NotoriousREV

You definately need professional help as has been said, but you also need to do some self-assessment to figure out what it is that's causing the problem in the first place.

Are you close to your family and friends? Can you open up to them and be totally honest and frank?

Do you have a goal in life? Is there something you're working towards?

Do you have something you believe in that gives you some kind of purpose in life? I don't neccesarily mean religion but something outside of "you" that you feel strongly about (it could be starting a local Scooby group or being determined to find the answer to world peace or something inbetween).

If any of these things are lacking in your life, it will affect your levels of satisfaction and happiness. Add on stress of money/work/whatever and you can soon be affected by depression.

boxst

You sound clinically depressed.

You should (as above) stop the alcohol straight away and see how things get. Beware of going to doctor as you will be given drugs and have it permanently on your record that you are depressed and that may effect future career plans (you mention your job) as everyone can access your records to do a background check.

Of course I'm not saying don't go to the doctor, just use that as a last resort.

Steve

GlesgaKiss

Firstly you need to start thinking positive and realising that things can get better. Anxiety/worry/depression is a vicious cycle that gets worse the more you worry/think about it.

Being positive sounds an obvious statement to make, but be realistic... you've only really started feeling like this quite recently, the chances are it's going to be temporary.

One thing you could try first of all is getting into physical activity where you really push yourself. You could do that after work, and it will not only make you feel better, but should leave you really needing sleep. Just really think of everything you can do to help yourself and actually do it instead of just thinking it.

Hope things get better for you soon. I am a very deep thinker(maybe too deep) and have struggled with problems like this since I was 16. Still only 22, but I like to think it's taught me a lot about myself, and it's very difficult for anything to 'get to me' now.

MJW

Those are definite symptoms of depression & you really need to go see your doc. 20mg of citalopram a day, some cognitive behaviour therapy and some exercise (instead of your teatime snooze) should sort you right out.

tayfun

Alcohol is a depressant anyway , stay well away I'd say. Professional help comes to mind , hope you feel better soon. Depression is a sign of intelligence they say, try and find something positive about everything( everything!).

Myles

iTrader: (40)

This is fact, if you go down the route of drink sorting your problems out you WILL lose everything, as an alcoholic has to hit rock bottom to come out the other side. Not personal experience, just watched my dad lose the lot, and ultimately his life. It can get that bad.
You may not be able to motivate yourself to arrange an appointment with the doc, but you must lean on someone else to begin with, get them to arrange it and take you there. You will get over it and will look back and realise the mammoth achievement you have made, getting your life back on track.
I daresay the sleep pattern problems are one of the main problems, as lack of proper sleep does strange things to even the most together person.

Dream Weaver

Please go the doctors, it will make a lot of difference just discussing it with someone and you don't have to use drugs to get better.

Then get yourself some books on CBT, and depression and start to learn all about mental health issues, it's actually very interesting in itself and can help a lot.

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

You sound like you are suffering with depression, all of the symptoms you describe can be associated with it.

Depression isn't an illness that means you are 'mental', it just means that for whatever reason the chemical balance in your head isn't quite right. This can simply be because your body isn't producing enough of the right chemicals. Modern antidepressants help to correct this imbalance.

Obviously there can also be outside factors which also influence this but a quick trip to the docs should soon get you started on your way to feeling better. Don't be afraid to go, the difference that antidepressants can make is amazing, they'll help you to bring back the 'real' you

Some people suffer with depression on and off all of their lives just because their brain can't always produce enough of the right stuff, so every now and again a little top-up is required. It's certainly not something to be ashamed of and it doesn't make you 'mental', it's no different to an anaemic needing iron supplements or a diabetic needing insulin

Good luck

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

Depression - Introduction

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

But surely the chemical inbalance can be sorted by cutting out the booze, improving your diet and exercising. Even doctors are swaying more towards these methods due to silly numbers of patients becoming 'drug dependant', which kind of defeats the object.

tarmac terror

iTrader: (2)

its been covered already fella, ditch the alcohol, it will never help in this situation. if you want to get yourself out of this without professional help, you probably can, but you need to tell yourself you are going to do it, you also need to be aware it will not be as easy as it sounds.

