Discussion
PMacanGTS said:
Diet and exercise are crucial too. Cut out the refined carbs and opt for wholefoods, with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. And exercise every day, even if it's only a walk.
This is not true for everyone.I went to gym 4 or 5 times a week for 90 mins to 2 hours. lost a load of weight.
Didn't ever make me feel notably better - infact after losing 2 stone I'm now back to eating junk and happier than ever lol
xjay1337 said:
This is not true for everyone.
I went to gym 4 or 5 times a week for 90 mins to 2 hours. lost a load of weight.
Didn't ever make me feel notably better - infact after losing 2 stone I'm now back to eating junk and happier than ever lol
Agreed, it doesn’t work for everyone. But generally speaking, brain chemistry can be altered with exercise and the right nutrients.I went to gym 4 or 5 times a week for 90 mins to 2 hours. lost a load of weight.
Didn't ever make me feel notably better - infact after losing 2 stone I'm now back to eating junk and happier than ever lol
PMacanGTS said:
And if anyone tells, be it in person, or in a self help book, that fear and anxiety are anything but normal, they are lying to you. There are very good evolutionary reasons for the fear and anxiety mechanisms. They are agents for change. Rather than try and dull them with pills, embrace them as a force for change.
They are, but they can become too prevalent...and you can find yourself anxious about all sorts of silly stuff.PMacanGTS said:
Agreed, it doesn’t work for everyone. But generally speaking, brain chemistry can be altered with exercise and the right nutrients.
I agree with that; I mentioned earlier in this thread that I've made a significant difference to my mood by eating well, and specifically avoiding sugar.Fermit and Sexy Sarah said:
Love him or loathe him, this is WELL worth a watch, if you're suffering with depression.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0005btv/ala...
I posted this on Facebook last week having watched that:https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0005btv/ala...
pmanson said:
Last night I sat and watched Alastair Campbell talking about his battle with depression and a lot of it rang true, and for the 1st time since I admitted to myself in October last year that I had been suffering from depression, I opened up properly to Amy and talked about it. Alastair talked about his depression being on a scale and being triggered at any point, he also talked about an episode he had on Hampstead Heath where having had a row with his wife he started punching himself in the head. I’m not ashamed to say that I could relate to this and his talk of a ‘scale’ gave it context.
To Amy’s shock, I had to admit that at its worst last year I would probably say I was an 8 on the scale, driving home from work or from a meeting on my own, thoughts would go through my head – what would happen if I don’t turn the steering wheel for this corner. Not looking to hit a solid object but maybe a cry for help in my head that if I ended up in the field someone might ask if I was ok or finding relief in repeatedly punching a brick wall or a door until my knuckles bled then hiding it from everyone.
At a 6 or 7, lethargy not wanting to get out of bed in the morning, unable to get to sleep at night. Sitting in the car at the office or on the drive and just shutting out the world for 10 mins before putting on the professional work demeanour or being Dad and husband for the evening. Maybe a tight chest and being short of breath not mention being short tempered
with Amy and the kids.
Sitting here tonight I’d probably say I was at a 3 and heading towards a 4, tiredness, lethargy, forgetfulness and repeating conversations have snuck back in, not to mention weight gain or getting unduly frustrated about finances. Busy but distracted would probably be a good summary of where my mind is at the moment.
So what to do about it. Always easier said than done but celebrating little wins, talking and getting more active are going to be my starting points.
Anyway enough of my rambling
sambucket said:
I've thought of anxiety as audio gain for danger. It can be set too high to be useful. In cases it can be good to run the input through a compressor. The output is clipped compared to the original, but the end shape may be very similar to 'normal'.
Thank you, that's really useful!Just stumbled upon this thread and couldn't help but notice all the similarities to me. My gp always described me as melancholic rather than depressed but what's the difference. I've been seeing pyschotherapists on and off for over thirty years now and, long term, talking about this s
t really does work but it's hard work. I tried CBT, EMDR and stuff but I can't break out of my protective shell enough to let it work. Talking works and I would say it's worth accepting that not a lot will happen in four weeks.
After moving to York in December, I've become very down. I miss London a lot and when I go for work it affects me quite badly, plus I've developed a somewhat inappropriate crush (she's 28) which is only serving to remind me that I'm 67 and can't do the stuff I did at 47 or 37 any longer, but is doing my head in totally. Massive mood swings and a crazy dependence on the o/w has driven me back into therapy in the search for contentment with what I've got, not the impossible dream I set out for myself.
