Anxiety/depression

[Tomshardware]

"Been through bad time lately with suffering with this. Dark thoughts as well. I know some posters on here suffer with this. Anyone come through the other side of this shit?

"A number of posters have been yellow carded and told to stay off this thread unless they have anything constructive to add.This is a thread that has been very useful to so many, for any other posters with scores to settle, argue on another thread. This thread is sacrosant.Thank you"

[arsegrapes]

"Bungo, thanks understood. It's very complex."

[arsegrapes]

"Mike agreed. Manuel 6:11 Thu Jan 7 No offence intended, if you or anyone are on the floor that is irrelevant agreed. It was meant in context of my own experience of probably mild depression, which many probably suffer without knowing and might be enough to temporarily snap out of it, a sort of mind over matter. As said useless if you're depression is more severe."

[Mike Oxsaw]

"arsegrapes 4:59 Wed Jan 6 That's a question I've always wanted to raise but felt asking someone who knows through current experience a little insensitive. As far as I know, I'm not depressed (which is fine good enough for me), but have certainly had my low moments. Knowing the triggers that bring on depression might have parallels in my ""less good moments"", and so what made those moments less less good may help when related to others. Of course, they may not, but without asking, I don't know."

[Bungo]

"arsegrapes 1:46 Thu Jan 7 Re: Anxiety/depression Bungo, thanks very much for that. ----------------------------------------------------------- No problem, but please remember the HAM-D (as it is known), is just one tool that gives an indication of a patient's level of depression. It shouldn't be taken as definitive or as a substitute for a full consultation with a suitable clinician."

[Manuel]

"arsegrapes 1:46 Thu Jan 7 ''Billy Bragg, I try to justify problems by telling myself there are many worse off which is true of course, and just try to get on with it'' But that doesn't work in reality, does it. When you are on the floor it makes no difference and makes you feel no better at all that there are others (that you don't even know) still worse off. Let's keep it real."

[Mike Oxsaw]

"J.Riddle 2:31 Tue Jan 5 Always going down on me, so not a big problem :-)"

[arsegrapes]

"Bungo, thanks very much for that. I never knew such a thing existed. Very interesting. I gave it a go btw and have mild depression according to that. I wouldn't argue with that, I've like many had my fair share of ups and downs. Billy Bragg, I try to justify problems by telling myself there are many worse off which is true of course, and just try to get on with it. As you said there are many on here much worse off and many others outside of here much worse off also, when this realization kicks in I think you have to be grateful that your still breathing basically and if in relatively good health for age very lucky. There are always many that are also better off of course, but the half glass full, half glass empty analogy sums it up quite well I believe."

[Billy Blagg]

"arsegrapes 4:59 Wed Jan 6 None taken Arse (if I may address you as such) and it's one I've asked myself many times. Three deaths in three years (for the sake of the thread I won't mention my oldest cat) including the love of my life surely can't make me happy? But am I depressed or any more anxious than in 2010 when I couldn't get any work (self-employed) and I was seriously worried about losing everything? The only thing that helped me through that was having the love of a gorgeous woman who stood by me in every department. It's the lack of that love and support I'm struggling with. My present state has been badly affected by a personal relationship issue - I can't really talk about that here - that initially pulled me up then dumped me (literally) back further down than I was. I may not be depressed at all, just experiencing life's up and down's. Actually, as a result of adding to this thread, I've heard from people who much worse off than me and I've decided to come off the tablets and try more natural .remedies. We'll see how it goes."

[Bungo]

"arsegrapes 4:59 Wed Jan 6 'Serious question, and I mean no disrespect, but how does one know if one is depressed' ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Probably the most commonly used tool (at least in primary care), is the Hamilton Depression Rating scale. By answering a number of questions, the patient will come out with a score which will give the clinician a good starting point for deciding what treatment the patient may need. More details in this link. https://www.mdcalc.com/hamilton-depression-rating-scale-ham-d Clearly a fairly blunt tool, but quantifies internal feelings as much as is possible. Similar scales are used for things such as anxiety, pain etc."

