Anxiety and depression thread (Please read OP)

Irish Praetorian

Ya Ive found experimenting with food can be a good exercise when youre feeling the nerves. I guess either something tastes great and lifts you up or tastes horrible and keeps you on the bog all night.

oddthomas

First time posting here. I have been suffering with very low moods over the past year and had a really bad weekend. I did a number of online tests which suggested I may have depression.

Finally went to a GP today but found it quite disheartening. He asked me a couple of questions and then prescribed Duloxetine which looks to be a fairy heavy duty treatment with lots of side effects. He also took some bloods too to test for some dietary deficiencies.

I think I wanted more of chat before taking the hard stuff! I thought it was strange that talk therapy didn't even come up in conversation. Love to hear from people with experience of Duloxetine.

One More Toy

oddthomas wrote: »

First time posting here. I have been suffering with very low moods over the past year and had a really bad weekend. I did a number of online tests which suggested I may have depression.

Finally went to a GP today but found it quite disheartening. He asked me a couple of questions and then prescribed Duloxetine which looks to be a fairy heavy duty treatment with lots of side effects. He also took some bloods too to test for some dietary deficiencies.

I think I wanted more of chat before taking the hard stuff! I thought it was strange that talk therapy didn't even come up in conversation. Love to hear from people with experience of Duloxetine.

Currently on it, works OK but gave me urinary retention at higher doses. Bear in mind that it will take a couple of weeks for it to start working - so never miss a dose

oddthomas

Thanks for the response. Do you combine it with other treatments? I think my depression stems from some issues in my life that I can pinpoint. I get the impression that many other people don't have a source per se, it just hits them.

One More Toy

oddthomas wrote: »

Thanks for the response. Do you combine it with other treatments? I think my depression stems from some issues in my life that I can pinpoint. I get the impression that many other people don't have a source per se, it just hits them.

I'm on several anti depressants, I also go to cbt which is something you might consider

BohsCeltic

oddthomas wrote: »

Thanks for the response. Do you combine it with other treatments? I think my depression stems from some issues in my life that I can pinpoint. I get the impression that many other people don't have a source per se, it just hits them.

There is always something that triggers depression. For me it was a lot of family bereavements and splitting up with my ex.

You see a lot of rich famous people battling it too despite what you would presume would be a good lifestyle.

It's just that some people hide it.

Well done on being open about it.

I barely slept last night but got up about 7am, had rasher sambo then went to the shop and got some fruit. Plan on chilling out the back garden now with the dogs and laptop and some funny videos. Just simple little things can help mood.

123sheepdip

Welcome Oddthomas - if you want to go down the route of therapy, you should do that and see if it helps. Doctors are general practitioners so don't specialise in Mental health issues exclusively so they don't always have the solutions to every patient. Meds are not to be taken lightly. Research it first is my advice.

oddthomas

Yeah, I've signed up for some therapy too. Might run with that for a while before trying the drug option. It's pretty scary feeling like this, as if someone has excised my personality.

SMC92Ian

Yeah for the first visit no chance would I be taking any hard core drugs before going the anti drug route first. Seems a bit mad for the doctor to go with that right away.

BohsCeltic

Sat out the back garden yesterday enjoying the sun, mad a big salad for dinner. Put it in the fridge and decided to take a nap.
Same again didn't hear alarm go off and now i've been up since 2.30pm lol.

BohsCeltic

How's everyone doing ?
Was babysitting last night(feckin Westlife) and barely got any sleep. Went to the shop, got breakfast, had shower.

Text my mate and he's calling up this afternoon to bring our dogs for a walk. Long time since i actually felt motivated. Actually feeling good

Just hope it lasts. I know there will be good and bad day's but i'm trying to focus on the good day's if i am having a bad day.

Irish Praetorian

BohsCeltic wrote: »

How's everyone doing ?
Was babysitting last night(feckin Westlife) and barely got any sleep. Went to the shop, got breakfast, had shower.

