LETS ALL LAUGH AT PEOPLE WITH DEPRESSION!!

looking_around

mickman wrote: »

Most GP's will offer a perscription and a referral - that should not be the first steps

a referral isnt a bad thing.

When you cant form words to describe whats going, when you dont know why you're feeling that way and what not. Counselling is great for that, and the waiting lists aren't too bad. the quicker you're on one the better.

I'm not saying to avoid aware group support, they can be helpful, if you're up to being in a group.
__
as to the GPs, I've found the majority don't understand mental illness very well, despite I've found most to try and be decent/caring/helpful.
I do think younger/newer GP's have a better understanding than those who are "set in their ways", might just be my own experience though.

__
btw for the one who asked about telling a GP and said "I'm not depressed as such". Depression doesn't always exhibit itself as misery/sad all the time.
Being tired/fed up/unmotivated/uninterested and even 'physical' pain can be symptoms of depression so just tell the doc what you're thinking/feeling. and let them help.

It's ok to go on meds, but I'd suggest to also ask about therapy, not all docs think of referring you for therapy ... and I think the best treatment is the two combined.

Morag

So I have been working with a counselor for the last 5 weeks.
It has been a gods send, as life got sorta hetic.
They have been working with me on practicing mindfulness.
It's seems to be working for me.

lukesmom

Morag wrote: »

So I have been working with a counselor for the last 5 weeks.
It has been a gods send, as life got sorta hetic.
They have been working with me on practicing mindfulness.
It's seems to be working for me.

I find it absolutely brilliant too.

Chiquitita

In my experience seeing my gp was essential, I needed medication to stop panic attacks. Then, when my mind calmed down a bit I started seeing a therapist.
Im happy to take medication and plan on taking it for the foreseeable.

Do whatever works for you.

lukesmom

Chiquitita wrote: »

In my experience seeing my gp was essential, I needed medication to stop panic attacks. Then, when my mind calmed down a bit I started seeing a therapist.
Im happy to take medication and plan on taking it for the foreseeable.

Do whatever works for you.

+1

Donkey Oaty

Chiquitita wrote: »

Do whatever works for you.

A good sentiment. Listen to all the advice, and heed Chiquitita's.

cloud493

Posted this in the other thread, but I thought it was really relevant

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/t1/1601190_1538635656361684_1489749021_n.jpg

BrianG23

whirlpool wrote: »

I just need some general advice.

I went to my GP in December with a bad toothache. While there, he asked me how I was getting on, anxiety-wise. I said I was getting on fine, which was true. I've been on the same dose of an SSRI for the past 24 months, and I've been pretty stable that entire time.

He kind of blind-sided me next, because my mind was still on the throbbing pain in my tooth, and he said "Okay, lets start weaning. Take half the dose every other day for the next three months" and he proceeded to write me the appropriate prescription. I was very distracted and just thanked him, took the prescription and left.

For the first few weeks, I stayed on my usual full dose because I had other things going on and wasn't comfortable starting the weaning process without first taking some time for myself to think about it.

After a few weeks, I started to wean; it's now been about 4 weeks.

The side effects have included distressingly-vivid dreams, feeling breathless (including waking up in the middle of the night gasping for breath) slight panicking, ongoing mild anxiety, slight dizziness from time to time, and doom and gloom.

Are these side effects trying to tell me that the weaning is not going well? Or what should I be learning from them? I'm just not sure if I should be concerned about them or not, or trying some things to help, or should I even be continuing with this weaning process.

This happened to me when weaning off. The point of weaning is that the 'side effects' of dropping the SSRI are less than if you just dropped them altogether. You will get used to this dose I promise you. However to me it sounds like the side effects are hitting you hard. And yeah, your Gp shouldn't really 'take you off them'. Its up to you. Thats what you're paying him for. I honestly wished I stayed on them for a full year I was only on them for 3 months before lowering the dose myself.

Well, at least thats what I though, lately though, the weirdest thing ever. I have no anxiety whatsoever. It's odd feeling this way...in a great way

BrianG23

Dodd wrote: »

I need to see my GP.

What do say if they when making an appointment"me heads wrecked".?
It's one thing if it's physical you just say it's this or that.

I don't know how I can put things to make sense to the GP also and think I might end up just walking out.

I don't know about being depressed but I'm feed up for a while now
and don't care anymore but I have grown kids and I guess I should get help.

You dont' have to say anything about why you want an appointment. Just ask for an appointment. I was surprised to find my GP knew exactly what I was talking about and asked me if I would prefer meds or counselling, he also recommended me a counsellor. I've often found this when going to a GP, they ask 'how are you feeling' or how are things at home etc. I think they are generally aware of mental health issues these days

I just went over, no BS and straight up said, "I think i'm depressed and I have been for years", he asked was it anxiety or depression and I said both, because it was true. I simply described him how I felt and how I was doing in life. Just go for it, I guarantee you the GP won't think less of you or anything silly like that.

