Dealing with Depression

LegacyUser

I have realized in the last few weeks that I am presently suffering from depression - Increased drinking, listlessness and a never ending feeling of dread.

Much of this is as a result of a combination of personal, financial, work and family reasons, but unfortunately there is little I can do to alleviate any of these issues at present. Nonetheless, I think I need to deal with this, sooner rather than later, otherwise I will no doubt find myself in a self-destructive rut before long.

What I would like is if anyone might suggest strategies for dealing with this dilemma, or depression in general, without resorting to counseling or holidays - neither of which I can presently afford.

Captain Trips

Bootstraps wrote:

I have realized in the last few weeks that I am presently suffering from depression - Increased drinking, listlessness and a never ending feeling of dread.

Much of this is as a result of a combination of personal, financial, work and family reasons, but unfortunately there is little I can do to alleviate any of these issues at present. Nonetheless, I think I need to deal with this, sooner rather than later, otherwise I will no doubt find myself in a self-destructive rut before long.

What I would like is if anyone might suggest strategies for dealing with this dilemma, or depression in general, without resorting to counseling or holidays - neither of which I can presently afford.

DO what Gary Null says: http://www.garynull.org/

Some of it is a little baseless but some stuff is very good, e.g., proper Omega-3 acids in diet and depression.

First thing to go must be the booze. It *is* a depressant, without getting into a chicken or egg type argument. Then start going through what Null says, he talks a lot of common sense.

okee

Couple of things:
Start taking regular exercise
Cut down on caffine (coffee, tea etc)
Cut down on late nights, get a good nights sleep.
Also it can help a great deal to sit down and talk to
a close friend or spouse about how you feel.

I'd also recommend TM www.tm.org afaik it's a bit expensive
at the moment to learn but well worth it.

Like you said it's better to do as much as possible to cure this now
as it is liable to get worse and the worse it gets the harder it
will be to come out of it.

ando

I think you should try getting something new into your lifestyle. It looks to me that you are unable to escape the dread feelings at the moment, like one big circle of dread with no breaks. So if you could find something that is different, something new and fresh to alleviate some of the feelings you currently have, something to get your mind active and off what is causing the feelings, going for a cycle in a strange setting for example, I dunno something that interests you

When you say you have constant dread feelings, can you be specific. Like is it more like a constant anxious feelings, any physical bodily issues like nausea or trembling/sweating etc etc? Constant dread feelings could possibly be generalized anxiety disorder rather than depression

mrhappy42

Your not alone in this either, I think its 300,000 people in Ireland suffer from this at some stage.

AWARE
72 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2.
01 6617211
Help for those suffering from depression

They have a support line you could call. They also run sessions (think they are free they have 7 centres in Dublin) http://www.aware.ie/supgroup.html

I would go and see a Doctor. Find one you can talk to. The guys on boards are great and will help with contact and support but not all are trained to deal with this.

Sleepy

I know exactly how you feel, it seems to be the defining trait of our generation really. I've found that reading some worthwhile books (Douglas Coupland, The Economist, Chomsky etc, basically anything intelligent) helps a little, boards.ie I've found a great distraction to help me ignore the mind-crushing realities of day to day life. Though, as anyone close to me would tell you, I'm far from a balanced person. I have my moments, but to be honest I think it's just our age-group in general that's depressed at the moment. We feel cheated after being promised that all we needed to do to be rich and happy was get a good leaving cert and go to college. Well, we've done that now and all that was on the other side is a cubicle and a shit salary in a city that's about as friendly as a rattlesnake. There's no chance of owning your own home unless you've a rich mammy and daddy that can help you out, and while your rent probably isn't far off a mortgage payment it's just dead money. Owning a car is simply unrealistic for many people due to insane insurance premiums. Hey, life is ****. And we're living in a pretty ****ty place to be living it. All you can do is try to have as much fun as possible and take joy in the little things you see.

