The Depression Thread

[Penguin86]

Can I just ask if anyone is on meds for anxiety? I'm on meds for my depression but my anxiety is out of control

 

[Poppydaisy]

Hi there, for me, the most important thing is having support that does not judge, does not try to "fix me" with suggestions to "take a walk, eat healthier, etc." and doesn't ask or assume that the sadness is because of the support's involvement. I.e., I hate when I am having a bout and my mom takes it personally.

I found this instagram account to be super helpful for not only myself to understand what it was that was happening and to not feel so alone, but for others to understand what it means and the different ways depression can manifest: https://www.instagram.com/realdepressionproject

I can say that the fact you are reaching out to know how to best support shows already what a great partner you are and that your spouse is very lucky to have you. <3

Thank you! I am just very conscious of saying/doing the wrong thing and being unhelpful! I hope you are doing okay, all the best

 

[Raymond Luxury-Yacht]

Hello lovely people!

I’m doing okay today, started out happy but now I’m a bit tired and less cheerful. My period arrived early, it’s weirdly heavy this time around, I wonder whether it has anything to do with me taking fluoxetine. Any experience with this?

@Clojo92 Isabella is right, a trigger is a trigger, it cannot be stupid. I hope you can contact your therapist and get some support ASAP!

@watermelon sugar I’m pretty sure I typed you a message yesterday but I can’t find it right now. How are you today? Do you plan on seeking professional help? Do you have a support team (friends, relatives etc)?

@Professor Farnsworth This sounds really uncomfortable! Is there any way you can ask these people to keep such conversations out of the workplace? Some chit chat is one thing, but I too hate it when people spend their whole days at work discussing babies, marriage, home bargains and so on.

 

[isabellalovescats]

So I have depression and anxiety, something I've had for as long as I can remember. I've been in therapy for over a year and it's been a blessing. We have slowly started spreading the sessions out and this is the first time we are going 3 weeks without a session.

Now, I recently watched Bo Burnhams special on Netflix, Inside. It was great but it triggered something in me and this week my depression has come back full force. I can feel myself withdrawing from everyone/everything and it's weird, I know it's happening but the thought of trying to fight it is completely exhausting. I feel embarrassed to contact my therapist to say actually, can we bring the session forward, especially as something so stupid triggered it. I just want to wallow.

No such thing as a stupid trigger. Do contact your therapist, they are your support system. I hope you get to squeeze in a session soon!

 

[Fizzwhizz2020]

I would keep trying if you weren't involved in whatever happened. Your friend might be embarassed and feeling pretty bad about themselves. I've always appreciated it when my friends have made the effort for me even though I know it's not always that easy.

If you don't want to badger, just say that, and that you're their friend and care and will be there when they're ready to talk. But I'd still check in periodically, it can be really hard to reach out when you're in headspace.

You sound like a lovely friend.

Thank you. That’s what I want to do but I’ve been blocked everywhere so have no way of getting hold of my friend. I’ve gone as far as writing a letter just to let her know that I’ll be there when she’s ready and there will be no judgement. I don’t want her to feel abandoned when she needs me most as there will be no one left. Thank you for your advice. I’m glad I’m doing the right thing (I hope) x

 

[altgirl]

Yes, I think talking about it would definitely help you cope. I think this is something some sessions with a psychologist would help with. Could you see your GP about a referral?

You make perfect sense, and well done for leaving that relationship!

I spoke to a therapist through work but she basically just told me he was an idiot and that was that. She never asked me what he done it was just how I can cope with depression and stress to stop getting upset and when I tried to talk about it she’d move the conversation on. It was relatively helpful learning how to cope a little better when the depression flares up, but I would have preferred talking about what went on to get it off of my chest.

 

[Bananabadger]

Hope things are improving for you today!

 

[Professor Farnsworth]

As we get older we understand the ramifications of things, whereas when we’re younger we’re a lot more resilient and carefree. I notice things like heights and wading put too far into be sea terrify me now, despite being a strong swimmer and never fearing height before! Fear is good, it means you are less likely to do things on a whim.


Can we help? Not trying to sound flippant but I sometimes get so fed up and overwhelmed, I just go for a nap. It’s the only way to switch off and forget for a few hours!

Actually right at this moment I know exactly how you feel!

 

[Maid22]

Supplements like ashwagandha, rhodiola rosea and PS (phosphatidylserine) are meant to help

High cortisol also makes you insulin resistant and gives you belly fat

Thank you so much for this, have just ordered some.

@DoctorWho Please don't feel ashamed, I know myself what alcohol can do, all the best for Tuesday.

 

[caterday28]

Where does it say this? NICE guidelines state that they advocates a stepwise approach to managing common mental health disorders. It recommends offering, or referring people for, the least intrusive and most effective intervention first. Therefore, non-drug interventions (such as cognitive behavioural therapy [CBT]) should be the mainstay of treatment for many people with depression or GAD, with drugs generally reserved for more severe illness or when symptoms have failed to respond to non-drug interventions.

Also mild-moderate depression cannot be assessed by simply assessing suicide intention or risk, other factors such as self-harm, behavioural issues like alcohol, drugs, indulging in high risk behaviours, family history, onset of symptoms, other risk factors such as bereavement, trauma etc. None of this is ever properly assessed by a GP alone. Their job is to advise on medication options if appropriate and referral for assessment for CBT and/or talking therapy.

