Have you ever had depression?

Pigwidgeon

Grindylow, as someone who's been through pretty much the same situation and has come out the other side, it does get better.

I know how shít it can be sitting at home everyday doing nothing, my best advice is look for work, give yourself loads of projects to do to keep yourself busy and you'll be surprised how fast the time passes.

Just hang on in there, it gets better and at the end of the day if it makes you happier, it's worth it.

cloud493

I had a nice text off my mum before I miss her, I teared up a bit to be honest

Leftyflip

I freakin' hate how depression is still treated as a taboo subject these days. I've suffered from it myself and still do at times, yet out of the few people I actually trusted enough to talk to them about it, nearly all of them just said "ah you'll be grand sure, you're only a little down"... It seems that a lot of the time people either aren't bothered to help, or are afraid to know what it's like.

I know that sometimes it can feel all too much and just too hard to keep going, especially when there is so much stuff going on. But believe me, it gets better, you will also be surprised at who is really there for you, it might be someone close to you or someone you just met. Sometimes there's a person who just wants to listen to you. Oh and hugs... Lots of hugs...

Ger

Jackobyte

I posted this in "share something" thread but this thread is probably more fitting.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TdkNn3Ei-Lg

Jamie Starr

So it's about a year since my last truly depressive episode, and I feel as though it's rather important to post around this time, since depression about money, family issues etc. seems to really take hold around the Christmas period.

Last December, I really didn't see the point in existing. I was horribly, horribly down- 17 was the last time I had experienced anything like it. I was inexpressibly worried about where my life was heading . I was starting a job in a school which I really didn't want to do, and then after that going on Erasmus to a place I had never been with someone I hardly knew. Why these opportunities didn't make me happy, but instead make me miserable, I can only guess at it. I suppose when you feel like you don't know where you belong, being pushed into things is rather distressing. I didn't talk to anyone about it for this very reason, until (as usual with me), I had a bit of a breakdown.

Looking back, it was a learning experience, and not one I'm sad to have had, because if there's one thing it has taught me, is that things get better. And it sounds like garbage, people say it so often, but it is thoroughly true. I'm changed, for the better, in this past year. Because I had to get through some difficulty, a difficulty that was as undefinable and yet as malevolent as anything could be. I can sit here and honestly say to anyone, to keep on going, and you will be rewarded for it, I think. Maybe not in the way you want, right away, but you will have given yourself something to build on.

Be good to yourself, and everyone around you, as much as possible this Christmas!

Insect Overlord

There's a new thread about depression and mental health in After Hours this morning, for anyone interested.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056481009

I haven't written much of my own story here for a while, but I've a post in AH if anyone's in the mood for more of my usual style.

It's a great thread too. So heartwarming and uplifting to finally see people being able to discuss these things openly now.

Slowly, very slowly, the stigma is being removed.

DeVore

Hey, dont think I've been in here before (i r old, and will die soon )

Didnt know about this thread but its pretty awesome! Taboo and stigma are things I greatly dislike and if it means standing up and buttonholing something.... oh i'm yer man! Its so good to see you guys'n'gals looking out for each other. It wasnt like that in my day (dear god would you listen to me!). Be strong for each other and f*ck the old ways, this is your world.

Be well and what a great thread you have here...

DeV.

DeVore

DeVore wrote: »

Hey, dont think I've been in here before (i r old, and will die soon )

Didnt know about this thread but its pretty awesome! Taboo and stigma are things I greatly dislike and if it means standing up and buttonholing something.... oh i'm yer man! Its so good to see you guys'n'gals looking out for each other. It wasnt like that in my day (dear god would you listen to me!). Be strong for each other and f*ck the old ways, this is your world.

Be well and what a great thread you have here...

DeV.

Nonsense DeV! You're far from old and you'll never die!

cloud493

I'm not doing so good at the moment. Just hoping Christmas will pass quickly as possible.

brummytom

I've never posted in this thread before.
For some reason, I've been having a pretty bad time of it lately - no real reason. But my psychology teacher had a chat with me about May, when she said she thought I could be depressed. Yeah, I dunno. DeV's post in AH really really spoke to me, it sums up exactly how I feel.

