Depression

Hi @Rayofhope , I heard about Art Psychotherapy from my Psychotherapist ... I see him every three months and my Psychiatrist about the same . He suggested that it might be good for me . I like Art and I imagine it will be interesting . I think the best thing to do is to always keep busy . I work as often as I can between Hospital appointments and other appointments , I am lucky that I am self employed and able to fit my work around my illness . If I have a bad day or have to take a few days off it isn't a problem ... As long as your mind is focused on the task in front of you , then there is no time to feel depressed . I do feel quite positive , I have been through hell and I know I am never going back there . while you are waiting for your referral why don't you refer yourself for something else like a stress and mood course or CBT ... I don't know what area you are in but here there is a service called " therapy for you " , you just call them and they give you a telephone interview . It is very simple . best wishes to you , I hope things pick up soon :-)

Daren

Thank you Daren....I might do that or look at the art therapy. I like the sound of that.

Hi @Rayofhope , You are welcome . Please let me know how you get on with a referral . I only know what I have been told about it . It is meant to be a means of expressing your emotions in the form of paintings or drawings . I am looking forward to it too . Best wishes

Daren :-)

As difficult as it is, i found the best way for me to keep my head above water is to talk. To say when i am having a bad day and to count my blessings often. Even if so days i am so down the blessing is literally knowing that another day i felt different. When i first had a break down, i was wary of what people would say. I had always been so strong and dependable. I felt broken and like a failure. 

Now i know that my situation was not my fault. That i can and will get better but that i should not try to hide my pain to protect others. After all that is somewhat what got me into this mess in the first place. I am really lucky that my friends, family and boyfriend rally round me on the bad days and laugh with me on the good days. Never be afraid to mock yourself, that is the other way i know my depression has not won. 

Hi @Aph789  , Indeed you need to be able to take a joke to beat this illness . I never take anything too seriously . I am glad it helps you to talk . Despite your suffering you have a very positive outlook .... Yes , tomorrow is always another day and the depression is never permanent ... I do feel that certain tablets do help me , but medication is not for everyone . With or without medication the true key to your recoverty is within yourself . Once you understand what you can do to make yourself feel better there will be no looking back . You learn how to cope and things are never quite as bad again . My very best wishes to you . I am always around if I can help in any way . Take care

Daren :-)

Thanks @xDarenx medication was a big decision for me. I know I have to be on them for years not weeks. I do think they are helping me but it is a journey we are each taking. 

http://www.ted.com/playlists/8/a_better_you

http://www.ted.com/talks/andrew_solomon_depression_the_secret_we_share

http://www.ted.com/talks/kevin_breel_confessions_of_a_depressed_comic

Hi all,

Above, I have posted some links to some videos which have helped me to better understand depression and really put it into perspective for myself.  This greater understanding and clearer perspective really helps in the fight against this awful illness that plagues many of us. 

Best wishes,

Simon

Hi xDarenx

I have just joined this site and as well as having a variety of physical conditions myself, I am care giver for my husband who has severe clinical depression, which he has suffered since age 15 - he is now 65, so 50 years.  He also has periods of acute anxiety and is diagnosed as having Borderline Personality Disorder!  Quite an eclectic mix!  We only met 10 years ago and married 5 years ago this month.  I was well aware of the highs and lows that go along with the conditions he has, but loved the wonderful, gentle man that lived with these problems. 

I am what you would call a 'glass half full' person.  I wake up bright and breezy and will be determined to find the silver lining in any black cloud.  I think living with someone like me when one suffers from depression, must be just as difficult as living with someone with depression is for someone like me!  :)  When you feel like hell and are contemplating suicide, having someone bouncing off the walls and with an wicked sense of humour must be a nightmare.

Anyway, about three years ago, a Carers Association that kept in regular contact with me offered me the chance to go on what they termed a 'Mental Health First Aid' course through the Lifelong Learning scheme they operated.  I went along a day a week for six weeks, and have to say, it is probably the best six days I ever invested time in.  If any of your followers have a partner, husband or wife struggling to cope with their condition, I strongly recommend they seek out this course in their community.  Mine was delivered via POIESIS.  I came out of this with a much better understanding of Depression and Anxiety, but also with an understanding of Schizophrenia, Paranoia and other conditions.

I now look at the difficult patches in a very different way and cope much better.  At the times when I would have been exasperated with the lack of response from my husband when he was so deep in his black hole that he could not even hear me, now I have more understanding and can save myself the stress and exasperation.  At the times when I would have cried because I am sleeping or at least cat napping on the sofa, with meds under lock and key in the safe and the door and car keys in my pocket so he cannot drive off in the car and do something to himself, or get at the tablets, his preferred method, now I can do this without the tears and with more compassion for the depths of his depression that lead him to want to end everything.  I used to feel hurt and inadequate - after all, if I was making him happy in our relationship, if he felt loved and cared for, if I was a GOOD ENOUGH WIFE, why would he want to end his life?  I now understand that this is about him, not about me.  He loves me no less, I am not failing him in any way, the fact is, I don't enter into it at all.  At these times he is so far into his black hole, his thoughts for me, his children and grandchildren don't even enter his consciousness.  It is not that he is not happy with us, he is not happy with him.

I was wondering if any of your followers would like to pass this course idea on to  their partners, wives or husbands?  If they would like to contact me to gain a better understanding of what it is like for those that love them and live with them, or if the partners themselves would like someone to share their trials and triumphs, their frustrations and heartbreaks, then I an happy to be a listening ear.

I wonder if a group for these partners and care givers would be appropriate and if so, can you advise on how such a group is set p or what one has to do to get such a group sanctioned?  Indeed, that is, if you agree it could be helpful.

Suncatcher2015

Hi @Suncatcher2015 , Welcome to the site . I am glad you found the Carer's association's " Lifelong Learning scheme " helpful . It really sounds like you have a lot on your plate . It can be very difficult to deal with somebody that is suffering with depression at times , understanding it can only make it easier . I have also been diagnosed with " Borderline personality disorder " by one Psychiatrist , but also " Bipolar type 1 " from another Psychiatrist and " Depression and GAD ( General Anxiety disorder ) " by another , so I really do not know what to believe , only that I very much disbelieve that I have Borderline Personality disorder  . I really do not fit into any category . I am also a " Glass half full " kind of person . Many people that suffer from depression are irritated by me because I am such an extremely positive thinker when I am not depressed . I find positive thinking my greatest weapon to conquer depression , also helping others and doing good . I never lose all empathy or become so submerged in depression that I do not feel for others , so I find that hard to relate to . In fact the more depressed I get , the more I feel for the ones that I love and the more guilty I feel for not feeling happy around them . I have suffered from depression from the age of 15 also (32 years ) . I have learned so much about my condition , but I never stop learning . I have become very strong willed and do believe I can never be beaten by my illness . I use all the coping strategies I have developed that I know that work for me . I do not care what so called " professionals " say I should or should not do , if something works for me , then it is the right thing to do . I try to help at least one person a day , either in my circle in everyday life , on Facebook or on this site . The more good I do the better I feel about myself . If ever I can help you in any way , just send me a message on here and I will do my best for you . My sincere best wishes :-)

Daren x 

@SimonWyatt , Thank you for the links , that is very interesting . Enjoy your day Simon . Many thanks

Daren :-)