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Is it actually possible to overcome depression

34 replies

Namechsnged893738e · 30/10/2018 20:48

Just that, is it possible to ever completely get rid of depression and crippling social anxiety, haven't felt "right" for years and starting to wonder if it's actually possible to get out the pit when you've been in it so long? Has anyone suffered for years but feel in a good place now?
Thanks
Is it? Has anyone done it after years? 1

OP posts:
Naveloranges · 08/11/2018 22:40

I’ve suffered on and off for years. I have several years where I’m well. The latest bout has been ongoing for a few years-managed with medication-but I had a breakdown a few weeks ago. I think it was a culmination of always putting on the ‘happy’ face so no one knows. It got the better of me and I had to take some time away from work. I’m slowly on the mend but I’m so exhausted. I hate the illness because it’s still so misunderstood despite all the high profile advertising etc.
I’m determined to get better though.

Seafour · 09/11/2018 09:14

Haaris on a thread full of heartfelt posts where people have laid the fragility of the darkest days they have possibly ever felt, you have managed to trivialise, patronise and show a mind boggling lack of understanding of what the op is experiencing. There cannot be a person suffering from depression on this planet who hasn't met a real life you, we've heard it all; "pull yourself together" "get out in the fresh air" "but look at your lovely family, how can you be depressed with a baby smiling at you" "just cheer the fuck up".

Just so that you don't ever make this mistake again, this is what it was like for me when I was in the grips of suicidal depression.

I woke up every single day and my first thought was how can I kill myself today.

It was impossible for me to take joy from anything at all, I lived my life in black and white while everyone around me got on with their HD lives.

I isolated myself completely, barely left the bedroom, let alone the house.

I neglected myself, my home, my family.

I gave up all of my hobbies.

My friends drifted away one by one.

I couldn't sleep, eat or function on even the most basic level, couldn't attend medical appointments, pay bills, remember birthdays.

I lost my faith.

I cried all the time because I was in agony, real physical pain caused by the battle going on in my mind. That was a battle to stay alive, I had to have people watch me 24 hours a day, any time left unattended was likely to lead to self harm or an attempt to end the anguish.

If I had met you in real life at any point over that period I would have wanted to punch you, on a good day I would have been quite rude, but most likely it would have made me cry and feel totally inadequate and reinforced the thought that I was a waste of space and shouldn't be alive. Because it was impossible to look^ around and appreciate the world, interact with others or process my own thoughts.^ Let alone act out the rest of the platitudes in your post. Please educate yourself before you ever post such tripe again.

GourmetGold · 09/11/2018 15:19

The books I use are:

www.amazon.co.uk/Feeling-Good-New-Mood-Therapy/dp/0380810336/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=feeling+good+the+new+mood+therapy+by+david+burns&tag=mumsnetforum-21&ie=UTF8&qid=1541776073&sr=8-1

www.amazon.co.uk/Days-Great-Self-Esteem-Discovering/dp/0091825628/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&tag=mumsnetforum-21&qid=1541776073&sr=8-3

I use the depression questionnaire in the book before & after doing the exercises to see if my depression is going away...I keep doing more exercises if I'm still depressed (according to my score) until my score shows 'minimal' or 'no' depression.

The exercises I find most helpful are : Acceptance Paradox; vertical arrow technique; silent assumptions & Belief cost - benefit analysis.

The second book is a workbook you work your way through, so really helpful if you've not done any CBT before.

I've never been to a CBT therapist, but I've found the books alone excellent & easy to navigate alone.

I can go from very depressed to dancing round the kitchen after an hour of these exercises, so it is extremely effective!!
Try all the exercises & you'll find which work best for you.

Mishappening · 09/11/2018 18:47

Quiet Seafour - when I was in the depths of depression I simply felt so very ill - just ill - so ill that I could barely lift my head. My desire to die stemmed from the fact that I could not bear one more moment of feeling so ill. I pleaded with my family to let me go and end the suffering. They stayed by my side till the meds kicked in and I gradually surfaced enough to gain benefit from other techniques like relaxation and mindfulness. But when you are truly in the depths you cannot access these treatments as you are so ill.

I do hope that you are well again now - it is such a hard road; and happened to me out of the blue. The trigger for me was being on a teeny dose of an anti-depressant for several years to stop migraines. Stopping even that tiny amount of the drug suddenly to undergo surgery caused total mayhem in my brain. Quiet quite terrifying.

Never again I hope.

Seafour · 09/11/2018 19:48

Mishappening thank you, I am better now, much much better and I'm glad that you are too.

Mishappening · 09/11/2018 19:56

My first word in previous post should be "quite" of course!

Thanks Seafour - I think we have answered the OP's question!

Pebblesandfriends · 09/11/2018 20:36

Watching with interest. I don't suffer from anxiety or depression but my sister does and has done for over 10 years and is really struggling at the moment. I am really scared for her and anything I can glean which may help me help her I'll take.

Seafour · 09/11/2018 22:25

Pebbles please read my first reply to the op, I really do believe that with the right support and the correct medication, there is hope for everyone. Too many people get prescribed the same few antidepressants without being given the opportunity to explore the rest.
Five years ago there was little hope that I would survive my illness - today I'm alive and do get enjoyment from lots of things, I'm no longer isolated and overall I'm very happy. I have physical challenges which is what caused my depression in the first place and they won't ever change but I no longer wake each day wanting to die and that feels great.

Pebblesandfriends · 09/11/2018 23:27

Thank you. She is seeing a counsellor and is on a waiting list for a psychiatrist to sort medication but I appreciate there may be a lot of trial and error with the medication. Is it just a case of trusting the experts and time?

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