Like I said in that thread, I've got two friends who I've spoke to this about, and one in particular who couldn't be more helpful, and will put up with anyway; but it doesn't make it feel better. And the fact I've actually got a good life just makes me feel worse, I've got every reason to feel happy - so why don't I?

Ah well. I went to the doctors last week about very messed up sleeping patterns, and mentioned that I hadn't been feeling great recently, but he said I'm probably stressed about my exams, which wasn't very helpful as I couldn't care less about them!

Mars Bar

All of this time on Boards and I didn't know this was here? Bad form!

I might have had a better Christmas last year if I had known it was here but another website let me vent. I suppose it was better that way coz when I felt I could move on, I closed my account and had the thread locked and I felt I had walked away from that time in my life. I'm always on here and if I had written loads about it here, I'd probably keep coming back and reading it and it wouldn't do me any good.

I know my Mam suffers from it and my Aunt on my Dad's side has it bad so maybe it's genetic and all that was needed was a trigger to set it off (a fatal bus crash in my case).

I'm good now though. Struggled over the finish line at college and was proud to get my degree, playing football now and studying fitness and gym instruction which means I'm always exercising so I'm not lounging about the place.

I'm anxious now though. Always anxious!

Captain Graphite

Insect Overlord wrote: »

There's a new thread about depression and mental health in After Hours this morning, for anyone interested.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056481009

I haven't written much of my own story here for a while, but I've a post in AH if anyone's in the mood for more of my usual style.

That really is an excellent thread.
I wrote a bit in it earlier; won't go typing it all out again so link is here

The Black Oil

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=STm9vTqR1Ps

http://www.burgessct.com/2011/10/bully-discuss/

I think this is a good video on cyberbullying and some of its effects. Seems that there's been quite a few teen suicides, involving some part of the internet/social media, in the US lately.

Jackobyte

Insect Overlord wrote: »

There's a new thread about depression and mental health in After Hours this morning, for anyone interested.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056481009

I haven't written much of my own story here for a while, but I've a post in AH if anyone's in the mood for more of my usual style.

That is an amazing thread. I have had to hide tears from my family while reading it.

I may or may not post here in the next few days. I've written a 700 word blog draft tonight on the subject, so I will see what happens with that tomorrow.

Thanks a million for sharing the thread, IO. It really is an inspiration.

cloud493

http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2011/10/adventures-in-depression.html



Stolen from the main thread. But it's really very good.

Seren_

The bit up to the video store is like I wrote it myself! Thanks for sharing it, didn't see it on the other thread.

JamJamJamJam

Okay, so, if you know/suspect somebody suffers from depression, what should and shouldn't you do to help?

*takes out notepad and pencil*




Sorry if this has been covered before

cloud493

JamJamJamJam wrote: »

Okay, so, if you know/suspect somebody suffers from depression, what should and shouldn't you do to help?

*takes out notepad and pencil*




Sorry if this has been covered before

Shouldn't

Confront them about it
Tell them to cheer up
Organize help/tell family without telling them first

Should

Listen to them
Probe the question with them, delicately as possible
Ask them how they want to handle it.



Oh yeah, and DON'T - Tell them what they're going to do, or what they need.

SarahBeep!

And none of that 'I know what you're going through' bullsh*t, everyone is different.

cloud493

And be Patient.

decisions

I should really post something in here, but I can't bring myself to do it yet.

cloud493

decisions wrote: »

I should really post something in here, but I can't bring myself to do it yet.

Just say it. Saying it, feels a lot better than keeping it inside.



And sad Matt needs to shut up. I need to go die in a hole somewhere so that I don't inflict myself on people anymore, cos I'm so disgusting.

cloud493

Silly post was silly

Aoifey!

The other day my friend told me he thinks I'm depressed...

cloud493

Aoifey! wrote: »

The other day my friend told me he thinks I'm depressed...

What do you think?

Grindylow

cloud493 wrote: »

What do you think?

cloud493

Grindylow wrote: »

I mean, he told you he thought you were depressed. What did that make you think?

Aoifey!

cloud493 wrote: »

What do you think?

I dunno really, it had crossed my mind before but I dunno.

