Depression

[Babber101]

Just have an overwhelming fear of something going wrong.

I get heart palpitations and my body goes really cold.

Sometimes I am anxious of going into the office, going out, mixing etc.

It’s a terrible thing but I just have to live with it as best as I can

[dotty]

Babber101 said:

Just have an overwhelming fear of something going wrong.

I get heart palpitations and my body goes really cold.

Sometimes I am anxious of going into the office, going out, mixing etc.

It’s a terrible thing but I just have to live with it as best as I can

Yeah that is quite common , I can recommend the headspace app which helps.

The heart palpitation can be a surge of adrenaline (fight / flight) which I’m sure you’ve heard of , the coldness is because the blood is sent to vital organs.

Accepting the feeling is meant to help (i am trying to do that)

Being busy actually helps me , it’s when I’m “relaxed” that can bring the trouble..

Edited by dotty on Sunday 5th June 21:07

[mcelliott]

Babber101 said:

Just have an overwhelming fear of something going wrong.

I get heart palpitations and my body goes really cold.

Sometimes I am anxious of going into the office, going out, mixing etc.

It’s a terrible thing but I just have to live with it as best as I can

This is all completely normal, as has been mentioned it's the fight or flight response, the trouble is that when you suffer from chronic anxiety the body is stuck in this mode, it took me a full 2 years to break it, I had every single physical symptom you can get which stressed me out even more. Mindfulness, diet and exercise were the 3 big levers I pulled on, the thing I did was I accepted the physical sensations and the horrible thoughts and weirdly demanded more, in the end I knew that it couldn't harm me or put me in danger, in doing so I literally got bored with it, now if I get a anxious thought I just rationalise it and quickly move on.

[freenote]

Babber101 said:

I had depression for many years that morphed into anxiety out of the blue. Now the anxiety scares me more than the depression.

Sometimes I’m just scared for no real reason - not sure what I’m scared of or why but in itself it’s frightening to behold.

I think it’s gradually getting worse and suspect it will end up where I can’t work or function. Been on drugs, seen doctors and psychologists but nothing has helped. All feels like an inevitability about it

Sounds like you’re also anxious about getting anxious which is a vicious circle. Pregabalin or Valium are good for these things and understanding the above. Eventually I got out of it by no longer giving a crap about anything although it has led me to risky behaviour just to get that feeling of being alive…but it’s better than being anxious. Take from that what you will.

[MikeT66]

BobSaunders said:

Yep, typically for me it’s based on environmental and body stimuli dehydration, tiredness, energy/fatigue, sleep, etc. also starting to find out that a dip in nutrition from cleaner foods e.g. vegetables etc. causes me to also dip. Starting to see patterns.

I think this is a good insight. Diet can play a massive part in how I feel.... crap food = poor energy/poor mental state (at least for me). We're not in a good state financially (as I mentioned before, possibly on another thread), and this brings a lot of stress and anxiety. Work stress is increasing, but as the only one bringing money into our home means I have to pretty much suck it up.

I try and keep away from the news - I have precisely zero influence on what is going on in Ukraine (even if it is impacting on us though profiteering or genuine shortage), so try and disengage from all that - add on the latest media scare/hype and it's a barrel of st that I do not want to dip into. I definitely feel better when ignoring the problems of the outside world (even though it feels like I am sticking my head in the sand by doing so).

I've heard a lot recently about Psilocybin recently and the possibilities of this being a very effective anti-depressant (without the side-effects of modern 'Western' medication). It's a bloody shame it is banned in this country and trials are few and far between. It would be easy to think that the pharmaceutical companies are not interested in a cheap, effective aid for depression that is quite natural in origin.

[twohoursfromlondon]

I am very hopeful that psychedelics will be proven to aid mental health conditions including severe depression where traditional medicine and/or therapy is not helping.

I have invested fairly invested in this sector and initial trials are extremely encouraging, so watch this space.

[BobSaunders]

MikeT66 said:

BobSaunders said:

Yep, typically for me it’s based on environmental and body stimuli dehydration, tiredness, energy/fatigue, sleep, etc. also starting to find out that a dip in nutrition from cleaner foods e.g. vegetables etc. causes me to also dip. Starting to see patterns.

I think this is a good insight. Diet can play a massive part in how I feel.... crap food = poor energy/poor mental state (at least for me). We're not in a good state financially (as I mentioned before, possibly on another thread), and this brings a lot of stress and anxiety. Work stress is increasing, but as the only one bringing money into our home means I have to pretty much suck it up.

I try and keep away from the news - I have precisely zero influence on what is going on in Ukraine (even if it is impacting on us though profiteering or genuine shortage), so try and disengage from all that - add on the latest media scare/hype and it's a barrel of st that I do not want to dip into. I definitely feel better when ignoring the problems of the outside world (even though it feels like I am sticking my head in the sand by doing so).

