Sensible Topic Depression?

Him Her

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Just seems to be on the increase?

Given I'm dealing with this a lot (as a non-professional muppet) members views would be welcome.

Please, no 'snap out of it' comments.

Thanks :)
 
Just seems to be on the increase?

Given I'm dealing with this a lot (as a non-professional muppet) members views would be welcome.

Please, no 'snap out of it' comments.

Thanks :)

Thank you for raising this. As you say it appears to be on the increase, but in reality it's probably just being discussed more and, as a result, more people are being correctly diagnosed. "Snap out of it" is probably the most counter-productive thing you can say to someone with depression- tempting though it can be sometimes :grayno:
 
Thank you for raising this. As you say it appears to be on the increase, but in reality it's probably just being discussed more and, as a result, more people are being correctly diagnosed. "Snap out of it" is probably the most counter-productive thing you can say to someone with depression- tempting though it can be sometimes :grayno:


that's what i was think, not on the increase but more accepted/ reported now..
 
Anyone dealing with someone with depression? Forget normal HH mode, totally serious now.
 
Given I'm dealing with this a lot (as a non-professional muppet)

Could you explain how you are dealing with it ? Family/Friends ? (if personal I understand)

If only it was that easy to snap out of it lol
 
Both family and friends suffer to a greater or lesser degree. Even mental health professionals are not immune although they have a better chance of managing their condition without outside help.

Mostly I just listen, sometimes I administer a 'boot up the arse' but only if I know the person well enough to believe it's right for the moment. Occasionally I can nudge them down the line of professional help but if you push too hard expect a negative reaction.

I'm also careful to look after me, it's easy to fall into the pit yourself. A bit like absorbing someone else's mood.
 
It's not very often I talk about this but one night we had a text message from my 18 year old son saying 'thank you for being great parents, but I must go now' this was 2 am on a Sunday morning, he had been out with friends pubbing and clubbing etc, we rang him, wouldn't answer, we texted him and found out he was at a well known bridge in town, we alerted the police and set off to find him, we asked around in the area and someone said they spoke to him on the bridge earlier, we found him curled up in a corner nearby, he was taken to hospital and seen by counselors etc, in the coming weeks he was diagnosed bi-polar and suffering from severe depression, he had a spell in a local psychiatric unit due being a suicide risk, he battled for 2 years and got off the anti-depressants, now he lives in his own place with his girlfriend and making a life for himself nicely, It transpired that his depression went back to his teenage school years and he had done a very good job of hiding it from us, we had know idea at all, That's the thing about depression it hits the most unlikely of people. That night still haunts us after 5 years.

There but for the grace of god go I

Just in case anyone asks, no drugs were involved.
 
It's not very often I talk about this but one night we had a text message from my 18 year old son saying 'thank you for being great parents, but I must go now' this was 2 am on a Sunday morning, he had been out with friends pubbing and clubbing etc, we rang him, wouldn't answer, we texted him and found out he was at a well known bridge in town, we alerted the police and set off to find him, we asked around in the area and someone said they spoke to him on the bridge earlier, we found him curled up in a corner nearby, he was taken to hospital and seen by counselors etc, in the coming weeks he was diagnosed bi-polar and suffering from severe depression, he had a spell in a local psychiatric unit due being a suicide risk, he battled for 2 years and got off the anti-depressants, now he lives in his own place with his girlfriend and making a life for himself nicely, It transpired that his depression went back to his teenage school years and he had done a very good job of hiding it from us, we had know idea at all, That's the thing about depression it hits the most unlikely of people. That night still haunts us after 5 years.

There but for the grace of god go I

Just in case anyone asks, no drugs were involved.

Really Sorry to read this but at the same time so glad it worked out for you as parents and most importantly for your son,
 
Suffered with it since I was a young teen mate, went through a bad patch not long ago, started a thread myself and I'm sure you were very supportive so if there's anything I can do mate let me know. Just try and keep your mind active and on things you enjoy, all you can do is ride the wave and know when it's time to get professional help if you feel you need it.
 
As already said, very difficult to advise/ solve. My brother has clinical depression, he's tried all sorts of medication, he has good days and bad but over recent years he seems to be a bit more stable. There are several different anti depressants around and some may work for some but not others. You need to be careful going down that route as some can make things worse. They gave my brother something once and i've never seen him so bad, i think he was close to suicide. Another mate of mine was put on something and he was wandering up a road 20 miles from his home, and ended up in front of a truck. (he's ok but smashed his face badley) When they put you on them, they should take you into some institution so you can be kept an eye on, not just leave you too it.
 
I'm only going to post in this thread once ... i'm not one for talking about it.

I was 13 when i first 'felt different'...

In 1977 at the age of 15 i walked out of school and have hardly been out of the house since.

I have severe depression and Agoraphobia....

I'm still with the same girl i met when we were both 14.. and have only talked to her about it once.

I deal with it by bottling it up...its worked so far...
 
Interesting UKbob u say u deal with by bottling up. Really shows is a personnel choice.

this is a difficult subject and a minefield really. I have since spoken to my parents more in the last 10 years than the first 30. (had no choice as can't hide on a hospital bed).
i knew from my teens I did not want to be in this world and today I still don't, I also know the suffering and pain it puts ones family through so battle every day to not go to those dark places,

for me it is talking, thay saves me and gives me courage. I don't care these days who knows I look at it as I am ill and that's all. I am not on medication though have had years on it.

I also know my triggers and try not to get into those situation, but obviously impossible as some are driven by others actions watch.

so everyone is different if you know any one who is depressed just be there as much as you can and don't think logically as there is no logic to it. If we could "snap out of it" we would.

i have a good life. I earn a good income as an accountant, have great kids and family so there is no logic.

