I'm glued to it just now, will chat about it once its finshed xx
I'm recording it. Thought I'd watch it when I was less wel.... depressed.
Hi just felt I ought to have an input with this one.
I have suffered from anxiety attacks since being a teenager and have tried most things to stop it. Have had all of the classic lifetime events listed in the stress and anxiety cause list so in a way it's not surprising I suppose and I always believed it was because of this that I get them and the accompanying depression. However I have discovered over the last 10 years that in fact I have a deficiency in the hormone seratonin. I was prescribed sertraline about 8 years ago and took them for 6 months and they worked like a miracle. I then did'nt need them again until about a year ago when slowly I had worked up to the anxiety again to a level I could'nt cope with. SO back to docs, back on the sertraline and hey presto fine again.
I have also suffered from PND and that was certainly no picnic and the only way I got out of that one was going back to work!
Anyway I have heartfelt sympathy for anyone suffering from stress, depression and anxiety. It's awful, controls your life and the lives of those around you.
Love
FIRE xx
I haven't watched the program yet.
I suffer from depression and have done for years. In some ways I have learnt to cope and spot the signs of it coming on, I have various coping strategies that can reduce the effect of eliminate it entirely.
I know what I suffer with is not that extreme but it is not just a case of pulling myself together and it is very much a black hole you can disappear into. I used to go days without wanting to talk to people. I have been given tablet by my doctor that help but I try to avoid using them as they effect my sex drive. Not that it is used much now but I like the idea of it being there if I need it.
The cycle that leads to the black hole is easy to spot, but when it happens you not in the best frame of mind to make those kinds of decisions. Tiredness followed by not been able to sleep, leading to introspection leading to tiredness and so on....
Want to finish with something positive but I can't really think of anything. I hate it but I've learnt to live with it.
I just want to offer anyone who has suffered or that lives with someone that does suffer a massive hug
Aw Dawnie that made me smile this morning. Thank you.
H.x
If you missed it, try
There are clips & links galore. Part two is next week, and Im sure it will be repeated soon.
:thumbup:
I now that what I'm about to write is a bit grim, well very grim actually but here goes...
Suicide is an outcome to many cases of extreme prolonged depression. If you haven't been there you need to understand it. I read an interesting article on the web for students that I could really relate to.
It was saying that many depressed people choose suicide notas a choice to end it all but an opportunity to have a break from the pain they are feeling. I know I have felt like that. Ifg I had a switch that could turn my head off for a while then on occasions I know I would use it.
I love life and being me and being here but I've come to terms that at some point in the future I may well commit suicide. God knows I don't want to feel that bad but accepting it has brought me some inner peace.
As I said a bit grim but I feel better for sharing it even if I haven't explained it very well. So forgive my poor writing and try to understand the point I'm making.
It's great to see this subject has attracted so much interest.
I felt that the program was great but noticed that it didn't articulate between manic depression (Bi-Polar) and standard depression.
I hope people haven't been mislead to believe that all depressed people have these manic periods when they are super confident, energetic which allows them to achieve great things.
I'm not a big Tele fan so didn't know that this was on, if I had I would have watched it with interest as I have Bipolar disorder.
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.
At the moment I'm not feeling too great & doing my best to fight the feeling of locking myself away from the world, I find the PC a great help.
For anyone who doesnt know what it is ....
What Are the Symptoms of Bipolar Disorder?
Bipolar disorder causes dramatic mood swings from overly "high" and/or irritable to sad and hopeless, and then back again, often with periods of normal mood in between. Severe changes in energy and behavior go along with these changes in mood. The periods of highs and lows are called episodes of mania and depression.
Signs and symptoms of mania (or a manic episode) include:
• Increased energy, activity, and restlessness
• Excessively "high," overly good, euphoric mood
• Extreme irritability
• Racing thoughts and talking very fast, jumping from one idea to another
• Distractibility, can't concentrate well
• Little sleep needed
• Unrealistic beliefs in one's abilities and powers
• Poor judgment
• Spending sprees
• A lasting period of behavior that is different from usual
• Increased sexual drive
• Abuse of drugs, particularly cocaine, alcohol, and sleeping medications
• Provocative, intrusive, or aggressive behavior
• Denial that anything is wrong
A manic episode is diagnosed if elevated mood occurs with three or more of the other symptoms most of the day, nearly every day, for 1 week or longer. If the mood is irritable, four additional symptoms must be present.
Signs and symptoms of depression (or a depressive episode) include:
• Lasting sad, anxious, or empty mood
• Feelings of hopelessness or pessimism
• Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or helplessness
• Loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed, including sex
• Decreased energy, a feeling of fatigue or of being "slowed down"
• Difficulty concentrating, remembering, making decisions
• Restlessness or irritability
• Sleeping too much, or can't sleep
• Change in appetite and/or unintended weight loss or gain
• Chronic pain or other persistent bodily symptoms that are not caused by physical illness or injury
• Thoughts of death or suicide, or suicide attempts
Do Other Illnesses Co-occur with Bipolar Disorder?
Alcohol and drug abuse are very common among people with bipolar disorder. Research findings suggest that many factors may contribute to these substance abuse problems, including self-medication of symptoms, mood symptoms either brought on or perpetuated by substance abuse, and risk factors that may influence the occurrence of both bipolar disorder and substance use Treatment for co-occurring substance abuse, when present, is an important part of the overall treatment plan.
Anxiety disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, also may be common in people with bipolar ,26 Co-occurring anxiety disorders may respond to the treatments used for bipolar disorder, or they may require separate treatment.
I'm also a recovering alcoholic
Don't get me wrong - I have met people that are in a manic phase and I know how destructive it can get and how they don't realise how out of touch with reality that they actually are.
Gem. x 
I have suffered from depression now for 3 years or more a multitude of things in my early adult life caused it (we think) but now all is fine in my life so you would think it has gone away.........nope its still here.........though by no means as bad as it was. I refuse to take the prozac prescribed as they play havoc with other medication I take from time to time and balencing out the 2 is a nightmare.
Tis difficult writing down feelings, even though I know the reason behind the anxiety, it doesn't help get rid of it.... and certainly doesn't help me question it to myself constantly 
) the reason I was supposed to have given up driving trucks was that all that time on my own staring at the road led my mind to play over time.......the slightest thing that was of no importance would be a huge issue after worrying about it over a 4 hour journey. If I left a depot and I knew 4 or 5 hours down the road I had a tight yard to get into or a blind side reverse when I got there I would spend the entire journey worrying about it.....9 times out of 10 when I got there everything went fine and there was no need to worry but the stress it caused during the journey had a longer lasting effect 
