depression.. has anyone suffered?

[Miracle Man Matt]

I ask becasue my brother was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder a while back and my parents still have not told me, I found out by accident.  I have thought for a while even before that I get depressed and now Im worried that I have depression.

Its hard to describe, Im not really sure why I ask this on the BKP forum, but as I haven't posted for around a year, I feel that its a friendly place to ask this sort of question with people that also are not close to me (if you see what I mean).  If you wish to remain anonymous I completely understand.  

Thanks

Matt

[Fourth Feline]

HI Matt,

Yes I suffer from Bipolar Type II depression, to the degree that I eventually had to take early retirement because of it's effects and consequences.

The good news for you is that even though someone like you also feels depressed from time to time, unless the depression becomes severe and you feel you are beginning loose contact with reality - this is can  still be the natural ups and downs of human reaction.

Even if your depression becomes severe ; - unless your episodes alternate with periods of elation and mania between the depressions, you probably have Uni-Polar depression, which is easier to manage.

If in doubt always consult your G.P. who can refer you onto a specialist if needs be.

Meanwhile, I send my best wishes to you and your brother, feel free to ask more if you wish.

Regards,

F.F.

[blue]

Hello Matt,

Yes, i've been suffering from depression for the best part of twenty years! it's enormous fun! (not)

i realise that when you're told something like this it can be quite a shock, and it may seem like a terrible thing.  the fact is, you'd be amazed how many people actually suffer from it.  you would honestly be amazed how many people you know are on Prozac or some anti depressant or other.

the thing is, while it can be completely debilitating (i know i've had times when i've been unable to get out of bed for a week at a time) it isn't usually that bad, it can be lived with.

bizarrely, in our modern society, there's actually some cache to being a bit phuqed up!!

the main thing is, someone that's depressed, or bipolar (manic depressive) isn't really any different from anyone else.  they may seem it, and even think it, but they aren't.

i've hardly given advice, and right now i can't think of anything else to say.  you need to just let things happen, let things go as they may.  your brother is still exactly the same person, a diagnosis doesn't change who he is.  try not to treat him any different than you ever did.  and you aren't any different either, if you are suffering from depression, so be it.  live your life.  i always find us depressed people are much cooler that those boring happy people!!!!

[Ratrod]

I've had something of a depression some years ago. It's a terrible experience. I actually thought about suicide. With a little help from friends and family I pulled through. I stopped everything that was making me unhappy. I was working shitety jobs and off and on wellfare at the time. So I created a new goal for myself. I went back to school full time and got my bachelor degree.

Both my parents have suffered from burn-out. The solltion is similar. Leave all the sh!t behind you, set a new goal, think positive (that's the hardest part) and accept (and ask for) help from friends and family.

[Muso]

I got depressed for a while when I had a really shitety job and hated my boss, in the end I just walked out. Life is too short to get bogged down by stuff like that, yea I know it's not ideal but your health is the most important thing to you.

I believe some people are born prone to depression an a lot of people suffer from it. like RatRod said burnout is probably the biggest thing which affects most people.  The hardest thing with depression is telling someone else, people find it difficult to talk about mental health and yer GP really won't do alot.

Anyway Matt I wouldn't worry about it, if everyone who was depressed at some time or other went to a GP and got diagnosed 90% of the population would think they had some condition. It your depression stops you from doing stuff which you see normal then it is time to go and see the doctor  8)

peace out

[Adam.M]

*raises hand*

Though i will say, the doctors NEVER could help me, they've only made my situation worse and worse.

The only thing thats made it any better is by changing my life situation, thats the only real way to 'cure' it.

[shaman]

I was like Ratrod..I just stopped the stuff that was bogging me down....then I thought"DAMN...should have done this a long time ago..."took a cut in pay,but received a raise in time and well being-more time to turn up to 11 now...!

[lifted]

I had  bipolar disorder that was very lengthy ups and downs  where the lows lasted six months or so and hardly kept a job or got out of bed. In my upswings, I would be this energetic guy with two jobs, three bands, and maybe even two girl friends.  People that knew me wouldn;t understand why I didn't wanna go out when I would crash to my lows.
  Long story short, after various medicines,  I called out to God and found out He was really there, and asked Him to help me, and his name is Jesus.
I have not been with symptoms for over  7 years, since i gave my will over to Him. We all need Him, and He accepts all who ask Him, no matter what your hangups, or things, you've done.    Give it a try   P.M. me for more details.   That's why my nickname is Lifted, Because I have been.  peace

[Kilby]

Another raised hand for depression,

Stress often plays a major part with depression, wether it is due to health, relationships work or financial issues.

Would your low points match with periods of stress, then it could just be everyday stresses getting to you (especially if you are worried for your brother). As such stresses can be around for quite some time and can feel like they have been there forever

If the low points don't coinside then it may be worth speaking to somebody (a sympathetic family doctor for example) and they may be able to help.

