How many of you suffer from clinical/severe depression?

[Knucklehead]

While I've never been diagnosed,I think I might be manic depressive..I get this from noticing certain things about my father and the similarities between him and I..

Both my parents were diagnosed as paranoid schizophrenics.My mom never took medication for it and just dealt with it. Most times it was ok,but when she went nuts,she went nuts..

My dad took a lot medication for it for years,namely thorazine,which after a while impaired his motor skills,and caused a potentially life threatening situation by thickening the main artery to the brain..

A few years back,he was re-diagnosed as manic depressive.That makes more sense..He's off all medication now(his choice) and for the most part is alright.

I know when he is cycling though.He'll call at 3 am and want to talk for hours about the latest case he's dragging some N.J municipality into court for..

I guess it's a case by case basis Lucky.If it's debilitating, which it sounds like it is,then maybe head down to see a Doctor and get on some meds..Granted,they will take a few weeks to build up in your system before you notice any change..

Good luck.Try and get through it.Hope this helped..

 

[sid6p8]

Been there, done that as they say. I've been on medication for the last 6 or 7 years with some interruptions.
Kind of disappointing that I can't really give you any help, even though I should be able to, knowing the problems.
I'm a creature of habit, and I think thats actually helpful in these cases. Just get up every day and follow your routine. Don't really think about it, just do it.
Also I found it helpful to jump over my shadow and do something with friends. Doesn't have to be anything special. Even if you don't feel like it. Maybe you can ask some friends to drag you out of bed in the mornings.

If everything fails, see a doctor. No, they can't give you an instant cure. And they probably wont understand all you troubles, but they can help you. I have a friend whom I got to know during my stay in Canada. She had depressions as well and couldn't finish her school work. She got a letter/form/whatever/piece of paper from the doctor confirming her problems. That didn't help her with her problems but got the people from her scholarship of her back.
Can you sleep? If not you could ask for some sleeping medication. Not for the long term, but just to get one night of sleep, maybe before a big test or event. I had something like that, but didn't use if often; it's not a really restful sleep, but knocks you out for a night.
And you can try anti depressants. I know, it's a difficult topic with mixed feelings from all sides. I've had rather positive experiences, but I've heard of people with less luck. But meds aren't the all mighty solution to the problem; they can help and stabilize, but it takes several weeks for them to kick in, you might need to try different meds and there can be severe side-effects. And if everything works you don't suddenly feel super all the time.

My long time goal is to start therapy (again) and to get rid of the meds one day. But that will take some time. And for that to work I need to get my ass up and find a therapist. That's another option for you: see a therapist. If you don't get along, find another one. Worst thing that can happen is you're "forced" to work with a therapist you don't get along with.

Oh well, starting to ramble. Anyhow, don't give up. There are ways to a normal life with the less lows. Rely on your family and your friends. That's what they are for

 

[ChickenGuy]

Aww, you're a really cool guy Lucky, and loads of JUBbers on here think you're great. Big cuddles!

Although I've never been diagnosed, I'm absolutely certain that I've had depression for the last 9 years, but it was worse in the first few years than it is now. I was lucky in that I was at home and with my dad, and I didn't have the added stress of work or college. If you had it like I did, then you'd have just felt like going to bed and sleeping, and coping very badly with even the simplest tasks.

Hope you don't wrongly take this as me being patronising, but I think it's a real credit to you that you've been able to stick at it, and keep your studying going, because it's HUGELY difficult when you're in this situation to keep your mind on matters. It's something that is very difficult to explain to people who haven't been there.

Wishing you the best, Lucky! More cuddles!

 

[onetwothreefour]

I have anxiety and severe OCD, but the last two weeks--also the end of my semester-- I have had crushing depression. I just can't stand how I feel and the reality of my life. There is no word for it. I don't know what to say to you because nothing anyone has said to me has helped. I even had an extra therapy session last week. It is hard and I don't feel any reason to live with this pain, but I wait because I think I could feel better. I feel that's all I am doing now, is waiting. But I want this pain gone much faster. I feel doom, confusion, and my anxiety is worse too, but in a new way. And I keep thinking that what I am waiting for --to feel better--isn't enough because feeling better would be an empty delusion because the reality of my life would still suck.

