here, and its great that you set up this support group Lucy.

Sorry to have rambled xx

Sea78

Massive hugs Ms London and Dinah.

Sea xxxxxx

vmf199

Hello

Read a bit of this post when it started and have come back for some inspiration. I'm going through a bit of a depressed time at the moment (I've been struggling with it for about 10yrs) and I just wondered if people could let me know what things have helped them or perhaps we could do a 'what small thing have you done today to help your depression?'. It's just that I find the other boards like the grocery board where people say of the extraordinary lengths they go to really inspiring.

For the last six months I've been going to a depression support group which I find really good and also been seeing a counsellor which I'm really struggling with and fear is making me more depressed as it stirs up feelings. I feel I may be better off going back on the prozac but really want to resist it until really necessary as I didn't like being on it the last time (made me unable to feel anything and I couldn't worry or care about anything). Even though I used to run marathons and do lots of sport I struggle with excercise at the moment. A few weeks ago I challenged myself to do 30 min walk each day but that only lasted about a week and it was a real effort. I currently work about 3/4 days a week driving. I think perhaps a new job may help, I just don't know.

Sorry for ramble just would be interested to know what people have found has helped most and whether counselling made them feel worse before feeling better and any steps I could take to help myself? I used to list my daily achievements even if it was having a relaxing bath or phoning a friend or going for a walk but I've stopped that now as not sure it had much benefit. The thing that gives me most sense of achievement at mo is paying of my debts!

Looking forward to hearing what's helped/worked for others
Thanks in advance

Keeping_Positive

Hi vmf199

The little thing that helps me is to get dressed in the morning. I always find I am more active (not much mind you) and fell a bit better. Well done for tackling your debts. I think its is the little tasks you set yourself that help - try 15 min walk as 30 min seems a long time.

Counselling does help it can take a while before you get seen but even if you just blab through it (which is part of the course by the way!) it helps to have someone who doesnt judge/have an opinion listening.

The other thing to realise is that you will have good and bad deays and try not to beat yourself up when its a bad day. Rest do whats essential and try again the next day. If you have several bad days in a row then I would see the doctor.

Just thought the other thing that seems to help is to stop denying that I am depressed. I seem to feel better when I admit it. Last week was really tough but since admitting I was worse than I thought and seeing the Doctor I feel alot better.

Lots of (((hugs)))) and I hope I have helped a bit. Please post all you want here.

Bex45

Dinah, I was very sorry to read about your cat. I've owned cats for years and they have minds of their own! One of mine (I had 5 at the time) decided she wanted to be an only pet and moved in with the family across the road for a while. When they emigrated, she moved back in with us! I would imagine that even if you decided to return the cat, it might well find its way back to you. But if a cat isn't microchipped, it's very hard to establish ownership anyway as many of them look exactly the same.
Good luck with whatever you decide,
Bex

vmf199

Thanks Wendy24g, you're right and on that note I shall get up and get dressed!

(Going to try the 15 mins walk a day)

The difficulty I find with counselling is blabbing or even talking for that matter, I just seem to stay stum and say as little as possible, I'm very reluctant to open up to anyone.

Luckystepho

Dinah,

Hugs to you, I took my cat in and know what it would have been like if somebody had tried to take her after some months (although I have had her 11 years now!)

If she kept running away from the alleged other home it sounds as though she wasn't happy there anyway and she has chosen to be with you.

Under the circumstances I think I'd be tempted to tell a white lie ie where you got her from! You are the one who's cared for her most of her life the other woman should just feel assured that she has a good caring home.

Keeping_Positive

vmf199 wrote: »

Thanks Wendy24g, you're right and on that note I shall get up and get dressed!

(Going to try the 15 mins walk a day)

The difficulty I find with counselling is blabbing or even talking for that matter, I just seem to stay stum and say as little as possible, I'm very reluctant to open up to anyone.

How are you getting on?

Keeping_Positive

Dinah been thinking about you too. I hope you havent given up MSE because of those nasty people in the Arms.

vmf199

Thanks for asking Wendy24g. I've not had a good weekend unfortunately, but on the plus side I've been careful with my money! I've got depression support group tonight so that should help. But at my last counselling session I left after 10 mins saying it was a load of rubbish (oops!).