Anyone know a good way out of depression if someone is lost? A good friend of mine is really suffering at the moment and I really want to help him. Anyone know any answers?

it entirely depends on why he's depressed... there are so many reasons why people get depressed, which results in so many different answers...

sometimes some people really don't want help and trying to help them will actually force them into a worse situation making them feel helpless and that they can't solve their own problems (this is how I get when I've been really depressed).

all I can say is just try and be there, when he needs to talk listen, but don't try and force him into talking... just let him know every so often that your there for him... getting out of depression isn't an easy thing... especially if they're prone to it and its not due to loosing a loved one or something like that...

do you have any idea why he's depressed?

cheer up for christ's sake!:D

There is a few threads about depression if you do a search, and you might find the answers you're looking for in one of those.

I could go into a long-winded monologue about the St. John's Wort, but I'm sure I've posted about it before.

:)

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Originally posted by Jamie
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Da linkie no workie :confused:

Originally posted by owdlad
Da linkie no workie :confused:

Cricky ... you're right!

http://multimedia.honda-eu.com/diesel/game/deploy/game.html

That'll work.

I can entirely echo what xafier says. The most important thing is just to let your friend know that you are available for him. He will probably feel worse at times when no one is around - the middle of the night, early morning ect.

I found cognitive behavioral therapy really helpful. It really makes you realize how your own automatic thoughts about day to day things contribute to how you feel. And then trains you to react more positively and constructively to events. It all sounds a bit strange and I’ve probably not explained it right but there are a lot of positive studies on its effectiveness been done. It is also readily available on the NHS - probably because it has proved effective in a short number of sessions. I was lucky because the councilor at my GP practice is trained in CBT. Your friend should ask for it specifically.

I also found anti depressant medication extremely helpful, but I know that not every one is happy about taking this type of medication. The way I see it though, if I had a problem with my heart I wouldn’t hesitate to take the medication prescribed. I sometimes think that a lot of people don't take the medication purely because of the stigma and this is very sad.

Mind also has some really good booklets about depression, treatment options, different types of therapy and helping someone who is depressed.

Originally posted by Olliekitten
Anyone know a good way out of depression if someone is lost? A good friend of mine is really suffering at the moment and I really want to help him. Anyone know any answers?

be there when he needs you. Its something he really has to get through himself.

anti-depressants help some (I'd rather shove conifers up my bum but that's just me) but a lot have adverse side effects and he would need to find the right one for him.

Doctors tend to be wholey useless.

If he's stuck in a rut and not leaving the house you need to get him out a few times a week. Nothing major but a walk or something. He probably wont want to be particularly sociable but just getting out and doing something is a step in the right direction.

I would echo what has been said so far. Unfortunately your friend needs to WANT to get out of the depression before anything will help. I suffered from depression when I was younger and initially wanted counselling, so I went to my GP who also mentioned anti-depressants. I wasn't keen on that idea to start with, but because I had to wait some time for regular counselling sessions I decided I would give them a try, and they did really help. I don't think that the medication alone would have been enough though, but in combination with the counselling it was very effective.

Counselling is very difficult to get on the NHS from my experience. My GPs could offer a counselling service, but only for up to six sessions. I had an initial session and was simply told they could not offer me more than this and the counsellor said it wouldn't be nearly enough for me, so she gave me the details of a charitable organisation that provided free counselling to the under 25s. I had to wait a few months before I was offered regular sessions, but it was well worth the wait.

However what made me want to get out of my depression was one of my friends. He was always there for me through my bad times and one day he simply sat down with me and said he was now constantly worried about me and about what I would do. The fact that I realised that he thought I was suicidal made me take a long hard look at myself (I wasn't suicidal, but I realised I had let it go on for too long) and I decided I didn't want to spend my life like that. So friends really CAN make a difference - sit down with your friend and tell them exactly how worried you are about them and tell them how much they mean to you.

If the cause of the depression turns out to be environmental (eg; he doesn't enjoy his job, family issues, poor social life, too much drinking etc), then you'll need to help him change his routine. Get him out doing something different, try and get him to look into a different career, basically you need to understand what is at the root of the depression and then try to get him "out" of the "environment" that is causing the problem.

