Depression Awareness Week
Discussion
Just a heads up folks - its Depression Awareness Week this week.
Depression is very common but still be have this stigma that it, and other mental illnesses are not talked about. Another of these illnesses that often are hidden because they have no physical symptoms.
Many celebrity faces are now behind campaigns to urge people to be more open, sharing their experiences. As a sufferer for over 20 years on and off, I would just like to offer my support to fellow PHers who are affected - personally, or as supporters / family of others.
Its good to talk.
Depression is very common but still be have this stigma that it, and other mental illnesses are not talked about. Another of these illnesses that often are hidden because they have no physical symptoms.
Many celebrity faces are now behind campaigns to urge people to be more open, sharing their experiences. As a sufferer for over 20 years on and off, I would just like to offer my support to fellow PHers who are affected - personally, or as supporters / family of others.
Its good to talk.
Cooky - I'm afraid your just having a bad day by the sound of it. I had one last week when I trapped my finger in the car window when I put it up (wouldn't have happened had I been driving rather than drinking 
).
Still - its good to keep us all informed rather than bottling it up inside and letting things get carried away in your head - as depressives do.
).Still - its good to keep us all informed rather than bottling it up inside and letting things get carried away in your head - as depressives do.
The people I've met who suffer (and it's a small sample size to make any sweeping statements) tend to be the people for whom, the negative internal dialogue, far outweighs the almost non-existent positive internal dialogue.
So when someone tells you "Pull yourself together" they actually mean "We love you and it's really hurting us because we can't help you, because we don't understand how someone so bright and kind and handsome can believe that they are so worthless"
Personally I think larger companies should send all managers on a mental health awareness course and get them to see that they have a duty of care. If someone is underpreforming, that is not grounds to 'manage them out', and make their life a misery, but grounds for getting them appropriate help.
Now I'm getting to my own personal experience.
I was driving down the M58, on my way home from one of the worst months in my working life, and I though "I could drive into that bridge and it would be all over" but I didn't because I couldn't screw up so many other people's day as well as my own. The next day I was told I was a risk of redundancy and that was the most relief I've ever had.
So when someone tells you "Pull yourself together" they actually mean "We love you and it's really hurting us because we can't help you, because we don't understand how someone so bright and kind and handsome can believe that they are so worthless"
Personally I think larger companies should send all managers on a mental health awareness course and get them to see that they have a duty of care. If someone is underpreforming, that is not grounds to 'manage them out', and make their life a misery, but grounds for getting them appropriate help.
Now I'm getting to my own personal experience.
I was driving down the M58, on my way home from one of the worst months in my working life, and I though "I could drive into that bridge and it would be all over" but I didn't because I couldn't screw up so many other people's day as well as my own. The next day I was told I was a risk of redundancy and that was the most relief I've ever had.
ClassicMercs said:
Just a heads up folks - its Depression Awareness Week this week.
Depression is very common but still be have this stigma that it, and other mental illnesses are not talked about. Another of these illnesses that often are hidden because they have no physical symptoms.
Many celebrity faces are now behind campaigns to urge people to be more open, sharing their experiences. As a sufferer for over 20 years on and off, I would just like to offer my support to fellow PHers who are affected - personally, or as supporters / family of others.
Its good to talk.
Thanks for posting this.Depression is very common but still be have this stigma that it, and other mental illnesses are not talked about. Another of these illnesses that often are hidden because they have no physical symptoms.
Many celebrity faces are now behind campaigns to urge people to be more open, sharing their experiences. As a sufferer for over 20 years on and off, I would just like to offer my support to fellow PHers who are affected - personally, or as supporters / family of others.
Its good to talk.
Mr POD
Many thanks for sharing your experience and hopefully things are much better now.
Yes - in people minds the 'bad' stuff totally takes over and good stuff. Like a dog chasing its tail. The ability to reason matters properly is greatly affected. Typical for me is 'there is no end - no way to resolve the issue'. And the people do love you and will be there for you. Whilst I hate abuse of email / texting etc at work - the ability to contact your support network is very important.
Each case is different.
PS - just to confirm - I am only a sufferer and not a mental health practitioner.
Many thanks for sharing your experience and hopefully things are much better now.
Yes - in people minds the 'bad' stuff totally takes over and good stuff. Like a dog chasing its tail. The ability to reason matters properly is greatly affected. Typical for me is 'there is no end - no way to resolve the issue'. And the people do love you and will be there for you. Whilst I hate abuse of email / texting etc at work - the ability to contact your support network is very important.
Each case is different.
PS - just to confirm - I am only a sufferer and not a mental health practitioner.
It's unfortunate that there is still so much stigma attached to mental health in this day and age.
But progress is being made and initiatives like this can only help.
I previously worked in the mental health field for a good few years, and like most people have friends/family who have experienced mental health difficulties at times.
But progress is being made and initiatives like this can only help.
I previously worked in the mental health field for a good few years, and like most people have friends/family who have experienced mental health difficulties at times.
