Depression

[Yorick]

Letting it out is the first step.

[Noggin]

Is depression becoming more easily talked about? I’ve tried to type this three times now. I think the OP has some big balls and I respect and admire that. I think I’ve suffered since a teenager. I go to somewhere dark and it can take a few days to come out but it’s always lurking. Suicide has often crossed my mind, as if this all there is, what’s the point? Misery after misery. Why not be free from it all? I was made redundant before Christmas and I’m terrified of not finding another job. I feel useless enough as it is. The missus has too much stress with her work that she’s so tired that I can’t tell her any of this. I try to keep busy but there’s only so much to do and motivation and energy goes out the window. Took me all my effort to walk out of my house and get a fucking haircut today. How sad. Just how do you tell your doctor? Does anybody really care or are we just another burden/statistic?

Actually going out every day is a massive thing sometimes. So kudos for doing that whilst feeling as you do. It's hard.

It is much easier to talk to doctors about this nowadays, and if you aren't sure you can, print out what you wrote and if you dry up when face to face, show it to him?

I think younger people talk about it a lot more than my age group, I get funny looks sometimes from people my age (50's) if I mention it, but younger people seem more open to talking about it and sharing thoughts/experiences.

Talking about it here is a big first step and people are pretty bloody awesome on here, so keep talking at us

Hugs to you - it sucks, but the fact that you've written this is huge and you also have a load of people here that understand xx

[Count Steer]

The OP hasn't logged in since April.

Anyone in contact with @Scud ?

[Yambo]

How sad. Just how do you tell your doctor? Does anybody really care or are we just another burden/statistic?

I'd never talked to my wife about how I was but she knew I wasn't right. She booked a double appointment with my GP and simply told me to get dressed, we're going out.

It was an uncomfortable time for her, that doctor's appointment and she was in tears when we left but it was a wonderful thing she did. It was a huge first step on my road to recovery. You don't necessarily ever get rid of depression and it can drag you in at any time but being aware of that can help you keep it at bay.

My doctor reckoned I'd had depression since my mum died when I was 16 and he may be right but I'd always been active, maybe not a workaholic but I didn't sit around much. Being active was key to not suffering too much when my wife and saviour died in 2011. I know it'll help me now and I'm becoming more active, more positive but the last year (after my son died), was awful, no motivation, no desire to do anything. Was I in depression? I'm the only person I know that thinks I wasn't, just grieving.

There are no new year resolutions here but I'm fuckin' sure I'm not spending another year like that. I have great support from friends and whilst I'm not raring to go I'm certainly on the mend.

Talk to your wife BK, she'll probably know you're nor right then book a doctor's appointment (if you can!). Talking about it is good, the first and most important step.

[BartonBKing]

How sad. Just how do you tell your doctor? Does anybody really care or are we just another burden/statistic?

I'd never talked to my wife about how I was but she knew I wasn't right. She booked a double appointment with my GP and simply told me to get dressed, we're going out.

It was an uncomfortable time for her, that doctor's appointment and she was in tears when we left but it was a wonderful thing she did. It was a huge first step on my road to recovery. You don't necessarily ever get rid of depression and it can drag you in at any time but being aware of that can help you keep it at bay.

My doctor reckoned I'd had depression since my mum died when I was 16 and he may be right but I'd always been active, maybe not a workaholic but I didn't sit around much. Being active was key to not suffering too much when my wife and saviour died in 2011. I know it'll help me now and I'm becoming more active, more positive but the last year (after my son died), was awful, no motivation, no desire to do anything. Was I in depression? I'm the only person I know that thinks I wasn't, just grieving.

There are no new year resolutions here but I'm fuckin' sure I'm not spending another year like that. I have great support from friends and whilst I'm not raring to go I'm certainly on the mend.

Talk to your wife BK, she'll probably know you're nor right then book a doctor's appointment (if you can!). Talking about it is good, the first and most important step.

Damn. Life can be so shitty at times. Puts things into perspective. Thanks for the kind words from everybody. I have plucked up the courage and I managed to get a doctors appointment for today at 4pm. Shitting myself already….

[Yambo]

Damn. Life can be so shitty at times. Puts things into perspective. Thanks for the kind words from everybody. I have plucked up the courage and I managed to get a doctors appointment for today at 4pm. Shitting myself already….

Good man. If possible, take the wife then you can show her that you're aware of her issues and help her to realise what's happening to you hasn't overshadowed her issues.

Just tell the truth to the doc, you don't need to embellish anyhing, but try to leave nothing out. Depression can manifest itself in different ways and medication for one may not be suitable for another. If you are given meds, be aware they ain't gonna cure you but should help you get on with life until you can find something not drug related that'll help.

For me that's keeping busy and physical exercise. For you it could be the opposite.

Good luck.

[Wscad]

Well it’s been 12 months since my op for bowel cancer . Had a ct scan last week....... 2 days later I have a phone call saying I need another one. A set scan . Something we need to have a good look at.

Sometimes a dark cloud comes down and I’m done for the rest of the day.

Anyway... the days are getting longer. One foot in front of the other each day

[weeksy]

Well it’s been 12 months since my op for bowel cancer . Had a ct scan last week....... 2 days later I have a phone call saying I need another one. A set scan . Something we need to have a good look at.

Sometimes a dark cloud comes down and I’m done for the rest of the day.

Anyway... the days are getting longer. One foot in front of the other each day

Good hunting mate, either way, kick it's arse!

[Yorick]

Well it’s been 12 months since my op for bowel cancer . Had a ct scan last week....... 2 days later I have a phone call saying I need another one. A set scan . Something we need to have a good look at.

Sometimes a dark cloud comes down and I’m done for the rest of the day.

Anyway... the days are getting longer. One foot in front of the other each day

Good luck. I have my first op soon.