[arsegrapes]

"Serious question, and I mean no disrespect, but how does one know if one is depressed, other than being diagnosed by a quack? I know some will say if you have to ask then you obviously can't be affected, which maybe true, but maybe not. What I'm trying to express is, there must be more out there who don't know they are depressed than those who do by a factor of x ??? It's a massive problem that many don't know they've gotten and or don't wish to admit. All not helped by variable levels of depression that must go undected. I understand some have life changing events that understandably tricker depression, but I've known some people who appear to have everything and suffer with it, do some also wake up suddenly with the realization that they are depressed because they feel down emotionally too often? It's a difficult thing to convey to oneself I assume let alone others that's what's why it's probably most difficult to detect I expect? Do I have a problem personally, gawd knows, get down at times like the best of em, but I just assume everyone feels that way, dismiss it and soldier on? This thread is a positive outlet I would say, not just to those affected posting, but some who may read others experiences and realize they may too have a problem and benefit by seeking help. All the very best to everyone on this thread for 2021."

[arsegrapes]

"Serious question, and I mean no disrespect, but how does one know if one is depressed, other than being diagnosed by a quack? I know some will say if you have to ask then you obviously can't be affected, which maybe true, but maybe not. What I'm trying to express is, there must be more out there who don't know they are depressed than those who do by a factor of x ??? It's a massive problem that many don't know they've gotten and or don't wish to admit. All not helped by variable levels of depression that must go undected. I understand some have life changing events that understandably tricker depression, but I've known some people who appear to have everything and suffer with it, do some also wake up suddenly with the realization that they are depressed because they feel down emotionally too often? It's a difficult thing to convey to oneself I assume let alone others that's what's why it's probably most difficult to detect I expect? Do I have a problem personally, gawd knows, get down at times like the best of em, but I just assume everyone feels that way, dismiss it and soldier on? This thread is a positive outlet I would say, not just to those affected posting, but some who may read others experiences and realize they may too have a problem and benefit by seeking help. All the very best to everyone on this thread for 2021."

[normannomates]

How can one drowning man save another drowning man? If you're struggling.. Actively try and surround yourself with eternally positive bods. .strange cunts.. But they are quite inspirational

[normannomates]

Jacket Admitting you have a 'problem' 🤫 for our generation is bloody hard. Sobering. It was worse for our fathers and Grandfather's... they had it rough..no outlet for them like this.. Know what I mean?

[Full Claret Jacket]

"I've often shrugged off the notion of being depressed although I've seen people in the past when things were stacking up. I'm now feeling a bit lost again and after getting away from drinking to try and numb the pain of arthritis in various joints and solve my ongoing sleeping issues, I'm moving back towards drinking again. The pandemic has cast a huge shadow for me on life and stopped many of the things I enjoyed and which were my releases from everyday life. I find myself angry a lot of the time. Angry at myself that I feel this way and angry at those who I blame for making me feel this way. I know there are many worse off than me and on the whole I'm pretty resilient so I will crack on but I can really see how it can all get too much. Anyway if others feel the same then you are not alone. If it's just me then well just get me another bottle."

[Bungo]

"Billy Blagg 3:04 Tue Jan 5 As a long-standing minion of Big Pharma, I put a fairly long post about anti-depressants on this thread some time ago but essentially:- - Most ADs will take 2/3 weeks to kick in before you know what the effects of that particular pill will be for you. It can be hard to persevere, but initial reactions are unlikely to be indicative of longer-term results. - Most will suit about 70% of patients. Finding the 'right' one for you is mostly down to trial and error. Some clinicians will be better than others at predicting the best one for you, but trial and error is usually involved. Individual doctors inevitably have their own favourites as well. - They should usually be used as relatively short-term help while the underlying problems are addressed separately with other therapies. - SSRIs/SNRIs shouldn't make anyone feel euphoric. They will usually blunt the edges of the worst feelings of depression, but the best case is usually a return to that person's mental baseline. Perhaps she meant euphoric compared to how she felt before treatment? Hope that helps."