Obviously only he can do this, but there's no reason why you can't gently prod him in the right direction.

Originally posted by Amyvictoria
It is also readily available on the NHS - probably because it has proved effective in a short number of sessions. I was lucky because the councilor at my GP practice is trained in CBT. Your friend should ask for it specifically.

My doctor told me that there was a long waiting list for CBT and the first question I would be asked is
"have you tried fluoxetine (prozac)".

A talking cure will probably help anyone with mild, triggered depression. Chronic, heavy depression is not so amenable, and a the moment the most effective treatments are drug treatments.

Fluoxetine works - although no-one knows why really. But as anyone who has taken fluoexetine and ecstasy (MDMA) will know, they are quite similar - and to be honest, popping ecstasy tabs every morning for depression is probably not the way to go in the long run. But it can help you cope with current events without caving in.

Severe depression may be treated with surgery

I always find it helpful to go outside, especially when it's sunny, but also when not, and reconnect with the earth. Spend some time in a wood or forest, walk through and just look at what is around you, not to appreciate it as such, but to just "be" there with it. Walking bearfoot on the grass is very helpful, you'd be surprised how much these simple suggestions do actually work.

Bach flower remedies are helpful with this type of illness, White Chestnut if it's a gloomy depression, but there is heaps of advice around about which ones to use for which ever state of mind.

Eating raw food can help, which means fruit and veg in their natural state (not like raw meat or uncooked pasta!), and sprouted grains are full of happy stuff. Avocados are the ultimate happy food as they contain everything we need to function properly.

Evidently I have no idea of our chum's diet but eliminating all processed/junk/dead food is always helpful.

Something incredibly simple too, is to count five different blessings in your day each night before you go to bed, and feel thankful. Simple abundance is a marvellous thing.

Will write again if I think of anything else. I've had help with this myself so can empathise.

PS. Fluoxetine kills your libido. Amongst other things.

A bit of a temporary fix is mild excercise, such as walking or rambling (I don't know the ins and outs of why, but it worked for me, although I only ever had mild depression). Invite your friend on a wander round the peak district. It'll be a change of scenery and give him the opportunity to think through his problems a bit more clearly, and perhaps open up to you a little (don't push him into a discussion though - just let him talk if he wants to).

Originally posted by lizzmobile
PS. Fluoxetine kills your libido. Amongst other things.

Lord, I wish something'd kill mine!:D

Get in touch with Mind, they'll be able to help and put him in touch with people who can help him further.

I'd say doctors are fairly useless at dealing with depression. I've been on anti-depressants for three years, and all my doctor has done is to keep throwing tablets at me.

They don't seem to realise that the cause needs to be treated, as well as the symptoms.

As people have already said, it depends upon the type of depression your friend has as to the best approach to take.

Certainly the MIND website would be a good start.

'Reactive' depression (related to a loss etc) can be helped with talking therapies (CBT, Counselling) and supported by medication in the short term.

Exercise is nearly always helpful because exercise releases those feel good chemicals in the brain, regular walking or even running if he's fit enough, may help.

Where the depression is due to a chemical inbalance in the brain (I think this usually begins when you are quite young, but i could be wrong) then medication is invariably needed on a long term basis and supplemented with exercise, counselling etc.

I think all anti-depressants have adverse side effects (yup, they kill the libido)! but these side effects have to be balanced by the positive effects of helping the depression.

Doctors generally do not have the time to spend with patients who have depression so will refer people to specialist services. Though I understand the services available in Sheffield are scarce and under-funded (was told this by a mental health worker). There are quite a few self-help groups around (again MIND will be able to offer advice) and these can be helpful because everyone there understands what everyone else is going through.

Originally posted by Phanerothyme


Severe depression may be treated with surgery

Not so. Leucotomies/lobotomies are no longer performed for depression. They were never clinically proven, and have never been performed for decades now.

