Depression...

[Lissa]

Havent read all this thread... but I will.

Depression is nothing to be ashamed about. Went through it with my second child... had dark thoughts about ending it all, even though I prob had a pretty good life compared to alot of others... but I couldnt see past the dark cloud and couldnt understand why I felt this way.

Last year I became distant from everyone, didnt want to interact with others, didnt want to do my usual rountine, was tired all the time, and weepy. I honestly didnt think there was anything wrong.. just thought I was sad. My family became concerned esp my sister-inlaw who works in this area, and persuaded my mum to get me some help. I didnt want to go to the doctor, and put it off, but finally for my mum and familys sake I went to the doctor... who said "surprisingly" I had mild to mod depression which I have probably had for many many many years. I dont take drugs... not even panadol, so I didnt want to take anti-depressants. So I started working out at the gym, and took up riding... and its done me a world of good, and feel great... but its not necessarily that easy for everyone.

The best thing is to talk about it... and take each day as it comes.

[slippery]

I rode it once last night, and now want to put it away and not see it for a while. It didnt make me happy and I am very passionate about biking.

hi all, my first post on KB, what a post to contribute to.

well to me this the most debilitating part of depression. often when things were bad, the days when i couldnt even care about anything, i would find nothing i usually enjoy made me happy. its a symptom of it i realise now. but i now know those days pass. i know now they dont last forever. often the next day is better. so what i do is i say "well hey, this is just one of my bad days, i know sooner or later it WILL get better". that works for me now.

everyone has their own way to deal with it. but i am never alone. i might feel that way, my past might overwhelm me into thinking nobody can make me safe and noone cares. but thats just not true. i just need to open up and people will help me and care. all i need to remember is to talk.

thats just a bit from me, not advice or anything, just how i find it.

[KATWYN]

everyone has their own way to deal with it. but i am never alone. i might feel that way, my past might overwhelm me into thinking nobody can make me safe and noone cares. but thats just not true. i just need to open up and people will help me and care. all i need to remember is to talk.

thats just a bit from me, not advice or anything, just how i find it.

And thanks to Kittyhawk beginning this thread and the contributions to it,it is evidence that people really aren't alone in it!

[Kittyhawk]

And thanks to Kittyhawk beginning this thread and the contributions to it,it is evidence that people really aren't alone in it!

*hug to you Katwyn*

Thanks. This thread has made me realise Im not alone anymore and because of it I have made lots of awesome friends. And Im sure alot of you feel the same....we aren't alone

I find it interesting to read this thread. And I've read it all on more than one occasion.

The down days are hard, and those who have it know what Im talking about. Those happy little things in life are a bloody struggle. Just take one day at a time and see how it goes. Worry is a worry! But it eventually is overcome with distractions.

That storm cloud never goes away.

[Steam]

I had a bad week this week. Very down.
I am happy that this weekend I have no work. I am going to stay in bed and not talk to anyone. Except the internet. This is bad for me but it's my choice.
Also, maybe up the dose from 30mg Paroxetine to 40...?
Oh, I will ride my bike somewhere new too. That will make me happier.
And maybe buy a new bike, if it's an okay one.

[Madness]

That storm cloud never goes away.

Yes, but there will always be another dawn.

Speaking of which, I haven't been riding since Sunday.....

[jazbug5]

Yes, but there will always be another dawn.

Always one to remember. I like this little poem:

"Though my soul may set in darkness
It will rise in perfect light,
I have loved the stars too fondly
To be fearful of the night."

Sarah Williams
'The Old Astronomer to his Pupil'

[Kittyhawk]

Yes, but there will always be another dawn.

Speaking of which, I haven't been riding since Sunday.....

You are right but sometimes its hard to see it.

Steam: I too get days like that. Just take it one day at a time and remember to try smile. Pm me if ya wanna talk about anything.

You arent alone.....*biker hug*

[Busy]

When your feeling down and out and are having thoughts of the worst kind, remember this

To the world you are only one, but to one you are the world

Even if you don't have a partner or kids, your best mate, the kid down the road, your grandparents ... could be the one who thinks you're the world, a mentor, a role model, a big brother/sister ...