[katana]

Well it’s been 12 months since my op for bowel cancer . Had a ct scan last week....... 2 days later I have a phone call saying I need another one. A set scan . Something we need to have a good look at.

Sometimes a dark cloud comes down and I’m done for the rest of the day.

Anyway... the days are getting longer. One foot in front of the other each day

That is posh, just go for the camera and ask for lots of sedation.

What bit did you have removed?

[weeksy]

The OP hasn't logged in since April.

Anyone in contact with @Scud ?

Just got a reply he's all good, just avoiding the internet.. so yeah, he's cool. He may check in soon.

[Count Steer]

The OP hasn't logged in since April.

Anyone in contact with @Scud ?

Just got a reply he's all good, just avoiding the internet.. so yeah, he's cool. He may check in soon.

Good to hear.

[Scud]

The OP hasn't logged in since April.

Anyone in contact with @Scud ?

Just got a reply he's all good, just avoiding the internet.. so yeah, he's cool. He may check in soon.

Good to hear.

I’m here!!

As weekly said, sort of staying away from internet, using Facebook for business advertising but that’s it.

I will have a read through the thread when I get 10 minutes and will update on what I’ve been doing to get me to a good place and more importantly stay there.

I’m happy this thread has run and got people talking and hopefully helping too, if my shitty days help someone speak up and start to get help then my crap days are worth it

[Ian]

Where do people go for help with mental issues?
I tried the quack, he asked me 5 questions from a web form and offered me SSRIs(?). I know they're busy but maybe I expected too much.
Tried phone counselling and it was like a race to complete the script so I told them not to bother after a while.
I don't know whether it's anxiety depression or just stress but my head is so full of 'noise' I'm exhausted and it's leading to me making bad judgements.

[Yorick]

Where do people go for help with mental issues?
I tried the quack, he asked me 5 questions from a web form and offered me SSRIs(?). I know they're busy but maybe I expected too much.
Tried phone counselling and it was like a race to complete the script so I told them not to bother after a while.
I don't know whether it's anxiety depression or just stress but my head is so full of 'noise' I'm exhausted and it's leading to me making bad judgements.

I got amazing help when I was first diagnosed.
Insist on seeing a specialist.

Good luck.

[Couchy]

Where do people go for help with mental issues?
I tried the quack, he asked me 5 questions from a web form and offered me SSRIs(?). I know they're busy but maybe I expected too much.
Tried phone counselling and it was like a race to complete the script so I told them not to bother after a while.
I don't know whether it's anxiety depression or just stress but my head is so full of 'noise' I'm exhausted and it's leading to me making bad judgements.

Docs prescribed me SSRI over the phone several times, SSRI are completeley wrong for me. I’ve ended up at a private psychotherapist and it’s best thing I’ve ever done

[katana]

Where do people go for help with mental issues?
I tried the quack, he asked me 5 questions from a web form and offered me SSRIs(?). I know they're busy but maybe I expected too much.
Tried phone counselling and it was like a race to complete the script so I told them not to bother after a while.
I don't know whether it's anxiety depression or just stress but my head is so full of 'noise' I'm exhausted and it's leading to me making bad judgements.

Welcome to the joy of fuck all funding.

The doc will offer SSRI as a first step and probably offer CBT is at least a 6 months plus wait.

will add more later

[MyLittleStudPony]

Where do people go for help with mental issues?
I tried the quack, he asked me 5 questions from a web form and offered me SSRIs(?). I know they're busy but maybe I expected too much.
Tried phone counselling and it was like a race to complete the script so I told them not to bother after a while.
I don't know whether it's anxiety depression or just stress but my head is so full of 'noise' I'm exhausted and it's leading to me making bad judgements.

Just my thoughts. I think people's experiences of mental health vary considerably, as do the ways which they find or which suit them, of getting help.

A GP can prescribe tablets, including SSRIs. These will work for some and not others. I think any counselling they may also prescribe can take a long time to actually take place.

Private counsellors are available. I think they will be a mixed bag, some good, some not.

There are organisations and groups, often third sector / charitable, which can provide support, such as Mind, Andy's Man Club and many others. These are well worth looking into IMO.

Some people are lucky enough to draw elements of support from friends and family. Not everyone is good at this however, but some people are excellent.

There are ways to seek help in times of crisis such as NHS 111, option 2 and The Samaritans. If anyone thinks they might need to call these sort of organisations but are in doubt, my advice is to call and speak to them. A&E can be somewhere to go if bad things seem imminent.

There are probably many more options.


I think mental health is like bad backs; what works for one person may not be best for another.


Good luck to anyone and everyone who is struggling or struggles sometimes. I hope you can find help which works for you. There is a lot out there but it can be frustrating and feel hard to access.

[Yorick]

After my meltdown 13 years ago, I was on propranolol regularly with Diazepam for whenever I needed it.
But stopped after 2 years.
I've managed since then ok with my coping mechanisms. But only just.
Lately a few things have happened and I've had big problems.

For last 4 weeks I've needed to put master cylinders on the GSXR and Pen's AJP, but couldn't do it. Scared of not being able to do it. So can't ride it

I've been thinking about going to see the doc, but language is a bit of an issue. Needs to be perfect to discuss medical stuff. So I've been planning a letter to write and then translate. But that in itself is a nightmare.

Broke down this morning and Pen sat with me , writing the letter as I spoke.

Wow. Was like a heavy weight off my shoulders. We're going to see doc tmrw.

Went for usual 10 mile cycle and felt so positive, I attacked Pen's M/C.
Was a bugger to bleed, but I was surprisingly calm. Cool

I've taken first step and I feel fantastic.

[Wossname]

This might sound like a platitude but I don’t think it is. The first step is often the biggest and most difficult one. Keep going.