people with experience of depression

? I'm worried about you, might a chat with your GP be in order?

For me, it was the fact that I just couldn't cope with everyday life anymore, couldn't be arsed with work basically and just wanted to sleep. It was like I needed a time out really if that makes sense?

Well for me, it was when I reached the point when I couldn't see any reason to get out of bad and just stayed there. H would suggest things which I would normally like to do and I'd just say "no, there's no point" and stay where I was. I felt as though my life was absolutely totally and utterly out of control and there was no reason for me to be there. This went on for several months, not just days.

Someone on here said when it's more than 3-4 days out of 7 that you're feeling down. I think another way of looking at it is when it's when it's stopping you from doing things because you don't fancy it/can't be bothered/don't want to see people or don't feel people want to see you. There are other reasons for all those things of course, but if it's becoming the norm rather than the exception then it's not ideal.

The other way is to go to the GP and ask them for advice. They have ways of telling the difference - questionnaires etc.

Hope you're OK ?

Although normally online diagnosis isn't to be recommended, isn't there a test some hitchers have done...and if your score is more than whatever you should see the doctor?

hope you're ok foxy ?

Sorry to jump in fox-in-socks but I would be interested in replies too. I think my Dad is experiencing some sort of depression and I am at a loss to know how to help him. He always used to be so full of life, chirpy, happy and generally had a positive outlook on life. During the last 6 months his whole personality has changed to the point that he almost seems like a completely different person. It is causing problems between him and my Mum. It is strange because one day I will see him and he is like his 'old-self' and the next day he can be completely different - non responsive and seemingly non-interested in anything. I think this has gone on too long to be a phase or normal flow of life.

I have tried to talk to my Mum about this and she is trying to get him to speak to a doctor but to no avail at the moment as he doesn't recognise their is a problem. My siblings have also noticed the change.

It is horrible to see him go through such a difficult time. I would be interested to hear people's experiences. I guess when you are going through it, it is hard to notice the problem?

Generally I find that voices talking at me out of the telly is a bad sign... [wibble]

Seriously? I do think it's a matter of time, also of situations. What I mean is that if you're in the doldrums for a few days but new and shiny things can still make you smile then I'd not be too worried. If it's been most/all of the time for more than a couple of weeks and nothing lifts the gloom then I'd go see the mad doctor ?

For me, wanting to sleep all the time, no interest in doing things I normally enjoy, not wanting to go out or answer the door/phone, etc is depression rather than just feeling down.

Big ?s for you. Moving house and having a baby are two of the most stressful things you can do. It's normal to feel a bit unsettled, but if it's more than that, a chat with your GP is never a bad idea.

For me it's not sleeping and feeling anxious about everything and not being able to rationalise the problem. And when there is no problem, your brain scanning like a radio looking for a station, to look for one - with a feeling of impending doom, like you've got some terrible thing to worry about, only you've forgotten about it.

Other symptoms I have are that I can't think straight - or at least have enough concentration to think a thought through to the end. So my brain is busy with a million thoughts, like bacteria on a petri dish. When you try to grab one, it splits into two. So your brain never stops working, only it's not working on any one thing, so you start worrying. Which makes the anxiety worse, and makes it harder to sleep. It's a vicious circle.

When it's bad, I feel as though I am in an invisible see through box. The world carries on around me, and I can see it, but I can't interact with it in the same way. I can appreciate things, but I can't really enjoy them IYSWIM.

The main thing is not being able to control these feelings. I have a wibble often, but with some determination, lists and positive thinking I can get over it. When it's depression, I can't.

Please go and chat with your doctor, Fox ?

Foxy my love, I've got nothing to add but have a huge ? I'm sorry you're feeling down.

For me it was the fact that I felt I was loosing control of my life. I had no motivation, couldn't sleep but wanted to sleep forever, no interest in anything, my concentration was non exsistant and I felt that killing myself was a good idea. I felt totally alone too. Thinking about it I was/am incredibly moody and irritable too.

I had horrendous anxiety attacks, always thought that something bad was going to happen and would/do freak out at any given opportunity.

I did seek help and I am slowly wading my way through the mess that is my life or how I see my life anyway. Its hard. I still hate myself,my size, how I look and I worry about what people think of me.

I see a counsellor twice a week and my GP on a regular basis, I am trying to beat it without medication but realise that if my GP/Counsellor say that I am not making progress then I am to take the medication. Its the hardest thing I have ever done but one day I hope to feel like I am worth something not worthless.

