looking for support

[Bluebike100]

Hi, just joined this site, suffer with depression very recently and just looking to make contact with others while going through this difficult time

[Hidden]

Hi Bluebike100

You find many understanding and caring fellow sufferers here, your not alone with your struggle, glad you posted and welcome x

[Bluebike100 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Suzie,

thanks for your kind response. this is my third episode of depression which started last week. I have seen the doctor and she put me back on anti-depressants which hopefully should help. im still in work but am struggling. have usual symptoms of feeling lonely, low mood etc. I find nights the most difficult.

I hope your doing ok at the moment and anytime you want to chat, get in touch.

Lee x

[Hidden in reply to Bluebike100]

Thats very kind of you, I can relate to your struggle, its not an easy thing to deal with at times, but we all just have to hang in there, the medication should help once they kick in,

[Bluebike100 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks Suzie, to true, we have to keep going and know we can get through the storm. Its just nice having someone to chat to about it. hope your having a good day so far.

[MattBuckland]

Hi there

You are in the right place. I have been made to feel very welcome here.

Happy to chat things through if you wish.

Cheers, Matt

[Bluebike100]

Hi Matt,

thanks for taking the time to write back. Im at work but it is a struggle to concentrate etc. This episode of depression only started last week, ive had it before. I find the nights the hardest. I just find it useful to 'chat' to someone as it always feels lonely when your going through this. Been to the doctor and started anti depressants again.

Hope things are improving for you

Lee

[MattBuckland in reply to Bluebike100]

Hi Lee

I can totally relate to the work thing, it is pretty much on my mind all the time. I have developed a mental block and have lost all my confidence. I'm a few months into my episode now, the longest and most severe that I have ever had. It can feel very lonely as you are the only one who knows what you are feeling and sometimes it is hard to know why you feel that way. Good that you have been to the doctor, I am back on sertraline after a 6 month break from anti depressants, not sure it is working at the moment. It is good to be able to 'chat' about this as it takes you out of your head for a while.

I am better than I was at my worst, it is just that my lows are so bad that it feels like one step forward and three back.

This morning I felt 'hopeful' and whilst I don't have that feeling now, I definitely am capable of it and so will go looking for it again tomorrow.

Off to get the CBT book out and do the 30mins work on my brain that I said I would do each day when I had a brief high this morning.

I hope that this evening hasn't been too hard for you, sending you out a positive vibe.

Matt

[Bluebike100 in reply to MattBuckland]

hi Matt, thanks for taking the time to write me It's good to know that we are both working and coping with depression at the same time. I've actually taken the day off today to try and get some rest. Not sure if it's the right thing to do but I'm not going to make a habit of it.

I know how you feel about the lows. like you said you felt hopeful yesterday. But then the feelings go. I felt ok last night but soon as went to bed the lows come back. I find it comes in waves and my mood constantly changes.

I also got a book out the library yesterday 'the mindful way through depression' I'll let you know if it's any good.

I hope your feeling a little better today.

Sending positivity back to you

Lee

[Olderal]

Hello Bluebike , contact is good but more importantly you've seen a GP and are receiving treatment. Contact is important but correct diagnosis and treatment are even more important.

I love your gift for understatement, depression would certainly qualify as "a difficult time". If this is your third episode you'll know that ads take a while to work.

Work will be a struggle while depressed but if you can manage to continue it is the best thing you could be doing .True its a worry but it is giving you essential human contact and interaction, saving you from corrosive idle hours of introspection, and not least saving you a lot of financial worries you could do without. No doubt you won't be performing quite as well as when free of depression but you are probably doing an awful lot better than your depression distorted mind thinks. Think of your work as a lifeline for you and it will be easier to cope with. Remember you don't have to be perfect, you are as entitled to make the odd mistake ,and ask for advice or help as everyone else. Its quite normal. You just worry about it more when depressed.

If you make a mistake just apologise and say something like, "sorry,did n't get a wink of sleep last night" or "sorry, I misunderstood you". All these things are quite normal and will get you through the bad times until you are performing like a star again.

Keeping in work with depression is a struggle but its very character building. Soon you'll have so much character you'll be able to give some to the more dull and listless of your co-workers who do not have the same opportunities as you to build their character.

Olderal

[Bluebike100 in reply to Olderal]

Hi Olderal,

thanks so much for taking the time and effort to write to me. I really appreciate your excellent advice. I took the day off work yesterday which I thought would help, but ended up staying in bed all day. So I will try and keep coming to work for the time being.

It is a struggle but I find it even more important to have structure and routine that work provides. I just worry that people might notice that im not my normal self. But so far so good.

again I really appreciate your support and advice at this time.

Lee

[LoriMS61]

You've been given some great advice. I noticed that you mentioned twice about nights being difficult. Is this in relation to SAD? I leave my big lights on until 8ish and then switch to more subtle lighting to immitate the summer.

I start to fall asleep at 6/7 otherwise. I also use a sunrise/sunset alarm. I've used it consistently all year, but I'm really noticing the benefit of it now.

Lori