Turtwig

Most GPs will give a referral. You also have to bear in mind their ethical dilemma. Someone has come to them in distress do they just leave them be waiting untreated on the referral and risk the condition progressing aversely, or do they try to treat you like they do all other illness symptoms initially? My friend's GP put her on a SSRI and gave her a book on CBT with homework and stuff to do while waiting.

GPs, like mechanics, have varied mileage.

It should go without saying though whatever your ailment, physical or mental, your GP needs to know. Last thing you want is to be given a drug linked with mood altering side effects e.g corticosteroids for a physical condition when an alternative drug is available. If your GP doesn't know about your susceptibility then they may put you on a possible mood altering drug because they're generally the most effective.

So if you suspect you're suffering from depression you need to talk to your GP. You can always say no to any treatment options they suggest.

stop animal cruelty

CAn someone tell me do l need a referral letter to see a psychotherapist?

Chiquitita

Hey no you dont. Your gp can refer you to someone they know or else you can pick someone yourself (from a recommendation or whatever).
A psychiatrist is a medical doctor who specialises in mental health and usually you need a referral to see one, unless its an emergency situation etc.

Hope this helps and hope all is ok x

LoganRice

Good luck y'all!

Dodd

The last thing I would want is a group thing.
I don't like a group of people.
That is a night mare to me.

Drumpot

Dodd wrote: »

The last thing I would want is a group thing.
I don't like a group of people.
That is a night mare to me.

Different people need different help at different times.

I was never keen on group therapy, but going to a session to just listen to others talk about their experiences can help. You can always decline to speak.

I am not telling you to goto a group meeting, but I know myself that sometimes what I want to do and what I need to do can be in conflict. I regularly isolate myself and hate the thought of even returning some peoples calls. I can build something up so much in my mind and it seldom is ever as bad as I think.

I tried a group aware meeting because I was desperate to try anything to get well. In short, I was at the stage where I stopped making excuses as to why I shouldn't try certain things and just got out there and started trying things to get well.

What I learned most of all is that when I feel down I cant always think my way out of how I feel. The only way I learned to be able to get any sort of control of my thinking was by CBT.

murria

Dodd wrote: »

The last thing I would want is a group thing.
I don't like a group of people.
That is a night mare to me.

Dodd, Aware run an online Life Skills course if you can't face the group setting, the details are on the web site. If you can afford to pay, many therapists now offer real time counselling via Skype.

Another option that might suit you is to download a self-help book. The Kindle app is free and you can have a book at your fingertips within seconds. I have almost finished reading the book Drumpot recommended, "Five Steps to Happiness" by Enda Murphy. It really is very good, there is a chapter in it that could have been written about me! I went about therapy a different route, but CBT explained it so simply. I would also recommend The Happiness Trap by Russ Davis.

DeVore

Drumpot, sounds like you and I are on the same road


There is a point when one (we, you, I?) gets just so fed up and sick and tired of being sick, and tired, that we decide to fight back in any way possible. That's an important part of the process, for me it was probably the first conscious step on the road. I was just no longer willing to live like everything was ok. That decision set me free, free to try anything, everything to get better and to hell with everything else. All my worries, my fears and concerns about all sorts of nonsense.

I also hate the thought of group therapy, I dunno if thats one of my unfounded fears but there you go (says the guy who started this thread etc etc, yeah I know ). But there are many ways to help your mental health. For me, counselling, friendship and cleaning up my lifestyle really improved things. Nothing is "fixed" (its an incremental thing) but definitely a huge improvement has occurred.

For the record, I looked up my psychologist in the yellow pages

pinkstars

Depression and Anxiety Meds and me being fat!!!

---

Ok so,

I have come to a final straw here. 3 years ago I had PND and post natal anxiety, very bad panic attacks, only back to work a year. I could not leave the house. Being back at work is an achievement in itself. Forward on a few months my relationship broke down.

In October I decided enough is enough I weighed 15 3 and am only 5 feet.

I am trying to do the ~Motivation~ diet but I only have a stone off. I had a stone and a half off but I am back up to 13 10.

At the doc last week I asked could I have an eating disorder as no matter what diet I am on, I am failing.

I was told every tablet that I am on, is causing a ravenous appetite. (I take about 20 tablets!!) Looks like I won't be coming off them either.

I just would love some help I need to reach out as I can't be fat anymore, I am bothered so much about it, so bothered that I end up turning to food and it's a vicious cycle.

Can somebody please help me?