I did the initial session last week, passed the audition, and I start properly on Thursday and, tbh, I can't wait.
t really does work but it's hard work. I tried CBT, EMDR and stuff but I can't break out of my protective shell enough to let it work. Talking works and I would say it's worth accepting that not a lot will happen in four weeks.After moving to York in December, I've become very down. I miss London a lot and when I go for work it affects me quite badly, plus I've developed a somewhat inappropriate crush (she's 28) which is only serving to remind me that I'm 67 and can't do the stuff I did at 47 or 37 any longer, but is doing my head in totally. Massive mood swings and a crazy dependence on the o/w has driven me back into therapy in the search for contentment with what I've got, not the impossible dream I set out for myself.
I did the initial session last week, passed the audition, and I start properly on Thursday and, tbh, I can't wait.
I'd been on the waiting list for some therapy for months when I suddenly received the offer of an online therapy scheme - you sign up, fill in some questionnaires and then have a session on a weekly basis using an online chat facility. Given the chances of proper CBT etc was still at least 6 months away I thought I'd give it a go.
Before I had chance to do anything I received a call from the people running it, Ieso Health to see why I'd taken more than 24 hours to sign up / decline, a bit odd I thought as it was a completely unexplained offer but I explained I was having a think about it but was planning to sign up.
I then did the initial sign up and one of the basic questionnaires but the main one was quite and epic and I wanted to get some input from my wife and give it some proper thought to try and make sure I was assigned to the best person to fix me
Unfortunately procrastination and a desire to get things spot on is one of my many weaknesses, as is putting time aside for things I need to do for me rather than work etc, as such a week went by without me filling in the form.
Another call from Ieso to tell me I needed to fill in the details so they could then find someone to help me, fair enough, a much-needed nudge, I explained my issues and they seemed happy with that. I said I'd get it sorted within the week.
A few days later a letter came to say I'd been discharged for not filling the form in. Not just from the Ieso side but also the entire waiting list I've been on for over 6 months now (after they declined my attempts to self-help through some of their other schemes because I "needed more than they could offer in those"). That waiting list in itself was a complete hassle to get on due to the need to self refer etc. I appreciate than others are waiting too and maybe I was stopping someone else getting on this but it just seems a bit of a crap way to handle it.
Now I've recently stopped taking my meds and oddly seem to be a lot better as a result but I found it really concerning that they would act like this around something like mental health. I'm just viewing it as a lost opportunity but for those in another place mentally this could be the kind of rejection that pushes them over the edge and makes them feel worse than ever. I ranked "severe" in both the depression and anxiety questionnaires that prompted the original referral and have some other stuff I also struggle with so I'm not just playing at this, I genuinely did want to try and get some help, now I'm just going to try and handle it myself I guess.
Not sure why I've suddenly felt the need to share this random tale, maybe to warn others that if they get a similar offer and genuinely want to do it then don't mess about like I did.
Good luck to you all, keep going!
As mine is pretty much 100% linked to my circumstances (relationships) I can do a lot to distract me from that, such as yoga but when things aren't going well, I will often wake up with the negative thoughts in the mornings and feel complete dread about getting up. Work is OK but these symptoms are better at the weekends when I know I can get up and do something nice to distract me rather than go back to sleep and wake up feeling crap again. How much of this might be chemical?
thetapeworm said:
Before I had chance to do anything I received a call from the people running it, Ieso Health to see why I'd taken more than 24 hours to sign up / decline, a bit odd I thought as it was a completely unexplained offer but I explained I was having a think about it but was planning to sign up.
I then did the initial sign up and one of the basic questionnaires but the main one was quite and epic and I wanted to get some input from my wife and give it some proper thought to try and make sure I was assigned to the best person to fix me
Unfortunately procrastination and a desire to get things spot on is one of my many weaknesses, as is putting time aside for things I need to do for me rather than work etc, as such a week went by without me filling in the form.
Another call from Ieso to tell me I needed to fill in the details so they could then find someone to help me, fair enough, a much-needed nudge, I explained my issues and they seemed happy with that. I said I'd get it sorted within the week.
