Crapaud62

I thought this thread would turn bad but it hasn't.

Some very good posts.

Certainly having a good doctor helps. My GP would book me in last and didn't care if I was in for 5 mins or an hour, he never rushed me. His receptionist hated me as she had to wait for us before she could lock up for the night.

An interesting point that has been touched on above is the effect depression can have on your partners. I was really hell to live with due to the mood swings from euphoria to suicidal. Its only having two fantastic sons that have kept me (relatively) sane at times.

I feel no "shame" in suffering from depression but equally I don't usually talk about it. Only a few people know I'm on medication and only a very few know how suicidal I've been at times in the past.

Funny how internet boards like this can help. I was very low last year when I first registered and the BBS helped as a form of counselling

bug-eyed wonder

See my post count for further explaination of my desire for social interaction last winter! Slowing down now though thank ****!

RaZe-=Buzz=-

Social Interaction is the best thing on this planet. Ive met lots of people who I call my friends from forums like these - and as far as Im aware, there isnt a legal limit to the number the missus and I are allowed

Anytime you want a drive out the door is open and the beer is chilled

drumsterphil

iTrader: (1)

Must admit that I'm suprised by this thread as well. I've often wanted to post a topic like this - in a way it's heartwarming that so many can relate to the pain that others are going through and often support and advice. A simple reply to a thread is a wonderful tonic, so to speak.

DP.

bug-eyed wonder

RaZe-=Buzz=- never a truer word spoken! Got that side of things sorted now,think you may be a tad far off my usual area though!

bug-eyed wonder

Tread carefully otherwise this may head into hardcore ****!

Good to see it getting a bit more lighthearted now!

RaZe-=Buzz=-

I drove to Redruth (near Lands End) for a night out with a guy I'd never met, so dont give me any of that bollox 8 hours drive each way.

I regularly go to Chelmsford (4 hours) and Ive been to Plymouth and Peterborough to meet people. Oh, and S****horpe

Next month Im going to a Counterstrike LAN at Earls Court, to meet a guy from holland and a big section of the "clan" I' in (I know, at 30 its sad some people think, but its more of the social interaction and a damn good laugh )

Im driving down on Saturday morning and back Saturday night - just going for the day, Im not taking part.

You've got to do these things now and again....well, at least I have to.

drumsterphil

iTrader: (1)

BEW - confused here?

Rich Tee

Just gonna add comment here, as i have been on seroxat for over 2yrs now.

i have had many people (mainly work and family) suggest going for counselling but have always made excuses and just kept taking the pills.

the pills wont cure the underlying problem that is something that i have only just realised, they will just make the days seem more tolerable.

i only started couselling 2 weeks ago, (have had 2 sessions) and although very sceptical at first and really didnt want to give it a chance i can see the benefit in it

i only went because my dad booked me into a private counsellor and made me go (i am 30 !!) but the things that have come out in the first 2 sessions have made real sense

she has done questionaires and things to find out what i am really like, the GP just prescribe the pills and say come back in a couple of months (they are only allowed 8 mins per patient)

withing the first session she had diagnosed (decided) that i was suffering from a high level of clinical depression based on the results of my conversations, and had no real control over my life.

the pills have been upped (50mg) but i am now starting to feel more positive,

the main thing that is starting to sink in is to take control, only you can take control of the things that effect you, yes there is a certain amount of fate but we all have that at some point whether it be good or bad. if you take control then you can make it all work for you

sound good as i write it but i know that this is only the beginning but i can see the benefit of counselling, although it may not need to be professional, there may be friends that can help in this, although if like me you dont want to share things with your friends often a complete stranger is a better option

Rich

pwebb

seem to remember the FDA recently publishing figures for popular anti-depressants versus placebo (sugar pills) - the latter were 32% effective against prozac, paxil, zoloft etc at 25% !!
They concluded that the regular + caring medical attention people were receiving during trials was probably the most critical factor!

If you read up on trials in the last 20 years about half of them showed no distinguishable difference in result between the anti-depressant and the placebo.

fact remains that patients like to have pills prescribed to them and the GPs like prescribing these things.

maybe you can tell I don't take pills of any kind (though I work for a major pharmaceutical company)?

Paul W

TAZMAN

RichTee, thanks for the post makes me feel muxh more positive about my decsion to go for counselling.

Raz, may well take you up on the beer sometime as I head up to York every other week to our head office...

Ferne

Tazman

You are more than welcome to visit RazeBuzz and myself, and just to let you know that we do offer other beverages other than BEER! What a great thread this has turned out to be even if it only helps a couple of people it has been well worth it!

It takes a lot af courage to admit you have this sort of problem, as you think everyone will think that you are a nutter, but once it's in the open you feel like a weight has been lifted and you certainly find out who your real friends are.

If anyone wants to chat or ask advice I think we now know we have some "understanding" ears that will listen on the scoobynet.

To all of us that have been "given" this "chemical inbalance" it's nothing to be ashamed of, it's just our bodies way of coping which just goes to show what an amazing bit of kit our body is.

TAZMAN

Ferne, Raze, thanks for the invite and I will take you up on the offer at some point!! beer is fine..in fact beer is good!!

Thanks to everyone for posting..just reading them has started to help me on the road to recovery....