Depression

[Dancerfromparis]

anyone please tell me why I have been reasonably OK for me! for a few days, when out of nowhere the depression is back and all the anxiousness etc that goes with it this is a ridiculous existence

[Dancerfromparis]

That was meant to read "Can anyone" sorry it sounded rude :0(

[RedApple Administrator]

Could you be suffering from SAD (Seasonal Affective Disorder) perhaps?

According to sada.org.uk/, typical symptoms are:

Depression

Sleep Problems

Lethargy

Over Eating

Loss of Concentration

Social Problems

Anxiety

Loss of Libido

Mood Changes

[Dancerfromparis in reply to RedApple]

It's a thought but I think it's a lot more severe then S.A.D Apart from anything else after spending most of my life in the Far East I like this weather normaly im at my best in the Autumn and winter ive only been likes this since I had Rai treatment. and when I was very young and going through puberty

I think it's possibly hormonal im seeing my Renal specialist this week and also the Endocrinologist that has been treating me. I will have a talk with them both because this is no way to live and they are very good with me and listen. I just wondered if anyone else had the same problems.

Thank you for your kind reply it's much appreciated.

[RedApple Administrator in reply to RedApple]

If your thyroid levels are out of whack, then depression can strike at any moment. Also, if you haven't already done so, get your vitamin D level checked. Low Vitamin D (which is actually a hormone) can also be associated with depression, and is becoming increasingly common.

<b>Updated on Dec 14 2010 12:35PM:</b> Some info on vit D and depression here

vitamindcouncil.org/depress...

[HazelD]

Yes I have this problem! I seem to go through cycles, I start out quite happy, then have random days of 'doom', these days become more frequent until I have a permanent depression at which point I see my GP and they increase my levothyroxine dose and I am fine for anything up to about 6 or 8 weeks then it all starts again. I started having these bad days a couple of week ago and now its just starting to get quite bad everyday, yesterday and today I have felt particularly rubbish, so I am going to book another blood test today. I am hoping that one day I will be on the correct dose and I will not have to go through these bad times!

I too also do feel happier in the autumn and winter.....just thinking, I think I read something somewhere that the thyroid is better in the winter, I think its got something to do with vitamin D, but I can't quite remember (typical) I will have to look it up.

It would be really interesting to find out what your doctors say about it. I have an endo app in Feb so I think I might bring it up then too.

Hope you feel better soon x

[Sheila2 in reply to HazelD]

I thought that thyroid function is better in the summer rather than winter and some people require a slightly higher dose through the winter months. Vit D comes from sunlight so lack would be down to dark wintery days. Can someone out there clarify this point?

[waveylines in reply to HazelD]

I have been diagnosed with low vitamin D & take D3 supplements to address it. Vitamin D has an indirect link to the uptake of thyroid hormone in your tissues. Since correcting the vit D balance i have noticed much better energy levels. I also do not get down in the winter months like I used to. There is some evidence to suggest that it is low vitamin D that may be the culprit for SAD. If you want more information about vitamin D google 'The Vitamin D Council.' I do have a couple of articles on the link which I can't remember on this site or not. Can check if you would like me to.

[Dancerfromparis in reply to HazelD]

Hi Wavylines,

It's kind of you to mention the vit D the thing is with the other disease that I have I have to get my bloods taken every 2 weeks and have to have iron transfusions + injections they keep a very close eye on all of my results and they do a FBC + Thyroid function test every time. Because at any time my kidneys could fail.. I think they would know if i was deficient in that vit but I will ask.

Thank you everyone for your help and good advice your all a wonderful support.

[Dancerfromparis in reply to HazelD]

Yes Vit C comes from sunlight.

[Dancerfromparis]

Just to let you know the Renal specialist said no way am I allowed to take vit D it affects already seriously imparied kidneys thanks anyway.

[Ginger_11]

I have been through a long period of depression/anxiety and my therapist (CBT) has given me some good worksheets to work on. One of them is a Weekly Activity sheet, which, you only fill in the NEXT DAYS' activities. By doing this, it structures your days not too far into the future. AND you can add in appointments, meetings etc. But it must be a mixture of work rest and play. For instance, I go to the gym once a week, but structure in rest for the following day, as I know I will be shattered. When there are bad days, I write them in as well, but I also write down what I did on those days eg listen to a talking book or listen to a relaxation CD when lying on my carpet/on my sofa or in my bed (doing this feels like you are giving yourself permission to listen to your body and not worry about things you cannot do/should be doing). This teaches your mind to start thinking in logical ways again. You can also look back on these sheets and see what tired you/brought your mood down and what kept you active and busy. By also completing the mood and fatigue sheets that are available (see below), This will do the same. It is really eye-opening. At first you may not get to do all that you indended, but keep at it, and eventually it will all be done. This is a life habit to get into, filling out the sheet each day for the next day’s activities.

If you want to look at these sheets, go to getselfhelp.co.uk Website is great itself (have a look around) but click on the "Self Help" icon on the list on the left hand side and this will give you all the sheets - FREE. There are downloads as well. There is also a CBT self help programme and the worksheets are there for that. Remember, THOUGHTS ARE NOT FACTS. When you are depressed, these get confused. Please let me know if you try this and how it worked for you.

Also, search online for “I had a black dog, his name was Depression” (a YouTube video). This is really good in being able to identify if you have depression (but don’t know it yet) and how it really feels (also good for when you do know, as you can recognise the feelings).