Breakdowns; heavy, man

[Platypus]

GP and I are waiting for the next episode to arrive so we can try out some other alternatives.

About a year ago I suffered a small relapse of depression and found that St. John's Wort really really helped. Took it for 6-8 months. Off it again now and all's well (touch wood).

[suityou01]

I don’t mean the Wilmslow kind which is easily avoided by not buying a Ford Focus. I mean the personal kind. I’ve had one and I am not ashamed to say it, although I won’t go into detail as someone might recognize my story. Someone else on the forum has had one too, and someone else’s husband has too. It happens to lots of people. Trouble is there’s such a taboo about this; employers, and worse still, insurers, steer well clear of anyone who’s had a breakdown, and yet it seems to be something quite normal that happens to lots of people, like a severe bout of flu or some other disease that knocks you flat but then you recover.

Personally I think that recovering from my breakdown made me a stronger and more stable person, better in touch with what I want out of life, and better able to help others achieve what they want. In that sense, a breakdown might actually afford some kind of immunity to mental or psychological illness just as childhood measles gives you immunity. Perhaps I sometimes appear harsh and unsympathetic, but actually it’s just hard experience.

Anyone recognize this?

I can relate to all of that. I had a breakdown running into Christmas 2006. I had started a new job in London, and a guy there had taken a dislike to me. He would follow me everywhere, and try and get inside my head. He sat through most of the Company Christmas meal popping past, and whispering things like "you're out of here", and "not settling in too well are we". Worse still my wife was 7 months pregnant, and I did't want to worry her. I thought it was my responsibility to earn the money, and I had made the decision to change jobs. I stood up to this guy for weeks, until I lost the will. Somehow he got inside my head. I just got this thought in my head how I had to tough it out, then "what if I can't".

It goes without saying the management were useless. I stopped sleeping and after about a week of not sleeping I completely unraveled.

The doc prescribed pills, but I hated them so chucked them. I did lots and lots of sport and stayed off the booze. Gradually my confidence came back, and my wife was instrumental in that.

Now I have the confidence to stand up to people, the ability to say no and the ability to disonnect from situations so I would say I am stronger, yes.

[suityou01]

About a year ago I suffered a small relapse of depression and found that St. John's Wort really really helped. Took it for 6-8 months. Off it again now and all's well (touch wood).

I take this in winter, and sit near my light box. Really helps.

[BrilloPad]

I take this in winter, and sit near my light box. Really helps.

I have a light box : but prefer to take seatone.

The effect of 2 bad summers is catching up on me : I really hope its a summer like 2006......

[TykeMerc]

I have a light box : but prefer to take seatone.

The effect of 2 bad summers is catching up on me : I really hope its a summer like 2006......

I found several weeks exploring Italy its cities, walks and sights very uplifting last summer. There was rain for about 15 minutes one evening in Venice, apart from that the glorious weather was fantastic and had a really positive effect.

[scotspine]

....good grief!!!!

[milanbenes]

yes Scotspine,

that right

ten years of a labour government and look at the state of the CUK forum !

Milan.

[scotspine]

i know. i turn me head for 5 mins and it's metamorphosed into the wri weekly greetin' meetin'. ladies, ladies, ladies, steady at the back there or you'll get your knitting in a twist!

[EternalOptimist]

i know. i turn me head for 5 mins and it's metamorphosed into the wri weekly greetin' meetin'. ladies, ladies, ladies, steady at the back there or you'll get your knitting in a twist!

yeah, well you're hardly the full shilling are you ?

[scotspine]

quite

over the past 3 years i have gone [undergone] a divorce, house resale and a "business reshuffle", none of which has been especially nice so you can take what i say with a pinch of salt. anyone who wants to share these things has my full support as it normally helps and there's none of us so macho that we don't want to help [right?].