Depression Suggestions

[tinkerbell23]

So... I feel like sharing.... Ive been diagnosed with depression unfortunately before Christmas...

Out of the blue, i kept on working best i could and maintaining "normality" ... Worked Xmas day etc... All got too much end of Jan there and ive been off for three wks!

Been taking fluoxetine for about two/three months now. Have good days and have some horrible low days where i want to cry alot!! (I dont cry as much as i used to!!! Esp in work!!)

Those who remember me might remember i had alot of panic attacks... Probbly related so a bit of anxiety ontop of it all is making it a tad more difficult.

Fantastic friends & work colleagues! Mr Tinks does try to understand- not always sucessfull! Had the odd stupid comment from people that seems to knock me for 6!!

Just wanted to share experiences really!? My "line" is due up friday and being really honest i dont feel ready to go back!

Im happy. Im loved. Im lucky- i feel like a fraud!? Dont know why im like this and i truley truley wish i wasnt!!! I feel like i havent suffered huge loss like some people and im embarrased that im like this when people are soooo much worse off than me. I have lots to look forward to!

Just was wondering what helped any of you!?

Iv been walking my dog, caught up on some sleep but not too much! Trying to go to slimming class, and gym... Im just sooo exhausted xx

[ummmm]

You could start by acknowledging that it's completely out of your control so feeling like fraud is a waste of emotion xx

[tinkerbell23]

I cant shake it ummm i feel so stupid i could cry thinking about it!! But you are right. I know it is!! X

[tinkerbell23]

Doc said "SLOW DOWN" lol ... Dont want them
Thinking im a frequent flyer never away from the GP x

[Cloverjo]

Don't feel guilty. One of the most stupid things anyone can say to another is "what have you got to be depressed about?". You might as well say "what have you got to have cancer/flu/any other illness about?".
It's an illness. It takes time, but you will get better. If you really don't feel ready to go back to work, ask your GP for another sick note. Take care of yourself. Eat well, don't drink alcohol, go for walks, try to relax.

[grasscarp]

What helped me was sleeping, eating well and talking to people. You just gradually come out of it. I did have a couple of bad spells in my life but as last was over 25 years ago think it's all in the past. I remember someone telling me it was nothing to be ashamed of and that helped a lot.
You will move on in your life Tinkerbell- keep going - chin up!

[anneasquith]

idiopathic depression. your brain is an organ just like your heart. liver. but no one can 'see' what is going on inside.Like any illness you need to let the organ rest and repair, you have classic guilt re ' so many people are worse of than me. ' if you were returning to a job where you could be protected from decision making. responsibility I'd say give it a try, but you are not, back to the gp, maybe suggest counselling ? sleep when you want, cry when you want and yes you will laugh again , but maybe not just yet. anne.

[Hypognosis]

Well, that's the thing with clinical depression - no matter how hard you rack your brain for 'reasons for it', you will draw a blank. Something has gone wrong with the neurochemistry in your brain, so its like any other organ disease, nothing for it but to take the meds and find ways to adapt your life, to make the most of the occasional 'up' days.

Good luck!

My recommendation: walking, naturewatching.

[DTCwordfan]

tinks, hi......sorry to hear this.

How well are you eating? stress and work has a habit of mucking up our bodies and sometimes with awful consequences.....

Perhaps part of the 'reset' button is this, just a question.....

I'm sure with care and support you'll break it....you're a bright, caring gal that has a lot to give and there is no need for embarrassment in having a wee set-back yourself - and good chats with Mr T and those that you trust are ever so important

xx

[jourdain2]

ummmm is quite right. x I recognise all you say, how are your hormones? Dog-walking is good. I also found that volunteering helped me - helping other people gets you to rationalise and also gets you out and about. Unhelpful/critical comments used to send me curling up in bed sobbing - still get over-upset. The exhaustion is all part of it - you will come through this, good luck. x

[mazie]

Be kind to yourself Tinks.... I've been through something similar over the past few months and it's hard to see the light at the end of the tunnel...But it is there...Rest, eat well and most of all don't feel guilty.... Big hug from me xxx

[Psybbo]

Tinks, so lovely to see you and sorry that you're suffering. Please get back to GP and hope they can get the medication right xxxx, sibton

[tinkerbell23]

I remember how lovely you all are thank you!!!!

