Depression

[southend4ever]

To all at Shrimperzone,

I've not been on for some time now but have been following our results and the news. I've been suffering with the mental illness that so many are scared to talk about - depression.

I'm not here for sympathy, but over the years I have seen how many helpful people there are on here and just wondered if there is anyone on here that has or is suffering from depression or anxiety or has a loved one or close friend that has been in that position.

It would do me the world of good to hear from you about experiences, ways of coping and to talk. By all means PM me if you would like. I hope someone out there on SZ could help.

Thanks all for your understanding. I hope to be back in a more regular capacity when I am better.

Kind Regards,

 

[Matt the Shrimp]

s4e - sorry to hear of this. Best of luck with overcoming this all-too-frequent (and all-too-frequently ignored) illness.

Matt

 

[MK Shrimper]

S4e, I echo what Matt said. Speak to your doctor, your loved ones. There's help out there and you're not alone.

 

[southend4ever]

Cheers guys,

Done the doc thing and trying to speak more to those closest to me. All of this has come off of the back of a terrible strain of flu which I think was swine... Has anyone else on here suffered with that, it would be good to hear.

Kind Regards chaps,
Greg

 

[Pubey]

Hi mate,

Really sorry to hear that you've haven't been well. I don't have any personal experience, but am currently working on a major piece of research looking at depression. It may sound obvious, but getting professional help is essential. Not only is it likely to improve your current mood, but also if you have an episode of depression then more likely than not you'll have another. Professional help can really benefit in the long term.

When I say professional help, I don't just mean the NHS/GP etc, but there are some very decent third sector (charities) who do good work, and your GP can point these out. Also, you shouldn't just be offered anti-depressents, although these can be effective. Your GP should also mention counselling and 'talking therapies' (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) which are effective ways of dealing with depression. If they haven't considered these then it may be worth asking.

http://www.nhs.uk/livewell/counselling/pages/accesstotherapy.aspx

 

[MK Shrimper]

Cheers guys,

Done the doc thing and trying to speak more to those closest to me. All of this has come off of the back of a terrible strain of flu which I think was swine... Has anyone else on here suffered with that, it would be good to hear.

Kind Regards chaps,
Greg

I haven't had anything like it thank god. But on the Doctor point, I've heard that they sometimes don't take it seriously enough. Ask for a second opinion, keep on until they relent.

 

[OldBlueLady]

Hi, brave decision and definitely a step in the right direction to be seeking advice from here - any advice is worth considering and there's certainly enough on here with professional or personal experience to be able to give you some different viewpoints. Having spent a few years on anti depressants myself for anxiety and panic attacks some 25 years or so ago, I know that it's with understanding and support and the will to beat the bugger that you'll find success....and I'm sure you will. The first step with anything like this is acknowledging the issue.

As to the swine flu, well, my daughter had this first time round, in the late Autumn of 2009 but fortunately we caught it early and she was given Tamiflu and was reasonably ok. She only had about a week of feeling absolutely dreadful, it went round the whole of her year group at school, pretty indiscriminate as to who got it and who didn't though.....I think it was about 25% of them in the end.

I wish you well and will be watching and reading with interest, as some are aware, my son has also been diagnosed with depression.

 

[Pubey]

I haven't had anything like it thank god. But on the Doctor point, I've heard that they sometimes don't take it seriously enough. Ask for a second opinion, keep on until they relent.

To be fair to the doctors, I don't think Greg really made a negative comment about his experience with them so far. GPs have an unbelievably difficult job, assessing, diagnosing, discussing, agreeing treatment, etc etc etc. All this has to be done in under 10 mins. Some do the right thing straight away, and some it may mean feeling that you're looping around and not getting anywhere.

With depression it's important that if things aren't improving then you are 'stepped up' and receive specialist support and treatment. GPs may not have the detailed information to know that this is happening, and it may not happen. Often you need to be a bit pro-active with this, and unfortunately depression is one of those conditions that robs you of the ability to make decisions. I'm not sure about Essex but some centres are allowing self-referral into depression/MH services, which I think is really important because unlike GPs, they're trained to deal specifically in that area.

 

[Berrichonne shrimper]

true story
when my wife suffered badly with post natal loopyness i would give her a orgasm at all or any low point,i also took her to the mental health people in shoebury cant recall what they are called and they put her on tablets.
She took half of the dose and after a week stopped taking them completly,everyone is different and not many of the zone know you but talking and more importantly listening is very important,eat healthy and sleep well,try hipno therapy and enjoy life.
I get or did get bad depression/mood swings with the diabetis but i cut out aspmtane and hey presto im a happy fecker,chin up and best of luck.

 

[southend4ever]

I was only diagnosed last week and so am only a week into the tablets which should take 2 weeks to take effect.

