Depression - How do you know?

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can I just ask what would be scary about being put on tablets? Modern anti depressants aren't like the zombifying "mother's little helpers" of the 60s and 70s, a lot of people find them very beneficial. I definitely did after being diagnosed with PND 3 years ago. They just helped lift the fog and started to make me feel more like me again.

I think what worries me about tablets is that a friend of a friend went on some (I don't know which) and they messed her up quite badly for a while. I think I need to be brave and go and talk this through with my doctor - I'm just so paranoid that they'll think I'm wasting their time!

My best friend warned me off anti-ds after they messed her around too, but mine have been a godsend. Seriously don't know where I would have been without them. If the first ones you try don't agree with you there are various options. Maybe your GP can refer you for some counselling instead? I finally got my mum to the GP recently and she expressly said no tablets (she's already on so many for other things) and he's referred her and suggested some other things she can try.

I think talking will probably help. That's what I'd possibly ask for anyway - it certainly seemed to help when I split up with my ex. However, I think that maybe there's some other 'stuff' that I need to deal with now there's been a bit of time since the split. I've just moved into my own place and I'm very happy there - just can't seem to motivate myself to do anything else much! It's not that I can't get up in the morning or anything like that, but I just don't feel 'right'. I'm not the 'me' everyone likes, I'm grumpy and irritable and tense!

Go see your GP. He may prescribe tablets or refer you for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), or both. Depression is a huge problem for so many people these days and it can be hard coping with it on your own. Talk to your partner and your close friends. Let them know how you feel and accept their support. We all need help at times. Don't be afraid of it.

Have a look at www.moodgym.anu.edu.au as well. It will give you an idea of what CBT is like. It's a very popular talking therapy as it tends to work well for a lot of people (it can be a bit marmite though - you either love it or hate it!).

http://ecouch.anu.edu.au/ has some simple scales to get an idea of where you are mood wise as well as some good information on Depression and Anxiety. It's an Australian website, but the statistics and information etc are very similar to the UK.

Anti-depressants have come a long way in recent years. If you're having trouble sleeping, something like Mirtazapine might work well for you as it's sedating at night. Citalopram is also very popular (it's what I would ask for if I was being prescribed an anti-d).

Hope you feel better soon.

Thanks all. I'm off to bed now. It seems that I always go to bed with good intentions to start anew, but motivating myself is a bit harder. I'm going to call the doctors tomorrow, and see what they say. I just don't know how to phrase it without sounding whingy! My self-esteem is low at the moment and I don't seem to very good at looking after myself and doing the things I enjoy - I don't feel as if I should be doing them, and feel guilty as if I should be doing something else when i do! Argh!

Hope you are okay this morning?

First of all- I could have written that list. I had pretty much exactly the same symptoms. I had had post natal depression before but as my second son was almost a year I didnt think it could be post natal related.However I went to the doctor earlier this time because I KNEW I just wasnt feeling RIGHT.

I was prescribed the lowest dose of Citalopram and CBT therapy.

I opted for the group CBT course which lasted 9 weeks.It wasnt a group therapy where you have to speak etc it was more lectures with the opportunity to input if you want etc. I found it interesting at the differents walks of life who suffered from anxiety and depression.

There was a lot of "homework" involved which I have found difficult to do. It involves changing your behaviours which is a darned hard thing to do especially when you dont feel like doing anything!!

I found it good as it was 2 hours where I could sit quietly (I dont get that t home) and it allowed me to clear my head.

Talk to family and friends.It does help. You can email me if you want just for a chat (I know how you feel) I was "lucky " in that my mum and friend suffered from depression so they knew where I was coming from.

It will take time. I am not there yet!! Its hard and it's horrible but there is light at the end of the tunnel .

When you go to the docs take that list with you. Good luck.

Hi, first of all, depression is nothing to have to hide or be ashamed of. When i was first diagnosed by my doctor i was reluctant to tell people because of the 'taboo' feeling about it.

I, as fudge was, was lucky that someone close to me had suffered and my dad understood what i was going through. I was put on tablets, fluxetine or something like that, and they helped.

I also found just every day things help calm me down, such as going for a long walk in the summer with my friend, we walked and chatted, and before we knew it 5 hours had passed, and i was feeling good! Also make sure to have some 'me' time to calm youself, and relax. A nice bath, a favourite film, a good book, just something you enjoy.

I went to Mind for councelling, and the lady who i was with was very good, just someone non judgmental, who i could talk to and get things off my chest!

The road to recovery with depression is admitting you have got it! You seem to have done that.....so well done.

Thanks both. I think i'm finding this hard to 'get' as I can see no reason why I should be depressed. I've spoken to my partner and explained that I just feel so grumpy all the time and I don't really know why - he's agreed that we need to sit and have a chat. I'm just worried he'll think it's to do with him - which it isnt - but I don't really know what I need to talk about! I'm going to call and make a routine appointment with my doctor!

Right have done - the only pre-bookable appointment was two weeks today, but I didn't think I counted as an emergency. I feel better having taken that step, and its with a doctor I think I could talk to as well. How do I broach this - walk in and say - I don't feel 'right'?

Well done for making that appointment. Hope it goes well ?

You take the list of symptoms with you and say "I dont feel right and Im worried about " Hopefully they will get you on the right track to feeling like yourself again.

Thanks so much everyone. Have managed to have a chat with my sister today about it too, she thinks I'm doing the rigth thing and agrees on what the reasons might be. Feels better to have told someone close to me about it too - although I don't want to worry my mum about it yet!

I'm going to request some counselling first I think, as I reckon it's linked to my split with my ex - I'm wondering whether some thoughts and feelings are still lingering and that I hadn't realised until now.

Yeah definitely- things in the past can rear their ugly head and play havoc with your mind.Its good to get it off your chest.

Anyway good luck again when the time comes.

First off, ? well done for having a) talked to your sister about it, and b) booked an appointment at the docs

I definitely decond what others have said about bringing the list in with you; I remember when I went to the docs to begin with, they'd ask me what was wrong, and I wouldn't be able to remember anything in there, but it'd all come to me afterwards ?

Just be honest with yourself, and listen to what Your body is telling you.. Even if you don't have the energy to do ANYTHING at all, the little things that you DO do, make fuss over them. You managed to do the washing up? Well done you! Just look at how clean the kitchen is! Etc etc ?

I always try and make lists when I feel rotten. As soon as I get into work, I'll write down everything I need to do, and although it's very difficult to keep motivation, as on some days it can be a list of about 20 things, I've got to the point that the more points I can tick off, the more motivation I find to do the next! So I TRY to end each day on a good note, knowing that I've done As Much As I Felt Able To, that day.

Hope that makes sense.. If you need to talk, please feel free to email me via my profile... xxxx

Mrs Smith, I'm trying to email you or start a conversation via hitched, but it won't let me. I'll try again later - thank you for the offer.

Edited!

Have seen it. Thanks so much!