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Mental health

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Original poster

How do you/can you stop it in it's tracks?

17 replies

joelallie · 07/08/2006 14:54

I suffered from PND with DD quite badly. I didn?t realise what was happening until I was deep in the mire and was given seroxat. It worked but wasn?t exactly the best experience of my life ? ended up taking myself off them suddenly and suffered from some very nasty side effects. But recently I?m starting to get all the old feelings back ? the thick grey fog feeling, life just being a hard slog without anything to lift the gloom, wanting to cry for no reason, snapping at the kids for no good reason. Soooo tired. Sleep/bed seeming the best thing, sometimes the only bearable thing in the world. I also think I?m heading for the menopause which I didn?t think bothered me but I can?t help seeing it as a milestone which is showing up how much I haven?t achieved in my life and how much I now might not be able to. Mum had a really bad time with the menopause and aged dramatically. I think that is partly what?s getting to me. BTW does anyone know if the menopause can cause depression?

My real question - is there any way to head off this feeling before it gets a hold. I don?t want to get to the point of needing AD?s. I can feel the desperation starting to build. Don?t want to go there again.

Thanks

OP posts:

Original poster

joelallie · 07/08/2006 18:49

bump...

anyone, please?

OP posts:

twinsetandpearls · 07/08/2006 18:53

I have learnt to head off my depression or at least minmimize it mainly because I know the signs and those around me do.

When I spot the signs or someone else does I make sure I am eating well, get lots of exercise and dp takes over much of the housework. I take lots of me time and mix with people whom I know riase my spirit.

Sometimes I have to go back on my medication - as I am at the moment - but I am perhaps not on as high a dose as I have been in the past and I ahve avoided hospitalisation which again has happened in the past.

Perigrine · 07/08/2006 18:58

Been there and bought the T-shirt unfortunately. Best thing is getting outside and into the fresh air, and excercise.

Get up and shower and get dressed - coz you do feel better! Take a walk - go into town with the buggy and have a coffee and read the paper.

How old are the wee ones?

Enjoy the days that you feel well!

Keep a diary of your feeling - I didn't mangae this, but at the end of every day I rated my day 1-10 in my day2day diary. That means you can look back and see if there is a pattern.

You could also look at Homeopathic remedies - although they didn't help me.

Post here coz we are a supportive bunch! HTH

Perigrine · 07/08/2006 19:01

And yes menopause can cause dp, how old are you?

Original poster

joelallie · 07/08/2006 20:08

Thanks,

Peregrine - I'm 41 which I supppose is quite young but I've been getting very irregular periods after years of being regular as clockwork. Irregular as in 2 periods in a 3 week period then nothing for 5 weeks. My three are 3, 7 and 9. I work so I don't have the choice about getting out and about I suppose. I do agree about making the effort to get washed and dressed. I feel as though my days get hijacked by everyone else though - and all my efforts to get everything under control are sabotaged.

TSandP - I know that you're right about the exercise. But I'm heading the wrong way atm - can't get the energy to go to the gym and am eating junk (not usual for me at all). Also hitting the wine too many nights a week. Need to get stuff under control again..it's so easy to let things drift isn't it?

Thanks again.

OP posts:

accessorizequeen · 07/08/2006 20:37

Hi joelallie, know exactly how you feel & the sinking feeling when it's descending again. Can you seek any counselling fairly quickly, as often just talking to someone can help head it off? Alternatively, what are the things that make you feel good/relaxed/happy, if you can remember? Because doing one or more of them, even if it's just having a bath with a Heat or whatever for half an hour, will make you feel that you deserve nice things and thus makes you feel better about yourself - this never occurred to me until psychologist pointed it out! Same psychologist said breaking everything down into small steps also would help and it did, I try to do that when I get down. The wine unfortunately is a really bad idea because alcohol has a depressive effect - I do turn to it myself as quick pick me up I must admit but it only makes things worse. And what about natural alternatives to AD's - St John's Wort, Bach Flower Remedies, dark chocolate .
Give yourself credit, you've realised what's going on before it's got too bad & you're seeking help here which is a really positive step.

nicnack2 · 07/08/2006 20:45

i agree with tsap. the fact that you can feel it coming you are in a better place to avert it. sometimes it is a fight not to allow the feeling to overcome you.