A few days later a letter came to say I'd been discharged for not filling the form in. Not just from the Ieso side but also the entire waiting list I've been on for over 6 months now (after they declined my attempts to self-help through some of their other schemes because I "needed more than they could offer in those"). That waiting list in itself was a complete hassle to get on due to the need to self refer etc. I appreciate than others are waiting too and maybe I was stopping someone else getting on this but it just seems a bit of a crap way to handle it.
That's appalling from them - if one agency should be tolerant of a bit of time-taking it should be a therapy service! Good luck in your journey, maybe what you have now discovered in your own changes is actually something positive and you have a more clear mind to deal with things I then did the initial sign up and one of the basic questionnaires but the main one was quite and epic and I wanted to get some input from my wife and give it some proper thought to try and make sure I was assigned to the best person to fix me
Unfortunately procrastination and a desire to get things spot on is one of my many weaknesses, as is putting time aside for things I need to do for me rather than work etc, as such a week went by without me filling in the form.
Another call from Ieso to tell me I needed to fill in the details so they could then find someone to help me, fair enough, a much-needed nudge, I explained my issues and they seemed happy with that. I said I'd get it sorted within the week.
A few days later a letter came to say I'd been discharged for not filling the form in. Not just from the Ieso side but also the entire waiting list I've been on for over 6 months now (after they declined my attempts to self-help through some of their other schemes because I "needed more than they could offer in those"). That waiting list in itself was a complete hassle to get on due to the need to self refer etc. I appreciate than others are waiting too and maybe I was stopping someone else getting on this but it just seems a bit of a crap way to handle it.
Is it possible to get a referral to another service through a CBT practitioner? I've had it before through my medical insurance but didn't find it helped.
Prior to that I saw my NHS GP and was given forms which I then returned only to be told a few weeks later that they hadn't received them. But which time I'd had the CBT appointment booked and wasn't that bothered. I now feel I could have benefited from other forms of therapy.
Is it worth contacting the GP to see if in light of their error I can be fast tracked? I have also seen someone privately outside of the NHS and my work healthcare but I was burdened by the cost, and while it helped, it lacked the psychotherapeutic basis which I might need for the long term.
Prior to that I saw my NHS GP and was given forms which I then returned only to be told a few weeks later that they hadn't received them. But which time I'd had the CBT appointment booked and wasn't that bothered. I now feel I could have benefited from other forms of therapy.
Is it worth contacting the GP to see if in light of their error I can be fast tracked? I have also seen someone privately outside of the NHS and my work healthcare but I was burdened by the cost, and while it helped, it lacked the psychotherapeutic basis which I might need for the long term.
R Mutt said:
As mine is pretty much 100% linked to my circumstances (relationships) I can do a lot to distract me from that, such as yoga but when things aren't going well, I will often wake up with the negative thoughts in the mornings and feel complete dread about getting up. Work is OK but these symptoms are better at the weekends when I know I can get up and do something nice to distract me rather than go back to sleep and wake up feeling crap again. How much of this might be chemical?
I do similar. Take an age to wake up and often late to work. Been like that last few months. Thankfully we're so short staffed they can't sack me. 
Days off - out of bed smoother after a better sleep, usually. Been an insomniac since puberty basically.
Not sure about the chemical side of things sorry. Bar one thing connected to/involving chemicals - circadian rhythm.
I find I'm a bit better at managing my life in general if I try to wake up at a set time each day and go to bed at a set time. Easier said than done though, more so when on shift work. Also no eating after 8pm, seems to aid winding down in the evening.
NoVetec said:
I do similar. Take an age to wake up and often late to work. Been like that last few months. Thankfully we're so short staffed they can't sack me.
Days off - out of bed smoother after a better sleep, usually. Been an insomniac since puberty basically.
Not sure about the chemical side of things sorry. Bar one thing connected to/involving chemicals - circadian rhythm.
I find I'm a bit better at managing my life in general if I try to wake up at a set time each day and go to bed at a set time. Easier said than done though, more so when on shift work. Also no eating after 8pm, seems to aid winding down in the evening.
Probably is partially work related then if we're both honest, if you're just comfortable there also. Although had a rough patch in a new job a couple of years ago and was still distracted by that relationship and possibly not stimulated enough by that job.Days off - out of bed smoother after a better sleep, usually. Been an insomniac since puberty basically.
