Depression

[LittlePinkPuss]

I have suffered with depression on and off since I was 12 years old. I am now in my 40's.

My late teens and early twenties was the worst period imaginable. I was suicidal and at one stage I actually started to debate whether I should shoot myself or take an overdose.

I should have probably taken anti-depressants. God knows the doctor wrote enough prescriptions for me. But I always held off because I was scared about becoming reliant and addicted to them.

I was already in the grips of a very bad alcohol problem, so certainly didn’t want to add drugs to the mix.

I have had numerous counselling sessions with physiologists and psychiatrists. It was all pretty unhelpful for me.

I only started to make headway when I started doing some intense metaphysics and spiritual work on myself. It was a long drawn out process and hard because I had to face up to a lot of painful truths and let lots of held anger and negative emotions go. But it helped in the long run. I did things like Massage, Meditation, Bach Flower Remedies, Proper Breathing, Reiki and Emotional Freedom Technique.

That may all sound too kooky for you – but I found it very beneficial over the years.

But the most useful thing I have ever done for managing my depression is changing my diet.

The doctors never asked about my lifestyle, stress levels, home life, eating habits, drinking habits etc…they just wrote a prescription for me.

The only person to ever mention it was a chiropractor I was seeing for a back pain, and he said that my eating and drinking habits would be contributing negatively to my mental health state.

I am now managing my depression with diet.

When I eat cooked foods I feel depressed for days afterwards, and when I stick to a Raw Vegan diet I feel wonderful.

Loads of other people have reported overcoming depression with a Raw Vegan diet.

It is NOT a cure for me, but it does allow me to stay positive and achieve a natural high and in turn manage to live a normal life without being bitten by the Black Dog.

And it is not a fluke. So many people I have met at potlucks and spoken to on forums have "cured" their depression with this raw diet too

Otherwise, supplements may be of benefit to you:

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And the advice above about surrounding yourself with happy positive people - is a MUST.

Good luck.

[Sir Will.I.am]

Re: Depression

Cat and I are of a similiar age group
(although I am much prettier and better looking I am sure)  

It will pass, no I am not saying it will never come back. I have been there and you could say I am currently in a similiar position. Dark moods, lack of energy, self esteem issues, questioning my mortality and what I am doing here, absolutely nothing going right, no one understanding and damn joints that are almost seized up with pain and all of that in a difficult and testing environment. It sounds almost like some form of perverted self abuse or some kind of sado masochistic ritual one has to go through when suffering with P & D. Unfortunately as most of us here will tell you both medical conditions seem to almost go hand in hand.

I have come to learn that the mood will always pass but I do agree that it is very difficult and the pain we have to go through in the process is sometimes or often as in my case something I wish I did not have to endure and I must also admit that I have often thought of it as being too much to wrestle with once again. I dont have the time nor has the website got the space to tell you how the condition has affected me and how I have had to wrestle with my life a number of times but like I said the blank and dark days will pass.

Everyone has lots of well intentioned advice to offer but all I can suggest is try and cope as it will pass and obviously dont be afraid to discuss your feelings with your G.P. and someone close to you that you may trust.

Keep well and be good to yourself

[Sir Will.I.am]

This should be called the depression song, just listen to the lyrics   :-

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See I am trying to cheer myself up too  

You can't touch me  

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[GSC]

Having this despicable disease is like having a one way ticket to that black hole called depression.

[Samanthajt]

In my experience of haveing depression I found myself to be my own worst enemy. I'd turn anything positive into a negative then those negatives built up ontop of all the previous negatives and I made myself believe many things I wouldn't do ordinarily. I became a very angry person, with other people and with myself. I used to believe it was me against the world and I was loseing. I didn't believe I was worth anyones time and never saw a doctor up until I had thoughts of takeing my own life. It was then I had the realisation of how selfish I had been. I have 2 young children who depend on me and I should know better than to put myself first. My thoughts and feelings will have to wait because I have a purpose and that purpose must be finished. If I don't finish my kids will be like me and what kind of mum would I be to put my own kids through that. Thats how I tackle depression, I just need to remind myself no-matter how hard it gets and how useless I feel, if for no-one else in this world I have a purpose for, I have a duty to my kids.
I hope this helps

[lorn-born]

Hi

I have been diagnosed with depression within the last week, although i am unsure if it is depression or the methotrexate, the doc seems to think it is depression.

I just feel like i have had a run of bad luck these past few months, i find no enjoyment in anything lately, zero energy, constantly in pain, doped up to the eyeballs on pain killers!!

Ive had enough of PSA...

On a lighter note skin is going well at the minute i just hope i dont have a flare up because of how im feeling!

Currently on 50 mg of amitriptyline going up to 75 mg next week.

ZOMBIE here i come!

[Charlotte_S]

Been to GP diagnosed with Depression and Anxiety, given 30mg of Mirtazapine as prescription.  I know it's been prescribed specifically for my sleep and weight problems (have lost 5kg a bit under a stone in a month) - to try to stabilise me so that I am able to sleep and eat.

Anyone have any experiences on how this particular drug reacts with P?

My P is actually not in terrible shape and yet I'd rather not see it get any worse. My GP is aware of Psoriasis. 

[John Boy]

Been to GP diagnosed with Depression and Anxiety, given 30mg of Mirtazapine as prescription.  I know it's been prescribed specifically for my sleep and weight problems (have lost 5kg a bit under a stone in a month) - to try to stabilise me so that I am able to sleep and eat.

Anyone have any experiences on how this particular drug reacts with P?

My P is actually not in terrible shape and yet I'd rather not see it get any worse. My GP is aware of Psoriasis. 

Hi Charlotte

am on Mirtazapine 45mg at night P has been fine but take zopliclone 7.5mg too at night for sleep

and citalpram 40mg for the day

Mirtazapine will take a couple of weeks to start working

re weight have put some on re meds

also make sure your diet is high fibre or take fybogel

as Mirtazapine tends to give you constipation

hope it helps you it has me 

[Charlotte_S]

I am about a week in with the Mirtazepine and I am so sleepy.  It is getting better but the first few days were terrible.  I am also really dizzy on it. 
I've not noticed any bad effects yet as regards constipation, but my diet was already quite rich in fibre ...

I know it can take 2 or 3 weeks for any other effects to become noticable.  But now would be better.

[John Boy]

I am about a week in with the Mirtazepine and I am so sleepy.  It is getting better but the first few days were terrible.  I am also really dizzy on it. 
I've not noticed any bad effects yet as regards constipation, but my diet was already quite rich in fibre ...

I know it can take 2 or 3 weeks for any other effects to become noticable.  But now would be better.

keep with it ,i must say a do get days when a bit lost in space

when do you have to go back to Gp i have to go back every 4 weeks

how is your sleep at night?