Anyone who reads this and wants to talk pm me and I will give you 100% confidential support be it mail or calling u.

Everyday is a battle but have courage to fight on.
 
Do you not think that word is banded around willy nilly..
I think this is the real problem why people with real issues don't get the help they need.
Everything and anything is labeled with depression..
When I first went to the quacks with my issues I was told I had depression and was put on anti depressants that made me really ill and sent me to counciling..I was not depressed I was just sh#t scared of the outside world??I was so scared I saw everything and everyone as a threat to me and I wanted to take them out??anyone with a bag I thought was carrying a bomb and were wanting to kill me?I spent many years in the scariest places you could imagine and relished it yet today I'm scared if my own shadow..it was 2-3 years before I was correctly diagnosed with PTSD even though they knew of my army service and the stuff I had seen and been through..
If your feeling tired or low your banded as being depressed..it seems being depressed is the norm.
I fully understand the power of depression and really appreciate the conciquencies of manic depression and prey those who suffer it get the correct help and support,I also know depressed or not if someone wants to die nothing will stop them not rhyme or reason as I have lost a fair few people over the years.. guys you thought happy and settled and without a care in the world..gone

I gave up fighting wars a few years ago but my battles go on...
Everyday I carry on fighting making the best of it and trying never to let it get me down,I was once asked by a physiatrist what would help me not to feel so scared I said if I was allowed to carry a weapon just a 9 mil.. I would not use it I said just carry it..

My home was raided by armed police looking for weapons at 3 in the morning..
Daft thing was I knew they were coming and even had tea made for them...

I am now under the care of combat stress and get great help and support from them...
And believe it or not being a mod here has changed my life....
I beg anyone who is feeling depressed or just not feeling themselves or you just ain't right no matter go get help..
Make a phone call or just speak to a friend,talk with family anything...
 
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I'm only going to post in this thread once ... i'm not one for talking about it.

I was 13 when i first 'felt different'...

In 1977 at the age of 15 i walked out of school and have hardly been out of the house since.

I have severe depression and Agoraphobia....

I'm still with the same girl i met when we were both 14.. and have only talked to her about it once.

I deal with it by bottling it up...its worked so far...

I admire your courage to post about this m8, even if is just the once. I am a terrible one for bottling things up, or sweeping under the carpet, but I find eventually the bottle can't take any more and the carpet looks ridiculous with the huge lump under it. (I've always felt 'different' too btw!). Luckily for me, my 'safety valve' allows this built-up pressure to release harmlessly, for others it can be catastrophic, as we have already seen above.
And hats off to your other half too. Although you don't discuss the situation with her, she clearly understands and accepts your predicament to have stood by you for 30+ years. You have one in a million there.
 
It's not very often I talk about this but one night we had a text message from my 18 year old son saying 'thank you for being great parents, but I must go now' this was 2 am on a Sunday morning, he had been out with friends pubbing and clubbing etc, we rang him, wouldn't answer, we texted him and found out he was at a well known bridge in town, we alerted the police and set off to find him, we asked around in the area and someone said they spoke to him on the bridge earlier, we found him curled up in a corner nearby, he was taken to hospital and seen by counselors etc, in the coming weeks he was diagnosed bi-polar and suffering from severe depression, he had a spell in a local psychiatric unit due being a suicide risk, he battled for 2 years and got off the anti-depressants, now he lives in his own place with his girlfriend and making a life for himself nicely, It transpired that his depression went back to his teenage school years and he had done a very good job of hiding it from us, we had know idea at all, That's the thing about depression it hits the most unlikely of people. That night still haunts us after 5 years.

There but for the grace of god go I

Just in case anyone asks, no drugs were involved.

So pleased it worked out well in the end M8. Bipolar is less understood than depression. Used to be called manic-depression because, typically, if you suffered from it you would have major ups and equally major downs. The downs are the problems obviously. We had a scare with a friend about a year ago. Fortunately, friends and family rallied and she got the help she needed but it was a close call.
 
As already said, very difficult to advise/ solve. My brother has clinical depression, he's tried all sorts of medication, he has good days and bad but over recent years he seems to be a bit more stable. There are several different anti depressants around and some may work for some but not others. You need to be careful going down that route as some can make things worse. They gave my brother something once and i've never seen him so bad, i think he was close to suicide. Another mate of mine was put on something and he was wandering up a road 20 miles from his home, and ended up in front of a truck. (he's ok but smashed his face badley) When they put you on them, they should take you into some institution so you can be kept an eye on, not just leave you too it.

There's a lot of truth in there but we have to be careful when talking about medication. It can take weeks (or even months) for medication to have the desired effect. I certainly won't be putting my hand up and claiming to be any sort of expert BUT, it won't hurt to be a sort of 'advocate' for a friend/family member. You could go with them and give moral support; you may be allowed in with the GP. Sometimes anti-depressants are prescribed a bit willy-nilly. There are different forms, some have bad side-effects. Sometimes you can cope with 'self-management'.

One thing for sure, a friend/family-member who is sympathetic can make a whole load of difference. Surprisingly, exercise can be very beneficial. You don't need to go into major work-out mode, just enough to get the endorphins flowing - that's get a sweat on about three times a week!

As always, check with your GP. I'm NOT an expert, everyone is different.
 
People see it as a weakness when it is not. We all cope with different levels and it does not make us any weaker by admitting we can't deal with a situation.
 
A really great post linked below for anyone interested.
Was put up on boards.ie a couple of years ago and has no doubt inspired a lot of folks to get help.
Title of it is " Depression and how I overcame it". Well worth a read!

Depression and how I overcame it - boards.ie
 
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