Not sure about the chemical side of things sorry. Bar one thing connected to/involving chemicals - circadian rhythm.
I find I'm a bit better at managing my life in general if I try to wake up at a set time each day and go to bed at a set time. Easier said than done though, more so when on shift work. Also no eating after 8pm, seems to aid winding down in the evening.
I still set an alarm an hour earlier than I need in case I have the motivation to exercise in the morning (although been snoozing it since recent breakup/ troubles 2 weeks ago) so I guess I'm not that bad.
You're doing the right thing with routine but I'd imagine shift work doesn't help. I'd be in trouble with that I think.
R Mutt said:
NoVetec said:
I do similar. Take an age to wake up and often late to work. Been like that last few months. Thankfully we're so short staffed they can't sack me.
Days off - out of bed smoother after a better sleep, usually. Been an insomniac since puberty basically.
Not sure about the chemical side of things sorry. Bar one thing connected to/involving chemicals - circadian rhythm.
I find I'm a bit better at managing my life in general if I try to wake up at a set time each day and go to bed at a set time. Easier said than done though, more so when on shift work. Also no eating after 8pm, seems to aid winding down in the evening.
Probably is partially work related then if we're both honest, if you're just comfortable there also. Although had a rough patch in a new job a couple of years ago and was still distracted by that relationship and possibly not stimulated enough by that job.Days off - out of bed smoother after a better sleep, usually. Been an insomniac since puberty basically.
Not sure about the chemical side of things sorry. Bar one thing connected to/involving chemicals - circadian rhythm.
I find I'm a bit better at managing my life in general if I try to wake up at a set time each day and go to bed at a set time. Easier said than done though, more so when on shift work. Also no eating after 8pm, seems to aid winding down in the evening.
I still set an alarm an hour earlier than I need in case I have the motivation to exercise in the morning (although been snoozing it since recent breakup/ troubles 2 weeks ago) so I guess I'm not that bad.
You're doing the right thing with routine but I'd imagine shift work doesn't help. I'd be in trouble with that I think.
Tried the get up earlier thing as well. Think when we're in a low mood/depressed state, it's nicer to go back to sleep, as our dreams are better than our reality!
Hope things pick up for you.
NoVetec said:
Job isn't too bad in terms of stress, colleagues and days off. Pay could be a bit better and it could be more stimulating. Think I veer to depression occasionally partly due to my worklife, and perhaps partly my personality. I have very little fear or anxiety, which suppose some people would love to be like, but the downside is for some people like me the drive to succeed is low because of the lack of it. A lot of boredom, too.
Tried the get up earlier thing as well. Think when we're in a low mood/depressed state, it's nicer to go back to sleep, as our dreams are better than our reality!
Hope things pick up for you.
Stimulation must be a major part, but obviously you don't want to end up overdoing it with too much of a challenging work life! I keep talking to people in Psychology and think about a change of career but they seem to be perpetually studying and I'm scared of being poor. One of the reasons I place so much emphasis on relationships and the subsequent emotional and financial stability.Tried the get up earlier thing as well. Think when we're in a low mood/depressed state, it's nicer to go back to sleep, as our dreams are better than our reality!
Hope things pick up for you.
Cheers mate. And you. Could both do with some changes!
Imagine a society that subjects people to conditions that make them terribly unhappy then gives them the drugs to take away their unhappiness...
I empathise with the malaise around work. If I dwell on my career prospects (or rather, lack of them) for too long I find myself dropping into the familiar loop of "why do I waste my time here > my time is being wasted > I'm a waste of time". I've long given up on the dream of being fulfilled by work, seeking it elsewhere and not giving a damn about how much money I earn or what my email signature says. It's a hard state of mind to maintain when everyone around you quantifies status and success based on one's career, but then who cares what other people think.
I empathise with the malaise around work. If I dwell on my career prospects (or rather, lack of them) for too long I find myself dropping into the familiar loop of "why do I waste my time here > my time is being wasted > I'm a waste of time". I've long given up on the dream of being fulfilled by work, seeking it elsewhere and not giving a damn about how much money I earn or what my email signature says. It's a hard state of mind to maintain when everyone around you quantifies status and success based on one's career, but then who cares what other people think.
Ruskie said:
Painfully accurate article :/Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff