Depression

[Theland1]

I have suffered from depression for over two years, lost time off work and eventually had to pack in my job.
I found that a combination of medication, support from dear friends, not least the wonderful people on Answerbank, and exercise, (I bought a bike), certainly helped me.
I have just started work again, in a very heavy physically demanding job, but in spite of that, my head is better than it has been for ages.
I still have bad periods of black clouds, and still take the tablets, but my advice is, if you suffer from depression, break the mould, and do something out of character. For me it was the bike and change of job.
OK it won't work for everybody, but it helps even though it doesn't cure me.
So there is my little bit of advice based on personal experience.
I hope it helps somebody.
The question is, because it has to be a question, is, do you agree with me?

[Bathsheba]

So happy for you Theland! xx

[Theland1]

Mrs Bath, in no small measure due to your help and support.

[Bathsheba]

Aah bless you :-) xx

[Drisgirl]

How frank of you to discuss the blighted disease whchi is depression.

It comes in all forms -mine is circumtance based,I had a wonderful career with BT -in line manager -then I started to struggle with the mortgae for the huge ex matrimonial home I had taken over-combined with having 2 youngsters.I managed for a fair few years then it came down to something has to give -so the job went -I just couldnt function becaue of panic attacks- BT were fantastic and continue ti be so.
I managed to sell the gouse and but the cottage we are in now -its all good but then as you know our family had the worst posible setback last August and that had been a severe struggle as I had to be strong for out children -I have felt lately that I am sinking again but I cant take medication -uber sensitive -so havibg to rally round again.

So in answer to your thread theland -yes i do suffer deeply and have to bring myself out of it and that isnt easy -on the plus side -its not cliincal. -in saying that I wish i didnt suffer from it from the life of hard knocks -double edged sword.

When I feel im sinking I give myself a day then just push myself -its tough tho !!

[Theland1]

Mrs Bath may possibly be taking on new patients.
Please form an orderly queue outside of the Adverts heading, so as not to be disappointed.
First consultation free, afterwards ..... well we can discuss that later!

[Drisgirl]

Bath is one of my dear friends who looks out for me and also makes me laugh xxx

[Drisgirl]

noknowledge I have often heard people saying that -in fact I said it myself,

[Theland1]

Drisgirl, yes I know about your tragedy.
No wonder you are depressed.
You are strong for others, but your shoulders can only bear so much.
I have abandoned some of my former interests, and taken up others. I am even interested in what type of birds come into my garden. (I believe I'm called a Twitcher now!)
I think in my vcase it was breaking the mould, with encouraging support from Mrs Bath and others.
(I'm taking her for a coffeee one day - I'll ride there on my bike!)
Look at your life and interests Drisgirl, and try chucking some stuff out, and bringing in new experiences.
I hope I don't sound naive, it just helped me, really.

[Theland1]

So that's three of us for coffee.

[Theland1]

22 dreams? er .... ??????

[Theland1]

Goodnight all.

[Drisgirl]

Theland you are so helpful -thats what i intended o do anyway-I am going for an interview tomorrow and the kids are settled -think it a delayed reaction -its been really tough and the legal side is stiil on going so each time we see his name in the paper is a step back -although she was guilty.
Anyway -my lovely son is coming nect weekend to see me and then we'll go and see his dad and then stop off anff and have a soem munch.

Its his turn on dinner -�5 budget-we have such a laugh and he then he is teaching me poker -I will learn before tho ol -an we are playing for stakes.

Know what Theland -I do carry the burden and always will as the solo parent from a very close family -BUT you have nade me realise that I have a lot to be greatful for -I have my 2 kids my loving parents my husband (hes OK suppose lol) -I have to look to the future and stop dwelling on the past -have to be strong -you have been a huge support through all my worst nightmares and i'll quite simply never forget you for that -a true gem xxx

[lindapinda]

We all have our bad and really awful times , and it's lovely that AB ,for all it's faults..has been able to provide a way to chat and talk to help each other. Glad to hear things are going well Theland x

[Drisgirl]

Hear Hear linda -thnak you for that -even tho im not Theland lol xxxxxxxxx

I have had some of my darkest hours during the night and people have literally swarmed to give me comfort -and they have given me strengtht to face the day ahead.

My worst was u all know -I had no-one at all -I was on my own -everyoe was devasted -we coudnt come to terms with it let alone comfort each other and i came on here in deperation and within minutes in my very darkest hour i was getting comfort from people -I'll never foget that -that sustained me thro the wiorst night of my life.Theland was there and helped me as did all the others.Hard to believe in 5wks time its a year -we are still not out the bit with court and lega and press combined with his dad giving up the will to live and dying on us -yip -heres hoping for a brighter future for our children -they are tough cookies way too young !!!!

[ruby27]

Theland

This post is typical of you, you being very giving and generous to others. You are one of the posters on here who is always offering a genuine helping hand to others.

If it helps you, clearly doesn't harm anyone else, it has to be worth doing doesn't it.

You efforts to overcome such a disabling illness may well act as inspiration/comfort to someone else.

[888sally888]

Theland - I am glad to hear your jogging along - I suffer from depression too and its a nightmare.

Every time you have answered a question for me you have been great and often very amusing - thank you.

[Bathsheba]

Hi again Theland. 22 dreams is the new Paul Weller CD! Noknowledge and me are fans of the finely chiselled one!
I've posted on a new thread for him! x

[andy-hughes]

A wonderfully positive post - which is always nice to see.

Noknowldge - I have no wish to single out your answer, but I have to confirm that depression - as in the medical condition as oposed to 'being depressed', can strike absolutely anyone, any time.

One of the major problems for eternal optimists is they have no mechanisms in place to deal with the loss of mental gravity - and often lack the ability to communicate their distress, leaving the friends and family to procalim that the sufferer is 'the last person you;d think of ...'.

It's precisely because people are 'copers' that when they can no longer cope, the suffering is proportionately greater and harder to deal with.

However, nice that no-one has been damning, sarky, unfeeling, 'clever' or similarly inappropriate. of course, if anyone does it now, they will simply be exposed as the idiot that they are!

Let's be nice - it's free and it works for everyone!