Depression

Hi Yoga talk to people on here, it is a way of connecting without actually having to face people.

Never heard of AVM but if it stops you taking meds I think the only thing left to you is some sort of talking therapy.

I think it must be very hard for our GPs to know how bad depression is for each individual so you need to go back as many times as you can to make yours understand. Maybe tell him/her that on a scale of 1 - 10 you feel, whatever number is right for you.

Do you have any close family? Can you talk to them?

Sorry I can't give you a wonder therapy but hang in here and someone may be able to help.

Thanks for message Nonnie...I have tried talking therapies and sadly I have a strained relationship at the best of times, and children have their own lives...... As for GPs ....well they are not what they used to be....I see different ones all the time unless I want to wait four weeks for an appointment....but I really appreciate your input.....

Never heard of this before so googled and it does sound awful. You have my sympathy.

Perhaps if you join in other threads then you will find it possible to 'talk' on line and become a part of this aspect of the human race called Gransnet?

I hope so (((hugs)))

Do You manage to go for walks? Just getting outside of the house can help. I know it's not easy. Probably best done almost without thinking about it. Just put on your coat and shoes and exit. Just walk, then turn round and walk home again. It might help. Give it a try?

Just going in a shop and buying a loaf of bread can help to connect you to the rest of the human race. Baby steps....

We're very good for depression on here!

You have all my sympathy - an acute depression dropped on me about 9 months ago and it was a shock to the system to say the least. I am taking medication, but it does have some problematical side effects.

Have you seen a consultant psychiatrist? The trend now is for GPs to treat depression, but with your specific additional problem there is a need for expert input. My treatment was complicated by a cardiac arrhythmia and I saw a cardiologist to advise about the safety of different anti-depressants. You may already have had a consultant referral, but if not it may be time to ask for one.

It is a difficult journey and I hope that there will be people on here who understand the problem and can walk beside you.

Keep talking to us yoga about anything and everything

Hello galen made it back then?

There have been a few threads on this subject on here I think. I suffer with acute anxiety and depression due to life events. Personally, I have never taken medication but I think this was the wrong path to take. I might feel better than I do if I had. I just get on with it to be honest, but it's not easy. As others have said above, posting on here is a help.

Yoga I too suffer from anxiety and depression as do many there on GN. We all have ups and downs and sometimes the downs are hard to shake off. I find it difficult to make friends too but recently plucked up the courage to join a group of knitters (no I can't knit very well) and found them very friendly and easy to talk to. Try and see if your local library has any groups going or perhaps join a local group going for walks locally. They are not all route marches and can just be people of all ages who need some exercise and companionship. I wish you well.

Yoga I forgot to say that the folks here on Gransnet were with me every inch of the way as I struggled through that difficult time, so you are in the right place here.

"Personally, I have never taken medication but I think this was the wrong path to take."

Can I ask why? I haven't either. My mother has been doped up to the eyeballs on antidepressants and tranquilisers etc. for 50 years, and she's worse than I am. I'm convinced that the brain becomes habituated to prescription meds just the same as alcohol or heroin etc., so I'm steering clear of them. I can't see the point in having a drug dependence as well as depression.

Exercise helped, but I can't do that now.

Is the AVM inoperable? I know someone who had this and it was successfully removed. A very big and serious operation though. I suppose it depends on the exact location of the AVM.
Whatever the possibilities, the other Grans have offered good advice. I'd echo jings re just getting out. There's something about a change of scene that helps. Its particularly good somehow to get out in nature. Just seeing and absorbing views really helps me. I'm not explaining it very well. Sorry. Good luck anyway and keep posting or just lurking. You're not alone.

Crun - in answer to your question. Initially when I began to feel awful, I saw medication as masking the problem. I wanted to get better by myself but now realise that all the years I have been struggling could have been happier and easier for my family if I had had some help. Good wishes to you yoga I hope things improve.

There are many different levels of depression and I believe that serious clinical depression cannot be managed by the individual concerned. If it has reached the stage where it seriously impacts on the lives of those around you then you need specialist help. If you have reached the stage when you no longer want to live then you need urgent help.

CBT works well for some but it depends on how you and the therapist relate, if it doesn't work get another therapist and it may work with them but it doesn't work for everyone.

If you suffer with depression do not assume you know how someone else is feeling or you have the answer to their depression. You only know about your own.

My grandson's wife has an AVM that has been successfully treated with laser surgery. Has nothing like this been suggested to you Yogadatti?
Lots of good advice given to you above I hope you managed to overcome you depression with help

Well said Nonnie. I have analysed how I feel. I think mine is severe anxiety. I have had so many bad things happen that I am fearful of life.
I agree that there are many degrees. Before I began to suffer, I was one of the 'pull yourself together' brigade. It's not until something impacts on your own life that you can truly appreciate what other folks are going through.

nonnie who on earth would assume that? [confusion]

However, there are some things in depression that are common to most. Perhaps even all.

Depression and anxiety often go hand in hand.

jingle I have seen it often, people assume that many things they have experienced are the same for others. Depression is not different to cancer, death, broken limbs in that respect.

Message deleted by Gransnet for breaking our forum guidelines. Replies may also be deleted.

eh?

I have tried CBT to no avail whatsoever but the new Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) seems to offer more success. I have had depression for the past 20 years and my psychiatrist tells me that I have exhausted the list of available antidepressants and the anxiolytic drugs have a load of unpleasant side effects with me. I have learned to cope with the episodes with the help of a very loving, understanding wife. I take 10mg Diazepam and sleep for 24 - 36 hours which normally kicks my system back into gear. My new GP has "issues" with my use of Diazepam quoting addiction problems in spite of the psychiatrist advising that I continue with my method. Any discussion of my depression goes right over the head of my GP - he considers it a behavioural problem!!!