Originally posted by Funky Dave
A bit of a temporary fix is mild excercise, such as walking or rambling (I don't know the ins and outs of why, but it worked for me, although I only ever had mild depression). Invite your friend on a wander round the peak district. It'll be a change of scenery and give him the opportunity to think through his problems a bit more clearly, and perhaps open up to you a little (don't push him into a discussion though - just let him talk if he wants to).

Yeah excercise can help. If you want to go with a few other people that is not formal try this group:

http://www.sheffieldwalkinggroup.org.uk

Neuro Linguistic Programming is excellent for helping people to change their state of mind. They should expect to pay about £20-40 per life coaching/personal coaching session. A really great trick I've recently learned is to keep a diary of 3 things (different is really great because I have found it creates a deeper awareness of how much there is to appreciate) for which I am really grateful every day and remember during the day. It is powerful.

I think any decent NLP coach will give a 30 minute taster session free of charge although it could be more time.

Encourage them to change their posture. But in all of this please be aware of the old adage you can take a horse to water but you cant make it drink. So if your friend doesnt want your help there isnt anything you can do other than be there waiting for them in warm, friendly silence.

Yes, NLP is excellent, and not just for depression. It really helped me with emotional issues around my caesarian section with Felix.

Also, Omega 3,6,9 oils are good for anything brain related, you can get ready blended ones in lots of places (even Tesco do some). Clear Spring do a blend that you can use on salads with dressing but must not be heated as the heat denatures their properties.

On a more humorous note, in reply to Funky Dave, a dead libido does not make a pleasant compagnon! A long early morning run should help.

I've always been confused about WHY people get depressed. If you're depressed you shouldn't want to 'brag' about it. A lot of people I know who are depressed seem to be proud to have to see Docs about it. I mean, we all have off or low days but I always think, well, stuff it, tomorrow's another day, I've had a cry etc but now it's time to move on.

Originally posted by Chloe
I've always been confused about WHY people get depressed. If you're depressed you shouldn't want to 'brag' about it. A lot of people I know who are depressed seem to be proud to have to see Docs about it. I mean, we all have off or low days but I always think, well, stuff it, tomorrow's another day, I've had a cry etc but now it's time to move on.

Why should people who are depressed not speak of their illness ?

Depression is no different from any other illness, just that it affects the brain as opposed to another part of the body, it is time that any person who suffers with depression should feel able to open up to their friends that they have this problem in the same way they would if it was any other health related problems.

You will also find that there is a difference between an "off day" and depression, but let's hope you never have to get up in the morning and do anything other than think stuff it.

Originally posted by Chloe
I've always been confused about WHY people get depressed. If you're depressed you shouldn't want to 'brag' about it. A lot of people I know who are depressed seem to be proud to have to see Docs about it. I mean, we all have off or low days but I always think, well, stuff it, tomorrow's another day, I've had a cry etc but now it's time to move on.

This is obviously coming from someone who has never suffered from depression and who has never seen anyone close suffer from depression. Just because there’s no physical symptoms doesn’t mean it isn’t a real illness. People get depressed for many different reasons and when you are depressed it is all-consuming – it is not just having an “off-day”. You wake up in the morning and don’t see the point in getting up, you go through your day having to concentrate on not breaking down, on not showing just how sad you are, you feel like you’re never going to be happy again. It is a horrible horrible thing to have to experience and it is not just a case of pulling yourself together. Depression is not an easy thing to get out of.

Personally I was deeply ashamed of suffering from depression because of exactly this kind of attitude – I only ever told one person about how I was feeling and about the fact that I was having counselling and was on medication. I only reluctantly consulted a doctor once I realised I had let it go too far, because I feared they would not take it seriously – but luckily I found nothing but understanding and compassion when I visited my GP. I didn’t want anyone else to know about it because I knew that there are so many people who don’t take depression seriously.

Originally posted by Chloe
I've always been confused about WHY people get depressed. If you're depressed you shouldn't want to 'brag' about it. A lot of people I know who are depressed seem to be proud to have to see Docs about it. I mean, we all have off or low days but I always think, well, stuff it, tomorrow's another day, I've had a cry etc but now it's time to move on.