Didn't know this - thank you. I was diagnosed with depression at 14, now 25, and have been on anti depressants for all of that time. At 18 I was put on venlafaxine which I have tried to come off twice before, but I get HORRIBLE side effects. Currently on the third attempt - fingers crossed...
Depression is so isolating, thats part of its problem so it's good to get this information about.
Depression is so isolating, thats part of its problem so it's good to get this information about.
Animal said:
I'm off to walk my black-eyed dog.
Would it be a contradiction in terms to wish someone a happy Depression Awareness Week?!
The important thing is talking about your dog and admitting it. So its a strangely weird good comment.Would it be a contradiction in terms to wish someone a happy Depression Awareness Week?!
There are plenty of people out there with problems that they won't admit to (one has just walked past my desk - working 70 hours a week is not good to start with - when he doesn't need to).
Georgiegirl said:
Didn't know this - thank you. I was diagnosed with depression at 14, now 25, and have been on anti depressants for all of that time. At 18 I was put on venlafaxine which I have tried to come off twice before, but I get HORRIBLE side effects. Currently on the third attempt - fingers crossed...
Depression is so isolating, thats part of its problem so it's good to get this information about.
The effects do vary between pills, and sometimes you wonder if they are working. I think its better to stay on them at the lowest dose possible.Depression is so isolating, thats part of its problem so it's good to get this information about.
One Venlafaxine 75 is ok for me but two starts to get the dry mouth, hot flushs etc. Don't vary pills without speaking to your doctor - mine is very good as he knows I'm intelligent enough and have the experience to know what it happening to me.
Eat good food, drink very moderately, get some exercise. I'm always better when busy - work is a benefit - but can also be a cause.
And laughter helps - there are always things that can amuse even on the darkest days.
I was diagnosed with clinical depression back in 1993 but looking back I've had it since I was a child. I'm now - help! - 52. I 'beat' Prozac in 2005, and have been on duloxetine since, starting with 30 mg, progressing to 60mg, the old max, then thanks to a friendly psychiatrist to 90mg and recently with events and a reassessment of doses, to a daily dose of 120mg. This doesn't dumb me down abnd keeps me fairly under control most of the time but when too many things intervene I still retreat to my bed curl up like an embryo and don't function in any way for days on end.
In 2009 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and have something slightly less than a 66% 5 year survival rate.
If someone gave me a choice between having bc or depression I'd choose bc any day. At least I stand a fighting chance against that. Depression is an absolute son of unmarried parents, made worse for sufferers by those who claim to have it but are a little bit upset over something and blag time off work. Everyone is then tarred with the same brush and 'real' sufferers do not get the help they desperately need. I say this bitterly having at least 2 colleagues who are doing exactly this and making life harder for the rest of us - one of them has the gall to say "if he gets hassle on the depressed 'card' he'll pull the gay discrimination one"
I worked at home as a programmer (under employer protest admittedly) until my cancer diagnosis. When I wanted to go back to work (from home) having been signed fit last August, it was decided they could no longer support me working from home (one of the reasons being other people were asking for the same) and I am now in the process of being made redundant. My employer has walked rough shod over the Disabilty act I know in terms of cancer and depression, and I could go to tribunal, but I'm not strong enuf (I think they gamble on that sometimes). I'm now trying to take the view I have an opportunity to try and for the first time in years get my head in something approaching order without having work pressure to contend with.
I'm very open about my depression and always have been and I like to think there are a handful of people I've helped over the years by this attitude. Most people see me as strong and in control of everything, and for them to learn I am a basket case under it all helps them realise they can admit it too and get help / address it.
A s
tty disease, and having its own awareness week can only help.
In 2009 I was diagnosed with breast cancer and have something slightly less than a 66% 5 year survival rate.
If someone gave me a choice between having bc or depression I'd choose bc any day. At least I stand a fighting chance against that. Depression is an absolute son of unmarried parents, made worse for sufferers by those who claim to have it but are a little bit upset over something and blag time off work. Everyone is then tarred with the same brush and 'real' sufferers do not get the help they desperately need. I say this bitterly having at least 2 colleagues who are doing exactly this and making life harder for the rest of us - one of them has the gall to say "if he gets hassle on the depressed 'card' he'll pull the gay discrimination one"
I worked at home as a programmer (under employer protest admittedly) until my cancer diagnosis. When I wanted to go back to work (from home) having been signed fit last August, it was decided they could no longer support me working from home (one of the reasons being other people were asking for the same) and I am now in the process of being made redundant. My employer has walked rough shod over the Disabilty act I know in terms of cancer and depression, and I could go to tribunal, but I'm not strong enuf (I think they gamble on that sometimes). I'm now trying to take the view I have an opportunity to try and for the first time in years get my head in something approaching order without having work pressure to contend with.
I'm very open about my depression and always have been and I like to think there are a handful of people I've helped over the years by this attitude. Most people see me as strong and in control of everything, and for them to learn I am a basket case under it all helps them realise they can admit it too and get help / address it.
A s
tty disease, and having its own awareness week can only help. ClassicMercs said:
Georgiegirl said:
Didn't know this - thank you. I was diagnosed with depression at 14, now 25, and have been on anti depressants for all of that time. At 18 I was put on venlafaxine which I have tried to come off twice before, but I get HORRIBLE side effects. Currently on the third attempt - fingers crossed...
