For the past2 or so years I have been suffering somewhat with Depression, postnatal depression, stress, anxiety and general feeling of hopelessness.

I have had many investigations by health professionals and so far they've all been inconclusive. How do I drag myself out of this feeling? Every day it feels like another part of me has died inside and I can't seem to make anyone understand.

What else can I do?

Unfortunately because there is no physical symptoms it sometimes feels that a lot of people a) don't understand and b) think that depression is just feeling a bit down! One of the big things that I find helps me when depression strikes is exercise - both in terms of burning off some of the excess stress hormones and just in kick starting my body. A walk in the country/woods also helps. However these are short term things and long term depression / anxiety do need a proper therapeutic approach. Have you tried any antidepressants? They do take a while to kick in and you will probably find that you need to experiment as some have no (or even negative) effects while others will be helpful. If you haven't had a referral to a psychiatrist and/or counselor then that is most definitely worth asking your GP for. Unfortunately the therapy with the best documented outcomes is Cognitive Behoural Therapy which can take 2+ years to get on the NHS :(

I second Neil's opinion. I've also been in the same position on more than one occasion. I was lucky and got CBT within a few months as i got a trainee (who was fabulous!) i've been off antidepresants for over a year now (the longest i've been off them for a long time) and so far i'm doing well. I have depressed times, but the CBT comes back to me and i get through it.

I find also that exercise (when i am able) or just making sure i get lots of proper sunlight helps.

Cutting out caffeine can also help with anxiety and stress/panic.

I agree the last two posts. I struggled with depression on and off for 15-20 years but it wasn't until having Cognitive Therapy that I started to see the light at the end of the tunnel. It helps you challenge negative thoughts and over time it does really work. Also hormones can play a big part in how you feel. I put my depression down to my pregnancy losses but later I realised I had an hormone imbalance most of my life and it wasn't till I was going through an early menopause that I realised something could be done about it. Now instead of just existing I can enjoy life and I feel capable of making rational decisions rather than living on my emotions

The first thing to say is that you are not alone.

Quite a few of us on here have suffered from varying amounts of depression, and you're right - sometimes it can feel that teh whole world is out to kick your ass.

First of all, start to look at the basics of your life - what's your diet like, for example? Sometimes what we drink or eat (or equally what we DON'T eat) can have a major effect. Your hormones might also still be out of kilter, or there might be defiiciencies of vitamins like B6 and B12 - any number of things.

Have you ever been prescribed any medication?

Ihave seen a psychiatrist and he decided anti depressants wouldn't help. He decided that once I had got to the root of my condition I would be ok (can't go into detail) personally I cannot see an end to it, and thats what is upsetting me so much.

My family and close friends judge me because I don't work, its not my fault I cannot cope. I just don't see any way out and I can say with my hand on my heart if it was not for me having kids, I would not be here now

Ask for a second opinion. If this has been going on for 2 years then it's not something that is just going to evaporate :( Have you been offered any sort of therapy our counseling to "get to the root of your condition" or just left to get on with it?

Do you mind me asking if it all began due to a 'known cause'?

Whichever, hang in there, and don't cave in to the wider public's ignorance and stupdity regarding this debilitating illness...which is legally defined as a disability.

i too have been on the edge a time or two hun, depression is a very hard thing to drag yourself out of, there is light at the end of the tunnel even though you cannot see it yet, i tried self help and it did great things for me, what you have to do is, whenever you have a negative thought about anything, you have to immediatly think of a possitive to counter balance it, it is HARD at first but after a few weeks of doing it it comes natural, i also tell myself how special i am, it may seem big headed but nobody is gonna love you if you dont love yourself, try not to be too hard on yourself, we are merely human beings and there are loadsa people on here who would be there for you if ever you needed them, me included, if ever you wanna talk bout things just pm me ok, take care x x x x

Ihave seen a psychiatrist and he decided anti depressants wouldn't help. He decided that once I had got to the root of my condition I would be ok (can't go into detail) personally I cannot see an end to it, and thats what is upsetting me so much.

My family and close friends judge me because I don't work, its not my fault I cannot cope. I just don't see any way out and I can say with my hand on my heart if it was not for me having kids, I would not be here now

Your family and friends might not be judging you as harshly as you believe, a big part of being depressed is believing other people think the worst of you. They're probably very worried in actual fact.
I really think you need to get a second opinion from another psychiatrist or GP.
Good luck.

I felt like that too many times. I do believe sometimes kids are the only thing that keeps you going. It's easy to say but try to hold on in there and talk to friends, people on here when you feel that low. I know you may feel the last thing you want to do is see people when we feel so low but I've found that pushing myself to do things sometimes has been very theraputic. I think you have to listen to your own body and if you have a particularly off day and want to curl up in bed then do so as long as it's not all the time. I know it's easier said than done with kids. I too have struggled to work because when I have I have become stressed very easily however without having something to occupy your mind depression can get worse. I find concentrating on a hobby helps. Don't let others judge you because they don't know how it feels only you will know when you are well enough to cope with extra pressure.