"For in the dew of little things, the heart finds it's morning and is refreshed." - Kahlil Gibran

lisa.c

ya we all feel like this at some time that fact that you recognise you feel like this is a good thing as your not trying to hide it. just keep talking about it to you nearest and dearest and eventually ull see the bad things around you change to positive things. also as well this time of year is ****ty for every one as we are all expecting holidays from work and our brains know this so our bodys tend to start giving up while were waiting for the much needed break so if you have hols comming up then expect to feel a pile better during them. just relax and worry about tomorrow tomorrow what will happen will happen and all the worring wont save or help anything it just makes it worse. trust me i know

KT1

Hi, I am currently studying for a BA in Counselling/Psychotherapy and I have just completed a 2 yr diploma course. Everybody is unique with this feeling and it may be something as simple as taking you vitamin B's (time release complex ones are very good for helping with depression).... however, may I ask your age? Whilst everything suggested above is good for depression, especially gentle exercise which stimulates seritonin release (the happy hormone) it is hard to get motivated if one is feeling low. Have you talked to anyone close to you? ....anyway, get on the B vits... they won't break the bank and should help a little.

Lisapeep

I dont know if you're a sporty type of person but sport is definitely a good way a beating the blues. On the scientific side, physical activity releases endorphins which are "feel good" hormones. I have found that an hours walk, every two days or so, does wonders. When you come in from your walk, take a nice long shower or bath, moisturise and relax for the evening. It works for me and you can always fit in a walk during lunch or when you come home in the evening!

Corksham

I have been a sufferer for a long time and despite the good intentions of people here most of their advice is not helpful.

Sports
Reading Chomksy!!!
Relaxation techniques etc...

None of these will help you in the long term to deal with depression. CBT therapy in combination with medication (such as SSRI's like lexapro) are widely regarded as the most successful methods of treatment. There are lots of sites on depression and some interstesting books like Overcoming Depression by Paul Gilbert. I have read lots of books on the subject feel free to PM me, I am also a chemist so i understand the neurochemical issues assoictaed with depression.

You are not alone. My personal advice is to take advice only from professionals and fellow sufferers, not "my friend had depression and..... ", sorry to sound dis-respectful to those who genuinely feel they are helping but only those of us who know what the dark night of the soul really is can understand.

Stark

I used to suffer depression from the diet I was eating. Loads of sugary and starchy fibreless foods. Eating a more sensible diet helped me an awful lot so I didn't need to get SSRIs. But as the previous poster said it's mostly neurochemical (diet sorted me out but mightn't do it for you) so visit your doctor. There was still the reality of Irish life but at least I was able to cope with things better with my brain functioning smoothly. For one thing I decided to get the hell away from cubicle job despite the financial setback. Took a better look at my options, realised I could stay in college a while longer (I'd be broke but mentally stimulated) and decided to choose subjects that interested me as opposed to just preparing me for a cubicle). When I had the depression all I could think was "oh god money money, can't leave, can't leave".

At the same time it's summer at the moment and I'm completely jobless as noone will give me a summer job. Ah c'est la vie. Thank god for dole (I haven't reregistered for college yet so I'm eligle ). And UTV's broadband trial, so I'm not too bad. Will take any scraps I can get off the country

KT1

all of you are great for your advice and it is sad that so many people suffer it isn't good. however, i am new to these boards and can't tell if bootstraps has logged on since posting the post. Can anyone advise? Or, Bootstraps if you are online please post a note letting us know how you are?
KT

mrhappy42

Boot strap is in as quest so no profile. to see if someone is onliine the circle is green. to see if activity you can click on the person and then the 'view public profile'.

KT1

Thanks Mr Happy.
Would "you've got a friend" not have been more apt?

lee_baby_simms

CBT therapy in combination with medication (such as SSRI's like lexapro) are widely regarded as the most successful methods of treatment.

Surely this resort should be taken when other possibilites have been explored? it appears bootstraps depression is more a result of recent personal reasons. Maybe some straightforward lifestyle changes are just whats needed.

Do you think rushing into medication is wise?

KT1

rushing into taking any medication is never wise especially where depression is concerned as I said earlier depression is unique to each individual along with what may aid that individual in feeling well again. It is important to get a diagnosis and talk abut issues with a qualified practitioner and as someone posted earlier AWARE's helpline are very useful in pointing someone in the right direction and advising where you can receive counselling without breaking the bank.