[hugs] for everyone and Fox in Socks I hope you go and talk to your GP [hugs]

For me, it's that life completely overwhelms me - I can't seem to get past tiny problems (a prime example is the binman putting the wheelie bin underneath the kitchen window and not where it should be - I laugh now, but at the time it was devastating). I look back and I don't recognise myself, it's just ghastly. Take care x

I don't have any personal experience (not strictly speaking correct- I suspect there have been periods in my life where technically I've been depressed, but I've never sought help, choosing instead to do the usual self-medication/ displacement therapy/ ostrich impression until it went away, in true Lou style). I think if you're asking the question, then you're worried enough to know that it's possibly not 'normal', and it might be time to seek some pro help (assuming of course you're asking this Q for yourself and not someone else, so please forgive the assumption if it's the latter). Lots of hugs and waterproof shoulders available from me sweetheart- just shout/ whimper. ??

For me, it was the overwhelming tiredness (literally not being able to make it from the bedroom to the bathroom and back without being exhausted) and the wish to just hide in bed for the rest of my life..

Also, the idea that everyone was talking about me behind my back, and just wanting to sleep. That's all I ever wanted..

?

I had PND and woke up every morning feeling like I was going to throw up. That was my reaction to thinking of the day ahead. I couldn't go sleep and I couldn't look forward to anything. I was convinced everyone was talking about what a terrible mum I was and couldn't go anywhere on my own with my son. I was self harming 3/4 times a week and considered suicide more often than that. It still took me 5 months to admit it to myself and get help though.

Oh pants, it sounds like you are in a horrid place just now ?

I really wish you lived closer.

Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply, and for all the hugs.

it does sound like maybe i need to keep a check on things, lots of the things you have said ring true. but at the same time i don't think they've been going on for too long yet so maybe all will be well and 'this too shall pass'.

MrF is insisting i should go and see the gp but i really, really, really don't want to yet.

(hazel, zeb and the etceteras - i'm sorry for being crap and awol. i'm just not in a good place for meets etc right now ?)

thanks again everyone, i appreciate it so much ?

Mr F thinking you should see the GP is the most convincing thing for me. I didn't want to either, but Mr L rang up and made the appointment and it was the best thing he could have done.

Take care and be kind to yourself. ?

There is no one test or diagnostic criteria for depression. A good GP should be able to pick it up in a quick interview:

This is a good summary which I use at work. /mental-health/depression-leaflet

The following is a list of common symptoms of depression. It is unusual to have them all, but several usually develop if you have depression.

Low mood for most of the day, nearly every day. Things always seem 'black'. Loss of enjoyment and interest in life, even for activities that you normally enjoy. Abnormal sadness, often with weepiness. Feelings of guilt, worthlessness, or uselessness. Poor motivation. Even simple tasks seem difficult. Poor concentration. It may be difficult to read, work, etc. Sleeping problems: sometimes difficulty in getting off to sleep. sometimes waking early and unable to get back to sleep. sleeping too much sometimes occurs. Lacking in energy, always tired. Difficulty with affection, including going off sex. Poor appetite and weight loss. Sometimes the reverse happens with comfort eating and weight gain. Irritability, agitation, or restlessness. Symptoms often seem worse first thing each day. Physical symptoms such as headaches, palpitations, chest pains, and general aches. Recurrent thoughts of death. This is not usually a fear of death, more a preoccupation with death and dying. Some people get suicidal ideas such as ..."life's not worth living".

I'd be happy to help by email or on the phone if I can, foxy. If you think it would help, drop me an email (with your number if you want to speak) - I'm going to bed at 11 ish. I'd try to respond to an email tonight if I can, or tomorrow sometime.

For me it was that I was getting extrmely short tempered and angry.

I wanted to self harm.

If I got stressed it would make me feel like puking.

Hope you are ok, if your H thinks its a good idea to see the GP it may be an idea to go and see what they say ?

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Me too. At least that way you could rule it out if it isn't. Is there something in particular that makes you want to hold back?

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It's not a case of AWOL, you don't need leave - but we do worry if you're not well and you're not happy. ?

Take care of yourself and listen to Mr Fox - he's a lovely sensible bloke (he must be or you wouldn't have married him!) and he's probably the person who knows you best...).