What is going on at the moment?

[rickman]

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[Lonelymum]

Don't count me in that one rickman. I had a thread going at the weekend because I had had an upset with my family and said something about killing myself, but that was just me venting.

It is a shame there are so many unhappy people out there, isn't it? You would expect it in January but now that spring is pretty much here you would think their spirits might revive a bit (well, some of them anyway). I hope they do soon as I worry about all these unhappy people and I worry that people are worrying about me.

[mummytosteven]

I do wonder if it's partly connected with poor primary health care/access to mental health services, combined with poor prescribing decisions.

i think it's fair to say that these are posters that for the most part have been in contact with their GPs, and aren't just trying to deal with it by themselves.

also I think partly a cultural effect that as MN has broadened it's range, it has become more acceptable to talk about Mental Health Issues. I do wonder if people have felt this way in the past but just not posted it.

[Cod]

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[Satine]

Perhaps seeing support given to one has encouraged others to talk? But I agree, seems there is more talk about it at the moment. It's v disturbing but makes me realise how lucky I am.

[nikcola]

i no how them people feel i tryed to commit suicide and i wish i had mn back then i was a total mess

[Cod]

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[dinosaur]

Maybe the onset of Spring makes people feel worse?

TS Eliot did say that "April is the cruellest month".

[mummytosteven]

being depressed/having an anxiety disorder that stops you getting any enjoyment out of life does also tend to be pretty damn boring for the person involved as well....

[northerner]

Yes I agree. It's very depressing. I'm may be cynical, but I can't help wondering if they are all 'real' IYKWIM.

[Titania]

yes they are very real. I am sorry but at the end of the day, you dont have to read the threads.

[WigWamBam]

I can only speak for myself, but I am certainly "real" and so is my depression. I'm sure that it can seem a little monotonous, but it's pretty damned shitty for the person who is suffering, too. It's not just a case of needing to snap out of it, or letting spring revive your spirits; depression is about much, much more than feeling a bit down.

I have actually stopped posting on my thread because so many people were commenting on the depression threads, and I don't want to be seen as an attention seeker or as a liar, and I think it would be an awful shame if other people were made to feel that they shouldn't be posting because it was seen to be disturbing or depressing to others.

[Libb]

why should you get jumped on? I see where you are coming from. I have posted here for nearly 2 years, I shared my pregnancy and birth and stuff with all and sundry. I was happy for the most part.

However, personally, for me right now, my relationship has just died a death and I have never felt so scared and alone. I turn to Mumsnet because there are some inspiring people and they give strength even if they are not talking to me personally.

My problems are small compared to some expressed here but at least we all share the knowledge of having somewhere to go and feel welcome. Surely we are all entitled to that?

[rickman]

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[dinosaur]

Very well said Libb.

Although I have never posted on the "Feeling Depressed" thread (I know I am fortunate in that I've never had to) when I first found mumsnet two years ago I was in a pretty bad way, and it has made a world of difference to me.

[mummytosteven]

I have met in RL, and/or had phone/e-mail contact with some of the people being referred to. It's not just names on the end of a computer in many cases.

If you do have concerns that people are being taken for a ride, I would have thought the appropriate course of action would be to contact MN.

I do think that the internet by its nature is going to attract people who are feeling overwhelmed/socially isolated/lacking social confidence, as it is a far easier form of socialising when you have money/childcare problems.

[Lonelymum]

I am sure the posts are genuine. Why post otherwise?

I don't think we should add to poster's troubles by impplying their repeated threads are monotonous. When I feel down enough to need to post I usually feel people are thinking "Oh dear here we go again" and I can tell other depressed people do too. But we post anyway because we know there will always be someone who is prepared to give us an ear and a supportive word.

I think that is why I feel able to post sad things from time to time: because I know that, while there may be 1000 people out there who ignore me or find my posts monotonous, there only needs to be 1 person who is prepared to talk things through with me to make it worth my while posting.

[anorak]

rickman, I don't see that it's wrong to discuss this trend. You are not criticising anyone as far as I can see.

I'm not happy to see so many threads like this but I am glad that mums feel they can post about it. The alternative doesn't bear thinking about. I think mumsnet is a lifeline for many and long may it continue. The website is here for mums to support one another, after all.

[rickman]

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[Libb]

I have to admit that I am a little peeved with the expression monotonous too. I have been here a while and for the first time have turned to Mumsnet for some verbal support, I won't bother if I am too dreary.

Sorry, you have caught me in a bad frame of mind and my nerves are raw.

[dinosaur]

I do know what you mean, rickman.

Perhaps when posters who already feel very down see that someone else has actually come out and posted about suicidal feelings, that kind of "empowers" them to do the same - to actually admit those feelings?

[moschops]

i think it helps to know people are listening...........and its so much easier to open up to people you don't know.

i suffered depression and with hindsight i was one of the 'lucky' few who actually was just 'fed up'. being around people truly suffering this debilitating disease made me kick myself up the backside and stop moping.

i don't go into the 'feeling depressed' thread unless i'm feeling up to helping/listening.

it does seem to have escalated of late though........................

[rickman]

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[Lonelymum]

Oh just wanted to say WWB, I didn't mean to imply that all depressed people will have their spirits revived by the coming of spring. I know depression goes a lot deeper than that. But equally, there are some people who do get down mainly because of the lack of sunlight (dh does for one) and, fortunately for them, spring can bring release from dark moods.

[SoupDragon]

Well, I for one am delighted that at least one MNer started a thread on it since it undoubtedly saved her life. I'm not delighted that things had got that bad without me noticing mind you.

Don't like it don't read.

[mummytosteven]

rickman, I think it is a reasonable question. The difficulty is that,as you have seen it's a bit of a powder keg of a subject.

There are lots of things on here I find monotonous - and doubtless lots of things that I post that other people find monotonous. I don't really think saying someting is monotonous is a particularly helpful or relevant comment.