Depression.

I am so sorry that everyone is having problems. I Honestly wish that none of us had these problems :( I hope that everyone feels better soon, i'm here if you wanna talk! 

That's one good thing about this site is that we all understand each others problems and don't feel ashamed or embarrassed by it 

Good Morning Pierrem70 + Alunsue. It is sad that we all have our own struggles in life, but as Alunsue writes; this group is great as we all support each other but more importantly, we all understand through our own first hand experiences. 

Have a fab day.

Little by little, day by day..

hi all im new

Hi hope you're all well. I've had 2 ok days in a row ? Although the new meds can make me forgetful the pros outweigh the cons. 

I wish I had a partner to cuddle Cheryl, I've just come out of a long distance relationship and just the thought of ever relationship again makes me panicky. Think I'll just learn to be happy alone, no stresses and worries then!! 

Take care guys xx

Hello! I am new to this but have suffered with depression and anxiety for years. My anxiety got a lot worse a few months ago and spiraled in to very bad depression and a suicide attempt. I have been given medication (again) and am giving them a good go now as I have stopped in the past whenever I have been prescribed anything. I'm still in a bit of a hole and have been signed off work as I wasn't coping very well with work stress either and it was making everything worse. Now, I am stuck in the house, alone, worried about my finances due to not being paid from work for being ill but neither have I got the motivation to go back to work yet. I'm stuck in a rut of worrying that people think I am being lazy, when in fact, I struggle with the easiest of things to everyone else daily, I think I should go back to work but I really don't know what to do or how to get better. I've been off work for a few weeks. Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated xxx

Hello Fairyland, I've also been extremely low these last few months, the lowest I've ever been. All I can advise is what was advised to me on here. Stick with the meds, although it can be hit and miss in what ones work, which in itself is stressful but you'll find yours, hopefully you already have. Do you get support from your local health team? I can't put into words how much mine have helped me, just knowing someone is coming to check on you without the worry that you're being a burden can be a relief. Keep with your meds and hopefully soon your energy levels will go up enough for you to get back to work, maybe at least part time? 

My days are still up and down with evening times being the worst but I'm certainly better than I was a few weeks ago. Look after yourself and don't listen to people who call you lazy, I think it's just hard for someone who hasn't been through it to comprehend the misery depression and anxiety put on us. 

Take care xx

Hi Fairyland. Sorry that you are not in a good place at the moment. I totally understand how dark and lonely, along with frightening path of depression is.

Although you probably can't quite envisage that you can get through this difficult time, please believe me when I say that "you will'. I speak from my own personal experience. I didn't know which way to turn. I too, was worried sick about my finances or "lack of". After trusting my now ex for over 30 years my world was turned upside down when he committed adultery; along with being diagnosed as being "delusional and psychotic" I didn't even know who supplied our utilities!!  I was terrified of losing everything. My dad was also diagnosed with COPD, whilst my sister with Cancer. I was facing redundancy from my part time job. I felt that the world was against me.

The turning point for me was having thoughts of how easy it would be to walk in to traffic.

Although medication didn't solve my problems they eased my frantic mind enabling me to focus on my issues. 

My advice to you would be;

Be gentle on yourself, we are our own worst enemies. Logic goes out of the window when suffering with depression.

Do things for 'you' no matter how small.

Don't miss your medication; you are prescribed them for a reason. I stopped taking mine ;to my detriment. I now take them regularly but am hoping to come off them the correct way;under my GP's supervision. My GP has been amazing .

Go for walks daily, take time to notice the flowers instead of the weeds.

Go to Citizens advice or look online for any help available.

Concentrate on your breathing; I still do this if I can feel my stress levels rising.

Talk, talk and talk some more. This site is the ideal place as your are only supported , never judged from those who have first hand experience.

Try and work out what the underlying reasons for your depression is and work on them.

Adopt a 2 steps forward, 3 steps back approach for the time being. 

Little by little, day by day.

Be patient, there are no short cuts on your journey; believe in yourself. I am in a such a wonderful place in my life and you will be also

There really is light at the end of the tunnel.

Always here to chat/support.

Julie xx

Great advice! I'd also urge you to put aside all thoughts that you are "being lazy" because you're off work with depression. If you had a double fracture to a limb and couldn't walk, would you think you were lazy if you stayed off work? Or if you had pneumonia? Although it's a "invisible illness", which means, often, that other people can't see, far less comprehend, the agonies we are suffering, please believe that Depression is just as debilitating and in need of rest and care than the other two problems. I've had all three, and I know which one was the worst, in terms of severity of symptoms and duration!

Hello.I'm new here...My first problem is depression ..i was diagnosticate with bipolar disorder type 2...i have 4 years from i start to have this problems...everything was starting from a trauma, i lose my job, my last exam from medical school, my father...i start with anxiety, panic atack, problem with bowl open, stomach...I was in hospital just once to psihiatric unit and they put me diagnostic with bipolar disorder type 2...from then 3 years they give me medication with escitalopram, sodium valporate, quetaipin...i was sleepy every time, agitated...without hope...problems to my new job....one year ago i come from Romania in UK, but from 3 mounths they change my medication because they realise i don't have this problem and they keep me with Fluoxetin(aka Prozac), sodium valporate and sometimes sleeping tablets...I sleep very well, i can concentrate to my job, my family and activities...I don't know how they make or put my diagnostic bipolar disorder type 2 from first meeting, because i don't had maniac atack or hipomaniacal atack...i had just depression...severe depression...after almost 4 year to live with this ...with hard work with my mind, psihological videos and self control I start to know how to react on my bad days...I'm sorry for some words because I'm not a good english speaker...Best wishes for all and keeping trust in you!