Hi i'm new ... and all of this depression stuff is new too!

[NiceOneGary]

Hi all ... just started meds for depression some 4 weeks ago and it has been really hard. Thought I would join you and share and learn from each other. I have found it really really tough going ... the zombie-like feelings, headaches, confusion, nausea, ... i am sure many of you know the drill. I am driven by hope that I will feel and be better ... I do feel a little better each day and feel like I am emerging from this 'black could' i have been in for many years but didn't know what to do ...didn't even realise i needed help. Anyways ... will look forward to hearing from you; life CAN be a tad lonely when people find out you have depression ... it's like a "oh ...good luck with that, get well soon!" scenario. No one really talks about it (i know i didn't too!!!) Look forward to hearing from youse all soon! Cheers.

[james1]

Hey mate,

Sorry to hear things aren't going well. The things you have said...they resonate with me. It shows that there's still a real desire in you to find your way back out of that hole.

I don't want to sound like it will be super hard, but sometimes things get really bad and it takes a while. I'm not saying be patient - I don't think patience quite describes the painful experience - but hang in there.

Do you have a "safe" place you can be? For me, it's going for a ride out of Sydney. Some people here have mentioned reading, others their shed. Do you have a place where you can just...rest?

James

[NiceOneGary]

Hey James - really appreciate the honesty. I feel that "hiding" for a while might be the go. I may have pushed too hard trying to get better and need some time out? Have a spot in mind. Might just hang for a bit and take it easy. As a "PS" geez you really find out who your real friends are when you have depression huh? Thanks mate. Appreciated!!!!!

[james1]

Yeah, a little R&R. Sometimes we can get so caught up in getting better that we feel like if we just try super hard things will be better...but we end up burning out in the process.

It's actually why my psychologist changed tactics with me. We used to work on something and I'd keep pushing and hiding/ignoring the fact that I needed time to process everything. Ended up in hospital and so we changed to a less strenuous therapy method.

Possibly a little different to your case because it was therapy for a personality disorder, but I think we do need to just find time for a safe space.

Absolutely! You do start to notice who are the real friends, and who are the friends you can just have a good time with, but wouldn't share a bad time with.

Take care. You're always welcome to share how you're going here.

[NiceOneGary]

Yeah mate ABSOLUTELY hear you re the counselling! You come out (already exhausted) thinking "right ... let's go and fix X, Y & Z" only to find in two days lying on the floor with a pillow is far more attractive. No wonder you had a hospital stint. It is such a fragile time. The timely help and advice on here is invaluable; I have great respect for all of the fellas that contribute. I would have a beer for you but am not supposed to be drinking 🙂

Thank you!