Throw away the alcohol for now, get tesco (or your supermarket of choice) to deliver some food, this will allow a way round having to deal with people for now. Get 3 decent healthy meals down your neck a day, keep away from sugary or snacky junk, and drink only water. This will make you feel a bit healthier, and give you more energy. Regarding the sleep thing, I would be asking to come off nights for a while, if that is not well recieved, be prepared to visit your GP, advise them you are experiencing sleep loss leading to inattention at work, and outline the risks in your line of business. Explain what you are doing to rectify things, I doubt any GP in the country would be anything other than supportive. In the evenings take some exercise, I dont mean run 10Ks, I just mean get out for a walk and use some energy.

Take practical steps to make yourself sleep, set up a bed in the quietest room in the house, fit blackout curtains or blinds, eliminate any distractions, like phones, or lights. Set a realistic time to hit the sheets and stick to it. Re-evaluate your situation after about three or four weeks, then if you need to, call in the professional help. The other thing I would offer, is that work is unlikely to change much in the time you are away, you need to decide if work is the problem, or is is your altered perception of work that makes it a problem.

I have for the past two years worked ridiculous hours under immense stress and pressure. I have remained mentally strong thanks to having a wife who knows how to support me through such things, but its the physical side of me that has now crumpled. I saw all the warning signs and ignored them, it sounds to me that you have seen the warnings yourself and you need to make some corrective changes.

All the best with it, you can turn things around, if you think I can be of any assistance, there is plenty of space in the PM box.

Lee247

SW and MI, so sorry for you both. You are both young lads and should be swinging from the rafters and full of life and fun.

SW, you have taken on what I would consider a very stressful job. Is there no one at work you can run these thoughts by

MI, you are having your fair share of problems too. Am not going into specifics of either but just want to say, you know where I am if you ever want a chat. Might help

Please, see a Doctor and get some professional help. Don't let things get any worse

Scoobychick

iTrader: (1)

I suppose it all depends on whether the non-drug methods work well enough to equate the balance. If not then I guess a little extra help is needed.

dunx

iTrader: (3)

1. Don't go to a doctor till you've exhausted "self-help"
2. Spend an hour in a brightly lit but calm environment before sleeping.
3. Consider avoiding work with crappy shift patterns, I couldn't hack nights five years ago so I gave it up. By Friday I was a zombie, used to sleep in the evenings between 6 PM and 9:30 PM then off to work at 10 PM.....
4. Try and avoid alcohol, it's more fun when you get straightened out anyway.
5. Physical exercise will help, I used to cycle (MTB) to try to get physically tired.
6. S'net isn't helping either

Good luck,

dunx

P.S. Stuck at work till 9PM., so will read the rest of the thread after "tea"...

Gear Head

iTrader: (2)

Talking does wonders though, well it did for me. I am not shy about admitting that when it was really bad, I had thought about ending it all. A combination of friends, family, exercise and my scooby love affair (stupid i know) kept me going. Looking back on it now, I realise how bad it was and how bad it must be for the OP.

Don't give in mate, pick yourself up by the scruff of the neck, go 'grrrr' a few times and 'crack on'.

New_scooby_04

iTrader: (4)

SW First thing to do is log off the net; the virtual world is no substitute for the real world and virtual mates no substitute for talking to real world mates. It perpetuates inactivity which is bread and butter for depression.

There are so many things that can instigate/perpetuate depression, quite often the root cause is not something one would feel comfortable with disclosing on a public forum.

You need to get down the GP straight away and ask to be referred to the Clinical Psychologist - let them do the diagnosis and tell you whether you need somatic, non somatic assistance or both, erm, put another way: whether you need pills, talking to, or both!

