Now ye’re talking - to someone with mental illness

santana75 · 25-07-2018 3:59pm

I'm recovering from mental illness, AMA wrote: »

My last bout was a proper breakdown where I was eventually unable to do anything. .

Can I ask what happened in that case, was it a life event that blind sided you or job stress or something else?

I'm recovering from mental illness, AMA · 25-07-2018 4:06pm

santana75 wrote: »

Can I ask what happened in that case, was it a life event that blind sided you or job stress or something else?

Just a culmination of years of untreated depression. Nothing major was going on and the job I do is very low stress. They've been fantastic through all this in fairness to them.

Prominent_Dawg · 25-07-2018 4:06pm

Is there a life event you would consider impacted your mental health most ?

I'm recovering from mental illness, AMA · 25-07-2018 4:09pm

Prominent_Dawg wrote: »

Is there a life event you would consider impacted your mental health most ?

I had a very bad ending with a job I had, I think that's what kicked it off. I was put under huge pressure eventually culminating in pressure to leave and didn't know how to cope with it. Older and wiser now I would have either just left or laughed in the face of HR/senior management and told them to fire me if they wanted to.

I was very scared of being on the dole, in the end it was grand and the large cut in salary I've taken for the job I'm doing now, I wish I'd done years before rather than fighting against it for as long as I did.

5rtytry56 · 25-07-2018 4:50pm

Pretty up front of you to answer that the way you did.

Insightful thread.

MrVestek · 25-07-2018 4:52pm

What does depression feel like?

I'm recovering from mental illness, AMA · 25-07-2018 7:02pm

MrVestek wrote: »

What does depression feel like?

That's a great question. For me it's like utter despair but it's over nothing. You can't explain why you're feeling like it. You don't want to... strike that you can't get out of bed, you don't wash, you don't care. Other times it's nothing, just a lack of any feelings at all. You lose interest in things you enjoy nothing you can do pulls you out of it, or at least if there is something you can do, you don't have the energy to do it.

MrVestek · 25-07-2018 8:29pm

I'm recovering from mental illness, AMA wrote: »

That's a great question. For me it's like utter despair but it's over nothing. You can't explain why you're feeling like it. You don't want to... strike that you can't get out of bed, you don't wash, you don't care. Other times it's nothing, just a lack of any feelings at all. You lose interest in things you enjoy nothing you can do pulls you out of it, or at least if there is something you can do, you don't have the energy to do it.

Omg that... actually sounds like my entire life to be honest. :-/

I generally feel like that most of the time.

Ok so next question... how did you find out that you were depressed?

I'm recovering from mental illness, AMA · 25-07-2018 9:00pm

MrVestek wrote: »

Omg that... actually sounds like my entire life to be honest. :-/

I generally feel like that most of the time.

Ok so next question... how did you find out that you were depressed?

Sorry to hear that MrV.

I changed - I was very hard working, outgoing etc. But I found things more and more difficult. I eventually went to my GP who eventually diagnosed depression and suggested SSRIs. Nothing he gave me worked sadly. You really should seek help if you're feeling like that all the time. Although it didn't work for me many people get relief at the GP. They can also get you on the waiting list for more specialist care.

drunkmonkey · 25-07-2018 9:13pm

Do you get a good nights sleep these days is there anything you can call out that helps make it happen. Is there anything you avoid besides alcohol that doesn't help with staying positive.

I'm recovering from mental illness, AMA · 25-07-2018 9:55pm

drunkmonkey wrote: »

Do you get a good nights sleep these days is there anything you can call out that helps make it happen. Is there anything you avoid besides alcohol that doesn't help with staying positive.

Sleep was never really a problem for me except when I was sleeping 16+ hours a day. As for triggers mine is on going, if I don't take my meds I feel awful.

eeloe · 25-07-2018 10:13pm

How long did it take for you to be able to distinguish the difference between depression and anxiety? And do you have a path way for treating each thing?

I'm recovering from mental illness, AMA · 25-07-2018 10:58pm

eeloe wrote: »

How long did it take for you to be able to distinguish the difference between depression and anxiety? And do you have a path way for treating each thing?

To me they're very different. I don't suffer with anxiety thankfully. The only time I experienced it was when I was on the tri-cyclic anti depressants. I suppose the difference is wanting to do something and can't (anxiety) and not wanting to do anything at all (depression).

connemara man · 25-07-2018 11:07pm

Do you find it annoying that mental health/illness is talked about as one big thing given that there are so many different types, conditions, treatments... Etc?

cycling is fun · 25-07-2018 11:11pm

OP is it possible to pm you or are you just answering questions on the forum?

madmaggie · 26-07-2018 12:27am

Firstly, thank you for being so open and honest on this thread. I expect people will say things to you that they won't say to their nearest and dearest.

