Thread: Depression

I know it's a common thing, and all people go through it at one stage of their life.

I'm just wondering how some of you older folks, more experienced have come to terms with it, and deal with it, or completely get rid of it.

I have not enjoyed a day for almost a year and a half now, It's gettnig the point where I just give up. That was never me.

It's scary that someone who was once full of life, high self-esteem and motivated.. can become, pathetic, weak, and ill minded - like a soul was ripped apart.

Not trying to sound emo here, but want any potential posters to understand how bad it really is.

Appreciate all your responses.

Have you had any professional help?

Sorry for the stock standard answer, but its good to know straight up.

That's all good..

Nope, none..I know myself.. I don't trust people in general so opening up isn't something I ever do.

Originally Posted by reminisce

I know it's a common thing, and all people go through it at one stage of their life.

I'm just wondering how some of you older folks, more experienced have come to terms with it, and deal with it, or completely get rid of it.

I have not enjoyed a day for almost a year and a half now, It's gettnig the point where I just give up. That was never me.

It's scary that someone who was once full of life, high self-esteem and motivated.. can become, pathetic, weak, and ill minded - like a soul was ripped apart.

Not trying to sound emo here, but want any potential posters to understand how bad it really is.

Appreciate all your responses.

Mate I've had the needle in my arm more times than I'd like to remember; I've messaged people goodbye; I've been hospitalised; I HAD given up; so yeah, I know what depression's like.

Generally, there's a catalyst. Did something significant happen to you 18 months ago?

have you had a comprehensive medical. A great part of my problems were from an undiagnosed illness.

Does depression run in your family?

Also, and obviously, you need to speak to someone. You need to learn to trust. If you don't confide in someone, then pretty much you're in deep shit. When I was in hospital I spoke often to a wonderful irish psych nurse. She just about kept me alive during that time.

If you need anything to help with this, PM me. But don't do nothing.

Depression is treatable. You can regain your old self. You can be happy.

T2

Ive moved in and out of it for a few years. It more of a situational thing for me and even though ive had meds prescribed I choose to just work my way through it. Its not constant so i deal.

Reminisce, if you dont trust and open up to people perhaps try a discussion forum for some support. Try beyondblue for a start. My only caution is theres a fine line between support and getting sucked in to further misery. misery loves company :).

Try and think of what triggers an episode (if it is episodic) and see if you can channel the negative thoughts. Easier said than done.

Good luck

Thanks for your replies..

I pm'd you t2.

It's no episodic, it's constant.. so constant it feels normal now.

I know exactly what you are going through. I have had it since i was 21 and now it is extremely bad. I have extreme highs and extreme lows constantly. I have tried alot of medications and they have not helped , prozac did work for me at one stage but i mixed other drugs with it which caused it to not work on me anymore.

Mine is drug induced and is from a chemical imbalance......It is funny they know what it is but they cant fix it. I deal with it eventually enough will be enough but I just deal with it.

reminisce - try and find a doctor that cares.....hard to do but yeah try , try medications if you want , SSRI's are the most common to start with and in general have the lowest side effects. If you get to the stage where you think no one can help you maybe try a pyshciatrist (spelling?) , that is where im heading but i aint holding my hopes up for a miracle.

I have tried natural supplements , opened up to people close to me (they laugh it off and dont understand) , considered hypnotherapy but for $140 a session I thought better of it.

Feel free to pm me reminisce as I am going through exactly the same stage but really on my last legs now.

Good luck buddy.

Depression runs in my family. I have battled with it for as long as I can remember. You do end up getting to the point where you think that feeling shit is 'normal' until you realise that's not how other people feel.

It came to a head for me at the beginning of the year and got to the point where I couldn't cope with just coping anymore. I went and spoke to a Dr and also had some sessions with a psychologist. Unfortunately I couldn't afford to keep going but even with medication, it took me a good 6 months before I started to really feel better.

First thing you need to do is see a good GP. That was the hardest thing for me to do - saying that I needed help and couldn't cope on my own anymore.

Hey reminisce, the advice that everyone has given is spot on. You need too seek help. If this has been gong on for a year & a half & you haven't spoken with anyone about it & it keeps getting worse then you're clearly unable too resolve the situation yourself. Chances are unless you do seek help things are just going to get worse for you. When you internalise feeling of depression they have a bad habit of compounding. Depression is a sickness just like any other. You wouldn't put up with any other type of medical complaint for this long.

Go see a GP & get a referral too speak with a Psychologist or Psychiatrist. The GP may put you straight on an AD or he/she might want too wait until you speak with a professional. Either way you need to take that first step.

Medicare covers up to 12 sessions per year with a Psychologist/Psychiatrist. Too get Medicare cover you need to get the correct referral from you GP. I forget exactly what it's called but just ask the GP about it. The GP will conduct a basic assessment & then give you the correct referral. As for whether you see a Psychologist or Psychiatrist in my experience there isn't a great deal of difference. Psychiatrist can prescribe drugs whereas Psychologist's can't. It's more important too find someone that you feel comfortable speaking openly too.

Good luck.

I think that the medication out there is outstanding it is just finding the right one that will help you. I have cymbalta here now but abit scared to use it as the side effects are scary as but the standard SSRI's are safe. Sorimah if you do not mind may i ask what medication worked for you? Thanks

Number 1 most important - BREATHE. Talk to someone close, tell them how you are feeling, also take a step back for some timeout - get back to basics and take your time to relearn how to appreciate the wonderful world you live in.

Originally Posted by Beeto

Sorimah if you do not mind may i ask what medication worked for you? Thanks

I was originally put on Citalopram but it didn't work for me. After a few months when I had to get another script the Dr switched me to Pristiq. It is more expensive...at a chemist warehouse I pay $32 per month....at other chemists I've paid closer to $50....

Another thing you might have to do is re-evaluate your social circle and social activities. Negativity breeds negativity. Especially when you have friends whose life revolves around drugs and alcohol. Because I don't drink I've become a social leper. I don't go to pubs, clubs etc and have no interest in hanging out with people who are off their faces.

Reminisce, one word of warning about medication though. You cannot drink alcohol while on them. I have a friend who was on AD, had a night on the rum and went psycho...he fell into the trap of thinking if he didn't take his tablet then he could drink that night. He doesn't remember that night at all and was shocked when told what he'd done.

Reminisce - may I ask how old you are?

Beyond blue has helped a girl I know who had some pretty bad depression,
you probably already know of it.

beyondblue: the national depression initiative

Originally Posted by soriminah

After a few months when I had to get another script the Dr switched me to Pristiq.

I was on Pristiq for the first 6 months of this year. It took me about 10 days too adjust too it. During that adjustment I felt sick in my stomach my skin tingled & all energy was gone. After 10 days those side effects went & I could barely tell I was on it. Going off it I cut my dose in half for about 6 weeks then quit. No side effects going off it, if anything mood improved, funny that.

I was also on Avanza a couple of years ago. Can't remember having any sides on that though my shrink told me it's famous for making ppl fat.

I was put on a heap of different things; hated them all. Got off them all.