Being depressed as a contractor... how to gather myself?

[New Modeller Army]

My own thoughts for naught:

I've been through bouts of depression myself over the years - normally driven by life changing events. Divorce etc.

I have totally shunned the medical profession owing to the shocking propensity to dish out SSRI antidepressants like smarties. They numb you and just kick the can down the road as far as I can see and are definitely not for me. I would recommend a decent counsellor though, I found a weekly session with one was very helpful when I was going through my darker patches.

No, mostly it's down to you - as others have mentioned, exercise is incredibly beneficial in the effects it has on your brain chemistry. I'd also like to add a good, nutritious diet (stay away from sugary snacks especially) with plenty of fruit and veg. Also drink lots of water and stay hydrated. I know I should also add that you should avoid alcohol but I found a nightly glass of red very comforting - moderation is the key here.

One other thing that hasn't been mentioned is social contact with others. You can follow all other advice to the letter but if you're lonely it'll all be in vain. Sure, you can be alone and not feel lonely but IF you do get that nasty feeling where you feel totally isolated, just get out there - even if it's just a trip down to Asda. Stay in touch with friends/family and make new friends. Try and find a local MeetUp group - there are plenty of them tailored to all kinds of interests - I've joined a walking group, do a weekly pub quiz and a weekly whist drive all through MeetUp.


Onwards and upwards OP!

[psychocandy]

OP - been there....

Best advice I could give is get a psychiatrist appt sorted if you can. You may well find that GPs are somewhat limited and/or not allowed to prescribe certain things.

Meds yeh. Bit of a stigma but they do help. When you can find the right one for you - I've tried nearly all of them. Side effects. hmm yeh at the beginning most of them. And it doesnt help your sex life much mostly (but then neither does depression anyway!)

BUT even though it totally does screw you're head up, no-one really knows how bad it can be honestly. Ignore idiots inc family who've got the attitude of "pull yourself together".

As a contractor not so good admitedly. Giving you the boot after a week or so off thats harsh. I had a bad spell (almost 20 years ago now) and I was lucky because the team leader at client was a lovely lady from Finland who was great. (whos since quit IT and does things like mindfullness talks etc for a living).

Bottom line I'd say is look after yourself. **** everyone else. If you can't go in to client, dont, if they "can" you, get something else.

On the plus side, I've had issues off and on for almost 30 years. Last 5-6 been med free so there is hope....

[xoggoth]

Make an appointment with your GP, ASAP and ask for a referral to a Psych(iastrist/ologist).

Sounds a good idea but they are so often unhelpful, you're just another patient on the schedule to kick out the door as quickly as possible.

Different things, whether drugs or various techniques, seem to work for different people. You can sometimes try X and think you've cracked it, only for the problem to come back. Can be quite silly things, there is a big connection between sleep and depression for example. You say you wake up some mornings and can't get out of bed That can have an effect, a fairly rigid sleep routine could help, it did me.

Not saying that will work but the thing is to keep trying different things and don't give up on any one of them too soon. It all takes time.

[Andy2]

I knew a permie who took many months off for depression on full salary.
You can not afford any disease as a contractor, get a permie job.

[vetran]

pay for a night of passion with NLyUK , after that everything has to seem an improvement.

Get a job, get a hobby, get laid!

see a professional!

[thelastrosbif]

Talk to people. Call your friends. Visit your family or spend time with people you trust and make you feel clearer headed and confident. It's amazing how much you feel better in certain places, or with certain people! Don't be afraid to be direct about it - nothing is solved by bottling up. Pills work to an extent but they can make you numb, lethargic, unfocused, especially if not following a GP regulated schedule and with accompanying therapies like CBT. I would really say Exercise can be great relief but you have to make it regular, and I found group activities, classes, clubs help better. Used to love Boxing for 'getting it out of your system'. And probably don't rely on strangers on the internet

[rogerfederer]

OP

This is my final post on this forum. My wife is a researcher in this area.

One thing not mentioned by posters to primarily try is: see your doctor and ask for blood tests. Have you had a sore throat, cough or chest infection recently? Strep(tococcal) and H.Influenzae can reside in wait until you are low and pounce, causing inflammation. Allergies (milk, Gluten, wheat) also cause inflammation in allergic individuals. Asthma causes lung inflammation. As you get older you likely can't handle dairy - it often makes people feel rubbish. Many allergies go undiagnosed due to ridicule from your social circle.

If you rule out a medical cause then it is time to look at a psychological one, as has been mentioned, such as loneliness. Current state of play is: many cases are inflammation caused by true illness but medicated with antidepressants.

If you haven't been checked out yet please ask your GP to run a full set of blood, sputum (if cough/sore throat recently) and even vitamin deficiency tests. You could soon find out you're due penicillin or treatment for something you least expected.

Best of luck and, if no physical bacterial medical cause then head down the social route, as has been mentioned.

[Andy2]

depression is a curse of highly intelligent people. you have to learn to live with it like i do :-)

[ContractorGabs]

As others have said I would highly recommend seeing a therapist and specifically one specialising in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

I've seen it transform the lives of friends tremendously over the years.

[Andy2]

As others have said I would highly recommend seeing a therapist and specifically one specialising in cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).

I've seen it transform the lives of friends tremendously over the years.

is this available on NHS and is there a long waiting list.