Lin

[Lin1944]

I have suffered with depression for 20 years and have tried many meds and therapies. Twice a year I get a relapse that lasts 6 weeks. I have nothing to be depressed about so why these set backs

[Hidden]

Depression is an illness and can strike anyone out of the blue regardless of what you have in your life. You often hear of those with a 'perfect' lifestyle who have everything they want having it as well as those who don't. Depression doesn't discriminate.

It's like breaking a leg - it's random. x

[WantToChange]

Depression is a tricky illness to define, like most mental ill health disorders, and everyone experiences it and deals with it differently. A lot of people who suffer from depression have nothing, or at least very little, to be depressed about. What can actually happen is that they feel depressed and then look for something to be depressed about and blame their low feelings on this thing. This happens because we feel we need to have something to be sad about - or at least that's what we learn in society.

And some people suffer from situation depression whereby it is something in particular that is getting them down. But this often lifts when the situation changes.

[darkshadow in reply to WantToChange]

I think the last comment is very true. When you are depressed people tell you what you should do. Most of the time they show a complete lack of understanding of the illness. They may tell you to take a break, have a holiday, join a club, group etc. The state of mind you are in prevents you from doing any of those things. That advice is useless. It is the kind of suggestion that may work if you are just feeling a bit down but it won't alleviate clinical depression. I think it is possible that the word "depressed" is often used wrongly instead of eg "fed up". If you're a sufferer of real depression, you will certainly know it. Your whole life will have changed.

[Hidden]

Lin

Sufferers condition clear after a period of time, while others the condition will will clear. Sometimes we end up with a mental illness staying with that person and it will in some way stay with them for the rest of their lives.

Generally depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain where the medication replaces that imbalance

Some patients are affected by life choices, or stress at different times, like a death, illness or family, and work problems.

We are all different there is no hard or fast rule all people are different.

Generally some people will go for intervention therapy and may need that treatment over an extended period of time.

You are not alone, we all mostly have crosses to bare

BOB

[Gambit62]

You say you get 2 relapses a year of 6 weeks - are these happening at the same time of the year?

There is a condition known as Seasonally Affected Depression (SAD) - most people associate this with the winter but in some people it happens at other times of the year.

I haven't suffered from depression for a while now (source of mine was a problem with absorbing B12 which I've now got under control) but I used to find that things were worse for me in Spring and Autumn - something about the character of the light at those times of year.

[Lin1944 in reply to Gambit62]

Hi Gambit.thanks for reply. I thought because I go to Tenerife 3 times in Winter I wouldn't have S.A.D. I do seem to suffer about May and December and I will ask this week to have a blood test to see if I am low in B12. Do you think those light boxes are any good,I will try anything to stop this dreadful illness. Thanks for your help and I will let you know how I get on. Just going to google S.A.D. And B 12 . Here's hoping Thanks Lin

[Lin1944]

I am going to try a Light Box for sufferers of SAD and see if it helps. Could anyone give me advice on the best one to buy as I don't actually know anyone who has one.

[Gambit62 in reply to Lin1944]

I have a light SAD lamp that I purchased a number of years ago from a company called Lumie - they also do body clocks - which give you a simulated sunrise and sunset which can help if you have sleeping problems - a more natural wake up etc.

This is a link to a checklist of B12 - It may not be B12 that is affecting you but the symptoms are quite far ranging so just in case there are other things in there then it might be useful to have that when talking to doctor

pernicious-anaemia-society....

[Lin1944 in reply to Gambit62]

Hi Gambit,I must say you seem very knowledgeable I have been reading some of your posts. I am not the most energetic lady but then I am 70. I have seen the Lumie lights at Boots and as I used to work there I can get discount. I would like to try one first so I may rent for a month to see if it helps. Just been in garden soaking up the sun for an hour,I suppose that's better than any lamp. Thanks for your advice and I Feel quite hopeful. This is first time I have used a Forum so it's good to read other people's depression stories. Cheers Lin

[Lin1944 in reply to Gambit62]

Hi Gambit.had a blood test as you suggested and I have got B12 deficiency and have started on a course of injections. I would never have thought of this only for you telling me. I feel so hopeful that after 21 years I may have the answer and it's thanks to you.Next one is a light machine. Cheers

[Gambit62 in reply to Lin1944]

Hope that it solves the problem - though the regime for treating B12deficiency is a little on the parsimonious side in this country - would strongly recommend that you join the PAS community for further support as getting the treatment you need - as opposed to what the text books says can be quite difficult - but here's hoping that you get on okay on the normal regime - 6 loading shots then maintenance shots every 3 months ... personally I need a lot more than that but the amount I need is a bit unusual

Its a pity that the medics really don't have B12 higher on their radar - sure there is a lot of deficiency out there that goes undiagnosed.

[Lin1944 in reply to Gambit62]

Hi Gambit will have to look up parsimonious as don't know what it means ha ha. I am having the 6 shots then a top up every 3 months like you said. I agree I reckon there are lots who need it but have never been diagnosed. I have been telling all my friends to get checked out. I can't thank you enough and I feel very hopeful for the future. Thanks again Lin

[Gambit62 in reply to Lin1944]

parsimonious is the opposite of generous ... with the emphasis on opposite

[Lin1944]

Thanks for letting me know I may try using that word to impress my family and friends. They will look at me and say "eh"Cheers

[Lin1944]

Hi Gambit. Just joined the P.A. Forum and put a post on. The only problem is I am reading all the posts and the next thing a couple of hours has gone by. I tell my Young grandsons off for always having their noses in their iPads and I am going the same way. People are so kind and caring giving advice to people they don't know and who needs Doctors and psychiatrists when we have friends on Health Unlocked. Lin

[Lin1944]

Hi Best thing I have ever done is to join this Forum as found out I am B12 deficient. Just read on Perivious Aneamia Forum that you shouldn't drink alcohol when on B 12.

I do like a few glasses of wine with my evening meal but is it advise able not to drink anything. Any advice please Regards Lin

[Hidden]

Hi sorry to hear your on going issues. Forget about what's causing it and try and get help to resolve . Have you seen your GP . Many websites have inform action to help . Plus this forum and fellow suffers are always ready to listen and help take care Ian .

[Lin1944 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Ian I feel as if having the B12 injections is the answer to my depression if so I will shout it from the rooftops because Doctors tell you nothing. Lin

[Hidden]

Lin1944 take care