 

[Kester]

I have been diagnosed and suffered with sever depression since I was 17.

It's tough you know. Some days are fine and others not so much. I find that I just have to try and make the best of it all...

 

[Telstra]

It's killing me right now when I need it the least. If I don't finish this semester I can't graduate and they'll kick me out of school.
Meanwhile, I have tons of work to do in 1-2 weeks and I don't even feel like being alive.

I feel really alone right now. Anyone else struggle with clinical depression? How do you cope?

Speaking from my experience, that was a while back.

I was skipping classes, fail all the exams, and start working.
And now i am still working. I don't considered myself a failure.

Also, i don't take any medication, no smoking and little alcohol.

 

[EwanSF]

I had extreme reactive depression all the way through my teenage years, which turned me into an drug-addled, alcoholic fuckup, so I'm not in the best place to advise man. I self medicated to deal with my issues, and untill I stopped drinking I didn't realise how it was making me worse.

However, if it's non-reactive depression you've got, go to the doc and get some meds. If you've got medical. If not, my heart goes out to ye man.

 

[EwanSF]

I suffered from very bad depression all through my teenage years. It's truly a horrible thing to go through emotionally, but the worst thing is when someone who's never been through it offers "advice" and tells you to man up and just look on the bright side of life. It's not just a simple chain of unfortunate events; it's a chemical imbalance in the brain.

That does my fucking nut right in that does. Motherfuckers without the slightest idea of what you're going through telling you to chin up or "Smile! It might never happen!" my usual answer to that is "It just fuckin' did, now fuck off!" I remember when one of my friends relatives found out she'd been self-harming and thier first rsponse was "You stupid girl! How could you do that to yourself?" as if she was doing it out of boredom or it was trendy or some shit. At first she was taken aback and about to shrink awy from it, but then she just screamed at them and put them in their place, letting them know that they didn't have a first fuckin clue what they were on about.

Mental health is still trated like its fuckin leprosy in the dark ages. This shit needs to change.

 

[954dude]

Me. It's gotten better in the last 2 years. But from 10 to 20 years old, I wasn't happy.

It's a daily reminder to get in control of your life.

 

[Knucklehead]

Wow Knucklehead,
That's astonishing to have both parents have that. You must have enough stories to write a book about you and your parents.

)

Not really astonishing..They say alcoholics can find eachother in a crowded room..They did..

Yes,I have a lot of stories..

Ma was able to keep a better handle on things than Dad was..I guess..

I think they were both half insane but did what they could with 8 kids to feed..I'm the 5th. I don't fault them at all,and am not sure I could have done a better job.I'm pretty sure I would have fucked things up just as bad ,if not worse.Especially seeing as I didn't quit shooting up till I was in my 30's..

Compared to most of my siblings,I turned out ok...One is dead,killed by her husband.One is in prison.Another two are junkies and I have limited facebook contact with him,the other I wrote off years agne is a republican and we no longer speak.One married a Puerto Rican and forgot she is white and we no longer speak.

It's just me and my sister now..

 

[oakpope]

Alas, count me in the club.

Giving advice would be strange, no ? One-eyed leading the blind But we can try.

I think each one is a special case and what can be effective for someone can be troublesome with another. But talking to a doctor seems to me a good thing to do.

I concur that mental illness are very difficult to be understood by people who never suffered from them. They think we're lazy, or without strength of will, or we don't try enough, etc. That can be pretty annoying

Having friends or family's members with which to talk about can be a good thing too I think, for me it helps a lot. Having routines also, doing things without too much thinking and afterwards being glad that we did them.

Shitty days happen, but knowing that some future days will be better help me too to endure.

Hope every one will get better eventually

much french kisses

 

[Gin&Tonic]

It's killing me right now when I need it the least. If I don't finish this semester I can't graduate and they'll kick me out of school.
Meanwhile, I have tons of work to do in 1-2 weeks and I don't even feel like being alive.

I feel really alone right now. Anyone else struggle with clinical depression? How do you cope?

I do.

I've been going to a shrink for 5 years. She is Rxd every med known to man. None works. The depression kills me... but it eases up once or twice per week.
I'm in a good place right now...but I've been in very dark places. Planned my own suicide and shit like that.
It's just horrible.

