Thank you all for your posts.
I am on my second bout of depression after having nearly a 4 year break from it.
This time it sneaked up on me because I missed some of the signs so its back on the Prozac.
The first bout I was off work for 9 months and on drugs for just over a year. The recovery back to semi normal life took me through some places I never wanted to go to again in my life (like a 44 year old man crying like a baby).
Talking with others I am now very sure that depression never goes away you just manage it with or without drugs.
What I still find frustrating is that I got to 44 years old before the breakdown only to find out I have had depression from a very early age.
What is heartning is people are now more aware of the illness and suffers are more accepted.
Well I am not going to say any more because most has been said in all of the other posts.
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Stephen Fry on BBC2~living with Manic Depression
I was a little reluctant to post in this thread because its like admitting to a fault in your head & I've got to admit some people are very wary of anyone with any faults (although no one is perfect!) especially faults of a mental kind.
It is extreemely brave of people to share their experiences with a forum, not least because of the stigma attached with any sort of mental illness.
I can personally empathasise with Mr Fry and with each and every one of you exceedingly brave people who have shared their very personal experiences on here.We all clearly have our different stories to tell, each as important and as touching as the next and we will all deal with and/or are dealing with our demons in varying manners. I can only commend this forum and it's lovely members for it's non-judgemental views and understanding of a subject normally considered in the mainstream as " ". It is apparent that places such as this can be very therapeutic vehicles in many more ways than one
. . . . thanks to therapy and my loved ones I am stronger emotionally and mentally than I have ever been
I am the person who I am now, a very strong person, a very happy person . . .
:shock:
having read this thread all the way through the problems i thought i had in my life pale into insignificance
i have a medle here at home that i got in the army (N.I) i still have bad dreams an it will always be with me "but" you people have to deal with this every day of your life
to quote rudyard kippling " your a better man than i Gungadin"
my hart is with you all:worship: :worship: :worship: :worship: :kiss:
"A better man than than I . . . . ."
Read Kipling's "If" - but really read it - all of it. I was reminded of it this week because a football/manager/coach had pinned it up in a dressing room to inspire/motivate his team.
We all have our own demons to deal with and skeletons in our cupboards.
For once, I won't bore you shitless with mine.
Those of you that I've allowed to get in (please forgive the arrogance of that) know a varying amount. From just enough to far too much.
What I wanted to say in here, and to reference to the quotes I've picked above, is that every single happening, experience - call them what you will, adds and makes us who, what and the way we are. Good or bad.
I'm a firm believer in that, and I think that's why I can say that I have no (or very few) regrets. There's lots that I'd have preferred not to happen - but they did. We still get through them tho.
No matter how bad thing are (not seem - are ) or how far down you are - I really do think that we can all get back up. Sometimes we have to dig deep to find the strength and the will, but we can get back up.
The inner strength and will is there within us all.
Somewhere.
I'm reading An Unquiet Mind by Kay Jamison, a Professor of Psychiatry in the US. It's her memoirs of her bipolar from her teens to present day and it's one of the most heartfelt and honest books I've ever read.
For anyone suffering from MD or know someone with it, I suggest getting hold of a book called Taming The Black Dog. It's a self help book and even my best mate who has it is reading it right now and said he has picked up some new tips that have helped him overcome the worst bout of depression he has suffered for years.
The Manic Depression Fellowship have some excellent leaflets and books available for sufferers, family and friends.
I've noticed since this thread was started that Bipolar and depression in general is a lot more common than I thought and kudos to everyone who has posted their own thoughts and experiences. It's a dreadful illness for both sufferers and carers. As it's not a physical disease it's hard to diagnose and even harder to treat but with support from professionals and family and friends, it shouldn't become a burden forever.
Good luck to those of you afflicted and affected by any form of depression. I hope the clouds clear and your own personal sun shine on you once again
For anyone suffering from MD or know someone with it, I suggest getting hold of a book called Taming The Black Dog. It's a self help book and even my best mate who has it is reading it right now and said he has picked up some new tips that have helped him overcome the worst bout of depression he has suffered for years.
The Manic Depression Fellowship have some excellent leaflets and books available for sufferers, family and friends.
I've noticed since this thread was started that Bipolar and depression in general is a lot more common than I thought and kudos to everyone who has posted their own thoughts and experiences. It's a dreadful illness for both sufferers and carers. As it's not a physical disease it's hard to diagnose and even harder to treat but with support from professionals and family and friends, it shouldn't become a burden forever.
Good luck to those of you afflicted and affected by any form of depression. I hope the clouds clear and your own personal sun shine on you once again
Sex God
just seen this post & had to let you all know that I feel very touched with what I have read. I work with people who suffer from mild - moderate depression.
Each and every one of us is unique. We may have similar problems but no two are the same. So :thumbup: to each and every one of you for posting on has taken a lot of courage :therethere:
pm me if anyone wishs to talk in private
Each and every one of us is unique. We may have similar problems but no two are the same. So :thumbup: to each and every one of you for posting on has taken a lot of courage :therethere:
pm me if anyone wishs to talk in private
Quote by Sassy-Seren
In my recent state of mind, I decided to dig this little gem out ( no pun intended) Although my low mood at the moment is nowhere near as severe as Bipolar, I'm glad I read through it all again.
I still feel very down but nowhere near as alone :cry:
You have my sympathy and thoughts.
There is nothing worse than when the black dog comes a calling. I know there is nothing I can say that will make you feel better. Just keep on keeping on
Quote by Sassy-Seren
In my recent state of mind, I decided to dig this little gem out ( no pun intended
I still feel very down but nowhere near as alone :cry:
:therethere:
And that goes for all the people I know who are having a crappy time right now.
I never posted on this thread at the time as it was a bit too close to home and I'd only recently taken the leap.
I've suffered from depression from many years and the last few have been particularly tough. I was prescribed meds a long time ago and finally referred to a psychiatrist last year.
In a fit of madness last year which co-incided with me changing jobs, I threw the tablets in the bin, and went cold turkey
it's now almost a year and apart from two wobbles I'm still med free, coping and enjoying myself.
I do feel very much like I'm in remission! And whilst I'm not scared that the depression will return, it's there in my mind so I'm taking opportunities as they arise and for the first time since I was in my early twenties I feel like I'm living a life.
I just wish there wasn't the stigma attached to mental illness, being able to share the fact that I had depression mad a big difference to me. When I felt that I couldn't share I felt even more lonely and isolated.
Big hugs and to all those who suffer. If you are suffering in silence then feel free to make that step and pm me.
Cx
I've suffered from depression from many years and the last few have been particularly tough. I was prescribed meds a long time ago and finally referred to a psychiatrist last year.
In a fit of madness last year which co-incided with me changing jobs, I threw the tablets in the bin, and went cold turkey
it's now almost a year and apart from two wobbles I'm still med free, coping and enjoying myself.I do feel very much like I'm in remission! And whilst I'm not scared that the depression will return, it's there in my mind so I'm taking opportunities as they arise and for the first time since I was in my early twenties I feel like I'm living a life.
I just wish there wasn't the stigma attached to mental illness, being able to share the fact that I had depression mad a big difference to me. When I felt that I couldn't share I felt even more lonely and isolated.
Big hugs and
to all those who suffer. If you are suffering in silence then feel free to make that step and pm me. Cx
