Dear Alex
Hello and welcome to Beyond Blue. Glad you have started your journey back to health. I want to ask you a few questions if you don't mind.
You say you have had depression for eight years. Do you take any medication for it and have you been referred to a counsellor/psychologist/psychiatrist or anyone? Do you have a GP you see regularly? Apart from your GF, are there any other support people in your life?
I ask because it sounds as though you do not have any professional help and I recommend you book a long appointment with your GP as a second step. The first step was writing in here.
I think you are most fortunate to have a GF who is willing to help and who also cares about you and wants to see you get well. Tony WK has made lots of helpful suggestions. Start to follow his advice. Deciding on a different career is vital. You do need to have goals in your life and the first one is to get well.
Depression is a horrible thing. One of the problems it causes is to make you believe you cannot get well. It also saps your energy and, as you have discovered, you need lots of people around to get you through these difficulties. Drinking is not recommended. It comes under the heading of self medication. So you must stop drinking and allow your body to recover to help your mental illness improve.
Eating well is also important. I know of no one with depression who eats only a poor diet and feels well. Exercise is the next thing. It must be more than lifting your elbow. If you can afford it, go to a gym, preferably one that has exercise classes. Regular attendance and an hour's exercise, twice a week, works wonders to your physical and mental health. If this is out of reach go walking, ride a bicycle (borrow one), join a local Tai Chi class. Anything that gets you out of the house for more than a date with your GF or a boozy evening with mates. If you can afford to drink you can afford gym classes by dropping the booze.
Lots of suggestions. It is really important you see your GP and talk about your MI. Even if you are already taking antidepressants you may need a higher dose or even a change of meds.
Most people who write here have experienced depression is some form or other. We all know how horrible it is and we know we need to constantly work on our wellness. Look under The Facts tab at the top of the page and read everything about the Black Dog. BB will send you any material you want, free of charge.
Come back and talk to us please.
Mary