Text my mate and he's calling up this afternoon to bring our dogs for a walk. Long time since i actually felt motivated. Actually feeling good

Just hope it lasts. I know there will be good and bad day's but i'm trying to focus on the good day's if i am having a bad day.

Im finding the routine is starting to settle down again which seems to do my nerves some good. Few awkward events coming up this month but I dont mind one off things so much so long as the general anxiety doesnt get out of hand.

SMC92Ian

How do people deal with certain days, anniversaries and the like coming up... I've been doing better lately but this weekend have been having the worst of nightmares and have a big day coming up which is bringing up all the memories of last year.

Skybirdjb

SMC92Ian wrote: »

How do people deal with certain days, anniversaries and the like coming up... I've been doing better lately but this weekend have been having the worst of nightmares and have a big day coming up which is bringing up all the memories of last year.

I was going to post the exact same question have the anniversary of the what made this all start coming up and I'm so anxious been having nightmares and flashbacks which I haven't had in ages . And it is a happy day too which I'm finding hard to balance in my brain
I will gratefully take any tips too

banie01

Skybirdjb wrote: »

I was going to post the exact same question have the anniversary of the what made this all start coming up and I'm so anxious been having nightmares and flashbacks which I haven't had in ages . And it is a happy day too which I'm finding hard to balance in my brain
I will gratefully take any tips too

To be quite honest as someone who has a few too many bereavement anniversaries and birthdays knocking around after you realize that the actually means very little other than focusing on the likely worst moment you and the deceased shared...

You quickly come to realize that they are just a day that other people remember your loss more, and they ask how you are doing? How're you coping.

Anniversaries and their like aren't days for the bereft.
They are days when others remember that we are.
For me, it's not a day I miss those I've lost any more than the day before or the day after.
It's not that I dwell on that date and automatically sink deeper.
It's that I know those that are still here and care for me, feel that I need extra care.

I've learned to focus on remembering the reason I miss those I've lost.
That we shared love, and so many happy happy memories that after long experience I have learnt to enjoy those memories rather than wallow in the lose.

That doesn't mean I don't know that its @4467 days since my 1st wife died, or that it's @2780 days since my mother passed...

It means rather that I've learnt to be glad that I had 11yrs happy years with my wife, albeit the day she was dead longer than we were together was surprisingly tough.

Same with my mother, I had her for 35yrs!
35yrs of her being my best friend, my youngest brother only had her for 14yrs, so I share as many of the extra 21yrs memories I can with him.

Grief is horribly selfish, all too often we want to withdraw and wallow in it.
Don't!
Remember why you are grieving, the memories made with those people rather than allowing the arbitrary date of their passing have sway over you.

Skybirdjb

banie01 wrote: »

To be quite honest as someone who has a few too many bereavement anniversaries and birthdays knocking around after you realize that the actually means very little other than focusing on the likely worst moment you and the deceased shared...

You quickly come to realize that they are just a day that other people remember your loss more, and they ask how you are doing? How're you coping.

Anniversaries and their like aren't days for the bereft.
They are days when others remember that we are.
For me, it's not a day I miss those I've lost any more than the day before or the day after.
It's not that I dwell on that date and automatically sink deeper.
It's that I know those that are still here and care for me, feel that I need extra care.

I've learned to focus on remembering the reason I miss those I've lost.
That we shared love, and so many happy happy memories that after long experience I have learnt to enjoy those memories rather than wallow in the lose.

That doesn't mean I don't know that its @4467 days since my 1st wife died, or that it's @2780 days since my mother passed...

It means rather that I've learnt to be glad that I had 11yrs happy years with my wife, albeit the day she was dead longer than we were together was surprisingly tough.

Same with my mother, I had her for 35yrs!
35yrs of her being my best friend, my youngest brother only had her for 14yrs, so I share as many of the extra 21yrs memories I can with him.

Grief is horribly selfish, all too often we want to withdraw and wallow in it.
Don't!
Remember why you are grieving, the memories made with those people rather than allowing the arbitrary date of their passing have sway over you.

