topic New here and looking for support please in Welcome and orientation

New here and looking for support please

NBAC79 — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 09:07:03 GMT

Hi everyone,

I'm a long time sufferer of anxiety and panic attacks. Naturally depression comes and goes along with this. I'm looking for some support in others who understand where I'm coming from as I'm in a rough patch at the moment. But at the same time, I have successfully managed this condition more often than not and maybe I can be of help to someone else. Please say hi!

New here and looking for support please

white knight — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 10:29:40 GMT

Hi NBAC79, welcome

It looks like you have a reasonable hold on your condition - better than most new members.

Some of us have weathered the storm like you and progressed to being able to return some guidance to those new to their illness. We are the "champion volunteers" and its an honour to be one.

Perhaps my best metaphor of depression is an article I wrote here some time ago. Readers can google the following-

"Topic: Depression - a ship on the high seas - beyondblue"

It's all part of the puzzle for those having issues, to clarify their problems, get them into perspective and be able to manage them rather than expect cure down the track.

Medication plays a large part. So I often read how someone that should be on medication but "wants to try to get through it themselves without it" - I shudder in disbelief how anyone can think that way. There are reasons...stigma is still in our naïve society, fear is there to and admission they have such illness is just too much for them to bare.

So approaching depression is a multi pronged thing. Meds, therapy, counselling, self help etc. Self help? sure, changes in environment, change of employment, developing a positive attitude, ridding your life of toxic people, monitoring your sensitivity so you stay away from things that trigger your mind and so on. If one or two of these things are missing you could be in strife.

Then there are the carers. An article covering this to google is-

"Topic: who cares for the carer- beyondblue"

They are the silent sufferers that need our attention. Some carers develop mental illness themselves due to the stress of caring for someone that has a disorder they cannot see.

Finally there is the sufferer that stops medication themselves. They must feel like a superhuman IMO, to be able to believe they can assess their situation, believe that depression wont return and be "normal" again. Sorry for the bad news but this is highly unlikely.

The better way to go is - acceptance of your lifelong condition, seek a suitable medication, regular visits to your GP and psych contact, likelihood you will find full time work hard to maintain if so seek part time work or two part time jobs for variety.

I've done all this and am happier now more than ever. But I still fall in a heap regularly. That the nature of the black dog...always lurking. But I have him on a lead.

Welcome again

Tony WK

New here and looking for support please

geoff — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 17:42:07 GMT

dear NBAC, it's always great to have new people who want to participate in this forum, because depression of any type can manifest itself onto anybody, with or without their knowledge, it's such a strong beast that hovers around waiting to plunge onto anybody.

A rather long welcome to you, and thanks for joining the site.

Anybody who has depression or even when they have overcome are always people who have the experience to offer and help other people, no matter what type of depression they have or have had.

Tony has said a lot of wise words all of which can be extrapolated in their own conditions, but can I ask you if this time of year is causing you to be 'in a rough patch'. Geoff.

New here and looking for support please

NBAC79 — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 23:27:56 GMT

Hello Tony, thank you for your reply. Very comforting to know I am not alone in having setbacks. You gave some great advice. Thank you

New here and looking for support please

NBAC79 — Mon, 07 Dec 2015 23:30:47 GMT

Hello Geoff, thanks for your reply. 'This time of year' most certainly is exacerbating my symptoms. I was heading down this track anyway due to extreme and overwhelming stress, however 'this time of year' is making it more difficult to overcome. Just another layer of stress really!

New here and looking for support please

love_care_Tru — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 06:19:52 GMT

Hi there. I too am new, as of yesterday . I am hoping to connect with people who are going through similar experiences. I have managed my anxiety and boughts of depression well until recently and am really struggling lately and have finally gone to my gp to seek help. I wish you well. Lots of love xxx

New here and looking for support please

Kazzl — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 07:30:28 GMT

Hiya love care Tru, welcome to the forum. I'm fairly new here too and I've found it a great place to be. There's nothing like the company of others, who really do know what it's like, to help you through.

Well done for going to your doctor - that can be hard sometimes when you feel you've been able to manage well in the past. When I'm well and feeling good I sometimes kid myself that I've beaten it, and then when it comes back I don't want to admit it, even to myself. Acceptance isn't easy, so good on you for taking action.

Do you think something has triggered it lately?

Best wishes

Kaz

New here and looking for support please

HelenM — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 09:15:31 GMT

Hi Nbac and welcome to love care tru

like you Nbac I've lived with depression and anxiety for many years now. Like you I'm going through a rough patch. Mine was triggered by an event in July. I live in Scotland so it's dark and dismal here. I cope with Christmas but it's a negative for me.

I don't have any advice just now but wanted to say hello and I know where you're at. Take care, Helen

New here and looking for support please

Abrokenfather — Fri, 11 Dec 2015 11:33:45 GMT

Hi everyone

Hi my name is Shaun I'm not sure if I am in the right place but I feel like I am a ticking time bomb.I'll give a story about me .I was born 1982 I am #3 out of 4 brothers .mum had to leave dad shortly after I was born,dew to domestic violence. I've never really had a chance to get to know my father.My stepfather was there for as long as I can remember,my childhood seemed alright we never went without but definitely were not spoilt kids.We grew up seeing things that kids should never see mainly me and my little bro.the older 2 bros ran away from home at a young age.My step father was constantly violent to