Well anne work was just all too much few weeks ago. Short staff, poor skill mix, my being most senior (!!) plus shortages= not good.

Just had struggled on- tried not to take any liberties, went to work all of xmas day when i found it so hard (part of the job i know and i do LOVE my job i couldnt be anythingelse!!!!!)

Eating was rubbish untill a few wks ago! Mixture of tiredness and just eating rubbish gets u into a bad cycle dosent it!!!! Eating better though!
Two wks ago was doin reaaaally well at gym-
Last week not so much! Lol, over indulged a tad aswell- people mean well asking me out for lunch hehe!

Wondering if i should go back for counselling or something new? Totally open to it.

Thanks for the reassurance. People really do say daft things like "what does ur GP think it is? What have you got to be depressed about" - grr x

[tinkerbell23]

My GP was lovely- we have 3 gps and the one i DIDNT want ... I got haha! She dosent suffer fools... Thankfully she was wonderfull. After much blubbing from me haha!

Last visit i got another and he said that you dont put footballers on the park whos head isnt in the game as they make mistakes. That made me feel good. I just sometimes feel scared to even smile or go for that lunch incase anyone thinks its all made up- do you know what i mean??

I have so many nice things in life i really cant fathom this i bloody HATE IT!!

So nice to see you all. Thank you for the chat seriously xx

[murraymints]

Ah Tinks..big big hugs...depression hits people whom you would least expect it to..all ages , backgrounds etc...you have had quite a busy few years with lots of ups and downs along the way, you also have a very responsible job where you think of and put the needs of others first..so do NOT feel embarassed about it...things have just caught up with you..you need to speak to your GP about a bit longer off work and a review of meds. Perhaps speak to your line manager about returning gradually a couple of days a week to start..also talk to your OH do not bottle things up...shifts can upset your equilibrium , make sure you eat well, get enough sleep and a bit of exercise in the fresh air..pooch walkies a good idea. try not to hide yourself away though..keep up some kind of distraction away from home even if it is just visiting family and friends for a wee blether and a cuppa.. or come here when you feel bad..I do miss you Tinks ma wee sausage xxx...

[anneasquith]

write a diary everyday, if/when you can be bothered. anything that comes into your head, everyone will say to you, you will get better, some days when they say this, you just want to punch them :) I'm not recommending you do this tinks. !!!!!

[DTCwordfan]

In addition to diet, and you have admitted that one (and it is sooooo important to still eat well, however tired you are), I think or I am questioning one more and that's you ability to turn off the work button when you walk out of the hossie.....that's important too. Continual worry leads to stress and poor sleep....and, do you know what, things will probably continue on without you, maybe in a muddled fashion but those patients will get their support. So find your off switch, may be some breathing or quasi-meditation, or whatever before you go home.....

[grasscarp]

It is part of life Tinkerbell. Happens to more people than admit to it. I like to think that those who experience extreme lows in their lives may also be the ones to have higher highs!

[tinkerbell23]

Hello MM!!!!! Miss you too!

I just have days all running together these days? Used to read loads and now i dont! Do you know i havent even finished my xmas shopping for last yr lol safe to say i wont be now! I owe i dont know how many birthday presents!! Im reassuring myself people who matter dont mind and people who mind dont matter however i do feel really bad.

I am full of good intentions honestly! Every day going to visit X Y Z... Next thing its teatime !!!!

I hate staying off work. I just dont feel ready just now xx

[tinkerbell23]

Its followed on from the anxiety i think.

I did actually find a meditation class locally!

Calling in work tomo with "an update" have a sore head thinkinh about it. Boss wasnt as nice as i had expected (theyve been through it!!) really knocked me. X

[Psybbo]

Tinks, as Minty says, we miss you but we were so happy that you've met Mr T and fulfilled your dreams of nursing. So please get back to the GP. I know that in the NHS you are all under so much pressure and getting damned little thanks for doing such a demanding job xxx