Have You Had Depression

[evedawn]

Following from another related post by dave it got me wondering. : howmany of you on AB have suffered from depression? By this I mean clinically diagnosed depression requiring medication and / or therapy? Not simply being down in the dumps.

[Anngel]

Yes, post natal and SAD. the first treated with drugs and therapy, the second with drugs and now with the daylight lamp.

[evedawn]

Hmmm I wonder if the postnatal and SAD both stem from some sorta pre-disposition to suffer with depression of ANY kind.

[evedawn]

They say 1 in 5 have had / do have this. Once I began being a (little) more open I am discovering so many others !

[andy-hughes]

I think it's like being an alcoholic - if you have it, you always have it, even if it is controlled or in remission.

I had a catastrophic breakdown twenty-three years ago, was hospitalised for three months, off work for a year, and am on anti-depressants, probably for life.

I absolultey know the difference between Depresson and 'being depressed' as I outlined n the other thread.

The major difference for sufferers like me is that the normal instances of 'being depressed' hold a cold cold fear that they are not the start of the return of something far worse.

[Stargazer]

Yes. I have it now. It is very debilitating and is worse when it comes in the Summer when the bright sunny weather seems to make this feeling even more unbearable. Yes, I am on medication but it does not seems to have much effect if any. I just hang on by gritting my teeth and hibernate (almost) and hope that at some point it will lift. Which it does seem to but the change is not noticeable until I reflect back on how I once felt and realise that It has lifted somewhat. The summer definitely has an uplifting effect apart from one year when it was even worse in the summer.

[evedawn]

Yes andy I kinda know what you mean. I personally feel that I will "never be the same again" it's like this caused some sorta switch in my brain and although I know depression will be "controlled" by meds I feel like the old me is gone forever and there will always be a nagging fear that it'll come back to haunt me. I wish people would realise depression can be ... Life threatening! Anyone who has ever felt suicidal will know what I mean.

[evedawn]

Yeah stargazer ... I too realise (now) on looking back how low I'd become.

[The Builder]

I've suffered from endogenous depression for most of my adult life.
The odd thing with this is friends and acquaintances would probably find it hard to believe. I'm possibly one of those people of whom they would say "Surely not you! You're far too jolly"

The positive side to it is that you have to try that much harder than most people would. It can be hard work though.

[evedawn]

Yes builder! Everyone who knows me would have described me as very strong and always good in a crisis and putting a positive spin on things. Appearances can be soooo deceptive ay!

[karenmac60]

Yes, after a head injury and it was then exacerbated by post natal. It took me almost 4 years to get back to normal and my marriage broke down in the proccess. I've had minor bouts over the years since then and probably always will - but I now know the signs and go to the dr as soon as I recognise the problem.

[daffy654]

From the age of 13 I have suffered clinical depression on and off and still do aged 44. I also had PND after my son was born 15 years ago. I have attempted suicide twice and have been close to it on many more occasions. I have always refused medication to treat the condition and was almost sectioned a few years ago for my own safety.

[maggiebee]

Had a very bad episode of clinical depression a few years ago. Doctor suggested, after a few attempts to come off medication, that I should stay on a low daily dose, probably for the rest of my life. Have done so ever since and am fine.

[boxtops]

Yes, I had a severe episode of clinical depression and anxiety for several years in my late twenties/early thirties, which was initially treated with medication, on which I became dependent. I had an excellent hypnotherapist who helped me to come to terms with it, and I have had no medication at all for some thirty years now - but the depression came about due to circumstances prevailing at the time, things are very different now.

[flump1]

Yes evedawn, I suffer from clinical depression, anxiety and OCD, I am medicated and I have had CBT, which I think was my turning point. I have been suicidal in the past, I am not at present. Life is more difficult when one has a life changing, condition and the medication for that probably don't help my depression. I have learned to take each day as it comes .

[NOX]

Yes have suferedfrom depression my entire adult life and control it now with exercise, NLP and other techniques, always a fear of mine that it will return with a venegance though and wipe me out of being able to do that.

[bensmum]

Yes, went into a meltdown of sorts about 3 or 4 years ago. No specific reason at the time, just a culmination of things. My doctor said at the time that if someone breaks their leg it's obvious and people understand. If it's invisible it doesn't mean that you don't need mending but people have the habit of telling you to pull yourself together. If only it was that easy.
Like a few here I'm usually pretty upbeat and come across as happy and in control but it's an effort at times.

[society]

I think everyone experience or suffers with depression at one time or another in their life. And it could be long term or short term.