Depression / anxiety
Jun 16th 2013, 12:51 pm
#421
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Jun 16th 2013, 1:09 pm
#422
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Posts: 22,348
Re: Depression / anxiety
He was. What a terrible waste of a young and very talented life. 
We're all absolutely devastated. I really don't know how his mum, dad and younger brother - all lovely people, are going to be able to move forward from this. We have many emotional months ahead.
We're all absolutely devastated. I really don't know how his mum, dad and younger brother - all lovely people, are going to be able to move forward from this. We have many emotional months ahead.
Jun 16th 2013, 1:32 pm
#423
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Location: Canberra
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Re: Depression / anxiety
OMG Paul, so sorry to hear that! You do, indeed, have an emotional time ahead, your boys especially!
Jun 16th 2013, 1:38 pm
#424
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Location: Canberra
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Re: Depression / anxiety
I've sat here and read this whole thread from start to finish. It's incredibly reassuring to know that I'm not alone feeling as down as I have been. I've always been inclined to suffer from depression but generally not so much that I couldn't treat it myself (by cutting my commitments to allow myself more time to relax, sleep etc) and seeing good friends who would talk me down off the ledge (figuratively!).
But since I've been in Australia I've had bouts of such darkness that I'm thinking I'll just have to go to the doctor and see what he has to say about it. It's not even that I'll feel down for a week at a time because something bad has happened etc, I can be fine one morning, then go to the pits of despair and not be able to function for the afternoon, then in the evening I'll be fine again! It feels like something gets hold around my throat (I can physically feel it), I get a splitting headache and I cry a lot but can't really figure out why, I just feel crap. I've been blaming in on emigrating, loneliness (have no real friends here), trying to settle etc but I struggle to tell if I just don't like Australia or if it's genuine depression or a chemical imbalance etc. I feel better when I've been out at the weekend, spent some time with my family here etc but then if I'm on my own for a bit (husband is off playing football or whatever) it's just awful. I know I should socialise but really, I don't feel like it and there's no-one here I feel i can just relax with, they don't want to know about how I feel, they barely know me and I don't have the energy to fake being happy when I'm not. Even my family here have no idea, it's too hard to say to people 'I'm depressed' and see that look on their face when no-one knows what to say.
That's it really, off to the doc with me I guess, I know I don't want anti-depressants though so I wonder what he'll suggest...
But since I've been in Australia I've had bouts of such darkness that I'm thinking I'll just have to go to the doctor and see what he has to say about it. It's not even that I'll feel down for a week at a time because something bad has happened etc, I can be fine one morning, then go to the pits of despair and not be able to function for the afternoon, then in the evening I'll be fine again! It feels like something gets hold around my throat (I can physically feel it), I get a splitting headache and I cry a lot but can't really figure out why, I just feel crap. I've been blaming in on emigrating, loneliness (have no real friends here), trying to settle etc but I struggle to tell if I just don't like Australia or if it's genuine depression or a chemical imbalance etc. I feel better when I've been out at the weekend, spent some time with my family here etc but then if I'm on my own for a bit (husband is off playing football or whatever) it's just awful. I know I should socialise but really, I don't feel like it and there's no-one here I feel i can just relax with, they don't want to know about how I feel, they barely know me and I don't have the energy to fake being happy when I'm not. Even my family here have no idea, it's too hard to say to people 'I'm depressed' and see that look on their face when no-one knows what to say.
That's it really, off to the doc with me I guess, I know I don't want anti-depressants though so I wonder what he'll suggest...
It might be worth a trip back to UK to see if it is Australia making you feel this way (situational depression is very real and had I not experienced it first hand I wouldn't have believed it either!!!!). If your heart soars as you cross the coast and you bawl your eyes out all the way to Heathrow on the way back you'll have your answer!
Hope you are feeling more on top of things - living with the black dog is no bloody fun!
Jun 16th 2013, 2:21 pm
#425
Banned
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,348
Re: Depression / anxiety
I hope your doc suggested a mental health plan not just the magic pills! A good CBT or ACT therapist should be able to give you some strategies to help you get through the day. If all else fails you could log on to Moodgym at ANU, it's pretty good!
It might be worth a trip back to UK to see if it is Australia making you feel this way (situational depression is very real and had I not experienced it first hand I wouldn't have believed it either!!!!). If your heart soars as you cross the coast and you bawl your eyes out all the way to Heathrow on the way back you'll have your answer!
Hope you are feeling more on top of things - living with the black dog is no bloody fun!
It might be worth a trip back to UK to see if it is Australia making you feel this way (situational depression is very real and had I not experienced it first hand I wouldn't have believed it either!!!!). If your heart soars as you cross the coast and you bawl your eyes out all the way to Heathrow on the way back you'll have your answer!
Hope you are feeling more on top of things - living with the black dog is no bloody fun!
Jun 16th 2013, 9:10 pm
#426
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,348
Re: Depression / anxiety
I dunno how families, friends and loved ones affected by suicide will ever be able to fully pick up the pieces and move on from this. If anyone reading this thread is feeling suicidal then heavens sake don't do it.
Get help.
Get help.
Jun 16th 2013, 9:50 pm
#427
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Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Sydney, NSW
Posts: 7,580
Re: Depression / anxiety
I am very sorry to hear of your nephew's death. Those who are close to that young man will be going through some awful grief and self searching - the guilt that comes as an aftermath is terrible. I hope they can get some help to be able to bear such a sad loss.