Corksham

lee_baby_simms wrote:

Surely this resort should be taken when other possibilites have been explored? it appears bootstraps depression is more a result of recent personal reasons. Maybe some straightforward lifestyle changes are just whats needed.

Do you think rushing into medication is wise?

I wasnt really advocating rushing into medication but you do raise an interesting issue alright. I think consultation with a professional would be the best course of action for now, it may well be that he / she is only admitting to depression now?

coco

hi i no how feels suffering from depression ive been suffering from it for about two years! it all started when my close family and friends passed away from either cancer or suicide.And then my dad had to get an eye transplant in both eyes and cant really see right now but its suposed to get better and my mum has lupus. Ive loads of friends but i always feel as if im alone and there nobody there. Ive not takin anything for it, my gp give me medication but i dont want to take it because id feel as if they would have control of my life and not me. I have a caring family and a wonderful boyfriend who cares for me alot but he worries bout me to much! he trys to help but it never works i love him to bits but i cant tell him how i feel all the time i wish it was easy but its not. I go out in the weekends and i put on this big front that im happy and i havint a care in d world! my friends think im perfectly happy but they dont no how i feel really! im hoping my depression will go and that ill finely be ok.

Static M.e.

Not much to add, must of the advice you have already been given is excellent.

Just to add though, their use to be a herbal medicine called "St Johns Wort" it is a very common anti depressent, and in my opinion is very good.

Problem is though I think it was taken off the shelf in Ireland but you can get it in the UK. Its doesnt effect you like other Anti Depressents, kinda hard to explain but its gradual ? after taking it for a few weeks you will notice the difference, its effects build on you.

All the best

acous

St Johns Wort is available from here. It's dirt cheap and there's a lot of good solid info online about it. I'd reiterate what KT1 said though, every case is different and it might be a good idea to get advice from someone who knows. If you can motivate yourself to change your lifestyle a bit it can't hurt either.

Straying a bit OT... Does anyone know if it's true that psychiatrists get comission/freebies/trips to conferences from prescribing certain medications? is that why nobody gets prescribed st johns wort?

coco

Its is not so easy, all the time problems arise and u feel down and u feel ull never be normal that ur different from everyone! But i was wrong i believed it was just me who suffering so badly. Id be crowd room with family and friends and still feel alone part of me feels like its missing all of the time. I wake up in the middle of the night with panic attacks and feel terrible. And you no the only way to get through it is to not think of all the problems you have. i was told that its better to talk about it than leave it cause it will get worse. but over the last few weeks i feel better i keep my mind on my work and my friends and go out and try being myself for change and not worry bout my problems. But is not easy as tat u can never runaway from your problems.

KT1

Well Dr's in the UK and Ireland get "bonuses" for prescribing certain drugs. Which is why even drugs have a fashion i.e. Prozac. The book Prozac Nation touches on this subject a little. However, I do think that the law on this is going to be changed. KT

coco

Fair enough prozak and all those other drugs can help but there not the answer people need to talk to each other that how you get over deppression by talking about your problems and fears

MistressPandora

Just wanted to say that I've been suffering with depression since as long as I can remember, and it's been a long, difficult battle, but I know that the Samartians are always there to help. A couple of months ago, I was in town, passing by the Abbey Theatre, and I noticed the Samartians office across the road. I walked in, immediatly got introduced to a very nice person and we just sat down and talked. I must have been there for well over a hour, but it really helped. These people don't know who you are, and some reason, that makes it easier to talk to them. They offer helpful advice, but mostly they sit and listen.
http://kildare.ie/Voluntary/samaritans/samaritansindex.htm

If you don't want to talk to anyone face to face, then you can ring them 24 hours a day, I think it costs 12c no matter how long you stay on the phone for.
Other than that, I can't say I really recommend happy pills. I went to see a psychiartist a year ago, and keep seeing various ones until last May. You can't get attached to one certain doctor, because they move around so much, and very few of them actually ask you how you're feeling these days. They hand you a prescription and send you out the door. And my dosage just kept getting higher and higher, and as each month passed by, I got more and more scared, until I demanded I wanted off of all these pills. They didn't listen, gave me a prescription for sleeping tablets. I went off and got the prescription, but I'll admit it was for hoarding for later use. I went cold turkey, and for a week, it was horrible. The shaking, the sweating, the headaches, my nerve-endings coming back to life, it was so bad. I took one final happy pill and never looked back since
Of course, that's my own opinion, but I wish you the best of luck anyways!

