The Black Dog Gang

Oh ladies, my heart goes out to you all. The difficulties you must face with anxious faces on a daily basis. Who knew?
What a wonderful idea oldbatty to start this group for mutual support. I wish you all well in both meanings of the word.
I myself am a ‘glass half full’ personality so I’m not eligible to join. (Thankfully). I came to look at the topic out of curiosity really.
Sparklefairydust your post was heartbreaking.
I hope you all find this group where you can ‘be yourselves’ without judgement - comforting and supportive.
My warmest wishes to everyone who posts.

Suffered years ago from what the doctor labelled ‘anxiety and depression’. He said ‘it’s been a long time coming and it’ll be a long time going’ and jeez, was he right! The worst thing for me was the complete lack of interest in anything, reading and knitting which normally I loved, going out, looking after my young family, and just being crippled by everlasting anxiety, mainly driven by the ‘what if’ syndrome, eg, what if I’m ill, who will look after three little ones? Totally irrational, I was and still am, surrounded by a loving family. Even now, some forty odd years later and more or less immune, there are certain triggers. I really, really dislike Autumn, the whole season, which was when everything started. There’s a certain smell and feel to the season which gives me goosebumps, especially October, and the smell of bonfires and fireworks can set me off if I’m a bit off guard. My commiserations to all you sufferers - I truly feel your pain.

Count me in please.

Hi Peeps,

I've got bi-polar so not strictly depression. May I join please?

If you'll permit a contribution from a bloke - I know exactly what Nonnie means. I live with my depression and seem to be able to manage it but the only real answer for me is that my wife's Alzheimers goes away and she comes back home. Not going to happen!!!

What a great thread. I'm not a sufferer myself and wouldn't presume to offer advice. Just conscious that there are many out there who are sufferers. We have support threads for all sorts of issues on GN so this one is especially welcome, it seems to me.

The more we can share and actually use the " D" word , the better.

Book I am not a regular poster on here but I am sure you are welcome as people are very supportive. I have age related hearing loss and often feel depressed about how it affects social life. I have dropped out of a group because I didn't feel I was contributing any more. My SIL is seriously depressed at present and it has affected the relationship with my DD. They are working on it and he is on medication and having counselling. There seems to be no rhyme or reason about when it strikes.

I'm in - diagnosed with clinical depression around the age of 23 - too scared to come off anti depressants which have helped me cope. Tried a few times to reduce dosage but horrific experience. I'm now 66 and resigned to take pills for rest of my life as they keep me functioning. My OH diagnosed as Bipolar and also on medication which has stabilised his mood. At least we are aware of what the other is going through.

Lots of peeps in the gang now....vent/moan/groan....get it out.

Anything that helps?

Anything that doesn't?

Book, me old matey, climb aboard our bus.

Can I be included please? Profoundly deaf with only two friends. Have a son who lives in residential care who has multiple disabilities (unrelated to my hearing loss). Am on a cocktail of medication but am not a Grandma so unsure if I can be part of the group?

I have bipolar so don't always fit in but this last year has been a bad one for my family and in turn on my mental health. I feel everyone's fed up with me and just try to fix me rather than support where I am so I hide it and keep it to myself. I'm so exhausted just trying to get through each day.

My son in law has recently been diagnosed with depression. His boss said to him "you need to pull yourself together and set an example to the younger members of the team". I couldn't believe anyone would say such a thing.

Working on CBT and using Citalopram. Mostly anxiety but that then leads to depression. Please may I join.

Super idea. I’d like to be one of the gang.

I'm in please. Currently on Venlafaxin plus anti anxieties plus anti psychotics
Am feeling Ok at the moment

I'm now going into my 14th week off work because of depression. I have battled to keep it at bay since February but just couldn't cope any longer. I hate it. It makes you feel as though you have no control and your mind feels as though it's been invaded. So to anyone who has episodes of depression, you have my sympathy. I'm starting CBT this week as after being in medication for 8 years I 've come to the conclusion thatbi need to try another way.

Count me in please.

I would also like to be in please.

Today in the Guardian there is an article with a link asking for volunteers to take part in a study about depression. www.theguardian.com/society/2018/sep/18/40000-volunteers-sought-for-largest-ever-uk-study-of-depression
I thought I might give it a go. I have one of the lights which I do use in the winter months and at the moment I am taking Mirtazapine which is possibly helping.

Can I join, today is bad. Ache from head to foot and so tired. Extreme anxiety leaves me feeling drained. Citalopram levels it a bit and copious amounts of vitamin D... in tablet or sun form.. I'm not proud, And sleep.

I feel I’m trembling on the brink. Health issues mean that I’m having to give up doing things I love and have to accept that I can’t do as much with my dgd as I would like. So reactive rather than clinical depression so probably easier to deal with but could certainly do with some support so can I count myself in?

Yes me too. Feel drained of hope and energy. Just not myself. Waiting to hear result of blood test for ovarian cyst. I normally like autumn but not this one, at least not so far!

I'm in - suffered for many years until i found the right combination of medication and self help.