I feel for you, as I've been there too, and I have to say to you that *a* psychiatrist is NOT the be all and end all of assessing your problem. I wouldn't want this to turn into a separate debate, but psychiatrists are some of the most divided and *wrong in the head* professionals in the health service! Keep demanding proper help and an alternative viewpoint until you get a worker who empathises and for whom you feel a click of understanding.

Is your GP sympathetic? Have you considered changing to another GP who is more empathetic? Although it will not 'cure' you, it makes all the difference in the world knowing there is someone who 'gets it', and you can hold onto that fact even if you feel that people in the civilian world are being impatient or don't understand. Ask about getting a CPN or being referred to a drop in centre where you'll be assigned a key worker. That person would be your bedrock and confidante to get you through this, and would help you get the further support (eg CBT) you need. Good luck. :)

Also, as another alternative if you're uncomfortable with either talking about your innermost feelings or if you don't want to try anti-depressants for one reason or another, try writing down all your thoughts, (but only when you're feeling down) not while your feeling ok.

Writing can help a great deal with venting troublesome thoughts.

:)

I agree about getting a CPN. I had great one and he really helped me through some very rough times.

or if you don't want your real thoughts and emotions to be suppressed by mind altering drugs

Thats a bit over emotive and not very helpful. Antidepressants (certainly of the SSRI variety) do not suppress 'real thoughts and emotions' but instead attenuate the extremes. It's perfectly possible to have the whole gamut of thoughts and emotions while on anti-depressants they just reduce the agonising extremes to more manageable levels. Antidepressants are not the be all and end all of treatment for depression and anxiety but can be a very valuable part that sufferers shouldn't be afraid to try.

Thats a bit over emotive and not very helpful. Antidepressants (certainly of the SSRI variety) do not suppress 'real thoughts and emotions' but instead attenuate the extremes. It's perfectly possible to have the whole gamut of thoughts and emotions while on anti-depressants they just reduce the agonising extremes to more manageable levels. Antidepressants are not the be all and end all of treatment for depression and anxiety but can be a very valuable part that sufferers shouldn't be afraid to try.

That's true I have used both medication and talking therapies and they both have their place. Often people don't like to think they may need medication but we should be making it easier not harder for people to find out what's the best treatment for them. I for one couldn't have coped without anti depressants they have made the difference between living and existing.
If you have a chemical imbalance, which is quite common whether you acquired it genetically or after pregnancy etc all the talking therapy in the world won't sort it out. It may ease it but you need to deal with underlying causes for which hormones could be one.

Your hormones might also still be out of kilter, or there might be defiiciencies of vitamins like B6 and B12

Studies have proven blueberries have a positive impact on the said topic :thumbsup:

I *did* have a lack of B12 in my 2nd pregnancy, thats why I was induced.

It just seems that my GP's would rather push me off with this excuse and that excuse and give me things that only cure the symptoms and not the actual cause.

The behavioural therapy seems like an optionI could ask about, Ihad never heard of it before now.

I have seen 5 different doctors, one thought I was delusional, two thought I was anorexic (weight issues) and the others thought I was doing it to skive off work, see what I'm up against?

I have been there too, and come through (hopefully). I got a lot of help from Mind, the mental health charity. They are helpful and friendly, totally without being judgemental, well worth getting in touch with them. They may have a waiting list though :(

Sheffield Mind Ltd
Lawton Tonge House
57 Wostenholm Road
Sheffield
South Yorkshire
S7 1LE

tel. 0114 258 4489
fax: 0114 250 0729

email: office@sheffieldmind.freeserve.co.uk
web: www.sheffieldmind.co.uk

hth
Janet

I *did* have a lack of B12 in my 2nd pregnancy, thats why I was induced.

It just seems that my GP's would rather push me off with this excuse and that excuse and give me things that only cure the symptoms and not the actual cause.

The behavioural therapy seems like an option I could ask about, I had never heard of it before now.

I have seen 5 different doctors, one thought I was delusional, two thought I was anorexic (weight issues) and the others thought I was doing it to skive off work, see what I'm up against?

That sounds pretty poor service to me :( I was lucky in that my local GP has an interest in mental health, but even with that finding the appropriate therapy has been an uphill struggle! Asking for a referral to another psychiatrist / CBT practitioner / Community Psychiatric Nurse may be the way forward. It may also be worth talking to MIND (http://www.sheffieldmind.co.uk/) who may be able to point you to the best channels to try?

Studies have proven blueberries have a positive impact on the said topic :thumbsup:

Turkey is another!. I would second the earlier comment about exercise too. It has done wonders for me. It doesnt always work mind you and there are still times I can feel the depression coming back, but I now recognise the signs and get straight to my GP for anti-depressents. I never use them for long, as I really dont want to rely on medication, but I know they work and I know at what point I need their help.

Good luck, you are not alone in this:thumbsup:

It terms of stress management one thing that really works is exercise. I know it's been mentioned loads on the thread but it really is very effective in dealing with stress and anxiety. When stressed and worried you are, in effect, a big ball of tension. Your body is physically holding on to a lot of negativity but when you exert yourself physically you 'let go' of it all... Because you physically can't run or dance or whatever if you're all tense.