Thanks so much for all your words they are wise ones . You have been through so much

banie01

Skybirdjb wrote: »

Thanks so much for all your words they are wise ones . You have been through so much

Everyone fights there own battle, everyday in their own way.
Everyone's pain is unique and to them, no matter how empathetic they are, it's theirs raw, real and awful.

I don't really see myself as having been through the wars anymore.
I don't subscribe to the notion of, I've been thru hell and I'm still here, because some days are fúcking awful no matter how bright you want to force yourself to feel.

I've had knocks, but I've also had soaring beautiful moments that will shine for me no matter how dark my mind may turn.

Sometimes, that soaring beautiful moment is something as simple as getting out of bed on a bad day, or saying thank you to the girl who hands me a coffee.

I've learned to take the wins in the little things, because quite often the big things that go wrong are out of our hands in any case and other than staying afloat there isn't often anything we can do to affect the outcomes other than being the support we hope others will give us too in our need.

It's seeing those wins, those little victories and knowing that they are how you can affect your mood, your home, your family and those you care about...
Makes seeing them all the sweeter.

BohsCeltic

Inspiring post banie.

SMC92Ian

Well my depression is back in full swing... went' to bed at 4pm yesterday... only got up now...

BohsCeltic

SMC92Ian wrote: »

Well my depression is back in full swing... went' to bed at 4pm yesterday... only got up now...

Are you eating well ? The last week or so i am eating like i used to and am reaping the benefits of it.
No more naps during the day. Went to bed last night 12am and got up at 6am, Starting to get back into my old routine.
Walking my dogs more too and getting out in the fresh air.

And it's noticed too, last night my Mother told me i look fresh.

I am hoping to be back in work maybe before Christmas, i am not going to rush though.

My main concern about going back to work is that i am not allowed to drive and my car was my comfort zone at lunchtime for some space.

But i came up with a plan, get a family member or friend to drive my car to my job and park it up so i have somewhere to go.
If that works i think i will be more comfortable going back to work as i cannot live on IB forever.
Maybe i am starting to think more clearly now.

Bigmac1euro

BohsCeltic wrote: »

Are you eating well ? The last week or so i am eating like i used to and am reaping the benefits of it.
No more naps during the day. Went to bed last night 12am and got up at 6am, Starting to get back into my old routine.
Walking my dogs more too and getting out in the fresh air.

And it's noticed too, last night my Mother told me i look fresh.

I am hoping to be back in work maybe before Christmas, i am not going to rush though.

My main concern about going back to work is that i am not allowed to drive and my car was my comfort zone at lunchtime for some space.

But i came up with a plan, get a family member or friend to drive my car to my job and park it up so i have somewhere to go.
If that works i think i will be more comfortable going back to work as i cannot live on IB forever.
Maybe i am starting to think more clearly now.

I don’t know you, but I’m happy to read this.
I suffered for about a year and somehow made it out the other side. I’ll never forget the feeling that made 1 year feel like 40 years.
Keep going. Eat good sleep well routine

SMC92Ian

BohsCeltic wrote: »

Are you eating well ? The last week or so i am eating like i used to and am reaping the benefits of it.
No more naps during the day. Went to bed last night 12am and got up at 6am, Starting to get back into my old routine.
Walking my dogs more too and getting out in the fresh air.

And it's noticed too, last night my Mother told me i look fresh.

I am hoping to be back in work maybe before Christmas, i am not going to rush though.

My main concern about going back to work is that i am not allowed to drive and my car was my comfort zone at lunchtime for some space.

But i came up with a plan, get a family member or friend to drive my car to my job and park it up so i have somewhere to go.
If that works i think i will be more comfortable going back to work as i cannot live on IB forever.
Maybe i am starting to think more clearly now.

Don't really eat no, hopefully it'll pass cause I don't wanna be down this hole again, nearly didn't make it back last time.

BohsCeltic

SMC92Ian wrote: »

Don't really eat no, hopefully it'll pass cause I don't wanna be down this hole again, nearly didn't make it back last time.