December 18 was the first day that the Swine flu hit. I've lost my appetite, i want to sleep all the time, i don't want to go out etc etc which is the depression. I am someone that does suffer from panic attacks too. Last week was probably the most difficult. facing up to it and realising its no longer flu, although i still can't shake the chest pains (can anyone concur with me that these are the most awful part of swine flu)?

I've read today how daylight, getting out, trying to contact friends and not losing social activities is important. exercise and diet are also important too. It is difficult whilst i am still trying to shake chest pains. This is the first time i have had the computer on for over a week.

Seen 3 different doctors, 4 times since dec 18. They have been reassuring which is definitely needed and when the doc prescribed tablets last week she offered me details for counselling which i have taken. trying to be patient and positive. It does feel lonely but already i am so pleased i posted on here.

Your responses have been amazing.
Thanks so much for any considerate words you have.
Really truly appreciate it.

Greg

 

[Yorkshire Blue]

To all at Shrimperzone,

I've not been on for some time now but have been following our results and the news. I've been suffering with the mental illness that so many are scared to talk about - depression.

I'm not here for sympathy, but over the years I have seen how many helpful people there are on here and just wondered if there is anyone on here that has or is suffering from depression or anxiety or has a loved one or close friend that has been in that position.

It would do me the world of good to hear from you about experiences, ways of coping and to talk. By all means PM me if you would like. I hope someone out there on SZ could help.

Thanks all for your understanding. I hope to be back in a more regular capacity when I am better.

Kind Regards,

Oh Stanley, Stanley, Stanley, Stanley Collymore!

Dunno if you've read his autobiography, but well worth a read. If it can humble your heroes, it can humble you or I.

Best wishes fighting it, and who knows maybe the great man will pop onto SZ to offer a word or two of advice.

 

[TrueBlue]

I was only diagnosed last week and so am only a week into the tablets which should take 2 weeks to take effect.

December 18 was the first day that the Swine flu hit. I've lost my appetite, i want to sleep all the time, i don't want to go out etc etc which is the depression. I am someone that does suffer from panic attacks too. Last week was probably the most difficult. facing up to it and realising its no longer flu, although i still can't shake the chest pains (can anyone concur with me that these are the most awful part of swine flu)?

I've read today how daylight, getting out, trying to contact friends and not losing social activities is important. exercise and diet are also important too. It is difficult whilst i am still trying to shake chest pains. This is the first time i have had the computer on for over a week.

Seen 3 different doctors, 4 times since dec 18. They have been reassuring which is definitely needed and when the doc prescribed tablets last week she offered me details for counselling which i have taken. trying to be patient and positive. It does feel lonely but already i am so pleased i posted on here.

Your responses have been amazing.
Thanks so much for any considerate words you have.
Really truly appreciate it.

Greg

Mate always here for you fella - drop me a pm and we will talk more

alsoa wise person once said to me....

There is never a chemical solution for a spiritual problem

 

[Jedi Shrimper]

southend4ever/Greg,

Well done for posting about this, there can be stigma surrounding depression & mental illnesses, many people do not realise how common it is (1 in 10 i believe), how it can effect your everyday life (thankfully not on SZ it seems from all the comments), and how having depression is different to being depressed.

My mum has suffered from depression since she was in her 30's, and whilst I can never put myself in her shoes, I think I have come to a reasonable understanding of it. Everyone is different but you are doing the right thing, seeking help. One thing I would stress is find yourself a GP who understands, there are still some who do not. The other week my mum had to see a different GP as her usual one was unavailable, and this so called docter told her she was morally wrong for taking the tablets she has been prescribed for the last 20 years!

There are organisations out there to help, locally I know of one called ReThink (rethink.org), although not being under the main NHS umbrella they are suffering from the budget cuts (something i find disgraceful - mental illnesses still need treating and the most effective way are community programs, but i digress), there is also a charity you could get in touch with - MHAP (mental health advocacy project www.mhap.co.uk). Pubey's posts make some excellent recommendations.

You mention daylight, social activities etc, another good thing you can do is excercise, as physical excercise releases endorphins which naturally lighten your mood.

Good luck with everything.

DS.

 

[Jedi Shrimper]

To be fair to the doctors, I don't think Greg really made a negative comment about his experience with them so far. GPs have an unbelievably difficult job, assessing, diagnosing, discussing, agreeing treatment, etc etc etc. All this has to be done in under 10 mins. Some do the right thing straight away, and some it may mean feeling that you're looping around and not getting anywhere.

With depression it's important that if things aren't improving then you are 'stepped up' and receive specialist support and treatment. GPs may not have the detailed information to know that this is happening, and it may not happen. Often you need to be a bit pro-active with this, and unfortunately depression is one of those conditions that robs you of the ability to make decisions. I'm not sure about Essex but some centres are allowing self-referral into depression/MH services, which I think is really important because unlike GPs, they're trained to deal specifically in that area.