I used to think that about depression to some extent, until I suffered from it myself.
Depression so so much more than feeling down- it's an almost physical feeling of heaviness in the heart, like being soulless or a robot- where you can see that when good things happen they should make you feel better, but they don't, because you're unreachable.

Antidepressants are not the ultimate answer (they can save lives) but they can get you to a place where you are able to work on your problems, whether that's counselling, getting fit, changing aspects of your life etc

Excuse me, but don't be so quick to shoot me down for having MY opinion, there's not just the usual few who can have their opinions. As a matter of a fact, my sister in law suffers badly, as have many of my family members, which makes me think it could be inherited, so how dare you go judging me.
All I said is that I get confused about why people seem to brag about it, I was in the pub the other day and 2 people were laughing about how anti depressants made them feel when they stopped taking them! Come on! I never said EVERYONE should say what I do, "stuff it, tomorrow's another day" That is just what I DO I don't seem the point in dwelling on things. Read my post before you go saying things you shouldn't.

Or is it just that there's only the regulars on here who can have opinions?

I do understand what you mean about there being a culture where people brag about it- I've been in an extremely uncomfortable situation where two people in the same room as me were comparing their suicide attempts, almost trying to out do each other:gag:

Made me think long and hard about the people I was starting to mix with! (and back off)

Originally posted by Chloe
Excuse me, but don't be so quick to shoot me down for having MY opinion, there's not just the usual few who can have their opinions. As a matter of a fact, my sister in law suffers badly, as have many of my family members, which makes me think it could be inherited, so how dare you go judging me.
All I said is that I get confused about why people seem to brag about it, I was in the pub the other day and 2 people were laughing about how anti depressants made them feel when they stopped taking them! Come on! I never said EVERYONE should say what I do, "stuff it, tomorrow's another day" That is just what I DO I don't seem the point in dwelling on things. Read my post before you go saying things you shouldn't.

Or is it just that there's only the regulars on here who can have opinions?

Your post seemed to imply that people with depression should have to suffer in silence and not talk about their illness, because other ‘normal’ people are able to shrug off the same kinds of things that have led them to depression and therefore they should be ashamed of the fact that they can’t deal with these things. If this isn’t what you meant, then I think you should have made this very clear. But this was not clear from your post, hence why you received the response you did.

As I said, I was ashamed of my illness because I thought I would meet exactly this kind of attitude. It is not helpful. It only perpetuates depression further, because it maintains the social stigma around it and makes people reluctant to seek help. I don’t think it is particularly helpful, in a thread looking for answers to depression, for someone to say that they just shrug off the bad things that happen to them, yes, it’s great if you can do this – but it is not an answer to depression.

You say you get confused about why people ‘brag’ about their depression. First of all, I am sure only a small number of people who suffer from depression actually talk about their experiences so openly – because there is still a huge social stigma and many people with depression feel it is not taken seriously and therefore do not talk about. But secondly, why shouldn’t people with depression talk about their illness like other people talk about their health? And coming off anti-deppressants does lead to some quite noticable side effects if it is not managed properly – so again, why shouldn’t people talk about it?

No one who has truly suffered from depression would ‘brag’ about it. It is too serious a condition to brag about. Being depressed is a very scary experience.

Originally posted by Chloe
Excuse me, but don't be so quick to shoot me down for having MY opinion, there's not just the usual few who can have their opinions. As a matter of a fact, my sister in law suffers badly, as have many of my family members, which makes me think it could be inherited, so how dare you go judging me.
All I said is that I get confused about why people seem to brag about it, I was in the pub the other day and 2 people were laughing about how anti depressants made them feel when they stopped taking them! Come on! I never said EVERYONE should say what I do, "stuff it, tomorrow's another day" That is just what I DO I don't seem the point in dwelling on things. Read my post before you go saying things you shouldn't.

Or is it just that there's only the regulars on here who can have opinions?

Chloe -

Your original post came over as uncaring and displayed a complete lack of understanding of people who suffer from what is a serious medical condition.