Adorabelle · 07/08/2006 21:27

No advice joelallie but just want to say you are not alone,
I too have from depression for 14 yrs, since I was 16.

Am now currently on a very low dose AD which I really didn't want to have to take, but am so pleased that I did. Still have bad days but the good days sre now becoming more frequent.

Big Hugs to you & hope you stay strong in this trying time x

Adorabelle · 07/08/2006 21:27

No advice joelallie but just want to say you are not alone,
I too have suffered from depression for 14 yrs, since I was 16.

Am now currently on a very low dose AD which I really didn't want to have to take, but am so pleased that I did. Still have bad days but the good days sre now becoming more frequent.

Big Hugs to you & hope you stay strong in this trying time x

fistfullofnappies · 07/08/2006 21:31

I have been there as well, had untreated depression for around 10 years.
Best advice I can think of, is, as others said, dont give in to the depression, fight it by pampering yourself as much as you can. Take each day separately, v important. Dont let yourself feel depressed today - tomorrow is another matter, you can feel depressed tomorrow if you want! just concentrate on today for now.

dont drink too much wine, or coffee, it causes mood swings (for me anyway).

notasheep · 07/08/2006 22:34

joelallie-can really feel what you are saying.

I have had 2 stays in a Psychiatric hospital,refused ADS but instead saw a Psychotherapist....that saved me.

When the beast rears its ugly head my brain is very aware and gets on and deals with it.

Would Psychotherapy be an option?

Live each day like its your last

twinsetandpearls · 08/08/2006 00:52

Psychotherapy is great but you need to be in quite a good secure place to deal with what it will reveal. I had psychotherapy during a hospital admission and found it very traumatic- I shook for a day afterwards.

The exercise is hard, I have not been to my gym for a month now as I am in a dip but I do try and force myself to get dressed and go out of the house. THis morning I felt shit but my Mum came round made me get dressed amd put on some lippy and we went shopping and I felt so much better for it. Even thinking of going to the gym tomorrow.

melbournemum · 08/08/2006 04:27

I've just started counselling which I think is helping me enormously. Its not psychotherapy as I felt I needed strategies rather than searching for reasons at this point, if that makes any sense although I completely believe psychotherapy can be of huge benefit. I have pnd and have been on medication for a couple of months but for its been the counselling thats made the difference. I might be worth looking into some.... sending a hug your way too

Original poster

joelallie · 08/08/2006 08:25

Thanks for all the replies. Just seeing them made me get all weepy. It's so easy to feel alone.

I have often wondered about therapy of some kind. DH had a counsellor for about 6 months when he had depression and although he swore it was a waste of time I could see a big difference in him. I am wary though as I don't feel that a huge emotional upheaval would be all that helpful atm -and I have a sneaking suspicion that there is something lurking beneath the surface. How do you go about such a thing? DH was sent to an NHS counsellor and luckily she was great but that was a while ago.

OP posts:

FioFio · 08/08/2006 08:28

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

Tyedye · 08/08/2006 08:47

Message withdrawn

notasheep · 10/08/2006 13:35

joelallie-how are things today?
Your GP van refer you to an NHS Psychotherapist so it wont cost you,although saying that with this postcode lottery areas may have huge differences.

If you are already aware,or as you say a sneaking suspicion something is lurking under the surface,from my own experience Psychotherapy could be the answer.

Yes it could really hurt you,you may cry and not stop for long.But at the end you will get under that surface and see what is trying to drag you down and destroy you.

My issue(though at the time i didnt know) was my relationship with my mother.Now i am aware of it i can deal with it.

Reading this i am making it all seem very simple,sorry,I know it isnt.I just really want you to know that you could be well.

Be brave,take care.

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