Depression

I take Citalapram, I find they free me. I can work full time. I can drive my car. I can also look after my Grandchild.
Citalapram enables me to do these things, and they make me feel normal most of the time.
If you had to take medication for a heart condition, no one would bat an eye, so why do people feel so worried about taking anti depressants, they help you live your life normally and most importantly, happily.

Took Citalopram for years - it made all the difference, enabled me to concentrate better on everyday tasks that had to be done and stopped me feeling as if I was swimming through treacle.Definitely, don't feel guilty!

If you live with other people, though, encourage them to take time out without you occasionally. Depression can be tiring, miserable and frustrating for the people who love you, too - even if they understand enough about the illness not to tell you to 'snap out of it and come for a long walk......'

i have all i want not money or rich material things but emotional things and still the damn black dog visits me depression is not fussy where it lands

Maybe you suffer from S.A.D..... I think lots do, my mum hated the winter and the dark nights, I think you can get a light box that helps. Getting out and about during the “lightest/best” part of the day helps.... before you know it spring will be on the horizon!??

Good luck Doris. Take you meds. Feel better and more positive and then you will be able to fill your day with lovely things. Then you won't want/need the meds.
Sounds easy but it's horribly difficult. Like I say, good luck. It is doable. Believe it's doable.

What a lovely lot of supportive comments I will let you know how it goes

I am mildly depressive and overly anxious. I know that I am worse in the mornings when the cortisone is dominant. I always go to sleep feeling I cannot cope and wake in the night from fearful nightmares.

However, I have found a way of coping. I have a full schedule that keeps me busy. Instead of keeping fit in a gym with silly fees I spend a while in the morning doing my cleaning. Hoovering, busy tasks and ironing with Radio Four Extra to keep my mind busy give me exercise and that gets the endorphins going.

I go for an hour’s walk a day and do exercises as well. I love reading and, when I am physically tired I sit and read as my afternoon treat. By then I feel fine. I eat small amounts during the day and a small dinner but always have cake at teatime which is my daily indulgence.

My OH and I watch some TV in the evening and, in this way, I keep the demons at bay. The anxiety returns as I go to sleep but since I will have physically exhausted myself I generally fall asleep.

Hey Doris, give the pills a try. Have couple of friends who swear by them. Personally, I didn’t get on with them. Made my hands shake! And did nothing to alleviate anxiety. Which I still suffer from. Trying different route. Mindfulness training. Slow progress!

My husband used to be on Escitalopram for depression but, as things got worse, he was moved to Mirtazapine which is so much better for more serious depression. If you find you are still having issues whilst on Escitalopram then try speaking to your GP about Mirtazipine.

I’ve recently started taking sertlaline. I am very stressed and low. It’s partly due to difficult family situations but I am prone to depression anyway. I know many people are much worse off but that only makes me feel guilty.

Hi Doris19,I’ve been taking a low dose citalopram for a long time,I do still get a bit low from time to time,but not suicidal.Please remember that everything passes,your mood will lift.Depression is the worse feeling, I always said rather break all my limbs than go to that dark place again.
Take the pills,all the time if necessary.Hope you feel better soon,only someone who has suffered with this horrible illness understands how you feel.?xx

Gabrielle, I think most of us reading that post realised that it was an autocorrect for antidepressant. These computers have a mind of their own?

Welcome to GN Doris19.
You are in very safe hands here. It's a good place to put your feelings down and get support.
I too have The Black Dog. I've been clinically depressed since a teenager. Antidepressants are my friend. If I don't take them goodness knows what my life would be like! My advice is take each day as it comes. Try and do something nice for yourself each day, like making a nice dinner, relaxing in a bath, painting your nails. Or even something as simple as 5 mins meditation.
I hope you can stick with the pills, it can take a time to find one that suits you. Sending you some virtual flowers ?

Follow everyone's advice if you can,also have you had your iron levels checked low iron can cause depression,I wish I had known that years ago.Good luck,you have taken the first step joining Gransnet.

Of course its not either/or........you can take antidepressants and do mindfulness,walking,yoga and any damn thing which makes you feel human.

Hi Doris 19,
As others have said, welcome to Gransnet. I have bi-polar, so also understand depression. But there are good times in between nasty bouts. And do something nice for yourself every day.
I wrote a book about my experiences and what led to it. my email is [email protected] If you would like a copy drop me a line and I'll happily send you one. Anyone else, it's on Kindle and Amazon. It's called 'Voices in my Head' and is by Beth Heywood. Sorry I can't afford to give and post one to everyone. Kindest regards to all, Lizzy67

Agreed. Depression is hard to beat once it sets in. Best thing is to go with it. If you feel like staring into space do it. It's only a matter of time before you start thinking what can I do now. Loneliness is a major cause. Try mixing with people every day. A text from someone. a hello from the cashier all add up to make to feel you belong. Good luck to you getting old is tough. We got to fight back.

It can be a bit dodgy to "go with it" if you feel as though you wish your life to end!

I'm so happy to have found all of you lovely ladies who understand how I'm feeling. Plenty of sensible women out there Thank you for the support

Doris
A thread has been started, called 'the black dog gang' for people with depression, anxiety, and so on.
You may want to have a look; particularly at how many people have posted there.
Hopefully everyone there can support each other through the bad times, and hopefully the good ones too.