Your attitude appeared to be "Oh, I have off-days, but have a good cry and I'm ok again. So everyone else should be like this too". You are FORTUNATE that you can do this - be grateful for it and not dismissive of others who aren't so lucky.

It's bad enough to suffer from the horrible, soul-destroying condition that depression can be, without having to cope with thoughtless comments and social stigma from people who have no understanding of what you're going through.

People with depression and related conditions are finally beginning to be able to discuss their difficulties in public without automatically being stigmatised, which is healthy both for them and for society. I think you'll find people who 'brag' about having depression are in a tiny minority, although I really cannot think that anyone who has had true depression would EVER make light of it in such a way.

Like Banesmabes says "Being depressed is a very scary experience".

StarSparkle

Originally posted by Chloe
I've always been confused about WHY people get depressed. If you're depressed you shouldn't want to 'brag' about it. A lot of people I know who are depressed seem to be proud to have to see Docs about it. I mean, we all have off or low days but I always think, well, stuff it, tomorrow's another day, I've had a cry etc but now it's time to move on.

Those of us who have been clinically depressed or who've seen loved ones in that state don't brag about it. We share these things with people in the hope that it will start to remove some of the stigma that's been associated with any sort of emotional health problems until very recently.

There's clearly a long way to go....

Some people do go on a little about their 'war stories', just as with all illnesses, but that's no reason to tar everyone with the same brush. The reason people have posted to this thread was to share experiences.

If you can move on quickly - great! Chances are it wasn't depression. If you've got a ballsed up brain biochemistry then you can't move on because your brain just con't do the chemistry to make it happen. You may as well tell someone who's blind to read today's Times newspaper. The spirit may be willing but the body just cannot deliver.

There is a world of difference between depression and feeling down or having a bad day.

Joe

Originally posted by Chloe
Excuse me, but don't be so quick to shoot me down for having MY opinion, there's not just the usual few who can have their opinions

Or is it just that there's only the regulars on here who can have opinions?

I think if you can manage to climb down of your high horse for a minute you will find that apart from myself, YOU have the second biggest post count of the people who have rightly commented on your incorrect comments.

So get your facts straight before you go accusing others of shooting you down.

EDIT. Joe posted his reply whilst I was typing mine.....just so you don't have to climb back onto the horse again ;)

I suffered from depression 7 yrs ago & I had a community phsychiatric nurse,she came to see me twice a week for 9 months & helped me get through this terrible illness,my eldest son suffered from clinical depression & I thought I was bad,he suffered terrible mood swings,one day he was ok the next he would not speak all day.A so called friend told him to smoke cannibis as this would help, as you know anyone who has read my posts on drugs.Over the weekend up to the 4th July 2001 he had been smoking cannibis all weekend & he then smoked some heroin & on the morning of July 4th he passed away as his body shutdown.At the inquest the coroner said my son had been diagnosed with Clinical Depression & Compulsive Drug Disorder he was 24 yrs old & the anniversary of his death was 2 day's ago.Depression in whatever form is serious & can lead to all sorts of other conditions & some like to think you can just snap out of it with a little cry do not understand the pain & misery Depression can cause.

Originally posted by Olliekitten
Anyone know a good way out of depression if someone is lost? A good friend of mine is really suffering at the moment and I really want to help him. Anyone know any answers?

Tell him to leave anti depressants alone, get out and about, in town, in the Peak District, get an interest, meet people, get plenty of fresh air, think of happy things, avoid miserable gits.

Originally posted by Chloe
I've always been confused about WHY people get depressed. If you're depressed you shouldn't want to 'brag' about it. A lot of people I know who are depressed seem to be proud to have to see Docs about it. I mean, we all have off or low days but I always think, well, stuff it, tomorrow's another day, I've had a cry etc but now it's time to move on.

I don't think Chloe was being disrespectful in this post. She's only trying to find out a bit more about the subject of depression. Let's face it, it's a pretty weird thing to understand, especially if you've never suffered from it.