That's just one coping mechanism and you obviously do need more to get at the root of the problem but little things can help get you through day to day too.

Good luck!

It terms of stress management one thing that really works is exercise. I know it's been mentioned loads on the thread but it really is very effective in dealing with stress and anxiety. When stressed and worried you are, in effect, a big ball of tension. Your body is physically holding on to a lot of negativity but when you exert yourself physically you 'let go' of it all.


Punchbags do the trick for me :thumbsup:

Thats a bit over emotive and not very helpful. Antidepressants (certainly of the SSRI variety) do not suppress 'real thoughts and emotions' but instead attenuate the extremes. It's perfectly possible to have the whole gamut of thoughts and emotions while on anti-depressants they just reduce the agonising extremes to more manageable levels. Antidepressants are not the be all and end all of treatment for depression and anxiety but can be a very valuable part that sufferers shouldn't be afraid to try.

Perhaps I used poor wording, but I was certainly not trying to be unhelpful. I'm well aware that many people take anti-depressants and like the results.

Everyone is different I suppose, it's such a complicating matter, that I could go for hours explaining 'ways out', without resorting to taking a pill. But I'll spare you all the headache.

I shall edit my previous post.

Good luck to the OP:)

I agree with EDN and Hennypenny, I am currently being counselled at MIND, and I have to say, it's a breath of fresh air. It's non-judgemental, it's a safe environment, and the staff there are really kind.

contact them, and see if you can get an appointment.

Hello, I too am joining this 'club' because you are most certainly not alone on this. I came up with the idea of a LUCK buddy (as opposed to the more commonly known type..) and a friend of mine who hits the seesaw on a semi regular basis is my Luck buddy and I am his. It's a kind of support for eachother, when one is down, the other pushes them up and vice versa, when we both hit the down mode, we just have a real old moan/cry/rant etc. The main point I am making is that you HAVE to let it out, just as everyone else is saying, keeping it in, as you probably already know is crap. Keep posting on here too hun, it's a brilliant way of communicating. Have you tried St John's Wort? It's herbal and you can get varying strengths. I had a Doctor suggest it to me as I'm abit scared of the medical drug anti-depressants to be honest. Again, different things work for different people, but it's worth a go. Remember too, that you can sort this OK, keep posting! XX

Also, as another alternative if you're uncomfortable with either talking about your innermost feelings or if you don't want to try anti-depressants for one reason or another, try writing down all your thoughts, (but only when you're feeling down) not while your feeling ok.

Writing can help a great deal with venting troublesome thoughts.

:)

i hav to agree here, writing things down is a very good way to get things out in the open. ive had some very hard times of late and i sought help from a life coach. some of the work i did with her was writing things down and people in your past or present who you have issues with. you write everything down that upset u or hurt u etc then all the good things about them. go back to it 48 hours later and see if there is anythin u missed. once again 24 hours later go back n so on til you have written all u can. once you are sure its all there burn the letter. its v important you burn it. it sounds mad but seriously it works.

i have learnt alot of other skills and am continually readin up on depression and other things like jus to give me more insight into what makes us tick and how to deal with things.

if you ever wanted a chat drop me a line. friends and more imprtantly friends that understand are so important to give you support though in the end only one person can truely get u out of it and its you! bloody hard doing it though.

all the best
x

Has anyone got any more to add on this?

I can recommend MIND. Just talking to someone sympathetic can help. I was listed as Endogenous Depressive. When I asked what that meant my GP said it meant I haven't got a clue. I had severe reactions to any drug treatments so they weren't an option for me. I started going to night classes because I found that a non threatening way of meeting people. You all share an interest for a start and therefore you don't have to make small talk. Family and friends are probably feeling very helpless. They want to help I'm sure but often end up saying the wrong thing. Be patient with them.

To OP....the awkward thing about depression is that it is rarely the same in any two people.....and there are many roads to recovery. The challenge is to find the right road and to adopt coping strategies that you can adhere to. What may be a solution for one may not be a solution for another. I am sure that there are many of us on SF who can offer advice from personal experience (what am I saying here....*taxi for julado*) but your eventual route to recovery will depend on you. Whatever method you choose take it on a day by day basis and don't feel that you have failed because you have had a bad day. Every morning I get up.....look outside at the world and say "today is going to be a good day" and (after many years of depression) more often than not it is.....it takes time and effort. Be positive....because for every day you are down and negative the reasons that lead you to the depression have claimed another day and I'm a rebel......I REFUSE to let it win... but I will not punish myself if now and again l have a sense of humour failure which is my indication that I am not coping at that given moment.

Mods.....can we have a group hug smilie :D

I have suffered from depression for what seems like forever. I just get myself feeling better about things when something happens to knock me back again and I start to think what's the point. Life can be so hard and I empathise with anyone who suffers from depression. I am on anti depressants that I find do help and would recommend trying them.