Depression is so isolating, thats part of its problem so it's good to get this information about.
The effects do vary between pills, and sometimes you wonder if they are working. I think its better to stay on them at the lowest dose possible.Depression is so isolating, thats part of its problem so it's good to get this information about.
One Venlafaxine 75 is ok for me but two starts to get the dry mouth, hot flushs etc. Don't vary pills without speaking to your doctor - mine is very good as he knows I'm intelligent enough and have the experience to know what it happening to me.
Eat good food, drink very moderately, get some exercise. I'm always better when busy - work is a benefit - but can also be a cause.
And laughter helps - there are always things that can amuse even on the darkest days.
The trouble is I am VERY wary of doing this because I don't want to replace one problem drug with another... I want to kwnow how I am drug free! I am in a very different place in my life now, healthy happy stable etc, to when I was put on them at 18. In retrospect I am fairly annoyed that I was put on them, as if the doctor had actually found out what was going on in my life at the time rather than pop me straight on these pills they might have realised pills weren't necessarily the answer. Anyway, no point dwelling - the fact is I am on them now and wish not to be (for the reasons mentioned above, plus they have stopped my body ovulating)
I am on 150mg at the moment, and my new doctor (moved house) has suggested cutting down very very gradually - so 150mg one day, then 112.5mg the next, then 150mg etc for 2 months, then 112.5 and 75 etc. She thinks it will take about a year to be off them completely. The trouble is as I said, the side effects of coming off are so severe for me - panic attacks, uncontrollable anxiety, hallucinations, brain 'zaps', fainting etc that it then causes me to wonder if I do actually need to be on them. It's difficult to know what is side effect that will wear off, and what is genuine mental
I don't drink apart from the odd glass of wine (perhaps 3 a month) as this does make me worse - I'm trying to eat well (takeaways are nice!) and I walk the dogs everyday so I'm trying very hard to do the right things.
I am thinking of keeping a diary, so I can write how I am feeling and try and look at it more objectively - can't hurt.
So, um anyway kids I've rambled a bit here sorry!
KrazyIvan said:
Depression Awareness Week.......Thats going to be a laugh a minute. 
Clearly not getting the point Krazy - but back to my last comment - we still need to laugh - maybe you are ! Laughter is good. We still have our sense of humour - just there are a few other things going on in our heads.I don't always read the 'Health Matters' - go try 'Sean Connery Jokes' .... although some are not, but look back far enough.
Georgiegirl said:
Didn't know this - thank you. I was diagnosed with depression at 14, now 25, and have been on anti depressants for all of that time. At 18 I was put on venlafaxine which I have tried to come off twice before, but I get HORRIBLE side effects. Currently on the third attempt - fingers crossed...
Depression is so isolating, thats part of its problem so it's good to get this information about.
Be very careful. Probably my darkest days ever were coming off these, though I'd only been on them for less than a year. The side effects are horrible as you point out, but be conscious too of the mental side effects, particularly (though not exclusively) if changing to new medication. Disturbingly illustrated in this very sad tale, and I have to say, I can see how it can happen.Depression is so isolating, thats part of its problem so it's good to get this information about.
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/channel-10-newsre...
The purpose of this topic is to highlight the awareness of mental health and specifically depression. Further - to challenge that stigma.
Its not easy - my wife often tells me off for bottling up the issues which cause problems. Due to that openness many people I know are aware of my depression - although not the specifics - just as I and others would not go into detail on this forum.
Pills are only one small part of the treatment process which are part of an overall 'toolkit' that people need to either pass through their depression, or manage it long term. This thread has already shown people - brave enough to talk - who fall into both camps and who use various parts of their toolkit to get through.
One of the biggest problems we are highlighting here is the removal of the stigma, allowing everyone to be more open. This dialogue is a good part of the treatment process. Please Google for the 'Time To Change' website which is a current campaign.
We have already had mention of cancer above - a dreadful disease - but this is something which is more openly talked about - IMO - although it could still be better (Awereness Day this Friday I think). What we need is for mental health issues to be discussed as easily as other health issues which we are all confronted with sadly on a day to day basis.
Its not easy - my wife often tells me off for bottling up the issues which cause problems. Due to that openness many people I know are aware of my depression - although not the specifics - just as I and others would not go into detail on this forum.
Pills are only one small part of the treatment process which are part of an overall 'toolkit' that people need to either pass through their depression, or manage it long term. This thread has already shown people - brave enough to talk - who fall into both camps and who use various parts of their toolkit to get through.
One of the biggest problems we are highlighting here is the removal of the stigma, allowing everyone to be more open. This dialogue is a good part of the treatment process. Please Google for the 'Time To Change' website which is a current campaign.
We have already had mention of cancer above - a dreadful disease - but this is something which is more openly talked about - IMO - although it could still be better (Awereness Day this Friday I think). What we need is for mental health issues to be discussed as easily as other health issues which we are all confronted with sadly on a day to day basis.
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