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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To ask if you're depressed, would a lottery win cute your depression?

145 replies

Appalonia · 15/01/2023 20:04

Was thinking about this today and was thinking, yes it would go a long way towards solving it. For example, I could get effective, regular treatment for my chronic back pain, I could get sunshine, an excellent psychotherapist, a life coach, live where I wanted to, create a purpose for my life, stop worrying about the future, help others, not feel inadequate anymore. And just feel in control of my life.

Is it just as simple as that? Had a v dark weekend, where every little thing sends me into a spiral of sadness and hopelessness, and thought how much better I would feel if I just had some more choices in life and could escape how I feel,which money does give you?

OP posts:

Justcallmebebes · 15/01/2023 20:26

Moomoola · 15/01/2023 20:12

I’d rather be depressed in a 5 star hotel in Bali than a run down council flat with damp and no heating.

This

Cascais · 15/01/2023 20:26

tiredmama23 · 15/01/2023 20:27

Yes. It would go a huge way to doing so.

Bagsundermyeyestoday · 15/01/2023 20:28

I don't think if you're clinically depressed, no. But if it's situational, possibly. I know I'd be happier if I won some money. What's that meme, I'd rather cry in my Ferrari 🙃

Ivalueloyaltyaboveallelse · 15/01/2023 20:29

Yes I wouldn’t worry as much about my disabled child’s future, buy a bigger house, help family out and have a nice family holiday home not controlled by in laws. Better education for all the children in family, better health care for family, especially for my cancer stricken nan and be able to give more time and money to charities.

NCSQ · 15/01/2023 20:30

Yes and no, as most are saying. I agree with the idea that it makes a huge difference up to a point (the point of affording everything you need, rather than everything you want) but has diminishing returns after that. The happiest times in my life have correlated far more closely to strength of relationships than to amounts of money.

H2bow · 15/01/2023 20:31

Money itself wouldn't, but being able to access effective treatment, counselling (if it would be beneficial), being able to take time out from working without worrying about finances so you'd have space to try and address some underlying issues and/or learn coping mechanisms without the stress and time commitment of a job would be hugely beneficial. That said the downside for me would be I'd leave work and probably struggle without the structure and without being forced to go out.

SirSamVimesCityWatch · 15/01/2023 20:32

I suffer periodically with depression and anxiety - it's largely situation driven but the underlying tendencies are there all the time.

I think a lottery win would work for me in that I could create a lifestyle that works to moderate my depression - exercise, time outdoors, frequent trips abroad for sun. I could also get a good private counsellor to see regularly to keep on top of things.

XenoBitch · 15/01/2023 20:34

No, because I am not depressed due to my financial circumstances. It was depression that caused it it to start with.
It would help with practical things though, and I could get into therapy again. I do know that suddenly getting rich would cause it's own problems too, and I would not be strong enough to deal with them.

MotherOfHouseplants · 15/01/2023 20:34

You could replace depression in your question with any other chronic clinical condition. Money can buy you access to private healthcare and new treatments and it can remove some of the sources of stress and worry in your life, but some conditions can’t be cured.

Nanalisa60 · 15/01/2023 20:35

money makes life easier, but does not solve all problems.

GertrudePerkinsPaperyThing · 15/01/2023 20:35

Depends on what your triggers are I’d have thought?

Fuwari · 15/01/2023 20:37

I suspect if I had plenty of money to go private, I could get to the cause of my IBS, which does depress me a lot as it severely impacts my life. There’s quite a few health issues I’d like to get sorted that I think enough money thrown at them could definitely help. The NHS has its limits, even more so now. Poor health is depressing.

I’m in my 50s and in truth would love to retire (which is probably influenced by my health) but I can’t afford to. So I’d be much happier if I could. I wouldn’t get bored as I have lots of hobbies and would travel a lot.

I can’t say I’m depressed right now as I am on anti depressants that work for me. Could I come off them if I won the lottery? I honestly don’t know. That would be the true test I guess. But my happiness would definitely improve with a large sum of money!

mac1974 · 15/01/2023 20:45

Yes definitely for me. I'd pay off the mortgage and give up my current job. I wouldn't not work again id just take some time out, organise the house, be there for the kids a bit more and just regroup a bit. Have more time for my parents who are getting older. I'd love it.