LegacyUser

Some feedback:

Sleepy: I appreciate the sentiments, but you seemed more interested in talking about yourself and your problems than actually suggesting anything. Not a criticism, just an observation.

Corksham: I am not actually prone to depression and would certainly not rush into any course that may be exagerated or may lead to any long term use of medication. I would not rule it out either, but it would be more prudent to try less extreme remidies before advancing to those you suggested.

Cutting down on alcohol, improving my diet, supplementing my vitamin B intake, more fresh air and more sleep are the course that I intend taking for the time being. As I said, I'm not actually prone to depression, and suspect that this may be sufficent for my current needs. If not I shall revisit the situation in a few weeks.

Many thanks to all for your suggestions.

coco

I no there loads of people out who suffer from depression and i am one of them but if i new i could make a person get over this illness then maybe i can do it aswell. Depression is a terrible illness. My doctor told me its mostly caused by stress etc. Then i went to a shrink but she was trying to find the root of the problems i was having she was right and i found out it was because of the death and missing those of whom i love. There are alot of support groups but drink is not the answer or drugs. Talking and listening is the only cure...

LegacyUser

Sleepy wrote:

I know exactly how you feel, it seems to be the defining trait of our generation really. I've found that reading some worthwhile books (Douglas Coupland, The Economist, Chomsky etc, basically anything intelligent) helps a little, boards.ie I've found a great distraction to help me ignore the mind-crushing realities of day to day life. Though, as anyone close to me would tell you, I'm far from a balanced person. I have my moments, but to be honest I think it's just our age-group in general that's depressed at the moment. We feel cheated after being promised that all we needed to do to be rich and happy was get a good leaving cert and go to college. Well, we've done that now and all that was on the other side is a cubicle and a shit salary in a city that's about as friendly as a rattlesnake. There's no chance of owning your own home unless you've a rich mammy and daddy that can help you out, and while your rent probably isn't far off a mortgage payment it's just dead money. Owning a car is simply unrealistic for many people due to insane insurance premiums. Hey, life is ****. And we're living in a pretty ****ty place to be living it. All you can do is try to have as much fun as possible and take joy in the little things you see.

"For in the dew of little things, the heart finds it's morning and is refreshed." - Kahlil Gibran

BRAVO!

Sleepy

Bootstraps wrote:

Sleepy: I appreciate the sentiments, but you seemed more interested in talking about yourself and your problems than actually suggesting anything. Not a criticism, just an observation.

My suggestion was that you get used to it. Everyone feels this way nowadays, it's the norm.

Elessar

Sleepy wrote:

My suggestion was that you get used to it. Everyone feels this way nowadays, it's the norm.

>> Quite possibly the most stupid thing anyone's ever said, ever. Do you know everyone?

Bootstrap, best thing I can advise is what most people here have said, get plenty of sleep, take some vitamin supplements, get some exercise, improve your diet. As you said you're not prone to depression, so the best thing is to tackle the root cause - as far as I'm aware that's the overall best way to overcome depression.

Again, as you said, you're not prone to it, so I'm sure it's just a passing thing and you'll be fine sooner rather than later .

MistressPandora

Originally Posted by Sleepy
My suggestion was that you get used to it. Everyone feels this way nowadays, it's the norm.

Elessar wrote:

>> Quite possibly the most stupid thing anyone's ever said, ever. Do you know everyone?

I have to admit, getting used to something like depression is probably the most difficult thing I've ever done. And I'm still trying to deal with having depression, even after 22 years.

seaghdhas

Isn't a method of thought or a way of approaching things a comfort zone thing? People act in a certain way because they always have done, it takes alot of effort to abandon a readily available activity or chain of thoughts. It may take props and personal blackmail, but change is possible.