My question is, did you feel ashamed or embarrassed about having depression? I'm basing this question on personal experience, having put off seeking medical help out of a sense of shame and embarrassment. This was back in the 1990's, more of a stigma then. Even when I was put on medication I didn't tell anyone, and certainly no such thing as counselling. Coming from a background where talking about feelings and emotions and stuff like that was frowned upon, didn't help.

madmaggie · 26-07-2018 12:31am

MrVestek wrote: »

What does depression feel like?

I've likened it to being in a cave, having once visited Dunmore Cave in Kilkenny.

It's dark, cold, lonely, frightening. You know the sunlight and sky and the rest of the world is going on above you, but you can't reach it.

26-07-2018 1:43am

I'm recovering from mental illness, AMA wrote: »

I actually ended up there almost by accident. I phoned for an out patient appointment and ended up in the day hospital as is was covered by my health insurance and out patient wasn't. This just happened to coincide with me being really bad. I had two further stints at the same hospital along with ongoing out patient care.

Where I was, was excellent, very small number of patients, lots of amazing staff. I hear I was very lucky. Although not bad I know people were trying to get transferred from other facilities to where I was when there was room.

The support of having other people around, going through the same thing was invaluable.

I don't fully get this. So you called up a hospital to book an appointment for something else?

HakunaPatata · 26-07-2018 7:40am

I'm recovering from mental illness, AMA wrote: »

miamee wrote: »

What does being co-morbid mean, I haven't heard that term before? How does ADHD affect you, does it interfere with work for example and make things more difficult or does the medication you are on deal with the symptoms enough that it doesn't bother you?

Sorry just means with. It was the term used by the Psychiatrist I probably shouldn't be using terms like that as I don't want anyone to think I have any medical insights what so ever just what's worked and not worked for me.

Pre-medication I worked in a fairly hectic environment so fliting form one task to another, delegating a half done job etc. wasn't an issue. It was a real issue, especially as it is a much more junior role, in my current job. I'd speak out of turn, get really agitated, couldn't focus etc. I'm on Conserta which is long release Ritalin with top ups of instant release Ritalin. It really helps but it's not a cure-all unfortunately.

I still get agitated now and again but the Ritalin calms me down and means that I can concentrate. Some stimulants like Ritalin work very differently in people with ADHD than they do with 'normal' people. So I don't get superpowers just a regular 'normal' level of concentration and not being distracted by everything going on around me. I still find it hard, but not impossible to do boring everyday tasks which was a major problem before. Now I know none of us like doing the washing up, but I used to find it almost tear inducingly frustrating, never really got that - that was off before I got diagnosed.

This is something that people without ADHD (but might believe or have been told they have it) can use as a sort of litmus test to be honest, although care must be taken. If you feel energetic and full of ambition when you take it, you don't have ADD/ADHD more than likely. The feeling of calmness and being "normal" when taking amphetamine salts is rather unique to those with the condition.

Can't say I recommend long term use of amphetamines though, [ir]regardless of the perceived short-term benefits. The weight loss due to suppressed appetite alone is extreme.

Wanderer78 · 26-07-2018 9:19am

HakunaPatata wrote:

This is something that people without ADHD (but might believe or have been told they have it) can use as a sort of litmus test to be honest, although care must be taken. If you feel energetic and full of ambition when you take it, you don't have ADD/ADHD more than likely. The feeling of calmness and being "normal" when taking amphetamine salts is rather unique to those with the condition.

Is there any medication generally taken for add?

Great ama, thank you op, been a sufferer of depression and anxiety all my life

I'm recovering from mental illness, AMA · 26-07-2018 10:56am

connemara man wrote: »

Do you find it annoying that mental health/illness is talked about as one big thing given that there are so many different types, conditions, treatments... Etc?

Not really, I'm generally just happy it's talked about at all. It was almost an unmentionable subject a few years ago now there seems to be some discussion at least. I hope that one day it will be treated like a broken leg, these things happen and people get over it.

I'm recovering from mental illness, AMA · 26-07-2018 10:57am

cycling is fun wrote: »

OP is it possible to pm you or are you just answering questions on the forum?

