The Black Dog Gang

Nobody chooses depression.

Some stupid woman has written on the Daily Fail today about her experiences coming off medication.

Anybody reading, please be aware that this is clearly some shoddy attempt to sell the paper, she is not medically qualified and has sensationalised her so called story.

How are gang members?

I'm ok thanks, batty.
Just keeping on keeping on.
Life is quite dreary, I suppose, but well, I look forward it it improving at some point.
How are you?

How are you batty?. I went to GP. Yammered on for a couple of minutes about aching muscles and then blurted out 'I think I may be depressed. GP lovely. Blood test being done to preclude anything else first. She said a deficiency in serotonin is nothing to be ashamed of.

That's brilliant news.
I appreciate how difficult it is to open up, so good on you. (And your doc!)

Medication should never be stopped abruptly .

Gill, well done

Thank you ?

Deficiency of serotonin I like that. I'm doing a bit better. I make a little timetable for the week and it seems to help.

I do think that routine helps a bit, as impossible as it sounds when you're at rock bottom.
I could have no more had a routine than I could have flown to the moon, but I feel as if it keeps me from sinking again at the moment. (Which would be so very easy)

Good Afternoon Gang....bet you cant believe the responses batty. Hope you are okay. It's such a great help, certainly to me to know that I'm not on my own and other peop!e have exactly the same feelings/symptoms. I actually feeling okay at the moment but because I feel okay and quite happy I'm now becoming anxious that it won't last, this isn't me and I'll be suffering again. I sometimes think 'happiness' is lent to me and I will have to give it back at some point. Mad isn't it?
Love to you all.

On the radio they were saying how much singing affects people. Can't remember what they were measuring ,may have been serotonin. Anyway even if we don't join a choir perhaps we could have a Gransnet sing along. Any suggestions for this evening? Battle hymn of the republic?

Yes a singalong and a jaunty bandana since we are gang members.

If your happy and you know it clap your hands?
(Or do jazz ones, at least!)

Of course, looking it up there are lots of sing along cds. I think I'll order one. But some of them are wartime songs but others are later. Perhaps at our gn meet up we'll do some singing. That'll scare them.

I've read ever post and do sympathize with all of you.
I'm not sure if I suffer from anxiety or depression. I do wake up in the middle of the night, can't get back to sleep and begin to worry about things in general. I read for awhile on my iPad until I fall back to sleep ( an hour or 2 later).
The worst times for me are the weeks before Christmas, and most other holidays, when I can burst into tears just missing our children, who live thousands of miles away. I feel guilty that I can't make myself happier. I know it isn't fair to my DH to be so "down" at times which should be happy.
I try to keep busy, May mention it to my GP but really don't want take meds unnecessarily.
I've always felt this way even as a child.

Page turner, nobody can make you take meds, but no harm in going to the GP.

loopyloo - I have sung in choirs all my life, and also run singing groups and community choirs events. I can absolutely testify as to the beneficial effect. If you can just get yourself out of the house to join a choir then it is hugely efficacious - it is taking that first step that is so hard when you are feeling low.

I one ran a singing group with people with mental health problems,many suffering with depression. I had such lovely feedback from them as to how it had changed their lives.

I wish I could work out how to send you all an MP3 of a song and get you to record yourselves singing it (with harmonies of course!)- then |I could upload it as a "choir"!!

Hi Gang. Well done GillT57 for seeing your GP, big step. I've had a couple of good days this week, then today felt flat again. No panic attacks thank goodness, they're the worst thing ever, but generally down. As MissA says, just keep on keeping on until I get another good day. Best wishes to all who are struggling with this awful condition, wouldn't wish it on anyone xx

That’s a wonderful idea,you can’t feel depressed if your singing.Having posted recently about my episodes of depression,and said I haven’t had it for years.Its come back with a vengeance ?,off to Doc,and doubled up on citalopram.Am not sleeping and getting through the day in a blur.Am trying to think positive.Love to you poor souls in the same boat.x

Has anybody read " Potatoes not Prozac"

No, Oldbatty, can you tell us more. I've just finished "Depressive Illness" by Dr Tim Cantopher, which was mentioned earlier in this thread. Absolutely excellent book, really hit the mark for me, very informative about the illness, causes, treatments, recovery, helpful advice, amusing at times with just the right amount of philosophy. Easy to read, written in layman's terms and described me to a T! Cannot recommend this book enough to anyone suffering from clinical depression.

Glad you enjoyed it Nanny23 he was my consultant and very 'normal' to talk to. It struck a cord with me too.

I have just had my hair done, for the first time in a year!
I kind of wish I had gone a bit brighter, but I'm in the process of embracing my grey!

Thank you oldbatty for starting this thread, and all of you for your support. Ironically, I am feeling a bit better at the moment, and almost cancelled my appt with GP as I felt a bit of a fraud as I felt fairly well, but I knew I would feel down again another day so I still went. MissA, embrace the grey! I think I may order the book you have been talking about Nonnie, I always have been someone who deals with things by herself, and reading about it may help, but there again, dealing with things by myself, and shutting people out hasn't done me much good so far, has it. Will take help when offered by GP.