me dealing with depression

[predator]

this is a good insight into how i feel almost all the time but have learned I HOPE to control it the best way i can does anyone else suffer with the demons of depression ????

 

 

 

The tragic death of Robin Williams, who is believed to have committed suicide, has put the issue of depression firmly in the spotlight, demonstrating that even those who appear to lead the most charmed lives can fall victim to the black dog of depression. The actor has always been open about his fight with the illness, recently telling an interviewer, "Do I get sad? Oh yeah. Does it hit me hard? Oh yeah." But what do we do when concerned about friends and loved ones who are struggling with these issues?

 

In the UK, one in four people will experience a mental health problem in the course of a year, and depression is the is the most common type, so it's worth brushing up on the warning signs and knowing how to approach people you're concerned about.

 

What is depression?

Depression, by its nature, is hard to diagnose. However, the World Health organisation describes depression as "a common mental disorder, characterised by sadness, loss of interest or pleasure, feelings of guilt or low self-worth, disturbed sleep or appetite, feelings of tiredness, and poor concentration." It's also a condition which is incredibly hard to describe and can be experienced in different ways. Sufferers often hide their condition from those around them.

 

Symptoms

Depression can strike at any time, and can affect anyone, and if you're concerned that a friend or loved one might be depressed, knowing the warning signs can be a big help. "Warning signs include not sleeping, loss of appetite, loss of enjoyment in activities that previously would have excited, irritability (particularly in men) negative thinking and thoughts which are dominated by hopelessness, worthlessness or guilt," explains Dr Paul McLaren, consultant psychiatrist at the Priory Hospital Hayes Grove.

 

The stigma associated with mental illness is diminishing but sadly, it still exists. It's important to remember that depression can affect anyone at any time of their lives, but knowing the risk factors can be useful. "Depression results from a complex interaction of social, psychological and biological factors," explains Professor Katharine Barnard, a health psychologist based at the University of Southampton. "Women are more likely to suffer from depression than men, and a previous episode of depression increases your chances of developing it again. People with relatives with clinical depression are at greater risk themselves."

 

Depression or a bad mood?

One issue which can make the identification of depression tricky is the fact that the world has generally become a more stressful place to live in. News reports herald a constant reportage of death and destruction and, closer to home, the financial crisis has wreaked havoc for many of us. So how can we tell whether a friend is simply suffering from a bad case of the blues or potentially experiencing something more serious?

 

"One of the key questions to ask is about loss of enjoyment," says Dr Paul McLaren. "When we are depressed we lose the capacity to react to good things happening. This is the best way of distinguishing between depression and stress." If you're concerned about a friend's dark moods, try to remember when the situation started. "Watch out for prolonged symptoms lasting for two weeks or more and an inability to ‘snap out of it’ in a few days and resume usual mood," advises Professor Katharine Barnard. "People suffering from depression often feel sad, hopeless and disinterested in life in general."

 

How to approach the situation

When it comes to approaching a friend or relative you're concerned about, tread carefully. Telling them to "snap out of it" or joking that "life can't be that bad" is unlikely to help someone suffering from depression. "Be frank and open about your concerns," says Dr Paul McLaren. "Don't try to cheer them up or to jolly them along, as this can make someone who is depressed feel more alienated and rejected. Depression is not a life choice that we can switch on and off. It's a serious malfunctioning of the brain that usually requires treatment with a talking-based treatment or medication."

 

Treatment

The good news is that recent developments relating to the treatment of depression are yielding impressive results, with more sophisticated therapies and medication which doesn't have the side effects which were once common. "The main psychological treatment for depression is cognitive behaviour therapy and there is a strong evidence base for its effectiveness in mild to moderate depression," explains Dr Paul McLaren. "With moderate to severe depression medication is required. While there are a number of drugs available there is no wonder drug, and the newer drugs, while safer, are no more effective than older antidepressants."

 

Dr McLaren adds that there's continued research into other types of treatment, but a combined approach remains the most effective option. "A new physical treatment is transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) which is like ECT but uses a magnetic field to produce therapeutic changes, rather than the electric current which is used in ECT. However while initial trials in this have been encouraging, its use has remained limited. The most effective treatment for moderate to severe depression is a combination of psychological and pharmacological treatment delivered in a timely manner."

 

Whether you're concerned about a friend or believe you may be suffering from depression yourself, there are plenty of organisations which can help, details of which are below:

 

Mind - The UK's largest mental health charity.

Sane - Another large UK charity set up to help people suffering from mental health problems

Rethink - A UK-based charity which deals with all type of mental health problems, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

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[geoff]

Bloody good post mate, this subject gets swept under the carpet by so many in all walks of society, & depression is debilitating.

 

I know a lady who for years has denounced anyone suffering with it, thinks it doesn't exist!

Guess what... for the last couple of months she has been miserable, tired etc, & has been diagnosed as a sufferer, how the worm turns!

[difflock]

Predator,

Thank you for highlighting this issue.

Like many others I have been bit by the "black dog", fortunately I had, and still have, a very mentally strong wife.

My depression was triggered by undue stress at work, though there may be a genetic component, having an Uncle who was VERY depressive for the last 50 years of his life.

BUt

Perhaps due in part to my day job running a local Cemetery,

I have learned to be thankful to be alive,

despite being older and creakerier in the joints,

being too well aware of the untimley demise of some of those coming up the Avenue in coffins.

Marcus

[Mortimer Firewood]

Use to suffer with it badly in the early days of my sons accident but seeing him return to the happy little boy he was before all be it a little different makes me realise how lucky I am. Yes there are still many days that are hard but I will not let it get me down/ depressed.

[Hodge]

Use to suffer with it badly in the early days of my sons accident but seeing him return to the happy little boy he was before all be it a little different makes me realise how lucky I am. Yes there are still many days that are hard but I will not let it get me down/ depressed.

 

 

 

How is he doing now? Sorry to hi jack the thread. We lost my wife's cousin 2 years ago to depression, he was a cheerful, happy go lucky guy, or so we thought. Out of nowhere he went and hung himself. He called his best mate just before it and he went and found him but it was too late. Now the family and his friends are left to pick up the pieces.

 

 

Hodge

[Guss109]

Good post very informative hers hoping it can help shed the stigma attached to it

 

 

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[Mortimer Firewood]

How is he doing now? Sorry to hi jack the thread. We lost my wife's cousin 2 years ago to depression, he was a cheerful, happy go lucky guy, or so we thought. Out of nowhere he went and hung himself. He called his best mate just before it and he went and found him but it was too late. Now the family and his friends are left to pick up the pieces.

 

 

Hodge

 

I will put a post on his thread rather than hijack this one Hodge.

A close friend of mine committed suicide and all ways felt sad he had not confided how he felt to me. Also my partners x committed suicide the first time we found him before the overdose killed him. The second time we were to late leaving two teenagers behind wandering why. If I am honest it crossed my mind when my boys life was in the balance but he pulled through if he had not it may of been a different story. Just for the record I do think its a selfish act.

[Mountain man]

I always find it odd how often depressed people hang themselves.

Rather than something easier.

Whats the deal with that?

[Ian Leach]

Maybe they actually get to feel something towards the end ?

[felixthelogchopper]

I always find it odd how often depressed people hang themselves.

Rather than something easier.

Whats the deal with that?

 

Probably because it is pretty final amd not likely to be undone by somebody else.