--- Persornal experiance follows so fel free to ignore ---

From personal experiance I would suggest trying any courses that they reccomend (congative therapy seems to be one of the best), in preference to medication.

I mention this as I was on medication for about 4 years (Effexor (Venlafaxine) for about 3 years). Even though it probably stopped me from doing something dumb I have to say that in the end the medication was a greater issue than the original depression.

In the end I only managed to get off effexor because I started using St Johns Wort, which many people find a great natural anti-depressant.

For some people an exercise regeime also works wonders (but I cannot vouch for that ATM due to other health issues, and being lazy)

--- End of dull tale ---

[38thBeatle]

Me too but not Bi polar and so I won't pretend to compare my experience with your brother's. As Blue says, a diagnosis doesn't change who he is. I have never sought help from a GP as I am not a huge fan of prescribed medicine as a rule. I have had hynosis and other counselling but even so, about once a month or so I drop into a deep gloom that seems to settle ( Mrs 38th calls it my time of the month) and lasts about 4 to 5 days.  From an artistic point of view, I have often come up with my best lyrics during or just after an episode though it is cr*p for tunes-I have to be in a better state for them. I don't mean to make light of it and I do feel for you.My own Brother means the world to me and if he suffered in this way, I would be heartbroken and, like you, would want to do anything to help him.

[Will]

sad to hear your story.
the closest i can compare is being prescribed a lot of anti depressants for migraines caused by stress. I wouldn't have thought that would be the GP's nice way of calling me depressed, but positive thinking does help me through migraines anyway.
good luck with the future.

[maliciousteve]

sad to hear your story.
the closest i can compare is being prescribed a lot of anti depressants for migraines caused by stress. I wouldn't have thought that would be the GP's nice way of calling me depressed, but positive thinking does help me through migraines anyway.
good luck with the future.

Migraines suck big time!

I've only ever had one and that was last easter. Caused by stress because of being unemployed, worried sick about a certain friend and some trouble with my current girlfriend.

[Ratrod]

To lighten up the subject a bit........but this still serious advice.

DO NOT listen to Nirvana or Alice In Chains. (wouldn't put Korn on either.)

You can listen to punk, metal Limp Bizkit and what not to let some agression and frustration out.

Listen to music with some humor in it, something that relavates. And music that'll make you feel good.

[Sailor Charon]

Yes, I too suffer from depression - not sure whether or not its uni or bipolar. Most of the time I'm just down. Sometimes I'm very down.   I'm generally about as awake as Steven Wright seems. But I get by. I tried going to the gym - the only difference it made was I was even more tired.
I've been on a variety of tablets, none of which have really helped, but (shrug). On rare occasions, I get waaay too confident, and try things which, on reflection, were never going to work...

[Philly Q]

This is going to be a very self-indulgent post, and will probably also sound somewhat flippant.  I apologise for both, but please excuse my ignorance - what exactly is depression?  Where's the line between simply being miserable and being depressed?  Is it "proper" depression (only) when you're unhappy for no obvious reason?

People who know me would probably regard me as fairly cheerful, in a topsy-turvy sort of way  - I amuse them (occasionally) with my constant moaning and pessimistic outlook on everything.  But deep down I'm intensely dissatisfied with life.  I once filled in a trivial little "How happy are you?" questionnaire and it said I should seek professional help - which was funny, but I had actually answered the questions seriously.

****I'll follow Rob's lead and say skip the next bit if you like (unlike what he said, it's self-pitying whining)****

I feel like I've achieved nothing in life (except passing a few exams which were just sort of put in my way).  I have no exceptional talents (except a memory for useless trivia, which is never going to put bread on the table).  I've had no serious relationships (and don't really understand how other people go about it); I'll probably always live alone, never have children.  I have things in common with lots of different people, but somehow I always feel like an outsider - in any group I never quite fit in (this manifests itself especially when everyone is "supposed" to be enjoying themselves - like at pubs and parties).  I dislike where I live, I hate my job (although I like the people I work with).  I have no real ambition, no direction in life.  But (crucially) I have no self-confidence to change any of these things.  

The obvious response to this is "stop moaning, pull yourself together, there are loads of people worse off than you".  This is, I know, true, but doesn't actually help - and it seems to me that there's more to life than an average salary, average health and a roof over your head.  From my observer's perspective it seems that there are many people with all sorts of disadvantages who nevertheless seem reasonably contented with life.  I'm not.

Am I depressed?

You can listen to punk, metal Limp Bizkit and what not to let some agression and frustration out.

No one should ever listen to Limp Bizkit.  But if you must, don't actually buy it - lining Fred Durst's pockets is a crime.