HIYA ALL.

 

SORRY TO SOUND SO 'ME ME ME' BUT I JUST WONDERD IF ANY OF YOU HAD ANY GOOD ADVICE FOR SOMEONE WITH DEPRESSION, TIP'S ON WHAT TO DO ECT, AS I HAVE JUST BEEN TOLD THAT I AM INFACT SUFFERING WITH 'DEPRESSION'! AND NOT TOO KEEN ON TAKING MEDICATION FOR IT IF I CAN AVOID IT.

ANY HELP/ADVICE WOULD BE SOOOO GREAT!! THANKS, FLUMPY

What does the doc recommend?

sorry diva, good question! well nothing recomended as yet i have to go see my doc on wednesday, but the hospital have said i need some sort of meds, and as i said, i would like to avoid them if i can.

sorry should have been clearer! 

flumpy.  xxx

I am new here, but not new to depression. I have had it ever since I can remember. My faith helps a lot in dealing with depression. My kids help me. I look at them and try to see something in them to make me smile. Sometimes just knowing they are my kids and that they love me is enough. I can tell you that just sitting and feeling sorry for yourself is not going to change the depression. I did that for way too long. Then I found a wonderful support group that deals with my chronic illness and having that closeness, knowing I wasnt alone in dealing with my condition, helped me tremendously. I have gone through periods of depression still though, mainly due to marital problems. When I was first dx'd as having severe depression though, a lot of it was from the past....a bad childhood, bad relationships....bad choices in life. I had to learn to let go of the past. I had to stop dwelling on what has happened and focus on what I can do to make my future brighter. That took a long time to do. If you are holding onto things from the past, you have to let them go. Make a fresh start. Choose to live for the here and now and the future, not the past. Find something you like to do and dont feel guilty about doing it. Dont let someone else make you feel less than what you are. Believe me, I have wasted way too much time letting someone else dictate my emotions. I dont know if any of this is similiar to your situation or not, but I hope you can get a little help out of it. Hugssssssssss....Dawn

Hi Dawn,

Thankyou and welcome

You hit the nail on the head with the 'things from your past' bit, that is my main problem, I had a bad run of luck a few years back and I  still can't let go....

Once again, Thankyou and welcome...

flumpy

I take meds and they really help.  Other than helping to lift the depression, they don't effect my daily life.  I also try to eat a well-balanced diet and get plenty of excercise.  I try to focus on me and focus on the blessings in my life.

((((Flump))))  I did not want to take the meds either.  But I am still taking them and they do really help me deal.  I answered yes to all but one of the depression questions!  I was jeopardizing my job and lost friends because of it.  You may just need a bit of chemical help.  Most people do not have half of what we deal with going on in their lives and they take them.  My doc told me exercise and fresh air also help.  I cannot take herbs but I know st johns wart is also good for depression.

 

take care of you!         

ME NEITHER!!! (medications)

I too suffer from depression.

This is my treatment...

1.  I am kind to myself

2.  I am open with my partner and family about what I am feeling

3.  I try often to not let it get me

4.  I pump up the Vitamin B6 and B12 when I am low.

Aron

ok, i am the LAST one to tell someone what to do especially for their health

but for me????  i HATE drugs,  i  have to do meds for my anxiety cuz there is no organic thing that works for me...and i just hate having to do it, but i gotta funcion .......... so  for my depression (which is just being codependent and sick of life's heartaches)  i take  st. john wort...its natural  mao, or whatever you call it and it has been my miracle drug.......i get the organic kind and i take as directed on the label.......it takes a while to get in ones system,  but once it does,  i can tell the diference......been taking it for years,  and its been my life saver working the recovery........its been known to help  mild to moderate depression............please take what works, and leave the rest.....rosie 

Hi Flumpy,

I was really resistant to taking medication, but my therapist and doctor convinced me to give it a try. The combination of anxiety and depression I was dealing with was really interfering with my life. 

I take the lowest dose, and I break the pill in half. I also work out a lot and eat well.

I am only on the medication for six months, so I am finished with it this month.  I haven't had any side effects.

It really helped me!!

mollyann

hi i too take antidepressents, i have clinical depression which means basically its there no matter what and pretty much forever. its a chemical imbalance in the brain. i take celexa its a very low dose, no side effects, and when im ready to go off of them there are no withdrawl, they are non addictive. it just helps lifes littles problems easier to overcome. depression is very serious and must be dealt with in some way. for those that dont like meds, going to see a therapist, counsellor, psychologist are very helpful. if you want to take herbal remedies, ive never tried em myself but hear they work well for some people, also praying to your hp. best of luck to you. deal and treat your depression in whatever way you feel comfortable, but do not ignore it.

WOW THANKYOU ALL

I HAD NO IDEA THERE WERE SO MANY DIFFERENT THINGS TO BE DONE TO COMBAT IT.

I WILL SURELY MENTION THEM TO THE DOC WHEN I SEE HIM ON WEDNESDAY.

 

THANKYOU ALL ONCE AGAIN.....

.........THANKYOU.......FLUMPY.

ALL THE FLUMPY LOVE IN THE WORLD!! 

Hi Flumpy

I have had depression all my life.  But it was not diagnosed until I was about 25.  I began taking Paxil and it totally changed my whole life!  Especially after I had my first child.  I was unable to care for my daughter and it almost killed me.  But again started taking it and enjoyed every minute of life with her. Although it doesn't sound like you are severely depressed, maybe moderate?