Abeachsomewhere · 15/01/2023 20:45

No. Thanks to early inheritance I have money at the moment but I’m still depressed. I have a difficult life on many levels and no amount of money is going to change that. However, it would be disingenuous of me not to say that it does make life easier. I can buy things that we need as a family and not have to worry about bills.

HeavenIsAHalfpipe · 15/01/2023 20:49

Hard to say. Would depend on how bad the depression was. As a few people have said, whilst money doesn't necessarily buy happiness, the lack of it brings misery. Money issues/financial problems are the reason for a LOT of stress in peoples lives. And stress leads to depression.

Whilst there is no guarantee a big lottery win will lift someone out of their depression, it would certainly be a massive positive in the lives of most people, as it would bring financial security and freedom, and mean they could leave their job and never have to work again.

Never having to work again would make a LOT of people happy, as many people hate their job, (or just tolerate it even if they don't hate it!) Doesn't mean you will sit on your arse all day watching TV, many people would be able to do something they enjoy/want to do, like writing, art, pottery, woodwork, making clothes etc, or they could start a little club that people can join to do any given hobby.

Or maybe start a dance class or aerobics class, karate, judo, boxing etc etc... Or a little gardening business, or whatever they want to do. Instead of working for someone else in a job you don't like much, lining someone else's pockets, often getting minimum pay, (and very few holidays,) always having to meet targets and goals, and never getting any thanks or reward. (Or rarely anyway!) And all this, just so you can pay your bills!

If I had millions, I would love to start a little book publishing company, and sign up unknown writers who can't even get an agent, let alone a book deal. DH would open his own comic, sci fi, and model shop (like Forbidden Planet,) and I would help him. We don't have anything like this for 30 miles, so it would be great! If money wasn't an option that is. As I say, we'd give up our jobs but would still 'work...'

Zorrita · 15/01/2023 20:50

Not worrying about money would make 99% of my stress vanish overnight.

When I had depression, money issues exasperated it 100x. I could have done everything right to overcome my depression and still not succeed because being poor was well and truly keeping me depressed. I had no resources to really help with that.

Money would not be a cure in any sense but it would go a long fucking way to help. Being able to not focus on being too poor to pay bills or feed myself (only my children) meant I couldn't actually afford many recovery options, down to even being able to get the bus to somewhere that offers therapy and then pay for the therapy on top.

Money would be a massive help in allowing people suffering MH issues to actually get decent care when they need it and not sit on a waiting list for 4+ years (5+ if you are under CAHMS in our area).

Nimbostratus100 · 15/01/2023 20:52

having worked in suicide prevention, I can assure you that millionaires get depression at the same rate as anyone else

MrsMorrisey · 15/01/2023 20:52

It matters to a certain extent.
I think having a lot of money can actually cause stress in itself.
Be hard to see what's real.

Mirroredlove · 15/01/2023 20:54

No…..but I’d rather cry in a Ferrari

Mortimermay · 15/01/2023 20:54

Clinical depression, probably not, but it could help to alleviate particular stressors. For example, if I could give up a job I hate which causes me a lot of stress and anxiety then I'd probably immediately feel happier. Not having to worry about paying bills etc would also alleviate a lot of stress. It could definitely help with some circumstances but not necessarily all.

PlaitBilledDuckyPuss · 15/01/2023 20:56

It wouldn't cure it but it would enable me to devote more time and resources to managing it. There are anxieties and discomforts I could alleviate or eliminate with money - for example, at the most basic level, I could put the fucking heating on whenever I felt cold - so, again, that would free more of my mental capacity to spend on activities which I know help my depression.

RonnieMcdonnie · 15/01/2023 20:56

Yes! There would still be some sadness but most of my worries and stresses would disappear

Backstreets · 15/01/2023 20:57

It would cure my seasonal depression as I'd fuck off to a beach in Malaysia or something. Christ I hate January

catscatscurrantscurrants · 15/01/2023 20:59

No it wouldn't. But it would ease some of the material worries that make depression worse. My mum used to say that money can't buy happiness but it makes misery tolerable.

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