did you always know you were depressed? did someone else notice??

[lisad123]

what are the signs?

www.rcpsych.ac.uk/mentalhealthinfoforall/problems/depression/depression.aspx

you've been through a lot recently, with your DH's illness and your DD's developmental assessment looming - so understandable you would be feeling rather overwhelmed by it all. Talk to a HV/GP you trust about how you are feeling.

From 15 I used to say I was depressed.

I don't know now if I was but I do know I had mental health issues iyswim.

I knew.
I just knew and looking back at myself and how i was i dont know how i didnt get myself sorted sooner.

No one else seemed to notice...or care really.

thanks for link, think im just a bit low rather than depressed reading that link. I would say only things i have is

Can't cope with things that you used to eg house work but is getting done.
Feel utterly tired
Avoid other people, Im ok at work but some evenings i dont want to talk or see anyone.
Feel irritable
I also seem to have a headache most days. I had to have some treatment on Tuesday for cervial things being feeling rough from that.

I dont know who my HV is

.

I thought I was depressed for a long time but it turned out to be anxiety rather than depression. An old friend is a mental health nurse and they always used to say that if you really think you might be depressed then you most likely are.

No one noticed that I was having mental health issues. People (even my immediate family) just used to get really fed up with me always "being down" and would give me a hard time asking "what has happened to you lately?!?" or "will you put a smile on that face? You are bringing us all down". Oh, and "ohhhh pooooor yooooouuuuu.... Stop feeling sorry for yourself. There are plenty people out there with real problems".

I do feel really guilty that there are people who are depressed because they are coping with some really awful things in their lives whereas I just can't seem to cope with anything.

It would be great if you could talk to someone about how you are feeling. I keep it all in to try not to bother those close to me but I find it makes me feel worse.

Im just not sure. I do think its reactive as loads going on here. DH haqs cancer, dd1 is being assessed for ASD, I have my own health worries and well dd2 is 20 months (need i say more). Im coping with day to day life but just dont seem to have the engry to do things come the evening. Is there any natural things i can do/take as I do think i could just do with a kick.

We dont live in the right area to access the councelling sessions that macmilllian offer

st johns wort is meant to be good for some kinds of depression - what a shame that you can't access the counselling you need its such a postcode lottery and that is sad.
I'm sorry to hear about your dh and what is happenign with your little girl, you must feel a lot of pressure right now.

If you have PMT I can highly recommend Agnus Castus. I haven't taken it his month and are now paying the price.

You can't take St John's Wort with certain other medicines so be careful with that.

lisad123 I am so sorry you are going through this. It is such a huge burden to carry on your own. You probably really do need to offload all your worries onto someone "neutral" just to get it out there. You will likely be holding everything together due to your current circumstances so it is no wonder you are starting to feel low.

I tried St Johns Wort but I had to stop taking it because it was interfering with other medication as FabulousBakerGirl says. Think it has something to do with metabolism - not sure. Anyway, I was told to try taking extra vitamin supplements with B vitamins, magnesium and zinc. Not sure if it helps but I take it anyway! There are homeopathic medications but I wouldn't want to start recommending them as you prob have to see a practitioner first.

Anyway, I hope you get to talk to someone who is going through what you are and who can identify and you get some relief. Take care.

sorry to hear this - I do suffer from depression and didn't really realise it til a friend had had enough of my moaning, indecision and breaking down into tears all the time and told me to go to gp and get checked out - lo and behold I was.

I personally have found starting a meditation practice and various other bits of buddhist style wisdom in my approach has helped me enormously. Anyway, enough about me

check out this book - it's where I started, it isn't religious or philosophical in any way but i honestly think it would help everyone who suffers even a bit to read it and take on board some of the gentle approaches it suggests

my best advice would be - go easy on yourself and be kind, don't ask too much of yourself...rest and just try to have the energy to do what you need to on a day by day basis

good luck