Clinical Depression

[-:Undertaker:-]

Does anyone/has anyone suffered with clinical depression?

I've been told I have and been urged to go on medication... but I feel like that is just a sticking plaster over a wound?

Any advice/experiences would be appreciated.

[Triz]

Sticking a plaster over a wound is extremely helpful, it helps keep out any bacteria and protects the scab formed to heal the wound.
I've not got depression, but much like sticking on a plaster; it won't fix itself overnight, it'll gradually get better, probably so gradual that you might not notice it.

I'd say if you are being urged to go on medication then you should at least consider it, even on a trial basis? I know sometimes they can put you on medication with dummy drugs which often helps people with mild depression, just the placebo effect is enough to start to make a change, however people with more severe depression would be given antidepressants. I only know one person that takes these and he's doing a lot better after taking them regularly (Long story extremely short - He had a kid, 6 years later found out not his kid, mother won't let him see her)

[-:Undertaker:-]

Sticking a plaster over a wound is extremely helpful, it helps keep out any bacteria and protects the scab formed to heal the wound.
I've not got depression, but much like sticking on a plaster; it won't fix itself overnight, it'll gradually get better, probably so gradual that you might not notice it.

I'd say if you are being urged to go on medication then you should at least consider it, even on a trial basis? I know sometimes they can put you on medication with dummy drugs which often helps people with mild depression, just the placebo effect is enough to start to make a change, however people with more severe depression would be given antidepressants. I only know one person that takes these and he's doing a lot better after taking them regularly (Long story extremely short - He had a kid, 6 years later found out not his kid, mother won't let him see her)

I just can't control or handle the mood swings anymore. I've struggled for 10 years but now it has gotten serious where I can just about go to work and barely look after myself. The mental health team noted I had delayed speech which is a major sign and if anyone saw how I was living I can barely look after myself anymore.

I guess my problem is I still think I can cope or overcome without medication. I think I need to contact GP and at least try like you say.

[Cerys]

I know lots of people who have been on/are on antidepressants. I myself tried them for mild depression and personally couldn't see a difference but maybe I just wasn't bad enough cos everyone praises them so much! It's worth a try.

The way I see it is your depression may be preventing you from knowing/fixing what is causing it in the first place. Once you get on top of the initial emotions and 'stick the plaster on', you're in a much more ideal place to tackle these issues and make changes to your life and surroundings. You may not even realise now what these root problems are but depression fogs your view.
I'd also recommend something alongside the medication, like someone to talk to. Even if you're not comfortable with opening up on your deepest darkest secrets with them they can help formulate a plan that works for you to pull you out of the spiral.

*note, if you do try antidepressants the initial side effects can be quite off-putting and make you wanna give up, if you even get any. (I had a dry mouth and restless legs which were irritating to say the least!) Keep persevering with them, it should pass after a week or two. Better you go in prepared rather than it possibly take you by surprise!

[buttons]

I've had medication in the past that didn't help but the one I'm on now is great. It helps me fall asleep straight away and put me into a deep sleep. A decent sleep with REM is good for your mental health. It also stimulated an appetite in me, when I was depressed I wasn't eating very much, so it was helping me meet all my physical needs and get me into a good enough place to then start the real work of changing my thoughts. If you're in a place where you're not coping, medication is great at stabilizing you so you're in a better position to deal with your thoughts IMO and with COVID, trying to get a therapist is difficult (and I personally don't like doing it over the phone) so medication is a good starting point for when you can get one. My antidepressant also helps my OCD and anxiety and really helps me function better, it's definitely worth taking one tablet a day at night time for me.

[RuthOnToast]

Its not necessarily putting a plaster on a wound but just a way you can feel better while you work out why you're feeling a certain way or work out how to cope with your thoughts and feelings.

Don't be put off if the first meds don't help, it can take a lot of time to work out what kind of medication and dose works best for you.

[tbl]

I think it's definitely worth trying. You may try them and absolutely hate them, but at least you've tried.
Like everyone has said above, definitely stick with it for as long as the doctor recommends so you can see the full effects and if it works for you. Also, it may take some trial and error to find what exactly works for you, so try and be patient!
Good luck and I hope no matter what you do/choose, things get better!

[-:Undertaker:-]

thanks for the replies guys.

was so so so so angry this week, another part of it. only lifted this weekend, just now is first time i've cleaned my apartment since early october and as silly as it sounds its actually a major achievement for me. sorted some banking stuff out this weekend too. hopefully gonna ring GP in week and make some more progress.

[tbl]

Wondering how everything's going and if you've had some free time to do some more of the stuff you enjoy!
Hope all is well and getting better (even if very slowly).

[-:Undertaker:-]

Wondering how everything's going and if you've had some free time to do some more of the stuff you enjoy!
Hope all is well and getting better (even if very slowly).

actually really good

seemed to have turned a corner and more in control of my life and dont dread getting up now!!

as tacky as it seems its like being reborn in some ways

[tbl]

actually really good

seemed to have turned a corner and more in control of my life and dont dread getting up now!!

as tacky as it seems its like being reborn in some ways

I'm really glad to hear this! Not tacky at all, I know what you mean :p

[Danny]

I've only just seen this thread and I guess this advice comes a little late but maybe someone else out there is reading who needs to read this too. I have suffered with depression myself and find it really difficult to take anti-depressants because the after effects literally makes me feel quite sick and loss of appetite so that never really helped me. Before lockdown I was heavily involved with the Mind charity, they had a programme near me called "Live a better life" and through all their sessions for various mental health stuff the thing I found that helped me the most was doing something physical.

I was at my happiest when riding a bike around a nature reserve with other people from Mind, when you're looking around at beautiful surroundings and doing something active your mind is too busy to think of anything negative. I ended up joining my local gym and working on fitness because I wanted to be able to ride my bike without panting and gasping for breath (it now transpires I've got asthma), but I was able to ride up a steepish incline much more easily thanks to my work at the gym.

We also had a place we'd go to, to do some gardening where they grew lots of fruit and veg, there was even a couple of hives there and that again is something I enjoyed through Mind. My mental health improved considerably just by doing these simple things.

All that has sadly gone out of the window because of lockdown but as soon as I'm able I will be doing those things again and enjoying them more than I did previously because I won't take it for granted.

Maybe there are similar programmes nearer to you? I can't recommend it enough for people to do this and there isn't an age limit either.

[Shannon]

I think this is such a current subject. I think the stigma around mental health is still there and still present when actually having mental health issues is not theorrtically any diffrent that treating a cold as it will cold will pass with time. Everyone is going to experience it at somepoint in their lives. So I wouldnt feel angry or fustrated.

It's up to you and how you feel personally. There are loads of options so give them all a try and see what helps and suits you. If it's not being offered ask the question first. If non of them work for you then think about medication.

[Cadigyna]

start up a bucket list and try think outside the box all the time. You want to achieve something in life u think alternative that way your doing that thing just in a different way.