Here you go: https://bnf.nice.org.uk/treatment-summary/antidepressant-drugs.html

Part of my work is in antidepressant prescribing and it's cited a lot.

I completely agree with you! I think sometimes in primary care there is a tendency to focus too much on suicide risk. Of course it's incredibly important, but it doesn't alone determine illness severity.

 

[Raymond Luxury-Yacht]

Thank you. I’ve been on hold to them 3 times for over 5 minutes each time and my anxiety can’t take the waiting while it’s just ringing so I’ve given up. Really disappointed at the service, I know they must be struggling with volunteer numbers but literally feels like there’s nowhere to turn.

I’ve never called them but I’ve used the e-mail service in the past and they replied within 24 hours. Is there a film you can watch or maybe a music album/podcast to listen to so you can distract yourself?

I hope you feel better ASAP, we are all here for you

 

[Poppydaisy]

Hey guys, hope you're all keeping well. My partner was diagnosed with depression yesterday, and has another app with the doctor soon to discuss a plan going forward.

I'm just wondering, do you guys have any advice on how I can help? What I should/shouldn't do? This is all very new to me and I don't want to do anything to upset him, I just want to be there to help. Thank you

 

[Penguin86]

How is everyone today? I’m feeling a lot lighter than Weds and looking forward to a chilled night and lie in tomorrow (although no doubt I’ll be awake at 7 because I don’t have to be!). I have linch with my mum on Sunday, which is always tough depending on whether she’s decided to be filtered or not! Hopefully I won’t get the annoying side haha!

I actually slept about 2am until 8am. Took my sertraline and accidentally fell asleep again until 1.30pm. Oops

 

[Jmx]

One moment at a time. I know it sounds simplistic. Just try to get through the next 1 min and nothing else. I woke up with a anxiety attack this morning.

I'm just focusing on distractions right now which for me is just watching youtube videos one after the other.

Thanks, it is so hard I think maybe all that I need is some sleeping pills, the tiredness is making everything worse.

 

[flutternutter]

Today was a weird day. I have a constant battle to fight thoughts of my ex, but for some reason I found myself googling him at lunchtime. I honestly don’t know what I thought I would achieve and all I could view was his LinkedIn so it was absolutely futile. I never look at him so I’m obviously having a really dark day. Thank God for home working as I think I would have had a meltdown otherwise! How is everyone else feeling?

Do you feel like you do it to hurt yourself? That was always the case with me.

Im still just managed to shower. Ate. Drove around on GTA for a bit. I am back at work monday and i need to find a way to tune back in

 

[mindlessness]

I’m having a hard time at the moment. I have no friends, no hobbies, I lost everything I liked about myself.I can’t even look in the mirror without crying because I hate the person I’ve become.

i just can’t see it getting any better from here, I’ve got nothing to look forward to and it’s giving me some really horrible thoughts

I have been where you are and it fucking sucks. I still don't have a big circle of friends - but try to remind myself that quality is better than quantity. Is there a hobby you used to enjoy you could try again? Or anything new you might want to try? I started a new hobby just before 2020 and it really helped me during lockdowns.

All that to say, it does get better. You have brighter days ahead. I promise.

 

[YellowLadybird]

I take fluoxetine, you are not supposed to mix it with alcohol but it’s doable. I have, it was okay, but I have noticed I’m much better when I’m teetotal.

Are you not? Randomly clicked on this thread and that's news to me after 5 years #modelpatient

 

[flutternutter]

Don’t worry, drinking a little isn’t a big deal. The reason thry say don’t is because it has a depressive effect and I believe it can cause nausea with sertraline. Grapefruit of all kinds needs to be avoided if it is contra-indicated because it interferes with proteins in the small intestine and the liver that normally break down most medications, leading to higher levels of them in your blood and potentially greater side effects.

So no gin? (Grapefruit based) not even a little bit? only thing i have about me

 

[JJ8]

Has anybody ever tried a CBT book? I don’t dare do CBT yet so would like to try a book myself perhaps.

I am struggling at the moment and feel embarrassed and almost ashamed to admit it. Today we got a puppy. A puppy i have wanted for years. We’ve spent ages researching it and I’ve been so excited all week to pick him up. Today came and I’ve spent it in tears worrying I’ve made a mistake and regretting it. I am embarrassed of my thought process, I do this for so many situations. I’ve spent what should have been a happy day, in tears all day. It’s like a sign I need to sort myself out now.

I really enjoyed this book. The author is a licensed psychologist and I feel like the book is very similar to what my therapist did while we were exploring CBT. It’s an easy read and pretty spot on without long rants.

 

[watermelon sugar]

It’s a vicious self feeding cycle. I’m sorry you’re having a hard time with nights too. Last Thursday I had what I can only call a panic attack in the middle of the night after what started as a legit cry about something hard going on in life. I haven’t slept a proper night since. And it just keeps going, nights become days become nights… I am so tired and it becomes harder and harder to get clarity.

oh I’m sorry you’re going through that that’s awful! I know it’s the generic advice but have you spoken to your GP? When I was suffering bad with my PND and couldn’t sleep my doctor prescribed me something that helped take the edge off. I’m not taking it anymore though, perhaps that could help with your sleep problems?