Dealing with the secondary symptoms of depression

[DogTheHellhound]

Hi,

I was diagnosed with severe depression four years ago but I am functioning very well at the moment. The thing I would like to ask you lovely ladies about the depression symptoms that are not the crushing despair and the usual suspects, I have a few odd symptoms that the leaflets don't talk about and I wonder if anyone else has these?

1. The sudden sensation t h at you have NO IDEA where you are but goes a few seconds later
   

1. Sometimes struggling to see if I am real or imagined, again, gone in seconds
   

1. Terrible memory both long and short terms
   

1. The paranoia
   

1. The strong urge to do weird things such as shout nonsense words
   

1. Non depressive invasive thoughts
   

Thank you for taking the time to read it

[frazzled3ds]

I have sometimes experienced 1, 3 (more on short term than long term) and 6. At times I feel as though I'm an observer on my life rather than in it if that makes sense?! The others I can identify with but I've not really experienced them to any great extent. That side I'm battling a lot of stuff in life at the moment, and as such have an overwhelming (well nearly) urge to just hibernate ...... not going to happen though - 3 lively boys see to that!

Maybe mention it to your GP or counsellor if you have one though and see what they think?

[DogTheHellhound]

Hi, thanks for answering, I have no mental health help at the minute as I was signed off as I wasn't going to harm myself or anyone else. Here its 5 councilling sessions or a section.

I totally get the hibernation thing though. I am quite good at putting my mind on sleep, I can be so far away I need two separate post codes 😊

Strangely I am quite high functioning with an important job.

[frazzled3ds]

I've done the high level job thing whilst furiously paddling behind the scenes to the point that when I disclosed my depression to a couple of trusted friends and colleagues they found it hard to believe.....

If you've not got access to local HCPs maybe an organisation like Mind may be able to offer some sign posting or access to counselling?

[DogTheHellhound]

The mind idea is great I will look at that, its so strange how an illness is so much part of you it changes and develops with you

[frazzled3ds]

I was able to access counselling (eventually) when I was diagnosed with depression - it coincided with me doing a fair bit of 'growing up/learning about me and how I work and what makes me tick etc' and I found it to be hugely helpful. I know myself a great deal better now and have realised that I've probably had depression to a lesser or greater extent for most of my adult life at least, and certainly now have a better idea of how to respond and perhaps most importantly cut myself some slack occasionally. It does indeed change you and develop with you. I also have a much better understanding of and respect for people in general, and those who live with 'hidden' illness. Mind also host a 'social media' type forum thing called Elefriends - that could be worth a look too.

[Sunnysidegold]

I get the invasive thoughts quite often and my memoryis shocking.not sure if the memory is down to depression or the medication though. The invasive thoughts really bother me. Sometimes it is like im daring myself to do something and i cant stop thinking about it.

[dangermouseisace]

I struggle with memory, even though I am 'better' than I was. When I'm particularly unwell I think I might not be real, or I might be already dead but that lasts a loooooong time as in weeks. The no idea where you are thing…yup that too! Sometimes it stays around though and I can not know where I am despite it being somewhere I know and I actually get lost, which is embarrassing and frustrating for my kids...

[AnxiousCarer]

I've been doing some research into some of the things you describe.

1&2 sound like Depersonalisation and deralisation, theres some interesting info on them on //www.neurosymptoms.org I get something where I just suddenly zone out, like my brain just gets up and leaves sometimes.

Memory wise mine is terible too at the moment. Aparently cortisol the stress hormone causes the part of the brain responsible for memory to shrink under longterm exposure. Normally reverable with reduction in stress levels.

not experienced 4 or 5

6 invasive thoughts suck, mine tend to be urges to self harm. For me they increase with stress and decrease with reduction of stress.

Does your work offer any councelling? I have seen both a councellor and psychologist through my occupational health as have many of my collegues.