Depression

Please don't add to the depression by feeling bad about feeling bad and take it from someone who's there as well. It's hard when you have an 'invisible' illness - no one can see it, so all you can do is take the tablets and hope. It will get better, Doris, I promise you, so I'm sending you lots of love and a great big hug from a kindred spirit.

Lynne59
An antibiotic for depression?
That can't be right. Antibiotics are for infections.

I've had a box for years but mostly I can't motivate myself to plug it in. Irony or what.

Does anyone else use a light box for S A D? Do they really work?

think I can remember oldmeg pulling down the blinds in the hot weather, now its hibernation in the winter,
couldn't resist.

Thinking of all of you suffering from depression. It is such a debilitating illness and you should accept all the help that is on offer.

Take the polls and then move to South West france. Much better winter weather more sunshine and blue skies and it doesn't go dark until 6pm even in December. Makes so get bearable for me.

I second the good advice to take the prescribed medicine and not to feel guilty.

I love winter, but DH does not. He finds it helpful to light candles or tea lights in the early dark mornings and in the evenings.

Could you perhaps find a hobby or pastime that you like and only do it in the autumn and winter months, so you have something to cheer you up? Something nice you associate with the depressing time of year?

If you haven't the energy to do so right now, and you probably do not, as depression drains energy away, do please give yourself some kind of little treat.

I hesitate to suggest chocolate or cakes, as they will probably just make you feel guilty too, but listen to some music you like, or watch a film you love on Netflix. Or buy yourself a teddy bear to cuddle when it all becomes too depressing. Read Winnie-the-Pooh to your teddy - he/she will love it and I garuantee "the bear with no brain" will cheer you up.

So sorry to hear that you are feeling below par. Have you tried raising your vitamin D with full cream dairy / butter - preferably from grass fed cows if you live near a farm shop?

I've had depression on and off since I was 12. In my experience it comes on when it's trying to tell me something - even if it's only: Winter is coming, get ready! Would second the Lumie lightbox if SAD is an issue for you. I make myself get out of doors every day for at least half an hour - even if that's just sitting in my garden but without my glasses on (you need pure daylight to hit the retina in your eyes, not filtered through glasses). My GP advised me to take extra Vitamin D3 (apparently, we just don't get enough sun in the UK) and that helped too. There are a couple of books that really helped me understand why I get depressed: The Depression Cure by Steve Iliardi (not a cure, but it definitely alleviated it for me and also made me feel less helpless) plus "Listening to Depression" by Lara Honos-Webb. But yes, I go to my GP as soon as I start to feel down and the self-help measures are not working (they often do). I think those of us who get depressed are born with a lower "threshold" and so, sometimes, we just need chemical help. Would you feel bad about taking insulin if you were a diabetic? Of course not. Take any help you can - drugs included.

As well as Citalopram, I find using a SAD light every day from when the clocks go back is very helpful. Also Vit D supplements in line with the NHS guidance, and going outside for walks in as much sun and daylight as possible. As others have said depression is an illness and nothing to be ashamed of. Good luck.

Have you tried a Seasonal Affected Lamp,SAD lamp ,you can get them online .My MIL swears by hers and as soon as the days shorten she has it on for a couple of hours a day ,worth a try .

The way I look at it is this: I now have fewer years left to enjoy life and I don't enjoy it when the depression descends - I ask myself do I want to suffer during these last yeaRS IF THERE IS A PILL THAT WILL HELP ME?.....ANSWER nO - SO DOWN THE NECK THEY GO!

Ignore that capitals!

{flowers] hope you feel better soon.

It's terrible isn't it? I too burst into tears at the docs. My BP was through the roof. I think everything that I've had to cope with came to a head. Trying to stay calm, for all who are struggling.

aw sorry to hear that downtoearth. Its so miserable and isolating.

I know exercise is good for us but sometimes we have to be kind to ourselves too.

Right I'm going to start a thread where we can pool ideas and share.

I am on the way down again...gym and exercise keeping busy during
day..lost 21lbs OH working hours and relationship worries real or imagined,..can feel myself slipping again...have been on escitaloproram for years...I would describe mine as reactive/ endogenous type,at the moment am full of fear and anxiety,am on beta blockers too for anxiety affecting blood pressure ....am a complete mess at the moment

" pull yourself together" is massively irritating!!!

Nobody chooses depression.

oldbatty......let's get a club (?) running...it would be great for us all just to be able to dip into something......share our thoughts and help each other along. I know I would benefit so much from sharing thoughts...both negative and positive and not be told to pull myself together...' what have you got to be depressed about?'.
Xx

I take a very low dose of Citalopram. A maintainable dose. They have made my life brighter again.

I was low in mood and worried about everything. But did not consider myself to be depressed. Was working full time without difficulty, just no enthusiasm. And worry, worry.It

I attended my GP about something unconnected and from nowhere I just dissolved into tears. The whole heap. The full works. We had a chat and I came out with my prescription. Best thing ever. It took about 4 weeks and one day I found myself uplifted.
Bear in mind that your prescription may need the dosage upped but I'm sure you probably have to return to Dr for your refill prescription.
Good luck.

Quite agree, Nanny. There is still stigma and awkwardness talking about this horrible thing, which affects so many people. Lets start a club , to be free and chat and share tips.

Relatively new to gransnet........is there a Black Dog Club? Many of us would benefit from having somewhere just to voice our true feelings to like minded peop!e who really do know what it's like and what we're going through...I certainly wouldn't feel as isolated.........regards to you all.

Dora well said, you really understand depression. All those 'helpful' people who suggest you get more exercise, go out and meet people etc. really don't have a clue. Only someone who knows you really well and understands is in a position to suggest when you are ready to be taken out of yourself for a short while. No one on here should give you such advice, we don't know you well.

Do what the doc says and be kind to yourself.

Hello doris19 Welcome to the Black Dog Club! Know exactly how you feel. I do hope you feel better soon. Go to Forums/ chat/ Soops kitchen - wonderful gentle friendly place .