Depression

[waterboatman]

Many people think that a suicide attempt is a selfish move because the person just does not care about the people left behind. I can tell you that when a person gets to that point, they truly believe that their loved ones will be much better off with them gone.This is mental illness not selfishness. TRUTH: Depression is a terrible disease and seems relentless. A lot of us have been close to that edge, or dealt with family members in a crisis, and some have lost friends and loved ones. Let's look out for each other and stop sweeping mental illness under the rug. If I don't see your name, I'll understand. May I ask my family and friends wherever you might be, to kindly copy and paste this status for one hour to give a moment of support to all those who have family problems, health struggles, job issues, worries of any kind and just need to know that someone cares. Do it for all of us, for nobody is immune.

Many of us suffer from depression to a greater or lesser degree. We don't always know we are. But other people often see it in us. It's a sneaky and dangerous condition. No-one is immune.

[-SharonA-]

Hi Waterboat, surprise to see you!!

What you said is so true. I lost a work colleague to suicide through depression.
There was nothing any of us could do. And tell you what her death had a deep impact on me, took me ages to get over and the questions I asked myself, what could I have done.

[Mamyalynne]

The last four words say it all - no one is immune.

[Captain2]

Agree with everything you say WBM. Our daughter has been fighting it (and doing very well at the moment) for four years now and that's why we are 100% behind these people.

http://www.mind.org.uk/?gclid=CM2Qxr7s3ssCFUyeGwodl5oMaQ

[dannyk13]

Capt, How is Liv at the moment? Well I hope.

[dunnitall]

Totally agree, it strikes anyone, anytime, anywhere....terrible 'silent' illness that many who don't suffer from it really don't understand the awfulness of this illness. Sending hugs and caring thoughts to those who are going through this on a daily basis.

[Ken4155]

I have two cousins who both ended their own lives a good few years back. At the time, i didn't fully understand why they did it but now, after suffering from depression myself for quite a number of years, i do.

[Captain2]

Thanks for asking Danny. Liv still has her ups and downs but is learning to control things very well. There is a big test coming up in that she has accepted a place at Uni in September so she will be 'leaving' us and having to spend time on her own - so fingers crossed.
She is however lobbying everyone she can think of to increase awareness/funding for Mental Health. Her experiences with 'the system' has left her determined to try and do some good. So, onward....

[marval]

I quite agree, I have suffered from depression. It is not a nice place to be, suicide can seem an option. It took me a long time to get better, I don't always feel perfectly happy, but my life is a much better place now.

Sadly a lot of people don't really understand how you are feeling. It is something that cannot be ignored. I have every sympathy for people who are going through any mental illness. My brother suffered from Schizophrenia, and I know the torment he went through.

[dannyk13]

Glad she is doing so well, give her my best wishes for her venture into uni life.

[Lie-in King]

A fine post wbm, depression is an insidious & hateful condition.

[Psybbo]

Thanks, WBM

[petal54]

the brain/mind is very complicated,doesn't take alot toupsetthe wiring.some days are fine,then bam!not something you can just snap out of,I know only too well.all best wishes

[wolf63]

I've suffered from Manic Depression for most of my adult life.

I have good friends and family who accept this and don't treat me as if I am fragile and going to break.

I had to give up work at the age of 40 - in 2003. My job was stressful and difficult so it was only a matter of time before I went.

The medication is a killer too - Lithium frazzles your brain.

I fully understand why people commit suicide.

[joeluke]

Try telling me this wasn't selfish and meant to cause maximum upset to his ex

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2730292/Jilted-lover-36-walks-train-driven-girlfriend-left-three-weeks-ago.html

[fraser]

Iamon anti depressants they help me but they don't help everyone everyone need help and support

[TAFFWILLIAMS]

I had the misfortune of my mother and my favourite nephew committing suicide.

My mother was a very clever woman, due to family reasons had to finish school at 15 - she was top of her class in the top form of her grammar school. According to her peers should have gone to Oxford or Cambridge - finished up working on the family farm at 15 due to her mother's health. She never forgot!!

My nephew was working in Singapore working 12 to 15 hours a day. At 30 he was doing a job in his company normally done by a 50 year old. In the end work killed him - at the end he could take no more.

Thankfully, I have had a very successful 35 year career in the RAF which taught me to work hard but play hard so I know what my priorities are, when to switch off etc. At the end of my RAF career I was working 70 to 80 hours a week - my wife asked me why?? I decided to retire.

Depression is an illness which every person suffers from but majority of people can cope with. Sadly some cannot!!

Going back to my mother, we were on holiday in Turkey when I got the bad news. I knew what she had done, how and where she had done it. It took them 3 days for the authorities to find her body - should have asked me first!!

Hope it never happens to any of you.

[The Builder]

Fine post, WBM. Underlined so well by the others.

It seems that rather a lot of us here have personal experience, or have been touched by this condition.

It's just a part of who we are. Afflictions come in all shapes and sizes.

[jakep]

One night, six years ago I took all the anti-depressants I had at the time, along with two bottles of wine.
I truly believed that the planet would be better of without me. I was fortunate enough to appreciate that life is precious and live to regret what I did.
At the time it was 'right' for me - so scarey.
I still have mental 'ill heath' but hope I will never go there again.
I wish you well X

[1ozzy]

No truer words have been spoken Boaty.

I lost a brother in-law some years ago due to depression.

I'm sitting in St John of God Mental Health Hospital as I type this post. I've been here for two and a half weeks under going treatment for depression, hopefully only four days to go and I wont need to be admitted again, ever.

I've appreciated reading most of the replies on this thread, thank you.

Depression is an insidious disorder that does not discriminate.