Depression is (obviously) a way of perceiving the world and your own circumstances in it. People think differently about the same things. I admire the fact that you can just think "stuff it" and move on when bad stuff happens; I wish I could. I tend to brood over the bad stuff, turn it over and over in my mind. Not healthy, but then again, it's just how I am. Other people, for whatever reason, just can't "move on" from whatever is causing the problem (be it an environmental issue, like an unhappy family life, or an internal issue, such as a neurological problem).
Some people, despite outwardly having succesful lives, simply percieve their situation to be futile, hopeless and desperate. Look at kurt Cobain: young, rich, handsome, succesful and very talented, and at the age of 27 he put a gun to his head and shot himself. Outwardly he seemed to have everything, but it didn't stop him from being desperately miserable.

I know a few people do seem to "brag" about depression, but if something's weighing heavily on your mind, you usually need to share it, just to lighten the load a bit. Well imagine if that something was tearing up your life - it's going to be on your mind constantly. I suppose that talking about it can be a fairly cathartic experience.

Originally posted by Chloe
Excuse me, but don't be so quick to shoot me down for having MY opinion, there's not just the usual few who can have their opinions. As a matter of a fact, my sister in law suffers badly, as have many of my family members, which makes me think it could be inherited, so how dare you go judging me.
All I said is that I get confused about why people seem to brag about it, I was in the pub the other day and 2 people were laughing about how anti depressants made them feel when they stopped taking them! Come on! I never said EVERYONE should say what I do, "stuff it, tomorrow's another day" That is just what I DO I don't seem the point in dwelling on things. Read my post before you go saying things you shouldn't.

Or is it just that there's only the regulars on here who can have opinions? chloe, what a horrible, horrible, horrible Insensitive person you are. You will have our depressed friends chucking themselves under buses – can you think before making silly glib comments? Please :shocked:

Originally posted by halevan
Tell him to leave anti depressants alone, get out and about, in town, in the Peak District, get an interest, meet people, get plenty of fresh air, think of happy things, avoid miserable gits.

Not a bad idea, but if you have a depression caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain then all these things will probably not help.

Just sometimes anti-depressants are what is required to get things under control.

Joe

Clinical depression is a serious and life-threatening illness. Having been a psychiatric social worker for many years, I am fully aware of the crippling nature of this illness. In its worst manifestation, sufferers become suicidal. Some do indeed take their own lives. Some kill themselves by involving others, e.g., by throwing themselves under a train or lorry.

I have never met anyone who brags about their depression. Too often sufferers don't talk about it because of a sense of shame or perceived stigma.

Chemical treatment (anti-depressents) does indeed help, as well as talking therapies (pyschotherapy, counselling), and also exercise and activities. The one thing to remember about clinical depression is that the sufferer is unlikely to recover and improve without medical help.

Sorry for the delay, had lots of things to sort out recently. Here goes...

MINIMINCH - so you, from ONE of my MANY posts (!) can say that i'm a "horrible, horrible insensitive person" can you? I never made NO comment about anyone HAVING to think stuff it, I said it is what I do!! So who's the horrible one now?

OWDLAD - If you look at any of my posts, most of them are asking for help, replying to questions, so on and so forth. NONE of them are starting arguments, none of them are slating mods etc etc. (I'm not saying you're accusing me of this, just an example) This is the first time I've had any dispute with any member. High horse? I wish, I'm probably one of the most relaxed, shy and down to earth people you'll meet and not once have I gotten on my high horse.

STARSPARKLE - I fully understand how people with depression feel, I'm a shoulder to cry on for a fair few people, and believe it or not, right now I'm needing the favour returned. My original post simply stated how I am when I feel a bit low, sometimes I do let it bother me for more than a day, a week, whatever, but all I'm saying is the way I prefer to do it. If I wanted to imply that I thought everyone should be like this, I WOULD HAVE SAID SO.

This is the problem with too many SF members. You read too much into someone's post, take it too far and accuse them of things they haven't done! I've been a member of this since it was FIRST put in the Star and SOME of the people who post at this time are so rude and arrogant it is untrue. There's no wonder people refuse to post on here any more for fear of getting shot down in flames!!