If the GP is no help, I can point you in the direction of the register of chartered Psychologists (it's a public record) and you can approach them yourself.

There is ABSOLUTELY no shame in seeking help. Depression has been referred to as the common cold of Psychopathology. In the mean time, lay of the alcohol; that won't help and don't just put it down to a passing phase or listen to those who say you just need to snap out of it.

Were it only that simple!

All the best.

Paul

tayfun

There is a natural remedy called St. John's Wart (if i remember correctly) amazing stuff apparently, will also help with your sleeping.

Lisawrx

iTrader: (1)

I am certainly not going to go into what things have gone on in my life, but it hasn't been a bed of roses over the last few years in one way or another, and that can get you down, but you have to just get by the best you can, which I certainly try to do. My problems are nothing compared to some, and I don't think I feel anywhere near as bad as SW, but I merely commented to let him know he is not alone. There are many people who have problems like this to varying degrees, and I think it's important these days, for people not to feel ashamed, not know what to do or where to turn.

I came to be a mod, as it was decided that I would be able to do the job, and despite what you may think on the basis of an honest post, I hope that I do a good job here. If I didn't, I'm sure I wouldn't still be a mod. We, like anyone else are just human, and I'm sure I'm not alone in having gone through hard times. It certainly doesn't stop me from being fair and impartial, or from mixing and having a laugh. It has also helped me gain a bit confidence.

If I ever felt I was in a position that I couldn't do what is required of me here, believe me, I would take a step back. Oh and I would think it would be a good thing for anyone who has problems in life (although not massively serious) to have some form of hobby/outside interest, away from the things not so easy to change.

Anyway, back on topic, I just thought I would answer this as it was aimed at me. Sorry for the hijack.

ScoobyWon't

Cheers for the replies folks. Apologies for lumping all replies in one post.

I've made an appointment with occupational health and with my own doctor. When I say 'made' it was a battle.

My usual work partner forced me to eat breakfast after he read my original post in this thread.

I then saw my professional development officer - who then grbbed the box of Nytol that 'd puchased as he thought they might be extra strength painkiller

Cop. And the amount of people who tell me they couldn't do my job is immense.... I think it could be work related.

My hobbies and activities seem to have gone out of the window. Mind you, things can't be that bad as I was sane enough to turn down a ticket to watch Mansfield Town FC tonight!

Again, thanks for all the positive suggestions folks, they have helped.

J4CKO

iTrader: (1)

That is bang on, Alcohol is great stuff, in small, occasional doses it enhances a given occasion and loosens you up a bit, but the small benefit and pleasure it brings is fleeting and people chase that feeling of euphoria and the happiness of a good social occasion by drinking more and more often but this doesnt work and just leads to unhappiness, poor health, bad sleep and alcoholism, I am prone to drinking but I know that less is more with booze, I dont enjoy it if I drink every day.

As Trout said, booze helps you get to sleep, bang, out cold but then you wake up feeling rough, needing a pee and then you cant get to sleep again, this has a medical name but I cant remember it at the moment so if you want good sleep, be tired, plenty of physical activity in the fresh air, no eating before bed, dont play computer games before bed or anything that stimulates your brain.

I sometimes get like you have described, not as bad but then I have three kids, a wife a Dog and quite a responsible job so I dont get chance to dwell on things, I cycle to work and walk the dog so am typically outside for two hours a day in all weathers so get fresh air, I find if I dont I start getting, agitated, fat(ter), irritable, indegestion, mopey and I think this is a lot of the problem with todays society, too much food, too much booze, not enough fresh air, envy and things are too easy, driving everywhere and slobbing about watching telly, we arent designed to do that all the time, we need physical activity to stimulate hormones, burn energy and produce endorphins.


I have seen people get like this and get into a rut, booze, big meals, get fat, feel uncomfortable and ill, go off sick, stay at home dwelling on it, eat all day, get fatter and lazier and then do everything to stay in the comfort zone.

