MinnieTheMinx

Thank you for the links I find the whole subject fascinating. The human brain is amazing capable of so much both positive and negative. Can lead us to wonderful experiences or try to destroy us. Anything that can help people to recover from the destructive effects of depression has to be worth trying.

MinnieTheMinx

Everybody has them some worse than others it's what you do about them/with them that counts!

Jon77

For any other creative types out there like me (I am an Artist) I have found this book very helpful, - The Van Gogh Blues - http://www.amazon.com/The-Gogh-Blues.../dp/157954570X

I think there is something in this book for everyone though.

Penny45

Will certainly look into it, thanks.

We have had a bit of a breakthrough this weekend actually - she's wanted a dog since we arrived here (20 months ago) and always said no because of flights to next place/quarantine etc. Well, we've said she can get one here and the difference in manner is quite incredible. The cost and hassle of flying it to next place has always put me off but if it's $2k that stops this decent downwards then it's money well spent (imo).

She's been researching breeds, looking at websites, how to care for puppy etc. Happy for now in this house

Hope the OP feels better soon too

alipally

Hey Jon,
Don't suffer directly with the Black dog, but I've lived with it for 25 years as my OH's almost constant companion....

It gets better, and it gets worse, the only thing I can say is this episode will pass, with or without medication.... without the meds, it will last longer, but sometimes for my OH the initial side effects are too much and he chooses to weather the storm (he chooses for both of us) I reckon over the years he must have tried a dozen different treatments, including Psychology, counselling, CBT, and an astounding array of drugs.

I hope the meds work for you and work quickly. It still scares me that the most effective treatment for depression is still ECT..... It worked for OH's Dad, and he never had another day of depression after his 3rd session, but it's scary, not terribly scientific and can have some unpleasant side effects.... but sometimes, I wish he would consider it.

paulry

A dog can help tremendously. Good luck!

paulry

Yes, I completely agree. I have a book and cd on it's way to us and have discovered an 8 week course which I intend to book two places on (so that I too can learn about it and perhaps become the family coach). At $700 a pop it aint cheap but if it works/helps then the cost will be irrelevant.

macy

Funnily enough it is anxiety it isn't depression but I think the two can go hand it hand very easily, if your son is the same please either take him to the doctor who can recommend and in our case refer a phycologist to him, my son chose a man phycologist rather than a woman as he felt he could relate to him better, he is also on medication that has changed his life and that's his quote not mine, all the little things that added up over the years turned into full on anxiety and he really struggled, well he didn't cope as I said to him you can only be brave for so long.

It's hard and it is something that I am aware of now and I will have to watch him, having said that he is confident, self assured and on the debating team at school which is in itself a total flip to the things he struggles with, it really is true that you really cannot pick somebody with anxiety problems. How can he stand up in front of 800 children in assembly and give a huge speech and not bat an eyelid but then struggle getting on the bus because he thinks it will crash on the way to school......

PM me if you want any more details, good luck

Jon77

It is different types of anxiety. There is the social anxiety where by the thought of giving any kind of presentation would total freak that person out, or attending a meeting or being expected to talk in front of others.

The there is situation anxiety, like a fear of transport such a flying or of crashing.

Anxiety takes many forms.

paulry

Really, try the orthomolecular megavitamin approach - it works for a lot of people. You owe it to yourself and your loved ones to try it.

orthomolecular.org

WestLondonWelshman

Depression is anger turned inwards usually brought about by a feeling of lack of control. You have no control over events so you can only manage your life the best way for you. If you are depressed the best thing to do is to talk to a professional. Get to the route of why your feeling so low. Recognise the signs, manage your feelings better, change how you react when you feel depressed. Don't beat yourself up.

Noones is in full control of their iives/events so we can only manage our lives in the way that works best for us. We can't change society or other people, but we can change how we interact with other people and society.

lesleys

I don't agree. You can't think your way out of a chemical imbalance that has lasted over 30 years. I'm very happy, balanced and in control but I also have depression and I take medication to maintain the chemicals in my brain. Do you advocate epileptics think themselves better? Why is depression different from other brain problems? Is Altzeimers a result of social pressures?

mashup

Can't believe I stumbled on this.

I'm 24, been having bouts of anxiety since I was 20. Panic attacks are commonplace. I've never taken medication for it, always, "talked it out." Going through a particularly bad spell just now cause I'm stressed about various things. My main concern is health, when I get anxious or stressed I immediately think there is something seriously wrong with me. Over the past five years I have self diagnosed every single illness under the sun. It's mental.

But, I'm working at it, again. And I know I will beat it. This time I want it gone for good though. Never to return.

Sounds sick, but it's nice to see other people talking about it. Slightly concerned at the amount of you that have lived with it for 20+years, I'd like to get rid once and for all in the near future.

Only time will tell.

If I could offer any tips about how I get through it:

Exercise (unless I'm worried about my heart, ha ha.)
No booze.
8 hours sleep.
Learning, keeping brain ticking over, Wikipedia is good for this.
Eating right.
Socialising is a massive help too.

Cheers.

WestLondonWelshman

lesleys thats a strange response. Alzheimers is a progressive disease. Depression is a serious issue in society but not directly relateable to the other disorders you mention. Drugs like prozac can help but they are not a long-term solution. The only long-term way to tackle depression is to get to the root of it and the best way to do that is to talk with a qualified professional...

MadMuvva

Hopefully for you it will pass. However, it may not. mental health issues do not tend to go away. YOu may need to learn to accept it as part of yourself. As someone else said, it does tend to affect the more intelligent, so don't know if that is any comfort to you. Don't wake the sleeping, eh?