Jun 17th 2013, 1:05 pm
#429
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Re: Depression / anxiety
To all of you who suffer from depression,i wish you a peaceful and calm journey to recovery
Jun 29th 2013, 9:33 am
#430
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Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,348
Re: Depression / anxiety
At last, religious organisations are waking up to the dangers of anti-psychotic drugs.
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/sto...ns/1302642.htm
http://www.catholicnews.com/data/sto...ns/1302642.htm
Jun 30th 2013, 8:34 am
#431
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Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 156
Re: Depression / anxiety
Does anyone else here suffer from Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)? I do terribly and wish I didn't. Constant grey skies and cool weather for prolonged periods turn me into Mr Grumpy and my motivation to do anything goes out the door.
The irony is I'm in Brisbane but much of this year has been one wet spell after another. It doesn't help I lost my sister two years ago yesterday.
The irony is I'm in Brisbane but much of this year has been one wet spell after another. It doesn't help I lost my sister two years ago yesterday.
Jun 30th 2013, 11:02 am
#432
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Location: Sydney, NSW
Posts: 7,580
Re: Depression / anxiety
Part of the reason for us moving to Australia was me suffering every winter - by February I'd be totally depressed. The past month has been almost as bad here in Sydney.
I am sorry for your loss- it doesn't take much when skies are grey to push you into depression rather than just feeling off/bored/frustrated/low.
I am sorry for your loss- it doesn't take much when skies are grey to push you into depression rather than just feeling off/bored/frustrated/low.
Jun 30th 2013, 12:19 pm
#433
Forum Regular
Joined: Jan 2010
Location: Brisbane, Australia
Posts: 156
Re: Depression / anxiety
Part of the reason for us moving to Australia was me suffering every winter - by February I'd be totally depressed. The past month has been almost as bad here in Sydney.
I am sorry for your loss- it doesn't take much when skies are grey to push you into depression rather than just feeling off/bored/frustrated/low.
I am sorry for your loss- it doesn't take much when skies are grey to push you into depression rather than just feeling off/bored/frustrated/low.
I've been getting worse as I've got older and tried lots of things. A blue light, diet, exercise etc. This year, in fact the last five months has been very wet and most days overcast. I am also trying to realign my expectations also as got the misguided view it is very sunny here (did the research but you need to experience the conditions in the flesh). I have come to the conclusion I am solar charged and need much more sun than most. Moving again is not an option though (complicated).
You've had an exceptionally poor June in Sydney
. Usually things start to pick up for sun lovers late July until Nov/Dec for us east coasters and I think recent conditions are more unusual than normal.
Jun 30th 2013, 9:58 pm
#434
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Joined: Mar 2008
Location: Sydney, NSW
Posts: 7,580
Re: Depression / anxiety
Thanks. I appreciate the support and it helps when others understand. Many don't understand, I mean we live in the 'Sunshine State' after all (a marketing slogan), right?
I've been getting worse as I've got older and tried lots of things. A blue light, diet, exercise etc. This year, in fact the last five months has been very wet and most days overcast. I am also trying to realign my expectations also as got the misguided view it is very sunny here (did the research but you need to experience the conditions in the flesh). I have come to the conclusion I am solar charged and need much more sun than most. Moving again is not an option though (complicated).
You've had an exceptionally poor June in Sydney. Usually things start to pick up for sun lovers late July until Nov/Dec for us east coasters and I think recent conditions are more unusual than normal.
I've been getting worse as I've got older and tried lots of things. A blue light, diet, exercise etc. This year, in fact the last five months has been very wet and most days overcast. I am also trying to realign my expectations also as got the misguided view it is very sunny here (did the research but you need to experience the conditions in the flesh). I have come to the conclusion I am solar charged and need much more sun than most. Moving again is not an option though (complicated).
You've had an exceptionally poor June in Sydney
. Usually things start to pick up for sun lovers late July until Nov/Dec for us east coasters and I think recent conditions are more unusual than normal.
Oct 9th 2013, 10:20 am
#435
Banned
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 22,348
Re: Depression / anxiety
Well, tomorrow is World Mental Health Day so here's a few very good links:
A series of compelling "Simple Truths about Psychiatry" videos by Peter Breggin, MD
(Note that they are a bit out of sequence so there's some trial and error to get each one in sequence).
Then there is ablechild.org - a site set up to inform parents about the risks of allowing their children to be prescribed mind-altering drugs
Finally, there's NewMediaExplorer, an Orthomolecular Psychiatry site which lists on it's front page daily dosages of nutrients that can help stabilise mental health problems. I know someone who suffered mental health issues who now takes daily dosages similar to those shown and the results have been amazing.
'Best of health to you.
A series of compelling "Simple Truths about Psychiatry" videos by Peter Breggin, MD
(Note that they are a bit out of sequence so there's some trial and error to get each one in sequence).
Then there is ablechild.org - a site set up to inform parents about the risks of allowing their children to be prescribed mind-altering drugs
Finally, there's NewMediaExplorer, an Orthomolecular Psychiatry site which lists on it's front page daily dosages of nutrients that can help stabilise mental health problems. I know someone who suffered mental health issues who now takes daily dosages similar to those shown and the results have been amazing.
'Best of health to you.