How dare any of you accuse me of something I haven't done?
Bye for now

Originally posted by Chloe


This is the problem with too many SF members. You read too much into someone's post, take it too far and accuse them of things they haven't done! I've been a member of this since it was FIRST put in the Star and SOME of the people who post at this time are so rude and arrogant it is untrue. There's no wonder people refuse to post on here any more for fear of getting shot down in flames!!

How dare any of you accuse me of something I haven't done?
Bye for now There is no need for racism and accusations of child abuse!:|

I beg your pardon?

Originally posted by Chloe
I beg your pardon? sorry i may have 'read to much' in to your original post.... sorry i'm depressed, over-sensitive and hypocritical:D

oh and it was called a joke - remember them?;)

Originally posted by Chloe
I've always been confused about WHY people get depressed. If you're depressed you shouldn't want to 'brag' about it. A lot of people I know who are depressed seem to be proud to have to see Docs about it. I mean, we all have off or low days but I always think, well, stuff it, tomorrow's another day, I've had a cry etc but now it's time to move on.
I think a few were looking to the references you said in this statement Chloe,which clearly say's If you're depressed you shouldn't want to brag about it.A lot of people I know who are depressed seem to be proud to have to see the Docs about it.I mean,we all have off days but I alway's think,well,stuff it,tomorrow's another day,I've had a cry etc but now it's time to move on.
Depression comes in many form's & degrees & should be understood for the seriousness it is,having been there & done it & lost a family member through Clinical Depression & Compulsive Drug Disorder.If you did not mean to offend people who suffer from this terrible illness,just slow down & realise what you are putting in your posts then no one can read different thing's into the post.Cheers No Offence Meant

Look, you're exactly like why most people don't like coming on here! Read into this as much as you want. My ORIGINAL post simply said that THIS is what I do when I feel down, not what I think OTHERS should do. Like FUNKYDAVE, I've also been sat with people who have discussed (and laughed about) their suicide attempts, I don't find it a laughing matter and my original post didn't go against that. So yes, you are being over sensitive, good on yer for admitting it, well done!!

You can all say what you want anyway, I know what my post said and what it read as. So read into whatever you want in whatever way you feel inclined because I don't give 2 hoots, if my opinion doesn't count, neither does yours.
Bye.... for now... again

I also said "a lot of people I know" So does that mean I know everyone who suffers from depression? Like funkydave said I was looking for answers, not an argument.

I surely hope Cloe you don't mean me ,read at the end of my Post.

No tosh, just sick of the same old people causing the same old trouble.... thanks

Originally posted by Chloe
No tosh, just sick of the same old people causing the same old trouble.... thanks I think you may be depressed! You are certainly moody and temperamental.

Well thanks,like I said I do not mean to cause offence with any of my post's but sometimes when I type I get carried away & sometime forgot what I've put in & no I am not losing my memory lol

Originally posted by miniminch
I think you may be depressed! You are certainly moody and temperamental.
Hey M let's leave it at that,making unserious remarks on a thread which is meant to be serious is not Cool

And if I was depressed and sentimental I'd have a good reason to right now, but I don't suffer from depression and hopefully never will.
"stuff it, tomorrow's another day" You know the rest...

Night ,Chloe & have a good evening.

Night Tosh!
Oooh, I'm still on fire!

Originally posted by Chloe
Night Tosh!
Oooh, I'm still on fire! Well phone the fire service. Re sentimental - i never said that you are reading too much into this thread - this country:rolleyes:

Strange.... very strange

Originally posted by Chloe
You can all say what you want anyway, I know what my post said and what it read as. So read into whatever you want in whatever way you feel inclined because I don't give 2 hoots, if my opinion doesn't count, neither does yours.
Bye.... for now... again

You know what you wanted to mean in your post - but unless you actually spell it out it doesn't necessarily come across the way you intended it to - even if you still think it reads ok. The rest of us however cannot see inside your head to see what you are really saying, and I think you should probably accept that in this case you did not make yourself particulrly clear - you did seem to imply that people shouldn't talk about their depression and that a solution is to just shrug off the bad things and get on with it. Like I said before, if this isn't what you meant then you should have made this very clear - but as you can tell from people's reactions to it, it seems that the only person this was clear to was yourself.