[Goblin]

What do you think of this.... What are the best coping skills for this?

Please refer to the "Jokes and Humour" forum.

[Clivoris]

Lots of good stuff on this thread. Good on you for kicking it off Kitty. Just wanted to add that I have over a decade of experience working in mental health and Depression is every bit as serious as those that have suffered with it, have said. I've resisted contributing to this thread because there is some very good stuff being written and it is reasuring that we're largely treating the topic with respect. Didn't think I had much to add. However, had a shoulder tap today that has got me off my lardy arse.
There are so many pathways to depression that it is hard to make useful generalisations about it, and now that I am building up a bit of experience, I realise that there are many subtypes too. One of the difficulties I see everyday is that the illness takes on a life of its own. Once someone gets clinically depressed (with all the symptoms such as crap sleep, low energy etc) they can struggle to cope with day to day tasks; which confirms the belief that themselves, their situation and their future is crap; which feeds the depression....Building a nice wee self-maintaining and particularly vicious cycle. As some have written here, sometimes we can wake up one day, kick ourselves in the arse and break the cycle through sheer bloody mindedness. Sometimes it seems to lift more spontaneously with the help of time or a major positive life event. For most people it seems to involve a shitload of hard work that the illness works really hard at to undermine.
What is realy important is to get an individualised formulation. An hypothesis that describes:
How the person first became depressed
What is keeping them depressed (environmental, physical/biological, emotional, cognitive/psychological and behavioural variables)
What might make them vulnerable to depression in the first place
What are the strengths a person has that can be harnessed (both within the person and in their environment).
My experience has been that the maintaining variables are often the most useful targets but the key ones can be hard to identify without some kind of external (therapeutic) help. Remembering that if this stuff was easy to work out we probably wouldn't be depressed in the first place. I've seen medication work miracles and save peoples lives but I've also seen it cause harm. Severe clinical depression seems to respond best to a team approach with medical support that monitors medication really closely and listens to the client, a social network that understands but strikes a balance between enabling and blaming the sufferer, some kind of talk therapy targetting unhelpful beliefs and behaviours, and building levels of physical activity. Working at getting good sleep, either with sleep hygeine or medication, cannot be over-emphasised. Alcohol and recreational drugs should be avoided at least until someone is experiencing remission. They just carry too many risks on too many levels.
My intention with this post is to add a clinician perspective and support much of what has been written already. Depression is a prick of an illness and those who manage and survive it, have my respect. That goes double for those of you that have contributed to this thread.

[Maha]

...now that feels better....

[Indiana_Jones]

hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

-Indy

[Bekki]

Hi guys,

I really hope no one minds me posting this on here but someone who's reading might really appreciate it or might have a friend who will!!

If you have struggled with a mental illness, such as depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia.. and have gained wisdom or insight from that experience which might help others to move forward in their recovery journey.. you should check out these job opportunities :

http://recruiting.co.nz/34630.htm

http://recruiting.co.nz/34625.htm

They will also be recruiting for staff for their new Christchurch, West Auckland and North Shore teams within the next few months.

These are real jobs for real pay, which are fun and flexible and intensely rewarding.. helping ordinary people like you to figure out their goals and future direction, and focusing on their strengths and the things they enjoy about life, not their diagnoses! (That's what doctors are for.) No healthcare or social work experience is necessary but obviously people skills and empathy are important. Full and part time positions are available and the management are very supportive and open.
These roles are within a private company who contracts to district health boards. The service is free.

Update :

Just letting you know that the mental health peer support worker roles in Christchurch, West Auckland and North Shore are now being advertised.

Full and part time roles are available - salary is $32-$38K pro rata.

Links are below :

http://www.recruiting.co.nz/34676.htm (Chch)
http://www.recruiting.co.nz/34685.htm (West/Nth AKL)

[kevfromcoro]

now ive got it..never been depressed in my life......wot a horrible feeling.cant b fucked doing anything....the bikes just sitting in the garage...not even interested in shelias..strange 4 me