Depression

Jules52
Apart from my GP no one knows about my depression!  To share our difficulties is to build up a support network, never fight it on your own. :)  

Nothing against people taking meds or not taking meds, whatever suits the individual, we are all here to help each other and it's not a good idea to say cheer up to people suffering.  Good advice and encouragement is better, give each other ideas, some people will have bad days and need help!

I never put anyone down, I just try to show people the strengths we do have...:) 

I wrote a poem about depression as a form of therapy, if anyone would like me to share this please let me know. S x

Hi everyone, new to the site but just want to say I'm taken aback by how many similar stories people have to my own. I've suffered with depression since my teens, i'm mid 30s now, i cant remember what I was like before depression. I've been on meds but they made me feel like I was stoned and being suppressed. In a sick kind of way my depression feels like it is the fire that burns inside of me and keeps me from being hurt. The GP and counselor are the only people I have ever told about my depression. I have a wife and 2 young children and my biggest fear is passing on my depression to them as thinking back I now realise my own father also suffered greatly with depression. He has now progressed on to dementia and I fear this will also be my path.

Thanks for reading

That is exactly how it made me feel I nearly crashed my car on the motorway fell asleep on my sofa did not make it to pick my son up from school glad it works for some. I have hated my 3 children seeing my depression crying all the time etc I know I would not be here now if had not got them I am a single parent they only have me,my youngest is type 1 diabetic so even more of a strain same old every day just wish i could see a light at the end of the tunnel. My daughter has anxiety really badly lets hope awareness for these awful things get better as still a taboo in a lot of places

Hi

I'm new to the group, I suffer from Depression, anxiety, and anger issues  and have struggled for loads of years. I ffel for you i do, I'm on med at the moment. 

PoolQueen.  I have had counselling for my depression/self harm and cannot tell you how much it has helped me.  So much so that I have stopped going after 24 sessions.  I would hope that the counsellor will put you at ease as soon as you meet and my sessions have been very subtle!!  I was never forced into anything that I did not feel strong enough to discuss but it is amazing how a professional can read not only what you say but also your body language and how your voice changes which give them a lot of information without you having to go there!  We also used other means of communication, ie stone therapy.  this involved me picking stones or shells out of a box which described how I felt inside that day as well as how I would like to be feeling.  This is such a clever way to bring up demons so that you can understand them.  I Hope you have a really successful outcome but have to say, Rome was not built in a day, and you need to have a few sessions getting to know and trust each other before the real benefit can be achieved.  Good luck .

SammieC would love to read your poem.  Mgt

On the subject of medication.  I was started on 37.5mg Venlafaxine by my GP and this did not touch the surface.  Depression and self harm got worse.

I eventually was sent to hospital after severe cutting session and saw a psychiatrist.  I am now on 375mg of Venlafaxine and am completely controlled at the minute. I think Gp's themselves would agree that they are not specialist in this subject and really psychiatrists are best qualified to prescribe the right type and dose of medication.  This may take sometime but is worth it.  Please don't give up after the first prescription.  I could not survive now without my medication but equally, as soon as I feel strong enough, will start reducing slowly, aided by GP.   Mgt x