It just came as a shock when he said it, I'm never that girl that cries at parties and stuff, I'm the one taking care of them! He said it out of no where too, I wasn't upset or anything at the time, we were just chatting and he asked if I was depressed.

cloud493

Aoifey! wrote: »

I dunno really, it had crossed my mind before but I dunno.

It just came as a shock when he said it, I'm never that girl that cries at parties and stuff, I'm the one taking care of them! He said it out of no where too, I wasn't upset or anything at the time, we were just chatting and he asked if I was depressed.

Would you consider yourself, happy like? Thats a bit of a clinical question mind, but still. Its often those who show the least symptoms, who suffer the worse(not that I'm implying anything about you)

Lawliet

Aoifey! wrote: »

I dunno really, it had crossed my mind before but I dunno.

It just came as a shock when he said it, I'm never that girl that cries at parties and stuff, I'm the one taking care of them! He said it out of no where too, I wasn't upset or anything at the time, we were just chatting and he asked if I was depressed.

A depressed person doesn't always have to be upset or even sad, often it manifests as apathy. Have you been behaving differently lately, like losing interest in stuff, trouble concentrating, getting angry easily, getting headaches, chest or any other kind of pains, changes in diet or sleeping pattern (although given that it's Christmas the last two probably aren't the best indicators)

Aoifey!

cloud493 wrote: »

Would you consider yourself, happy like? Thats a bit of a clinical question mind, but still. Its often those who show the least symptoms, who suffer the worse(not that I'm implying anything about you)

Honestly, I have no idea .

A lot a shit has been going on in my life lately anyway so everything's sorta all over the place.

Lawliet wrote: »

A depressed person doesn't always have to be upset or even sad, often it manifests as apathy. Have you been behaving differently lately, like losing interest in stuff, trouble concentrating, getting angry easily, getting headaches, chest or any other kind of pains, changes in diet or sleeping pattern (although given that it's Christmas the last two probably aren't the best indicators)

Well my friend said the reason he thinks it is cause a lot of the time I'll just stay in bed and not bother getting up to eat or do...well, anything. Then again, I am very lazy . But that has been affecting my health to the stage where I'll just not eat for days.

I dunno, it could just be a big deal out of nothing, it was just when someone else said it it made me think about it more.

cloud493

Aoifey! wrote: »

Honestly, I have no idea .

A lot a shit has been going on in my life lately anyway so everything's sorta all over the place.




Well my friend said the reason he thinks it is cause a lot of the time I'll just stay in bed and not bother getting up to eat or do...well, anything. Then again, I am very lazy . But that has been affecting my health to the stage where I'll just not eat for days.

I dunno, it could just be a big deal out of nothing, it was just when someone else said it it made me think about it more.

Well laziness is one thing(I know that) not eating for days is another. If there's a lot of stuff going on.... I dunno. Have you thought of talking to someone?

Aoifey!

cloud493 wrote: »

Well laziness is one thing(I know that) not eating for days is another. If there's a lot of stuff going on.... I dunno. Have you thought of talking to someone?

Ah I'll be okay, nothing I can't handle so far, and I'm probably just making a big deal out of nothing.

cloud493

Not at all. Going and talking to someone is incredibly easy, and if it is nothing, will hardly cost you anytime/money, if it is, you've caught it before it gets worse than it could potentially become.

Aoifey!

cloud493 wrote: »

Not at all. Going and talking to someone is incredibly easy, and if it is nothing, will hardly cost you anytime/money, if it is, you've caught it before it gets worse than it could potentially become.

Maybe, I dunno, just don't think I'd like to go see someone. I have a fear of even going to the GP so I don't think I'd handle it very well .

Thanks for the advice though, maybe someday I will

SAHMOM

I have had a flick tru the posters and I'm not sure if my response will have any affect upon the thread.....
After my dd was born I went tru a year and a half before my dh begged me to see someone. I didn't know that I had pnd but everyone else around me did!!:eek:...I was incrediably moody, short tempered and a nightmare to be around. When I look back now I should have known as I had no intrest in getting up in the morns, when I did I sat on the sofa and only moved when I had too..ie feed or interact with my 2 kids.
I cried for no reason (I'm general pretty good at contoling my emotions)
I fought with dh over anything and one occasion lead me to driving off and sitting at the side of the road for an hr crying.
I went to my GP, he gave me meds and the number for a lovely pro to talk too.
4 years on and I wish I had sorted it out sooner because I lost that bonding time with my DD as well as with the rest of my family.
Depression is a state of mind that some people need help with changing. There is nothing wrong with asking for help...meds or talking to a pro about it....It worked for me.