DeVore

It sounds like a vicious circle but it isnt. Thats not to say its easy but there is a solution imho.

You're medication makes you hungry, which makes you put on weight, which makes you "bothered" (read: low self image), which upsets and depresses you and you eat for comfort. That about the sum of it?

So, you cant stop taking your meds. Thats not a solution. And hunger will make someone eat but that in itself isnt the problem (you didnt once say that the hunger is driving you to eat you'll notice...). The key to this cycle is the low self esteem imho. Tackle that, and the cycle breaks.

Also, I'm kinda confused, you've lost an average of a stone in 5 months... By xmas this year you could be 11' 10. That's really pretty good!!

Yes you put some back on but the net benefit has been 2:1 ... twice as much lost as regained.



I cant counsel you here. I'm not a counsellor but if you can just take it a day at a time, reward and comfort yourself with things other than food and work on your self esteem... things will go great for you, imho.



A friend once told me to stop beating myself up about every little flaw. In exasperation they said "you... you're being a dick to someone I really like".

pinkstars

Thank you so much!

I guess low self esteem and self image is the problem here.....

How do I deal with that?

Yes, it's definately not a case of me being hungry.

TeddyTedson

I'm really struggling today. If I felt like this every day I wouldn't hesitate in ending it. My mind is numb, tired and pestimistic. So many problems it seems pointless on trying to resolve them. But as always I know this will pass.

stop animal cruelty

TeddyTedson wrote: »

I'm really struggling today. If I felt like this every day I wouldn't hesitate in ending it. My mind is numb, tired and pestimistic. So many problems it seems pointless on trying to resolve them. But as always I know this will pass.

Im the same way, had a bad weekend, plus its so depressing and dark outside doesnt help but your right, it will pass:)

looking_around

pinkstars wrote: »

I guess low self esteem and self image is the problem here.....

How do I deal with that?

Whats the cause of the low self-esteem. It's very rarely just weight.
It's normally things like(1) "because I'm fat people won't like me."(2) "I'm lazy/stupid"

for 1, you then ask yourself, do you want to be around people who judge you on appearance? Is that enough of a reason to not be liked.

for 2. Why are you lazy, whats the reason behind it, and how can you change it.

These are just examples!.
Self-esteem issues are normally because we keep putting ourselves down, we say thing to ourselves that we wouldn't say to others.
We say them so often that they're automatic. And we stop knowing why we feel this way, why we say "xyz" to ourselves, where those feelings actually began.

I find knowing where they began to be great at eliminating them.

CBT can help you find that out. Which can then help you change it.
___

Another example. I often tell myself "I'm stupid". I can now catch my mind thinking it, but it's still there alot. It kept me away from pursuing a degree..because afterall "I'm too stupid anyway". When I tried basic courses, I would reinforce this behaviour, by not putting any effort into it. (why put effort when you're going to fail?.. ) you then fail, and can say to yourself "see, I failed, I always fail, knew I would" ....when the truth is you set yourself up to fail, because thats what you know. Thats where you're 'safe'.

You should try awares lifeskill program.

Also compliment yourself on the weightloss, but also realise your self-esteem won't magically get better with you being thinner. Your weight is most likely not the cause, and certainly not the only cause to your self-esteem issues.

People aren't normally bothered about being "fat", they're bothered about what being fat "means".

DeVore

Also, weight gain is like saving money. It happens in one of two ways.

You can increase the amount of money you make (intake) and spend the same as always (exercise) (banking the difference) or you can earn the same, and spend less (couch potatoing).

If you want to lose weight, my (practical) advice comes in four words. Move more, eat less. There is really no mystery to it (which is a pity!)


There are some tricks to it though... not all food reductions are the same and not all are good for your weight loss (believe it or not!). Starving yourself will just make you feel listless and no energy to go and exercise... which defeats the intention!


Booze and sugary drinks are absolutely the enemy here. Not only for weight reasons but booze is NOT good for mental health... reduce them as much as possible. Booze turns straight into sugar and lots and lots of it. Wine, beer and shorts (particularly with mixers). Avoid like the plague.


Dont starve yourself, it will trigger weight retention. You're body goes "hey I'm not getting food any more... maybe its winter?? Ok, better store what I have!!"


You will hit plateaus too... dont let them dishearten you. Its natural as you body begins to realise its not about to die from lack of food it will release more fats.


The real key is sustainability! I see so many people come to my gym and start doing a two hour session, they swear they are going to do it every night. They never last a week.
I do 45 minutes... but I have been doing it for 5 years
It wont make any difference if you cant keep it up for months, so bear that in mind... move a little more, eat a little less and maintain it for months.
If your weight is stable now... one less can of coke and one more walk a day will tip the balance and you will see results.


Good luck!