  One thing I want to point out though is if you do decide to start taking the meds, I would avoid Paxil unless it is the only one that works for you.  It works well for me but the weight gain and sexual side effects, I have had trouble with.  I have tried others but so far they have not worked as well or have had other side effects that are worse like constant headaches or severe irritability.  And Paxil has wtihdrawl side effects for me like you would not believe!

I guess what I am trying to say is get all the facts about side effects and withdrawl that you can and if you have problems, definately talk to the doctor about them so he/she can change whatever needs changing.

You are right by getting as much info as you can so good job

Good luck to ya!! Julie

Hello flumpy,

I have suffered from chronic depression for 10 years now. It is a chemical imbalance for me in my brain. It can be hereditary too. Some depressions are situational and may not last as long. I will be more than happy to share more with you but would rather do it in a private way on the pm board here. I have been on many medications over the years and different kinds of therapies. I will pm you and see if you get it so you can reply here. Just go to where it says logged in above and click new message to pm me back :) cdb (((((((((supportive hugs))))))

Dear Flumpy, ((((((big hug)))))))) - I have taken anti-depressants, screwed them up, forgot to get prescription renewed and thought I was OK - then I fell over, was dizzy. If you have long chat with doc, and pills recommended, it takes about 6 months to get the most benefit, but, they are subtle, you feel OK, and think, well, I dont need them now! OK, here it is, I have an advantage in that we have met (and why not again? time we had another coffee and chat!) - but we do know a little about each other's lives. In Alanon, we try not to advise another person (especially me, as I can screw up my own life perfectly well) - so, this is just an observation, take what you like, leave the rest. You have spent a lot of your young life taking care of people. You have had some sad things happen, maybe you have not really dealt with them, or grieved, or, just talked it out. It seems to me, you are beginning to reach out, to find a way of life for you, and I think that is great, wish I had done it years ago. If you ever want to go to a face to face, I will come with you. If you come to my "manor", I know the best ones (lol, in my opinion). Why not give it a try, best advice is to go to 6 live meetings, then, take time out, reflect, is there something there that can help you? I am so glad we met - I know you to be a strong person, you helped your mum, your brother, Tom, and are a wonderful mum to two little girls. You would be an asset to Alanon - give yourself some credit, give yourself some Flumpy time!!!! Lots of love, Maggie (aka Flora) xxxxx

Hey Flumpybunny

I have also been suffering with depression and like you didnt want to take medication but I gave in to it about 4 weeks ago and took the anti depressants like the doc recommended.

the other things I have found that are good for me are not to allow myself to sit and wallow in my depression each day (and sometimes thats very hard believe me) so I make sure even though I'm off work at the moment cos of it that I dont get up late (although you have a kiddie so that prolly dont apply to you as much).  On a weekly basis I write myself a task list - with at least one kinda biggish task I want to achieve each day, and it doesnt matter if some of them carry over from one week to the next but each time I manage to tick one off, it really really helps.  I also have on my weekly list that I must make 2 people smile per day, whether thats someone I see or someone online it doesnt matter,  I have also planned out my meals to make sure I eat properly and dont just eat junk cos I cant be bothered cooking.

the one thing I have on my list that I'm failing miserably at is doing a daily mantra where I tell myself how important I am - I say it but dont really believe it yet.  I also ensure I have at least 10 minutes each day that is purely for something for my relaxation - sometimes meditation, sometimes just sitting reading or watching tv.

Doing creative stuff has really helped me too - gives me something to focus on, and when I find that my depression is stopping me from leaving the house, I call a friend to arrange to meet them, so that Iknow its not just me I'm letting down if I stay home.

Dunno if any of this helps at all, but its what I've found helps me in little ways, but if you need the medication its nto the end of the world.

HOpe u feel better soon, and if u ever wanna share symptoms just drop me a line lol.

(Oh and dreaming of u know who a bit more will cheer us up no end too!!!)

Love

Picowitch

So much information for you to go through. Wow!

I take Celexa for my depression and it has worked wonders.  Yes, even the lowest doses work.  I have been on maintenance for a couple years as I have been going through many stressful changes.  The side effects seem to be relatively light.  I have gained some weight in those years but eating carefully and exercise take care of that.  Also, any other side effects should always be discussed with a doctor if they occur.

I wish you well on your journey to good health.

Angelina

Hi Flumpy I suffer with medically diagnosed depression and have been on medication for many years.  I also suffered a breakdown for trying to be miss perfectionist all my life.  My Dr described my medication like this.  You have a chemical imbalance in the brain a diabetic has to take insulin - your medication keeps your brain in balance.  They are not happy pills taking the medication will give you the balance back in your life to get yourself motivated again, eat and sleep properly etc.  I had to change who I was as well re adjust my expectations on myself.  Hope this information helps you.  Luv Leo xx

Hi Flumpy I suffer from depression. The meds have helped me so much. I was able to get myself to an Alanon and then from there with the help of the group, my support system, doctor, family I have been able to get stronger. So med have help me in other areas and has not affect my sexual life. I do however do not like paxil i didn't do good on that one.

Flumpy,

There's a book, "Feeling Good, the new mood therapy" by David D. Burns. Not some fluffy self-help book, has some great info in there and really walks you through how to think differently to help you feel better. My brother's doctor reccommended it to him when he was diagnosed with depression and he passed it on to me when I was struggling with some mild depression a few years back. Might be a good place to start. Hang in there, it does get better!!!