[Tomshardware]

"Sorry to hear of your setback Billy, I was put on Mirtazapine some years ago but asked for something else as I'd read negative things about it. Since then I've been on Citalopram which I generally find helps me. Speak to your doctor again and let them know you weren't happy with Mirtazapine, they may try you on a different drug. Christmas is a tough time for loads of people plus with the Covid everything seems a bit bleaker. Try to get out for walks even if its pissing down, it can help to get perspective."

[Billy Blagg]

"During a routine check-up for something else before Christmas I mentioned to the Doctor about how I had been feeling and he prescribed some Mirtazapine. I'd never taken anything for Depression before but after speaking to someone who'd had to have similar some time ago, I thought I'd give it a go. Fucking hell, I could barely function. It's horrible waking up every morning at 4.30am and not being able to get back to sleep but this stuff meant I woke at 10:30 with a head full of cotton wool and limbs that wanted to go in every direction except the ones I wanted them to go in. It apparently takes three weeks to kick in but I can't go through this for a false high. My friend said she felt 'euphoric' when they did work but surely feeling euphoric when you have nothing to be euphoric about can't be healthy, can it? Christmas is hard enough ffs but just a couple of weeks before something set me back to the dark days of 2018. Having said all this, I don't want everyone scrolling through looking for Obits. I'll stick this out but it's just so debilitating. That was the third Christmas without my wife and they get no easier. Anyway, I got off the subject there. I just wanted to know if anyone else had been on any prescriptions and what the general feeling about it is."

[J.Riddle]

Mike Oxsaw 2:17 Mon Jan 4 Re: Anxiety/depression Your ladyboy blow-up doll not a distraction in the bedroom then Mike?

[Willtell]

Absolutely Mike. Although I put up with the Mrs distracting me on occasion...

[Mike Oxsaw]

"You need NO artificial distractions in the bedroom. No TV, no laptop/tablet, no radio/Alexia, no phone and no digital alarm clock with a display that would light up a Heinkel over London at 20,000 feet. And I don't mean just switch them (all) off - I mean No. Banned. Also, before going to bed, try and lower the lighting wherever you are for an hour or so, preferably using side & table lamps as opposed to ceiling lighting. One of my kids said that mood lighting was good for this, too."

[one iron]

"In the last 16 years , i sleep on average 3 hours a night, its a nightmare."

[whu4eva]

"Echoing comments, sleep for me is such an important thing The hardest thing is mentally switching off to allow you to sleep. The solution I have found is exercise and smashing myself with it particularly after a night when I slept poorly. Helps you crash and get 7/8 hours the next night I have previously taken melatonin tablets to help me sleep also which have been beneficial, particularly when they are on a routine basis. If you take them and have a couple of social drinks you can get a little bit of a headache"

[normannomates]

"All about discipline..and it's bloody hard. I've found it gets harder as you age. Sleep pattern is VERY important to myself. Lack of decent kip is a constant problem with myself, which often escalates into bother. I.. as most on here are Generation X.. We had good times. Boozer.. .. Football. . Birds..and blakey's in no particular order. looking out for one another is a great thing IRONS"

[Tomshardware]

"Small steps Cup of Tea, start by trying to improve your sleep pattern so you are getting up in the morning and going to bed in the evening, that will make a difference."

[simon.s]

"Tea - can’t you try and get out in the day, do a bit of walking? If you have a watch with a step/calorie counter, that’s a big incentive once you get going. The sleeping in the day will make you feel worse. Need to keep the routine of regular meals and sleep patterns to that as if you were still getting up and going to work. Good luck, you’ll come through it. Hopefully we all will."