I'm happy to take PMs, I'm not sure what the rules are on that though. I can't give any medical advice though. I know you already know that just saying it for the sake of anyone else who maybe PMs me

I'm recovering from mental illness, AMA · 26-07-2018 11:01am

madmaggie wrote: »

Firstly, thank you for being so open and honest on this thread. I expect people will say things to you that they won't say to their nearest and dearest.

My question is, did you feel ashamed or embarrassed about having depression? I'm basing this question on personal experience, having put off seeking medical help out of a sense of shame and embarrassment. This was back in the 1990's, more of a stigma then. Even when I was put on medication I didn't tell anyone, and certainly no such thing as counselling. Coming from a background where talking about feelings and emotions and stuff like that was frowned upon, didn't help.

I definitely hear you! I'm kinda shameless myself the wife is always asking me if it annoys/embarrasses me the things I discuss with treatment staff but it doesn't really. Some of the sex addiction stuff does however, but the underlying depression not so much. I come from a family that doesn't talk about their feelings either, not that I think they'd frown upon it, which I know some do, but they just wouldn't really engage.

I feel regret more than anything, regret I didn't do something sooner and get my life back on track. My feelings on anyone who would run me down for these issues is I don't need that type of person in my life. However all that said I do hide it from my prospective profession.

I'm recovering from mental illness, AMA · 26-07-2018 11:03am

Deleted User wrote: »

I don't fully get this. So you called up a hospital to book an appointment for something else?

I was looking for an appointment as an out patient with a Psychiatrist as I was having worsening depression and the GP wasn't really helping. They (the hospital) suggested day patient treatment. The day treatment was covered under my health insurance. I ended up getting worse before I started to get better and ended up doing a couple more stints in the same hospital.

I'm recovering from mental illness, AMA · 26-07-2018 11:08am

HakunaPatata wrote: »

This is something that people without ADHD (but might believe or have been told they have it) can use as a sort of litmus test to be honest, although care must be taken. If you feel energetic and full of ambition when you take it, you don't have ADD/ADHD more than likely. The feeling of calmness and being "normal" when taking amphetamine salts is rather unique to those with the condition.

Can't say I recommend long term use of amphetamines though, [ir]regardless of the perceived short-term benefits. The weight loss due to suppressed appetite alone is extreme.

You can't get Aderall in Ireland which is a shame as it works better for some people. Ritalin is Methylphenidate which AFIAK is not a amphetamine salt. Again AFAIK it's fairly found to be fairly benign over the years but I'm only just beginning to get into the nitty gritty of all this.

I have to totally agree with you on the litmus test, which is why it irks me when people say ADHD doesn't exist - if that's the case why are there such a different reaction in people that genuinely suffer from it?

I'm recovering from mental illness, AMA · 26-07-2018 11:12am

Wanderer78 wrote: »

Is there any medication generally taken for add?

Great ama, thank you op, been a sufferer of depression and anxiety all my life

I'm sorry to hear that Wanderer, I hope that you are seeking assistance.

The medications for ADHD in Ireland are a little more limited than say the US where Aderall is available. It's clearly being abused there like opioids were but I digress. Ritalin is the standard treatment but is can be addictive so there is another drug given if there is a contra-indication such as previous drug use. I'm not 100% sure what it's called but anecdotally it doesn't seem to agree with people. I was very lucky with Ritalin that I had none or very few negative effects with it.

ADHD and depression are frequently found together so it's always worth getting checked. I found the undiagnosed ADHD really fed into my depression because as the depression got worse the ADHD got worse which made the depression worse etc. At the time I thought it was all just depression.

26-07-2018 11:25am

I'm recovering from mental illness, AMA wrote: »

I'm sorry to hear that Wanderer, I hope that you are seeking assistance.

The medications for ADHD in Ireland are a little more limited than say the US where Aderall is available. It's clearly being abused there like opioids were but I digress. Ritalin is the standard treatment but is can be addictive so there is another drug given if there is a contra-indication such as previous drug use. I'm not 100% sure what it's called but anecdotally it doesn't seem to agree with people. I was very lucky with Ritalin that I had none or very few negative effects with it.

ADHD and depression are frequently found together so it's always worth getting checked. I found the undiagnosed ADHD really fed into my depression because as the depression got worse the ADHD got worse which made the depression worse etc. At the time I thought it was all just depression.

I've suffered from depression on and off my entire life and never even considered ADHD. How would I go about getting tested?

HakunaPatata · 26-07-2018 12:47pm

Wanderer78 wrote: »

HakunaPatata wrote:

This is something that people without ADHD (but might believe or have been told they have it) can use as a sort of litmus test to be honest, although care must be taken. If you feel energetic and full of ambition when you take it, you don't have ADD/ADHD more than likely. The feeling of calmness and being "normal" when taking amphetamine salts is rather unique to those with the condition.