Will

John, i hope you had a good day today mate. And well done on making the appointments.

Lisa, you're doing a cracking job as a MOD

davyboy, 2?? where?

LC Geezer

I know a huge number of people in this line of work who suffer depression. There's a lot of pressure and not a great deal of sense of achievement these days. Most people are acheivement driven and when you don't get that sense of achievement, you lose all your drive. What shift pattern are you on? If it's a crap one, work takes over even more of your life and you end up feeling there is no point bothering with anything else. OH is your best starting point.

Simon C

Sw, from eralier posts I think your about the same age as me, and I for 1, have the alot of respect for you doing the job you do. My neighbours a WPC and I knoww hat she deals with so have a pat on the back from me.

Now on to the serious side of things.

A friend of mine was round earlier, who's a paramedic. He said pretty much the same as everyone else, go see a medic or councoller at work and cut out the booze.

Also asked how much caffine you drink? If alot (like me) cut it down, if not out. Caffine's not a nice thing in large quantities, and my sleep problems, and consiquently day to day outlook spring from that.

Currently I get through about 4 pints of coffee a day, 4 litres of pepsi a week and 20 cigs a day. When I drank less cafine and smoked less, I felt alot happier.

That and have some good friends about you can rely on.

dunx

iTrader: (3)

When I was down, if it hadn't been for Sam I doubt I could have pulled through....

R.I.P. Sam 1995 - 2009


God knows what will happen next time.... a Subaru wouldn't do it for me

dunx

Ste RB5138

Glad the OP has made an appointment to get help, sounds like a bad place to be in, hope you start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel soon mate.

astraboy

check your yahoo mail old chap....
astraboy.

tkws5606

There is light at the end of the tunnel mate. I know I think in my teenage years I could not get any lower, Long story short my grandfather raised me but died when i was 16, this left me alone no family no where to go by 17 i was doing time,at 18 i registered as a user ,20 and 2 over doses bordering on alcaholic I tried to commit suicide.
At the age of 21 I met my wife she truly turned me around I got clean havent used for 13 years now i havent had a drink either ,I have been employed for 12 years and think i am pretty much at the top of my game at work commanding respect from peers something i never thought possible.
got 3 kids now my own house and when i get in my car i dont have to start it with a screwdriver.
you only get one life dont f#ck it up get help!

Writing this it does make me think about peoples replys and it does leave me open to critisism i do not write this for praise or sympathy only to show that s#it happens but you can change and make things better let people help,take advice and dont let the f#ckers get you down.

Good luck

Lisawrx

iTrader: (1)

Credit where credit is due. You had problems in your life, but more importantly you got past them, and made a good life for yourself.

It's not about praise, or criticism. Every persons life experiences and troubles are different, and have different effects on them. You are inspiration, in that no matter what went before, you came out the other end. Obviously it can be done.

SW, good luck, and look after yourself. Addressing the problem is the biggest hurdle. I'm sure you'll get there, and you know where your mates are.. use them.

Trout

iTrader: (1)

One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people. He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all. "One is Evil - It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed,arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride,superiority, and ego."

"The other is Good - It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."

The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"

The old Cherokee replied, "The one you feed."

ScoobyDoo555

Do you know what's great about this site? THIS. For all the tw@ts and unpleasantness that get you thinking that it's time to jack it all in, you get one topic that brings out the best in people.
I don't quite have the confidence to air my issues but I'm fully aware that I'm seeing a lot of aspects that I can draw comparisons to and it is VERY reassuring to know that it's not something that you need to face on your own.

And for that, despite not really knowing a great many on here, I thank you

MUCHO respect for the OP and others who have posted. I have nothing else to offer in terms of advice that hasn't been said already but you do have my support.

Dan (another one who got to "sleep" @2am and it's now 6am, and won't eat a meal!)