I've deleted all social media (except instagram and Facebook to which i have reduced it to practially zero engagement), and no longer watch/read the news. If i need to go and find something out i will - i have upped my reading and Amazon Kindle debt considerably.

Otherwise i consider other more intelligent people are dealing with the agenda's which are not part of my "interests" or "mission". I can't champion everything, nor can i worry about everything.

Happiness is a choice as i have learned, which also drives my depression - based on percivement, expectation, and communication.

[MikeT66]

Well... what a st weekend. Mrs.T66's request for PIP has been declined a second time (despite GP/Psychiatric advice as unfit for work) and Universal Credit request rejected. So we're stuck with my wage, which no longer covers our expenditure (and no frivolous costs like going out - we haven't done that for about three months now, no TV, no phone contracts, etc).

Additionally, some fker tried to scam us out of what was basically our last couple of hundred pounds last night, which we only stopped at the last second.

The 'Cost Of Living Crisis' thread has turned into a strange parody of what reality is like for some - I get that everyone's situation is different, but people posting about whether or not it is a good time to buy a jacuzzi was a special low point. My situation is that last night I had to watch my wife going through her wardrobe and small bits of jewellery looking for something to sell so we can buy food for the next few weeks.

[anxious_ant]

Alexal said:

I also suffer from mental health issues, including depression. I tried antidepressants, but they made my head foggy and having checked the info about these pills online, I understood it was a side effect. So, I don't want to take them again. I'm currently doing meditation in the hope it will help me. Also, I heard a lot of people find CBD to be helpful.

I am in the same boat. Tried various antidepressants but the side effects outweigh the benefits.

I’ve tried CBD oil for a period of time but not sure if it helped.
I find that supplements like magnesium, vit D&C does help.

I used to take Omega 3 and find it useful but have stopped as read that it may increase risk of prostate cancer. Although there are some research that states otherwise…

[MYOB]

A500leroy said:

had a long wait in A and E last week and didnt get seen, im still gay,

You’d better get back to A&E and get that sorted.

Kidding, it must be awful to have no signs of life improving but life generally does improve if you have the right mindset. How you get the right mindset is the tricky bit if you’re depressed.

Keep up the good fight.

[matrignano]

This thread has been a bit quiet, which I hope is a good sign!

I have been doing therapy and taking Prozac/Fluoxetine for the last 3 months and things seem to be slowly improving.
However my (lack of) libido is starting to be a major issue for my partner and our relationship is suffering as a result.

Psych suggested switching from Prozac to Bupropion/Zyban, which should not affect libido however comes with a whole lot of potential side-effects, major ones being fits/seizures and stomach issues.

Is anyone here on Bupropion and willing to share their experiences with it?

[BobSaunders]

matrignano said:

This thread has been a bit quiet, which I hope is a good sign!

I have been doing therapy and taking Prozac/Fluoxetine for the last 3 months and things seem to be slowly improving.
However my (lack of) libido is starting to be a major issue for my partner and our relationship is suffering as a result.

On Sertaline/Millpharm. Complete oppostite. Also coincides with my fitness increasing and weight reduction through triathlon training.

I can not honestly recommend triathlon enough - training 6 days a week with structured plans etc. Absolute life saver. Literally.

Social, exercise, structure, and support.

Matt Pritchard is an example of triathlon etc. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFb6WQdw4iI

[matrignano]

BobSaunders said:

On Sertaline/Millpharm. Complete oppostite. Also coincides with my fitness increasing and weight reduction through triathlon training.

I can not honestly recommend triathlon enough - training 6 days a week with structured plans etc. Absolute life saver. Literally.

Social, exercise, structure, and support.

Matt Pritchard is an example of triathlon etc. - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DFb6WQdw4iI

My doc said all SSRIs (including Fluoxetine and Sertaline) will affect libido to some extent, hence is proposal to go a completely different route

[knitware]

matrignano said:

My doc said all SSRIs (including Fluoxetine and Sertaline) will affect libido to some extent, hence is proposal to go a completely different route

Not in my case, my 'organisms' are in fact, more pleasurable, hence libido up, even lamp legs turn me on. Everyone is different, try it, the doc is reading the side effect label.

[siandcian]

I've been feeling abit low lately and putting it down to the general stress of life. I'm the only bread winner in the house as the wife looks after her mom and our child full time. She gets carers allowance but it's a small sum. I feel so worn down and not talking to her alot last week or so. I've had anxiety before and managed pull myself out of it but this last week I feel so low and alone.

[tim0409]

I suspect I'm about to have an awkward conversation with my GP....

I've suffered from depression on and off for years, but the last two years have been really challenging, particularly not being able to sleep beyond 5am. I've tried a few different antidepressants (SSRI's) but they have either not worked or the side effects have outweighed any (small) benefits. I exercise and avoid alcohol and sugar, both of which help, and have also used cognitive therapy.