I think this little exchange should end now, because it is in no way helping to provide any answers to depression.

I'm glad that my query for help has poduced this argument !

Depression, like any mental illness, is a serious and sometimes life theatening condition.

Chloe, I am sorry that you got upset and felt ganged up on. This is a vey sensitive subject for alot of people. It is often when people feel that they are misunderstood that they lash out in the way that some and yourself have on this thread.

Depression is a vey difficult topic to empathise with as it is so different from 'normal' feelings or reactions.

Thank you everyone for the helpful comments and maybe we could try to be more understanding.

OllieK

No, I'm not admitting anything. My post was simply me saying that this is what I do and why, not what everyone should do. I asked why people SEEM to brag about it, not EVERYONE seems to brag about it.
From today, I will not be repying to any more posts.
Ta ta

Walking & exercize increase the natural serotonin levels. It can help. I know a lot of people are unhappy about medication. Antidepressants have come a long way. They are not like tranquillizer that numb your thought processes and they are non-addictive. It may take awhile to find the right combination for your friend but he doesn't need to suffer. A lot of people who are depressed are apathetic to doing anything to help themselves, it is part of the illness. It is actually a 'selfish' illness but the depressed person doesn't care about themselves or anyone around them and will be wrapped up in their own feelings of despair.

I'm speaking from experience. I've suffered badly from depression since I was a child. Recently I had a series of upheavals that set off my depression big time. I regocnized the signs, asked the doctor for help and she prescibed medication straight away. The medication doesn't make you feel euphoric or even happy, it just makes you feel able to cope with life.

Does your friend also suffer from anxiety attacks? They can be cause by depression. seeing a sympathetic doctor is the best advice I can give:) I hope your friend is OK. Keep us posted.:)

Originally posted by redrobbo
Clinical depression is a serious and life-threatening illness. Having been a psychiatric social worker for many years, I am fully aware of the crippling nature of this illness. In its worst manifestation, sufferers become suicidal. Some do indeed take their own lives. Some kill themselves by involving others, e.g., by throwing themselves under a train or lorry.

I have never met anyone who brags about their depression. Too often sufferers don't talk about it because of a sense of shame or perceived stigma.

Chemical treatment (anti-depressents) does indeed help, as well as talking therapies (pyschotherapy, counselling), and also exercise and activities. The one thing to remember about clinical depression is that the sufferer is unlikely to recover and improve without medical help. I for one wish that I'd have got help years ago but I was made to feel self indugent by adult, my parents included, they say I was 'bone idle because as a young teenager I'd shut myself in my bedroom and stay in bed for days. I'd not eat, maybe drink water or alcohol as I got older and cut my arms with a razor blade. I felt like I was the only person in the world that felt like this. I snapped out of it for a while but it has repeatedly kept coming back over the years FINALLY I have found a sympathetic doctor and I'm getting the medication I need. It has taken until the age of thiry seven to pluck up the courage to ask for help.

I don't know anyone who would brag about having depression. I believe people should take medication if it is needed rather than suffering. I wish we could get rid of the stigma, then sufferers wouldn't feel so isolated.

People wouldn't (I hope) say to anasmatic 'oh, pull yourself together and start breathing normally' Depression is an illness like any other and it's treatable!

I take an anti depressent amytriptaline,I suffer from restless legs syndrome & they relax me.the only draw back is I never see the end of a film ,because I fall asleep,before I took this medication I was terrible in the mornings irratable & snappy & was very tired.But they work for me.

Just a reminder that anyone going through the pain of depression can talk confidentially to the Samaritans about what they are experiencing, in a supportive non-judgemental environment:

08457 909090

Robert

I find - booze - sex - and good food are a pick me up, any Offers?

I understand what your friend is going through because i'm going through a similar thing at the moment. Just let him know that you are there for him whenever he needs you and try different ways to make him feel better, like taking him out and taking his mind off of things. Sometimes i just want to be told that everything is ok and will be fine. It's not easy and it is very hard to get out of feeling like this but things do start to look up!