 

[TickTockMan]

I had a mental breakdown in 2007. Since then I have been told I have severe depression, PTSD and my AS is more forefront than ever. Also somewhat because of my mental issues and money issues I am slowly becoming/showing signs of agoraphobia.

 

[LilBit]

I've suffered from depression since at least the age of 15, but I wasn't diagnosed until about six years ago. I had a bit of trouble finding a suitable medication, but it's under control now, and I'm doing well.

Lucky, if your depression is preventing you from functioning, you may want to consider talking to an academic advisor and seeing if there's a way to take an incomplete in your classes so that you can deal with your personal issues. You may need a doctor's note, and some of your professors may not be willing to work with you, but it's worth a shot.

 

[teadrinker]

I suffer from chronic depression; thankfully mild enough to be easily treatable with medication. Currently I'm on 40mg Citalopram per day. And it's working well. What I need to do also is to eat less and exercise more (that is, more than nothing)...

-T.

 

[Telstra]

I've suffered from depression since at least the age of 15, but I wasn't diagnosed until about six years ago. I had a bit of trouble finding a suitable medication, but it's under control now, and I'm doing well.

Lucky, if your depression is preventing you from functioning, you may want to consider talking to an academic advisor and seeing if there's a way to take an incomplete in your classes so that you can deal with your personal issues. You may need a doctor's note, and some of your professors may not be willing to work with you, but it's worth a shot.

What if i don't want to study and studying is not for me.
My mind is somewhere else. Professors can only go so far to help but to deal with it is all about what am i going to do.

 

[LilBit]

What if i don't want to study and studying is not for me.
My mind is somewhere else. Professors can only go so far to help but to deal with it is all about what am i going to do.

That's why my advice was specifically directed at Lucky. It sounds to me like he wants to complete his studies, but he's having a temporary setback. College isn't for everyone, and I know that you're happier having decided to drop out. That's fine for you, but I don't think that's what Lucky wants or needs to do.

 

[Locutus7]

I have clinical depression and severe anxiety which I am moderating with medication (Klonopin and Fluoxetine). I also think I have some OCD symptoms and don't like being in large crowds.

I have been hospitalized twice. The latest was about 2 years ago. There was extra stress involved because my therapist wanted me to tell my brother what was going on. I resisted for a while; but I eventually told him. I think he was shocked; but he stuck with me. He took the day off from his job and took me to the hospital. I was very appreciative of that, especially since his wife is not my biggest fan. She since has been nicer to me in person (but I am still no longer invited to their house for holidays; she doesn't like gay people; their children have no problem with me and they are now all adults).

One thing I have learned about myself is that I have two "parts" of my brain; the 41 year old brain and the 6 year old brain; I ascribe a lot of the problems to the 6 year old part; it still reacts to certain events and cues as a 6 year old would; which makes things challenging. In the case of the hospitalizations, the 6 year old brain catastrophized everything and things went downhill from there; basically it overwhelmed me. I know now the signs of that and am in better control of my reactions to life stresses.

I hope this sharing of information helps.

 

[oakpope]

Locutus, I relate to that : I am 42 years old, but I always say to my friend that sometimes I am 15 in my brain, a silly teenager with no clue how to deal with things (agoraphobic, awkward socially, terrorized by phone calls, overwelmed by emotions so easily, etc)

It kind of depress me that I see so many members in depression. Is gayness a possible cause for this, or is it the society reactions towards us that lead us to having some mental illness issues ?

 

[spunk-junky]

Don't give up on medication. I have been tried on a variety of things over the years. Sometimes they seemed to help, other times I couldn't tell. Some of them gave such bad side effects I couldn't wait to see if it would work. But, about 7 years ago I got on a combination of meds that stabilized me. To me, it is nothing short of a miracle and I believe it has saved my life. Occasionally I wonder whether I should try tapering off, but I am petrified of sinking back into depression and then taking years to dig out again. I don't like the idea of being dependent on medication, but the alternative is much, much worse. My message is: don't give up on medication because it hasn't helped so far. Once the right dose or combo is found, it is life changing. Hang in there!