Lawliet

SAHMOM wrote: »

I have had a flick tru the posters and I'm not sure if my response will have any affect upon the thread.....

This thread would be nothing if people didn't share their experiences! Although would you mind not using so much text talk, I'm having trouble making sense of your post

Aoifey! wrote: »

Maybe, I dunno, just don't think I'd like to go see someone. I have a fear of even going to the GP so I don't think I'd handle it very well .

It doesn't have to be a GP, talking to anyone can be a help. Even if you think you're doing okay it's better to be open, you don't want to let things build up

Namlub

I'm not being funny but what's a dd and all that?

Davidius

Namlub wrote: »

I'm not being funny but what's a dd and all that?

Dear Daughter, Dear Husband and Postnatal Depression are what I assumed.

Mars Bar

Davidius wrote: »

Dear Daughter, Dear Husband and Postnatal Depression are what I assumed.

That's what I gathered too.

SAHMOM

:oSorry I'm new on Boards and used to using other Forums which are most parent friendly hence Darling Daughter, Darling Husband etc

Like other posters said talking really does help, GP or someone else. I found it helpful to talk to a women whom I didn't know and felt she didn't make judgements.
I was also really against using the meds, but they really did help.

Anyway hoped my input helped

cloud493

How is everyone at the moment?

Seren_

cloud493 wrote: »

How is everyone at the moment?

Pretty crap. All the stuff I try to keep a lid on is coming out non stop because I'm stressed with exams. And that makes me want to do nothing so I just stay in bed all day. I badly need a rest, so I'm thinking of dropping out of college for reals again, but if I do that it'll make me more isolated and that just makes things worse.

How are you cloud?

cloud493

Your Text Here wrote: »

Pretty crap. All the stuff I try to keep a lid on is coming out non stop because I'm stressed with exams. And that makes me want to do nothing so I just stay in bed all day. I badly need a rest, so I'm thinking of dropping out of college for reals again, but if I do that it'll make me more isolated and that just makes things worse.

How are you cloud?

If you dropped out of college, would you lose any mates you made in college? Sometimes taking a break is the best thing

And I'm ok. Well not really. I just really need to leave Ireland, I can't stand the constant isolation here, its getting me down so bad. Month 10 of no self harm

Leftyflip

blarrghhhhhhhh.

cloud493

Leftyflip wrote: »

blarrghhhhhhhh.

What's up?

Seren_

cloud493 wrote: »

If you dropped out of college, would you lose any mates you made in college? Sometimes taking a break is the best thing

And I'm ok. Well not really. I just really need to leave Ireland, I can't stand the constant isolation here, its getting me down so bad. Month 10 of no self harm

Do you have to stay here much longer? There's always loads of people here if you feel really isolated, and some forums have meetups that you could go to too.

Nah, I wouldn't lose any of my closest friends anyway... I don't know what to do. I love my course, but I don't think I'm able for it right now. The only thing holding me back is that I don't think the course will be running next year, so if I leave it I can't go back.

Leftyflip wrote: »

blarrghhhhhhhh.

*hug*

cloud493

Your Text Here wrote: »

Do you have to stay here much longer? There's always loads of people here if you feel really isolated, and some forums have meetups that you could go to too.

Nah, I wouldn't lose any of my closest friends anyway... I don't know what to do. I love my course, but I don't think I'm able for it right now. The only thing holding me back is that I don't think the course will be running next year, so if I leave it I can't go back.



*hug*

Nah my familys all in england as well. Not sure why I decided to stay here in the first place, some misguided sense of 'independance' **** that, I'm lonely :P

flyswatter

Your Text Here wrote: »

Nah, I wouldn't lose any of my closest friends anyway... I don't know what to do. I love my course, but I don't think I'm able for it right now. The only thing holding me back is that I don't think the course will be running next year, so if I leave it I can't go back.

How far are you into your course? Are you close to the end?