We got a dog three years ago and he is brilliant although anxious, and this has developed into a fear aggression with dogs he doesn't know. The vet/behaviourist suggested a course of antidepressants to reduce his fear and make him more receptive to counter-conditioning training. He was prescribed Trazadone (Its a SARI - serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor), which was developed for humans and is also prescribed off-label for insomnia. After lots of research I decided to take a 100mg tablet myself before going to bed to see if it would help me sleep. I have taken it for the last five nights and the change has been dramatic. Not only do I sleep much better, my mood and motivation massively improved from the 2/3 day. From what I have read they work much quicker than SSRI, and whilst I am open to the placebo effect, I really don't think that's what has caused the improvement.

I'm not sure how I admit to my GP that I have been experimenting with my dog's medication, but if after a few weeks the improvements are sustained I really would like them to prescribe Trazadone. If I had still been with my old GP, whom I had a really good relationship with, it would have been much easier, but the new surgery are still not doing face to face appointments, which hasn't helped over the last two years as I find it difficult discussing depression over the telephone. I will see how things go, but depression has really held me back, which is why I am so open to trying different things. I know what it feels like not to be depressed, and that's why the change this week was so profound.

I should add that Freddie (our dog) is also doing well on his medication. We had a great walk today, which helped both of us!

[Ruskie]

tim0409 said:

I suspect I'm about to have an awkward conversation with my GP....

I've suffered from depression on and off for years, but the last two years have been really challenging, particularly not being able to sleep beyond 5am. I've tried a few different antidepressants (SSRI's) but they have either not worked or the side effects have outweighed any (small) benefits. I exercise and avoid alcohol and sugar, both of which help, and have also used cognitive therapy.

We got a dog three years ago and he is brilliant although anxious, and this has developed into a fear aggression with dogs he doesn't know. The vet/behaviourist suggested a course of antidepressants to reduce his fear and make him more receptive to counter-conditioning training. He was prescribed Trazadone (Its a SARI - serotonin antagonist and reuptake inhibitor), which was developed for humans and is also prescribed off-label for insomnia. After lots of research I decided to take a 100mg tablet myself before going to bed to see if it would help me sleep. I have taken it for the last five nights and the change has been dramatic. Not only do I sleep much better, my mood and motivation massively improved from the 2/3 day. From what I have read they work much quicker than SSRI, and whilst I am open to the placebo effect, I really don't think that's what has caused the improvement.

I'm not sure how I admit to my GP that I have been experimenting with my dog's medication, but if after a few weeks the improvements are sustained I really would like them to prescribe Trazadone. If I had still been with my old GP, whom I had a really good relationship with, it would have been much easier, but the new surgery are still not doing face to face appointments, which hasn't helped over the last two years as I find it difficult discussing depression over the telephone. I will see how things go, but depression has really held me back, which is why I am so open to trying different things. I know what it feels like not to be depressed, and that's why the change this week was so profound.

I should add that Freddie (our dog) is also doing well on his medication. We had a great walk today, which helped both of us!

Without stating the obvious you shouldn’t be taking drugs like that. There can be interactions with other drugs, cause side affects you might not be aware of, and many other variables.

I would be asking why your GP is refusing face to face. It’s a common misconception post covid that GP’s are not seeing people face to face. If they aren’t I would suggest you move practices. If you are not comfortable speaking over the phone then you should definitely move.

[tim0409]

Ruskie said:

Without stating the obvious you shouldn’t be taking drugs like that. There can be interactions with other drugs, cause side affects you might not be aware of, and many other variables.

I would be asking why your GP is refusing face to face. It’s a common misconception post covid that GP’s are not seeing people face to face. If they aren’t I would suggest you move practices. If you are not comfortable speaking over the phone then you should definitely move.

Many thanks, and I appreciate what you say. In my defence I did a lot of research regarding drug interactions, dosage, and side effects; with the amount of research I have done over the years into depression I should really have channeled it into a medical qualification.

My faith in the NHS has been somewhat shaken over recent years for a number of very good reasons, hence the reason I am willing to take an educated experiment.

[Ruskie]

tim0409 said:

Ruskie said:

Without stating the obvious you shouldn’t be taking drugs like that. There can be interactions with other drugs, cause side affects you might not be aware of, and many other variables.

I would be asking why your GP is refusing face to face. It’s a common misconception post covid that GP’s are not seeing people face to face. If they aren’t I would suggest you move practices. If you are not comfortable speaking over the phone then you should definitely move.

Many thanks, and I appreciate what you say. In my defence I did a lot of research regarding drug interactions, dosage, and side effects; with the amount of research I have done over the years into depression I should really have channeled it into a medical qualification.

My faith in the NHS has been somewhat shaken over recent years for a number of very good reasons, hence the reason I am willing to take an educated experiment.

Understand completely. The system is really struggling but I’m glad you are feeling better.

[deadtom]

hello all, how is everyone doing?

The black dog has been following me more closely in recent months and weeks than for a while, possibly related to being rejected for re-entry to the Army due to, unsurprisingly, my history of mental health. This was entirely expected but I think is affecting me more than I'd hoped it would.