Depression.........

staciesnowden

Heads up - while supportive, this thread at times contains frank discussion of mental health issues. Please keep in mind when reading that you may come across some posts that could be uncomfortable or upsetting. When responding, please remember that the people in the conversation may need understanding more than they need advice.

If you're experiencing symptoms of depression, we recommend you contact a professional as soon as you are comfortable doing so. While members are often happy to give support, we are not qualified to give health advice. We recommend the Samaritans (free on giffgaff by calling 116 123) as a first port of call, as well as contacting your GP for a consultation.

- the giffgaff community team

Depression is a silent killer of so many people like.. Robin Williams ☹ ☹

so many take their own lives to get out of depression as its an easy way out ☹

There is no cure for it and no true help to cope with it..

we just have to take one day at a time so we can cope a little bit ☹

doctors think that taking pills after pills to try to level our brain out to ease our depression..

the pills dont work for everyone..

and seein a shrink sometimes help 🙂 always seek help from your GP or therapist. Dont leave it too long to see yr doctor. They can help u just as much as we help eachother here. 🙂

So my heart goes out to those who suffer everyday with depression.. it makes our lives harder too ☹

for those who have been left to pick up the pieces after a loved one has taken their lives.. ☹

i just wish people could understand what we go through everyday just to survive each day ☹ ☹

SEEK MEDICAL ADVICE FROM YOUR GP/THERAPIST.

DO NOT FIGHT THIS ILLNESS ALONE!

We are here for each other and to talk about our depression 🙂 🙂 🙂

andygurney46

I've suffered for many years and suffered several suicide attempts. Thank god I found a good gp but it took time years of being asked what's wrong and to just buck up is not helpful when you don't know what's wrong or how to be what they call happy

raycharnock

Tough one is depression to diaganose.

Would one million pounds in the OP's bank account clear the blues ??? If it would its not depression

tonychurm39

Yes it can be fatal.. One of my friends suffered it and seen what it does

ksteach

Why are you depressed op ??

ranks

Stress and depression are killers in there own right ...

Its a state of mind -

lulurules

Yes depression should be made more aware of in this country some people are to afraid to ask for help hence the suicide rate if people had more knowledge of what to look out for then they could help friend's/ family etc before its to late anyone suffrring depression please speak up your not alone

do_mo

Life is like a rollercoaster,.... lots of ups and downs..... but that doesnt matter, its how you ride the rollercoaster and get off at the end.

klmwong

Can I ask something about depression?

I have a friend who is climically depressed. Is one of the symptoms of depression complaining about anything and everything and making out you are in the right and everyone else is in the wrong, and also that stuff that happens is not your fault or reponsibility?

I ask because that is how my friend is all the time. Is this part of depression or is it cos she's a moany, complainy type? At the first sign of any adverse comments she will cite her depression as the reason but part of me does wonder if part of it is a get out clause. I am thinking it;s a bit of both.

headcell

so many take their own lives to get out of depression as its an easy way out ☹

It certainly is not an easy way out. It is a last resort, borne from hopelessness, and being unable to see any light at any time in the future. That feeling of total desolation is what tips people to suicide. But it is by no means an easy way out.

doctors think that taking pills after pills to try to level our brain out to ease our depression..

Some GPs think like that. Mine don't.

the pills dont work for everyone..

Some pils can make matters far far worse. The pills can drag you further down, which is why on the LONG leaflet that come with the medication it tells you to see your GP IMMEDIATELY if there is any worsening of the symptoms.

and seein a shrink sometimes help 🙂

It depends on the psychiatrist/psychologist, and the treatment offered. There's absolutely no point in offering me a group-based threrapy, for example.

A psychiatrist can give you a diagnosis; the label you end up with can be a useful guide as to the treatment that may work. But labels are a best-fit, so may not be as accurate as you think.

Mental illness still has a major stigma attached as it implies 'madness' and an imability to control one's own actions. There are diagnostic manuals from which pyschiatrists can identify different illnesses. In the US they use DSM - Diagnostic and Statistical Manual - version 5, (it might be version 6 now); In Europe we have the ICD - International classification of diseases. Remember, these are dynamic and what was mental illness one year is not so classified another. There are illnesses listed in the DSM that are not in the ICD - caffeine addiction is one of them.

missej

I sufferd postnatal depression really bad, now the postnatal bit has gone im left with the depression and anxitey. The tablets im on work great on me a do hav the odd day of being low, but iv had to pull myself together for the sake of my boy. Im so lucky i got the right help and treatment. I hope it works out for other suffers.

mrbond007

I hate to jump in with what could be way off the mark but...

I feel that many of the famous people who have reportedly died due to depression were heavily into drugs for either all or part of their lives.

Drugs are known to be the cause of a lot of mental problems later,and to me depression is obviously a mental condition.

I am not saying that's the same for everyone but with more and more drug use its inevitable that more will suffer from this in future.

I hope all on here who do suffer with it can get help to control it and have a good life.

jaycat

@mrbond007 wrote:
I hate to jump in with what could be way off the mark but...

I feel that many of the famous people who have reportedly died due to depression were heavily into drugs for either all or part of their lives.
Drugs are known to be the cause of a lot of mental problems later,and to me depression is obviously a mental condition.
I am not saying that's the same for everyone but with more and more drug use its inevitable that more will suffer from this in future.

I hope all on here who do suffer with it can get help to control it and have a good life.

The flip side of that argument is that people use drugs or alcohol to self medicate - that they're an attempt to deal with existing emotional/mental health problems. One view (that of a lot of drug & alcohol treatment workers) is that drug use is a symptom, rather than the root problem.

mrbond007

@mrbond007 wrote:
I hate to jump in with what could be way off the mark but...

I feel that many of the famous people who have reportedly died due to depression were heavily into drugs for either all or part of their lives.
Drugs are known to be the cause of a lot of mental problems later,and to me depression is obviously a mental condition.
I am not saying that's the same for everyone but with more and more drug use its inevitable that more will suffer from this in future.

I hope all on here who do suffer with it can get help to control it and have a good life.

A good point , I can see that's possible

jimbob_the_slayer

Hi everyone. It was a great shame about robin Williams. And in no disrespect everyday people have suffered or been suffering with it and it doesn't get the awareness that it shud. People can b quick to judge or make there comments who haven't been through it or seen someone go through it. Its devastating for anyone to go through and terrible when someone takes there own life as it is for the people they leave behind. I find it sad that there is still a stigma towards mental health issues and depression. True medication isnt always the answer but everyone reacts differently even with medication. We r quick in society to take things for granted and only realise how good we have it til its gone. I say definitely more awareness shud b made and also in help offered, cuz not everyone gets the same help. I tell myself every single day that there's millions out there way worse off than me and im very lucky and grateful in what I do have. I hope everyone as a great day in whatever they r doing

kevincunno

I know where you are coming from I have suffered severe depression for 28 year. Two month after a bad divorce my ex wife was murdered. And the guilt inside me still sends. Me into a dark pit of despair. I have found joining Giffgaff forums helps me

bluenose5

So True stacie snowdon,your a gem, we are here for each other.!

pink_llama

Most hated thing of being told to "cheer up" or "snap out of it" !!! >_<

I don't quite have depression myself (borderline) - I have severe anxiety. It's been made a lot better through having a good support network of friends 🙂 Family weren't very helpful because in my family you can't possibly have mental issues(!?) I did seek counselling in 2013. It was semi-fruitful, but of course nothing will be 100% quick fix.

I've also tried Yoga, mindfulness and general meditation, but my mind can never focus - I'm always worrying about something... I'll even worry about the fact I'm worrying!!

I know where I've got it from. My Dad. He's got ALL the symptoms of depression, and has done since as long as I remember. My mum has talked about it with regards to him too, but he will never seek help with it. If he's have a low day he will just wallow in it, or disappear for hours (usually goes walking/cycling etc) - always comes back eventually - bottom line is he knows my mum is there to support him.

I see it in myself, but it's so frustrating when I know for a fact I have nothing to be sad about - after all I'm doing ok in life. I'm mostly where I want to be...

Even then, I still have bad days, when the anxiety is just too much to deal with. Everything irritates me, and I often lash out at my loved ones ☹ Obviously that leads to rows and ultimately I'm in the wrong so have to apologise.

I've often been known to write letters, feeling the need to "explain" myself to the person I've lashed out at.

I guess in a way it helps too, as I have a few friends with Depression, so we often try and talk to each other and help each other along - only those who are going through it or have been through it will ever understand what it even begins to feel like.

In the end, as long as the support is there, be it family, friends, online networks, or your GP - we make it work somehow. Day to day works best, but when society is telling you that you HAVE to plan your future... that's when it gets muddy...

We all try our best though, we just have to hope there are always options out there, and a path to choose. We hope we'll never end up at the dead end... but sometimes all it takes some people is that one day, and that one trigger...

jaro2

I agree with the comments on here!! The sad thing is that many people who are around depressed people often dont recognise the symptoms or just put it down to the individual being a negative or complaining type of person which is way off the mark. Instead of the TV putting out repeats and naff dramas I feel they should feature many more programs on not only bi-polar but also on depression and how to spot it and how to help or assist in helping the afflicted individual. Just my two penneth on the subject!!

staciesnowden

You can b the richest person in the qorld and still have depression ☹