That was me too. And everyone always saying to you try eat something, i just had no appetite.
My GP gave me ensure plus to help.

I just had some toast and a cup of decaff earlier so about 12 i will have something else.
Once you get something into you(i know it's hard) you will start feeling better.

That's why i think i was napping, no energy. I'm going to cut the grass now then after that have lunch.
Doesn't have to be big amounts but it will help.

Graces7

SMC92Ian wrote: »

Well my depression is back in full swing... went' to bed at 4pm yesterday... only got up now...

By 3 pm I have had it.. so I retire then. am abed much of the rest of the day also as being off my feet helps me do more. Not depression with me; CFS/ME but we share so much pain.

No longer worries me; I am blessedly alone here so no one to question how I cope .

Never be ashamed of how you cope .Depression makes the body tired.

Graces7

SMC92Ian wrote: »

Don't really eat no, hopefully it'll pass cause I don't wanna be down this hole again, nearly didn't make it back last time.

You HAVE to eat. You really do! You will fall deeper and deeper into that hole if you refuse to eat. Take the work of someone who has been there too many times. EAT! Just snacks will do; when your blood sugar drops so do you

BohsCeltic

Graces7 wrote: »

You HAVE to eat. You really do! You will fall deeper and deeper into that hole if you refuse to eat. Take the work of someone who has been there too many times. EAT! Just snacks will do; when your blood sugar drops so do you

So true, I also take multivitamins too. I always thought i was tired because of my depression, but it was due to to the fact i wasn't eating.

Even having some soup will help, or blend some food so you can drink it. It really works.
Sometimes i will put vegetables and chicken into the blender, then add a bit of sauce.
It's easier when you have no appetite to try and drink instead of having to look at food, cut it up and chew. Sometimes just seems like an effort.

SMC92Ian

Graces7 wrote: »

You HAVE to eat. You really do! You will fall deeper and deeper into that hole if you refuse to eat. Take the work of someone who has been there too many times. EAT! Just snacks will do; when your blood sugar drops so do you

Ah I eat when I need to just to keep alive, never been a foodie, don't really like food.

Graces7

SMC92Ian wrote: »

Ah I eat when I need to just to keep alive, never been a foodie, don't really like food.

well TOUGH! Your mind lives in your body and if you do not nourish your body of course your mind will suffer. I am not a foodie either but with my health issues I make darned sure I look after my body whether I feel like eating or not. late afternoon now I look back and check I have eaten enough and of the right things to prevent further trouble, physically and mentally. As vital as taking meds

malnutrition and depression are close kin. Been there too many times not to know that

BohsCeltic has the answer; wonderful post.

SMC92Ian

Graces7 wrote: »

well TOUGH! Your mind lives in your body and if you do not nourish your body of course your mind will suffer. I am not a foodie either but with my health issues I make darned sure I look after my body whether I feel like eating or not. late afternoon now I look back and check I have eaten enough and of the right things to prevent further trouble, physically and mentally. As vital as taking meds

malnutrition and depression are close kin. Been there too many times not to know that

BohsCeltic has the answer; wonderful post.

Yeah right, eating a cake or a steak isn't gonna fix my mind. It's a mental problem so sitting down and eating a five star meal isn't suddenly stopping nightmares, anxiety or depression. Do you have a special biscuit that erases memories? Could do with one tomorrow on this anniversary... if not then bye.

SMC92Ian

SMC92Ian wrote: »

Yeah right, eating a cake or a steak isn't gonna fix my mind. It's a mental problem so sitting down and eating a five star meal isn't suddenly stopping nightmares, anxiety or depression. Do you have a special biscuit that erases memories? Could do with one tomorrow on this anniversary... if not then bye.

Having a healthy diet has been shown to impact mental health positively. If you read some of the experiences posted here you'll see that people work on their diet and exercise as well as usin therapy and medication. There is no need to be so short with someone who is trying to help you.