The Depression Thread #2

[or JusRollWithIt]

Thank you for replying. I think I do need some extra support but even asking for it seems the most difficult step and terrifiying scary. I did make a GP appointment a few months back. It’s hard to explain how I’m feeling. It’s like I’m freefalling and I’ve lost all control? (I know I haven’t but it’s how I feel)

Oh I know. It’s so draining just getting through a day, and the thought of picking up a phone and making an appointment and actually attending said appointment can feel like just too much. Just take the first step. Would it help to think of it as something you wouldn’t hesitate to do to help a friend? Make a call on their behalf if they were in need? You need to be that friend for yourself.

You don’t need to have all the right words, but the ones you’ve used here are a perfect place to start.

 

[doodlebug]

I’m after some advice on how to take time off work for depression. My work in particular really exacerbates my depression and it’s got to the point where I can’t even get up in the morning and come into the office. I’ve called in sick for a single day, but I know I need at least a week to sort myself out. I know you can technically call in sick for 7 days before you need a doctors note, but I’d almost prefer having one so I don’t have to do that because I feel embarrassed. I did tell all this to my GP but he just said unless it’s more than 7 days I need off, just to call in like I would with a physical illness. Have any of you simply told your work you’re struggling with mental health and will be off for a few days?

 

[Pollyanna263]

I finally told my gp that my medication wasn’t doing anything to help me and he didn’t quite believe me since I’ve tried 3 other ssri and they didn’t help either
I have to taper of the citalopram and then make a new appointment to discuss what to try next. It’s been 3 years of different medications that aren’t working so I’m thinking is there even any point of going for something else to suffer side effects but risk them not helping me.

SSRI didn’t help me at all, I moved to SNRI which I’ve been on a long time and am now about to move to a tricyclic on Psychiatrist advice to see if it helps in other ways.

If your GP isn’t confident in the NICE guidelines, ask to see someone else who has a more up-to-date interest in MH prescribing or to be referred to the community MH team.

There are many options - don’t be fobbed off x

 

[Pollyanna263]

I hate that feeling it's so full of dread and you really can't see a way out, I could easily disappear to, ( I lost someone close to me through suicide and it has fucked my life up) so I couldn't do it to my oh, but when you're in that dark place,you really aren't thinking of others. We're all here for each other on here, this is the only place where I can share my thoughts. I've started to get really bad pressure headaches, where I feel like my head is going to explode, my release is to scream as loud as I can!! It really helps, lucky I don't have near neighbours!

I’m so sorry for the loss of your loved one

 

[candyland_]

Hi all I haven’t posted for a while, hope everyone is okay!

Does anyone else have issues with sleeping too much? I literally can’t stop sleeping, I start my day late and go to bed late, I can sleep for 10-12 hours unless someone wakes me up. Sometimes I wake up at 1am and still have to drag myself out of bed. I’m off medication now but it used to make me agitated and I’d sleep very little. Any words of advice for me?

Do you not have work or anything to get up for?

 

[InTheDollsHouse]

I do try, but sometimes it's bleddy hard, and I'm in that space at the moment x

I totally get that x

 

[JCMSadie]

Thank you both, that helps to hear

 

[Jwren]

@Jwren, I've been reading the Nicole Bulley thread, haven't commented on it, but wanted to wish you and @LennyBriscoe all the best and thank you for sharing, that must have taken alot xx

So sorry I’ve only just seen your comment. Bless your and thank you so much for your kind words, they are much appreciated xx

 

[nimblefimble]

Thanks that’s all very helpful! I’m very nervous for my appointment, I’ve been to doctors before about my anxiety as a teen and have never managed to get proper help. I struggle to advocate for myself and I’m always worried it will be brushed off as nothing or laughed at. I’m desperate for help and I’m dreading being told I can’t get it.

 

[Slaybutter]

I think I am having a negative reaction to Zoloft/sertraline. I had an anxiety attack today and I’ve been on the brink of tears on and off for a few weeks without any triggers. Has anyone ever experienced this?

 

[Felix08]

Has anyone been in treatment for dysthemia?
I will start the cognitive behavioral therapy soon.

one of the things I have to do is find a goal I would like to work on in life but I have no idea.

since Ive learned I have this I think about it a lot..

 

[MrsBsDayOff]

I hope you feel better soon
Can you use an online pharmacy? I’ve used one for a few months now and they get posted through my letterbox, they send me a reminder to order the prescription too which is handy.

Thanks. I use a small local pharmacy which has limited hours. I didn't know you can get prescriptions posted, will try xxx

I had strange thoughts today like thinking of quitting my job, thinking no one likes me, fretting I won't get another job, thinking that all my friends are leaving my life. My partner had to calm me down and remind me that I don't feel like that when on my meds. I'm not and have never been suicidal or self harmed

 

[Felix08]

I’ve not, but wishing you luck with it!

Would it help to talk through ideas for goals here? Totally understand if you’d rather not. It’s obvious but I would start with thinking, “ok, long term or short term?”

Yes i think that would help because i really struggle with the goal part of it

 

[JCMSadie]

first time poster on this thread! 4 weeks ago tonight, i overdosed. not so much to end my life, but to just shut off and be able to sleep. since then it’s been a wild ride, doctors appointments, blood tests, tablets, questions and a lot of tears. i’m currently on 200 Sertraline which doesn’t seem to be touching the sides, given sleeping tablets to take when i don’t have to get up with baby but they don’t work at all and i’m up and down, have a constant feeling something bad is going to happen and tonight is a great big down.

somehow still going to work in the afternoons and my little girl is keeping me sane in the days, honestly she is the reason i’m still here but the nights are something else.

was on mirtazapine years ago and that seemed to help better but unable to take now as scared i wouldn’t wake up if my lo did and the weight gain, jesus never again!

got another doctors review next week, anyone got any suggestions? currently in my weighted blanket just to try have a little let up!

