Depression...

[SwanTiger]

OCD and depression can really screw you up. I had OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) really bad for a bit years ago, people with OCD suffer in many different ways, I was a checker (kept thinking I'd left things on - and had to go and check multiple times that I'd switched things off).

OCD, I had this too, probably still do however I don't take notice of it and I doubt anyone else close to me notices. I had a Girlfriend many moons ago that I spoke to about it and she did the same things as me, so we were able to help each other by talking about it.

Instead of focusing on the negative attributes I found and exploited its advantages by acquiring challanges (jobs, ambitions, physical challanges, etc.) that benefited from such behaviour.

Some of the greatest human beings of our time were/are haunted by depression and many other disorders. They learnt to take advantage of the positives and manage the negatives, perhaps they were on to something?

What ever you are feeling or thinking, there are at least a billion others who thought and felt the exact same things and now know the answers.

[Chickadee]

Thanks SwanTiger. It's funny how when I had OCD, you talk to mates and I discovered one of my co-workers was also having panic attacks around the same time that I was going through it. Helps to talk, and realise that you're not alone. I remember when it was bad; having to leave work - to go home to check that I'd locked doors/switched things off. Really makes you feel like a moron when you start to doubt yourself. I have wee relapses from time to time, but nothing like what I used to. Having an understanding hubby helped big time too - he checks after me which gave me peace of mind.

[Waylander]

I used to be depressed. Parents and docs had me on all kinds of meds that made me physically sick most of the time. In and out of phsyc wards and shit.

Then I bought my bike and all that went away. Don't get depressed anymore I just go for a ride.

[V4ME]

Here is something beautiful to watch - It will help you feel a little better

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phL0RLKL8bc

[Hillbilly]

Well, here's something positive. There's a totally natural antidepressant that you can buy from any good health food shop. I'ts the Amino Acid L-Tyrosine. The company "Nature's Way" makes a quality product.

How it works: L-Tyrosine is used by the body to make the neurotransmitters dopamine & norepnehrine. These are what's lacking in the brain of people suffering from depression. It's also used to make Thyroxine, the thyroid stimulating hormone, and melanin, which gives your skin a tan. Tyrosine is synthesized by the body from L-Phenylalanine. The natural and best source of phenylalanine is Sardines with 90mg per 100 grams of flesh. Next is Salmon with 70mg per 100 grams of flesh. You have to like these two fish though. The tablets are 500mg, and one with breakfast is all you should need.

The "down side" of Tyrosine is that in some people, it breaks down to Tyramine, which can cause migraines. At $16 a bottle available over the counter, it's worth a try. Stay right away form Prozac and other similar antidepressants. As well as being highy addictive, the trash the liver.

[Steam]

I'm on Aropax, (another SSRI, like Prozac.) It's good stuff that makes me able to get up in the morning, but when you try to get off it the side effects of stopping are terrible!
I've just started on it again, but when I stopped taking it about a year or so ago I couldnt' work for two weeks I was so dizzy and nauseous.

[vifferman]

I'm on Aropax, (another SSRI, like Prozac.) It's good stuff that makes me able to get up in the morning, but when you try to get off it the side effects of stopping are terrible!
I've just started on it again, but when I stopped taking it about a year or so ago I couldnt' work for two weeks I was so dizzy and nauseous.

Huh.
I guess it's a very personal/subjective thing. I had no problems with withdrawl symptoms on (off?) that at all. The first time I was taking the maximum dose for over a year, IIRC, and the second time for just a few months.
In fact, I've had no problems with stopping any meds, apart from effexor, which is a mean beast and a half. It's going to take me 6 months or more, IF I ever manage to get off it at all. I'm down to ~37mg a day, after being on 375/day for over a year.
The worst thing (for me) about stopping meds is that one of the few good side-effects is they mask the arthritis, so reducing the dosage is accompanied by lots of discomfort.

[Kittyhawk]

Correct meds and the right mix of therapy means that depression will become managable.

But then again everyone has their own view on that. Natural stuff is better than the harsher pescribed stuff. If the natural stuff worked for me I'd be taking it. I have tried the St Johns Wort and at the time of taking it it did work.

[Beemer]

Forgive me for being lazy and not wanting to wade through the 10 pages of posts, but I got the latest Consumer in the mail today and it has a large article on the very subject - Depression. Funnily enough, it follows on from the (very depressing) pages on how to manage your mortgage...

I haven't had the time to read it yet, but it looks quite interesting. If you know of someone who gets Consumer, ask to take a look. You can get it online too and it appears the report is free to view - here is the link - http://www.consumer.org.nz/topic.asp...nttype=summary

Apologies if anyone has posted this already, but I thought it may be of some use.

[Toaster]

[QUOTE=Kittyhawk;920869]What do you think of this.... Do you know someone who has it? What are the best coping skills for this? Should you continue to ride when negative destructive thoughts are about in your mind? [QUOTE]

Man this sounds serious.... I'd suggest doing anything involving driving or riding when one is feeling very 'dark' or angry would seriously inhibit one's ability ride/drive safely. Having said that, if it can be managed, getting out to clear the head is a good thing. e.g. sit on a beach somewhere and stare out to sea.... (then slap yourself and take a hard pill).

[vifferman]

slap yourself and take a hard pill

Or, if you're a wanker, do it the other way round...

[Kittyhawk]

I have decided Im not riding till I have 100% focus.

Despite the feelings I have it's more sensible to be off the road than splat on the road.

[Busy]

I suffer from anxiety/panic attacks, which has lead to depression.
I was on Aropax but they didn't do anything and now on Citalopram (twice the dose), it helps the attacks but the depression still needs work.

When I first had a panic attack I was sure I was the only one, I kinda of beat it many years ago by telling myself "everyday in every way I am better and better" which actually worked. but end of last year the attacks came back with vengeance, got to a stage where I couldn't ride my bike and even driving the car was a worry. I consider myself a pretty good driver and even raced stock cars for a few years ...
Being a 30 something male I felt pretty stink asking for help, but I did, from the phobic trust (in St Lukes), they were the ones who put me on the drugs and are helping me work through this. I can't find my trigger so am in a catch 22 but have learnt to deal with attacks when they happen. With the meds I am able to ride without worry, I even brought a 600cc bike which after the 250 was a big change.

This may sound really silly, and will feel even worse when you do it, but anyone who gets down, write down the following and read it every day. The idea is to read it everyday even if you dont believe it, after a while the subconscious will start to believe it and your mindset will follow it.

I'm ok just the way I am
I am lovable and capable
I am an important person
I'm already a worthy person; I don't have to prove myself
My feelings and needs are important
I deserve to be supported by those who care about me
I'm strong enough to handle whatever comes along
I deserve to feel free and safe
I deserve to be respected, nurtured and cared for

A mental illness, no matter how small should be something you get help for, it can often be masked by false signals and come back worse. There is nothing to be ashamed of asking for help. 1 in 4 people suffer some form of mental illness and they reckon 1 in 5 people will suffer a panic attack in there life time (maybe only the one). Lots of 'front line people' suffer depression and other illnesses, Mike King for example suffers bad panic attacks.

If anyone wants to know more about anxiety/panic attacks PM me or phone the phobic trust in St Lukes - www.phobic.org.nz

[Indiana_Jones]

I use booze (to a reasonable amount) and music to escape. Like alot of people I would imagine.

Nothing like singing "always look on the bright side of life" with a buzz on

-Indy

[Kittyhawk]

I was told if you use drink as an escape you are an alchomaholic....I used to always use wine and spirits as an escape to make me feel happy. But like slashing wrists it's just a tempory fix not a long term fix...