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Post by cookie on Jun 22, 2014 19:20:11 GMT 1
Ruth, I think two things made me want to try counselling first. 1) I have some (possibly wrong) ideas about side effects, drowsiness etc and bring the carer of an infant I was tired enough! And 2) I didn't perceive myself as "bad enough" to warrant that. I don't know how accurate either of those things are but that's your answer I guess I just don't have enough faith in the GP (GENERAL practitioner) in such an instance and I think if the counsellor had said, actually you might benefit from medication then I hope I would have been open minded enough to do that. I do recall having the conversation with her.
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Post by ruthp on Jun 22, 2014 19:48:04 GMT 1
Thanks for your replies guys. As I said, absolutely no judgement intended.
I guess I was very fortunate. I have a GP whom I trust a lot and when I first went to her with depression I had had a full on breakdown - floods of tears in a meeting at work, and unable to stop crying the whole way home on the train! - a two hour journey. I saw my GP the following morning and she didn't even mention depression at that point, just gave me tranquillisers, signed me off work and told me to ride my horse and walk my dogs for a week and then go back! You see why I trust her?
I didn't ride, or do much with the dogs, I was way too far gone for that, but simply knowing she knew who I was helped.
I do think having a GP you can trust is critical in managing a condition like depression. You need to be able to be honest about what's going on in your head, and if you don't trust the person you're talking to, that just can't happen.
I also totally advocate counselling. It was very difficult for me, as for many people, but ultimately enormously helpful. But I wasn't well enough to engage with a counsellor until the chemical imbalance was sorted out - I simply wouldn't have been able to process what we were talking about.
So, for those of you who think you might be heading down this rocky road, my advice would be: don't rule any treatment out because of what other people have told you - everyone reacts differently. And if you don't feel comfortable talking to your GP, ask to see someone else. There might be another doctor at the surgery, or a practice nurse with whom you're more comfortable. And finally, do not be ashamed of being ill. You wouldn't be ashamed of asthma or diabetes. Depression is just another illness that needs the appropriate treatment.
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Post by KimT on Jun 22, 2014 21:03:22 GMT 1
I am not against medication and have used it in the past but I am not overly keen on using it again. My reasons are
1) I don't really have one GP. At my surgery you just see whoever which means you have to explain stuff over and over again so I tend to not bother going. There is no rapport like you get with one gp.
2) I am very bad at telling people what I am feeling. It always sounds like I am making excuses. I am not sure if a GP would believe me or even give me the right dose.
3) I too felt like an emotionless zombie and it meant that at the time I didn't feel the need or drive to get out of the bad situation I was in. I feel far more in control now. I guess it very much depends on the situation you are in when you need them
4) They never seem like a long term solution and unless I need a lot of help in the immediate future I try and get through it and work on a long term solution.
In all honesty I feel fine most days. But some days I feel a bit more lethargic or down and I know that I need to manage the situation.
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Post by HolsBols on Jun 23, 2014 12:20:17 GMT 1
Ruthp... It sounds like we have had very similar experiences and I don't think I'd still be here today if it wasn't for the medication. I also had cbt which helped enormously.
I went back on the medication for the last bout but had a different experience on them. The first time, I felt less of a zombie on them because I was in a really bad way. I suppose the second time I wasn't anywhere near as bad but the fear sent me to the doctors earlier. I went back on the medication (because it worked before!) and I felt like more of a zombie once on them. I totally lost myself, it actually made my anxiety worse (day 2 on tablets and I was clenching my jaw permanently) my sex drive was non existent so affected my relationship (this wasn't an issue in previous relationship lol) and I couldn't wait to get off them again. I waited til I felt it was safe to come off them (was 4 months in total) and I've felt back to normal again within a few weeks.
I won't be so quick to get tablets again. I definitely needed help, but I needed to change my situation more than anything else (work). The first time I couldn't change my situation...
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Post by Deleted on Jun 25, 2014 22:36:54 GMT 1
I have 'suffered' depressive symptoms since I was 17 but have only been on medication for the past 6 years, and without it I happily admit I would be a blubbering wreck in the corner with a duvet over my head! Belive me I take my meds because I know the state I would be in if I didn't. I also had CBT (Cognitive Behavoural Therapy) as well on a couple of occasions and that helps a lot! My GP knows me and he got the Therapy for me and it literally saved my life........theres ben a timeor two when I have stood on a motorway bridge and thought about tipping over the edge of it, but thats something I wouldn;t do because it would mean all the family pickng up the pieces afterwards and thats to me would be a cowards way out. I live with my depression now, I control it and not let it control me..........It took at least three changes of meds to find a medication that a) worked and B) left me feeling like a human being and it a zombie.........medication does not suit everyone, other peole feel better having various or complimentary therapies, it all depends what you respond to and how it makes you feel. |For everyon thoguh who does have depression in whatever form then all I can say it does get better it might take time but you find an even keel eventaully
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Post by KimT on Jul 1, 2014 10:40:54 GMT 1
Had a little bit of a 'day' Saturday. So I allowed myself a little bit of a lazy day. I have been very tired lately so I went up the yard in the morning, poo picked and walked the dogs for 30mins. Chilled out for most of the rest of th day but still cleaned the bathroom and did washing, etc. I then went back up the yard, gave Lady her first ever lunging session, did a bit of loose schooling which ended up in a join up. lol. I dont think I will loose school her again because she seems to interpret it as me asking for join up and I think it completely confused her. Also took the doggies for a second walk.
So despite having a lazy day it wasnt totally lazy. lol. I always try and do something so I dont feel like I have wasted the day.
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Post by portiabuzz on Jul 2, 2014 12:49:43 GMT 1
xxx
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Post by troop on Jul 5, 2014 21:54:27 GMT 1
Have just read through this I hope you are all feeling bright tonight. Much love xxx I suffer depression I do not take medication. My doctor diagnosed me and I have seen a councillor and she was not much use to me sadly. I seem to fit through things though and Myddle along fine mostly. I don't think you suffer with it all your life as such but it is always there in the background and you have to take more care of yourself to ensure you kick it into touch before it catches you up.
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Post by portiabuzz on Jul 8, 2014 10:56:59 GMT 1
troop xx
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Post by Liz on Jul 8, 2014 12:55:47 GMT 1
Just catching up on the forum and had to comment here. Depression is such a hard thing to deal with. I succumbed for the first time in my life a few years ago after a particularly hard time and took medication for a short while. I cannot say it helped hugely. I also had some counselling which did help a bit. However, it was time and the help of friends which helped the most. Due to ongoing health problems (hopefully the end of those is in sight!) I've been low for a while mostly because I find it hard to do anything physical and after a lifetime of activity find it very hard to have it curtailed entirely involuntarily.I cannot even walk my little dog and rely on a young friend who calls round and walks mine with hers. I know I am in a good place compared to many so I'm having a selfish rant here! I do hope the black dog soon leaves the shoulders of those in a bad place - I know it will not be forever and that keeps me relatively sane!!
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Post by portiabuzz on Jul 8, 2014 13:22:27 GMT 1
nice to see you Liz
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