Top posts Pubey. Anything in particular this might involve mate? Might be helpful for my mum, any particular treatments or places to go?

 

[Winkle]

I am someone that does suffer from panic attacks too. Last week was probably the most difficult. facing up to it and realising its no longer flu, although i still can't shake the chest pains .

My wife suffered badly from anxiety attacks and chest pain when she was diagnosed with depression.Trying to understand what is happening to you with regards to the physical symptons is part of the battle as your own body is creating these ailments as a way of coping with things. Try to stay positive and take each day as it comes and look for dealing with any issues that may be bothering you through counselling or a friend to chat with. You will start feeling better, although you cannot put a timescale on these things as every person is different.F.W.I.W it made my partner a lot stronger person and she went on to become a counsellor herself, so there is hope...hang on in there!

 

[OldBlueLady]

Chest pains can occur as part of many illnesses, especially anything associated with the nervous system so I don't necessarily think that is entirely down to the swine flu. I don't think it's any coincidence that more people get diagnosed with depressive conditions in the winter months, there IS a huge amount to be said for waking up in glorious sunshine. Back in the dim and distant past, many, many people with depression went to live abroad for precisely that reason.

Absolutely vital to have an empathetic GP involved, and also to understand that the tablets you've been prescribed won't be a quick fix - I'm surprised you've been told 2 weeks actually - but you seem to be making all the right moves to conquering this, so just hang in there.

 

[MK Shrimper]

It's times like this that this website is one of the greatest in the world.

 

[East Green I 83]

To all at Shrimperzone,

I've not been on for some time now but have been following our results and the news. I've been suffering with the mental illness that so many are scared to talk about - depression.

I'm not here for sympathy, but over the years I have seen how many helpful people there are on here and just wondered if there is anyone on here that has or is suffering from depression or anxiety or has a loved one or close friend that has been in that position.

It would do me the world of good to hear from you about experiences, ways of coping and to talk. By all means PM me if you would like. I hope someone out there on SZ could help.

Thanks all for your understanding. I hope to be back in a more regular capacity when I am better.

Kind Regards,

Greg, I feel as if I know you mate even though (as far as I know) we have never met.

I suffered from this years ago and have never forgotten the whole rotten, dibilitating experience!

Just remember that it will end soon, and that you are not losing your marbles (as I had a tendency to think a few times).

You have been given great advice by others, so can only add one to help the panic attacks, when they start....(1) remind yourself that they only last about 30 seconds generally (2) breathe in slowly and hold the breath in for 10 seconds (3) let the breath out slowly as if blowing through a straw . Repeat the exercise max of 3 times (as you will get light headed) and , trust me, you will feel better.

Stick with it Greg, you will possibly become a stronger person for the experience.
God bless mate.

 

[southend4ever]

Some amazing responses on this thread. I thank you so much. For those that understand the illness will appreciate how much being positive can help you! A really incredible and overwhelming response. Thank you.

I don't expect the tablets to be the solution but I know they help with the chemical imbalance in the brain that depression causes. The tablets along with looking after myself I am sure will kick me in the right direction. I, like many, I am sure, never thought that this could effect me and indeed depression is different to the common saying " i am depressed". But it is the realisation it is an illness and all of your comments are most understanding, caring and positive.

I am not setting any expectations timewise and work have been fantastic in understanding and quite frankly once I realised the seriousness of this, work became one of the least of my worries. But, I believe now from what I hear and read that I have to help myself and force myself to do a view things because there is constantly a voice inside your head telling you to keep yourself to yourself which as an active person is the opposite to the real person I am.

East Green thanks for the panic attack tips. that sounds similar to how you use an inhaler or what you would do with breathing into a paper bag. Really appreciate that advice. OBL thanks for the constant positivity, I will stick with it, at times it does feel lonely but for sure it is easier knowing that you can get through this and I am not alone.

DS and Pubey thanks for the sites. I will definitely read more around the subject and learn more so I know what to expect and learn ways to cope and overcome certain feelings. I really can't thank you enough for the great response.

Thanks again, it would be a pleasure to discuss further or PM anyone with experiences of depression personal to them.

All the best,
Greg

 

[Vange Shrimper]

Another thing that I could recommend is maybe seeing a counsillor. I had stress/depression on and off for the past 2 odd years, I finally felt a lot better towards the end of last summer. I saw a counsillor, and after a few meetings with him, I felt a weight off my shoulders. The doctors were very helpful and they also prescribed me anti-depressants but I didnt take them, but that was my choice.

I didnt suffer from anxiety attacks or anything, I used to just cry a lot, sleep loads, stay in a lot and didnt want to do anything. Didnt even want to go to the footie. But speaking to someone who doesnt know me (as a friend/family etc) they can suggest things that I never even thought of. Work brought all this on, and getting away from the place I was at was probably one of the best things ive ever done in my life.