Oh lovely, my heart goes out to you. I'm so sorry to hear you're in such a difficult place.

Do you have a partner/support? It might be worth going back on mirtazipine if someone else can be there during the night (even just to wake you). It's worth at least bringing it up at your review, maybe there are other similar options?

 

[gee808xoxo]

Hi everyone, I hope it’s okay for me to post in here as I am looking for some advice on my boyfriend who has depression. I’ve been with him 3 years, he has had mental health issues for many years prior, and since I’ve known him there have been ups and downs with it, generally he has seemed ok for the last few months but now he seems to be in a bit of a depressive episode.

As we don’t live together and only see each other on the weekend, we text mainly during the week, he is not always a great communicator, but when he’s like this he becomes so distant and shuts me (and friends etc) out. Today, he was supposed to come see me and go visit my family together and he told me this afternoon he wouldn’t come as he doesn’t feel well (physically, but I presume it’s actually really mentally), this is one of a few times he has bailed on me for these type reasons kinda last minute. I understand/know he can’t help it and try to empathise as much as I can, and always try and let him know how much I care and that I’m here for him, but I feel so hurt when he doesn’t reply to my messages for hours, and usually it’s several days/weeks until he tells me he isn’t feeling good mentally, so it’s hard to distinguish whether he just cba with me or it’s actually because of his mental state. i was really upset today when he bailed, and I told him. deep down I get it and know it’s not his fault, but I can’t help but feel let down. It also doesn’t help that he hates to/wont talk about it in person and doesn’t seem to want to get any help about it.

Am I being selfish by getting upset about it? I don’t want to make it about me but also we’re in a relationship and I feel like he should at least make some effort for me.. but then I feel awful for saying that as I know I don’t truly get what it’s like so maybe I’m being unreasonable. I love him and like I say for many months he seems to have been alright til recently, obviously I don’t know that for sure but as it’s not allllll the time maybe I just have to deal w being affected by it if I want to be with him? I guess I am just looking to vent and any advice for how to cope with being in a relationship like this.

 

[Fledgling Psycho]

@flutternutter Good luck. I was Mrs Organization last week. This week the opposite. It is true though, just tackle one job at a time. Staying focused is the tricky part.

 

[Lara98]

A lot of us know that awkward waiting phase all too well. You made a huge step checking in with doc and co-ordinating all those appointments, so well done! Don’t be hard on yourself, use this in between time to get plenty of rest. Don’t be as strict on yourself with house work and fake tan etc… if you had an illness bug you wouldn’t be forcing yourself to do it. Mental health problems are an illness so loads of rest is required. 🤍

RE. motivation to get the hair washed/showered etc. i have been in slumps like this before and sometimes it helped to tell myself I just had to turn on the water in the shower, I didn’t have to get in. Usually by the time I was stood there looking at the running water I would choose to get in.

I would also try and seize a moment of motivation in the moment if I had time. i.e if you wake up on a Saturday morning and think ‘yes I’ll do the laundry this afternoon’ I try tell myself I’ll just do it now while I have this burst of motivation and it’ll be even easier!

This is definitely the right place hun try gp and go from there. This thread is amazing normally I talk to my best friend but lately I don't talk to anymore but have ranted on here and it does help for a moment.... there are beautiful souls on here often that have been through the same you got this sending hugs 🫂 x

Thank you both!

So the care co ordinator never called me back lol...
However my psychologist from hospital did and she said she's going to type up a report for me to give to my GP to refer me to some specialist places. She said she can help but she only works in one area and it seems like I need support in a few areas. Just helps knowing that one person is trying to help me. I just want to feel happy, confident and worry free again and try understand my self better.

 

[Fledgling Psycho]

Depression is so insidious isn't it? I'm not on any medication. I discovered about five years ago I'm on the spectrum so have never been sure what is just me and what's depression. I have to take BP meds & statins so don't want any more pills in my system.
I'm struggling with mindless eating (mainly chocolate & sweets). I'm trying to avoid social media, the news etc as that makes me spiral down. I'm glad we can all offload here. Take care all.

 

[Quarrantinemadness]

I can so relate to you & @Good Egg with the toxic family, who will still insist the toxic one is me. I even moved myself away and cut most contact & they still look for things to blame me for or bring me down and critise me like they've always done.
I found Shadow work to be really useful for working through past issues and really focused in on self care and built myself back up still have a lot of work to do & recovery can be a lonely place but I don't think we realise so many people have been through similar


I think its something to do with the change in season & how dull it is impacts the amount of serotonin produced! Its called Seasonal Affective Disorder. You can buy SAD lamps to try & help with this

Thanks lovely, I will have a look xx

 

[Pollyanna263]

Have you had a reflections meeting about your birth trauma?

No, I had a consultant debrief but actually it wasn’t a debrief…. Long story as it was midwife-error which caused it.
I’m having long-term therapy and we’re addressing it there. It just feels so bloody horrible to be completely empty of all emotion.

I guess I shouldn’t have said ‘what’s wrong with me’ because I know the answer is trauma!