Drumpot

DeVore wrote: »

The real key is sustainability! I see so many people come to my gym and start doing a two hour session, they swear they are going to do it every night. They never last a week.

My weight fluctuates up and down, not always depending on my mood - I just love food that happens to be fatty and sweet!:(

I have been trying to drink lots of herbal tea (instead of coffee or normal tea) and the more horrible it tastes the better I reckon it must be for me! Id be making all sorts of faces drinking this stuff!

But I marked your point about sustainability because I am learning that this word is also vital, not just in physical exercise but in thinking exercises.

I regularly default back to my pre CBT ways of thinking. Only this morning my head was melting until I stopped myself in between by saying in my head "this thinking is making me sick, I don't want to continue feeling like this". It doesn't always work out , but the more I do this

I can sustain my composure the more I work on things that used to paralyse or greatly upset me. I felt sick waking up, got my youngest to school thinking I could go back to bed, but stuck with it and got working.

One key difference is that I have multiple techniques that may work or not work at different times. Exercise, talking with somebody, a simple hug with my wife or children, taking a time out to just get my composure (saying in my head "its ok to feel sh*tty, I know this will pass), listening to music that I like etc . .

This is not rocket science, but its a concept that was alien to me previously. If one or several of these things didn't work I presumed I was destined to lead a horrible life going from one depressed state to another. . .

Sustainability of my improved mood required me to work on things I couldn't understand and never had help trying to overcome. My own thought process was a massive mountain that constantly tried to drag me back to my old way of thinking (still does). I used to think that I would be on medication for life or would just die an unfulfilled shell of a person.

My values of what my life should be like have changed, I have a more balanced perspective on things. Where once things were either the worst thing ever , they are now just roadblocks that require manoeuvring .

But to keep up my mood, I have to continually work and acknowledge my feelings and responses to situations. Its not a case that CBT has made my life perfect, its that CBT has given me some life skills to help me deal with things in my life that used to cripple me with fear, sadness and pain.

Rothko

Got a letter today telling me that I have an appointment with a psychologist next week. I'm quite anxious about it. Could anyone here give me an idea of what to expect for my first appointment with her?

lukesmom

Suas11 wrote: »

Got a letter today telling me that I have an appointment with a psychologist next week. I'm quite anxious about it. Could anyone here give me an idea of what to expect for my first appointment with her?

Hi Suas please don't worry. The psychologist will probably do an assessment for your first appointment and a brief history. It's brilliant im seeing one and was so nervous like you but it's the best thing I've ever done. It can help enormously with mental health issues and hep put things into perspective.

landsleaving

Suas11 wrote: »

Got a letter today telling me that I have an appointment with a psychologist next week. I'm quite anxious about it. Could anyone here give me an idea of what to expect for my first appointment with her?

This is geared to young people dealing with depression after being injured or sick, but it is fairly universal to visiting a psychologist - straight from the source.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvHvPp2hbOg

looking_around

Suas11 wrote: »

Got a letter today telling me that I have an appointment with a psychologist next week. I'm quite anxious about it. Could anyone here give me an idea of what to expect for my first appointment with her?

They may get you to "sign" that you understand that they'll have to break confidential agreement if you are a risk to yourself or others. (example If you tell them you plan to attempt suicide they can call an ambulance on you/contact family member, that kind of thing).

They'll also ask you if you have any expectations and do you know what you want out of counselling.

DeVore

Suas11 wrote: »

Got a letter today telling me that I have an appointment with a psychologist next week. I'm quite anxious about it. Could anyone here give me an idea of what to expect for my first appointment with her?

Beyond the formalities of any professional/client relationship ... you should expect a really good chat with someone who wants to hear you out. Its absolutely not to be feared, there are no mind tricks and no crazy hypnotics going to happen
This person will want to hear you, want to help you and will offer assistance of an "impartial eye".

Some people talk about counselling like its some terrible ordeal and trauma ... perhaps if one has had a rough childhood or traumatic experiences, then I can see how bringing all that up to process it might be rough... but I actually found counselling quite helpful and not at all distressing. I didnt know that man from Adam so I told him everything, dumped it all on him and while doing that there were a few points where I went "oh... I see" and a few points where he went "can you follow me while I join the dots of a repeated pattern in your actions".

Once I could see all of that from a sort of birds-eye-view , like Drumpot said, I could see my enemy and I could fight back with the tools of CBT. Before I couldnt see the wood for the trees, and I didnt know how to stop it anyway.


So, what to expect... a nice chat! You will be in control, you can divulge and discuss as much or as little as you wish. My advice is talk freely, uncork it all... but if you want to wait until the second or third or whatever'th meeting, you do that


I dunno, I found it quite heartening and free-ing myself!