Is there any medication generally taken for add?

Great ama, thank you op, been a sufferer of depression and anxiety all my life

The medication that is prescribed for ADHD outside of the EU is Adderall, which is amphetamine based and generally a mixture of the various salts as far as I understand. Works quite well. There's also dextroamphetamine, usually under the Dexedrine brand, which is slightly different but with excellent results for me at least. Good luck obtaining them though as they are frequently abused.

The kick in the nuts is that people that really do need these meds will notice a world of difference once they first take them. It's like the weather clearing and seeing the sun for the first time. But still, you'll grow to hate it as it does change your natural self in a way that can't be described or communicated. It's a more robotic feeling and, for me at least, makes me feel less creative.
Other things to keep in mind are, as I mentioned, the weight loss, inability to sleep sometimes no matter how desperately you want to, frequent need to urinate, uncontrollable sweating and chills which don't match the ambient temperature, muscle spasms from being able to sit in any position for hours on end without even noticing, dry eyes...blahblahblahblah. It's not a miracle cure despite how it may feel at the start.

Although I will hesitantly admit, you've never really had sex or heard music until you've popped your meds just beforehand. But I digress..

I'm recovering from mental illness, AMA · 26-07-2018 12:55pm

Deleted User wrote: »

I've suffered from depression on and off my entire life and never even considered ADHD. How would I go about getting tested?

Just ask your GP for a referral. There is a fair old wait though.

Alternatively you can go up North for about €500 privately but then follow up is an issue.

PTH2009 · 26-07-2018 3:08pm

ill give a bit of my information and see can u relate

i was prescribed Anti Depressents and Rispiridone in the Summer of 2013 and i felt so bad taking them and it really effected me in a negative way. I had trouble sleeping, ballooning in weight, had no energy, felt very irratable esp in work. I gave up the Anti depressents a few months after and didnt stop the rispiridone til April 2015 after i had enough of the side effects. May sound stupid but i started drinking more and more on the tablets, i felt i didnt want to be anywhere else but the pub. My mam passed away in Jan 2014 and that would of been the height of the troubles with the tablets. 2014/2015 was for me Drinking 3 times a week (sometimes less but still having a strong intake), struggling in work and not getting on with people, still grieving, gaining weight and low energy. I was attending a free mental health clinic who prescribed the drugs and i hated every second of it. the long boring wait in the waiting room with no wifi and bad 3G, place full of misrible people, the **** radio station playing over and over and then the strict doctor not listening to me and telling me to keep on the tablets even though im struggling with them. I stopped going to them in 2016 i think. Its now 2018 and im losing weight, not drinking as much, going to things on my own confidently. I have a few weights at home which i try and do a few times a week, i do 100 push ups a day (except when hungover lol) and go out for walks around town. I suffer from slight aspergers which was not found til i was 23 and it was after my longest relationship so i can relate to some of my faults. From reading about aspergers i can see some of the effects it has on me

Why im still hear today is for the gigs i go too ( i always need something to look forward too), boards actually helped me as i can relate to a lot of things here i cant in real life. Its all started in 2013 over an incident in work and id be scared to think what could of happend if things had gone the other way (not getting to the incident). My Nephew and neice have come along in 2014/2015 so i want to see them grow up and irratate me lol. I want to havemy own family and nice job some day. I want to travel to a few other places. Why id hate suicide is all the people who will say 'ah i didnt knw he suffered' and will make up stories and fake opinions

I have a low speaking voice which i cant fix, I work in retail so i can get irratated when i have to repeat myself (i feel people arent listening to me) and its hurts my confidence. I prob speak lower than i think and come as i a bit of a prick as i do the whole sying thing when i have to repeat myself. I dont sleep very well so sometimes im probly tired. Its frustrating having to repeat over and over and the dreaded WHAT???? is like poision.

Im 28 now and hoping to do an online course before the year is out and try and find a full time job with hours i knw. Im in my current job 10 years and i do like it but its the not knowing what hours ill be on as the hours change every week etc. Im slowly starting on online dating which im not a fan of but it might help me find a girlfriend

Id be a loner in some aspects but i feel good doing it as it gives me a bit of space. I like travelling to gigs/events alone as i cant make up my own mind of what to do and where to go. Its always nice to have someone with you though. Sad reality is my gig bucket list is almost empty but money and time willing i can repeat it lol

Hopefully u can give me your opinion ???

Now ye’re talking - to someone with mental illness

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