Reply to: Who has experienced depression.

[ASB]

I think I've just got depression having read all these replies. Who's got the razor blades?

If you can motivate yourself to top yourself you're not properly depressed yet.

When I was at a hotel in Portugal they had a conference on serious depression and treatment thereof. I got chatting to one of the UK delegates in the bar. He told me the real risk for his patients (he deals with serious cases) was when they started to improve. Frightnening thought, improve to such an extent you can actually be bothered to top yourself.

[Swamp Thing]

I think I've just got depression having read all these replies. Who's got the razor blades?

[CaribbeanPirate]

Do-good-ers say that anyone suffering from depression should not bottle it up and talk to someone about their problems. However, as soon as they do, everyone around them tells them to shut up.

Never mention the D word in the workplace. I knew of one woman who said the D word when she meant to say unhappy/concerned/dissatisfied with something and it found its way onto her personnel record. For years, it would come up as a topic at review time and it was a blight on her prospects at the company. Redundancy was the best thing that happened to her. New company, clean record and she did very well.

[Flubster]

That's beautiful...<sob>...

[John Galt]

I suffered from clinical depression for a number of years - saw head shrinkers the lot and it was not a pleasant time. The feelings that you get are very hard to describe, it is not the feeling of being miserable but almost of being dead inside. At times I honestly forgot what it felt like to smile or to laugh - it seemed like a totally alien concept. At other times I would be almost hyperactive, real life an soul but it never lasted. I took anti-depressants for a number of years (dreadful things) and it was only a conversation with a family member that really turned things around. I wont go into details but, basically, I realised that I wanted to be free of these feelings that I had had for years. Said family member has no idea that the conversation was so important to me and, at the time, I admit that there was not the blinding flash of light type of revelation but it was a starting point. From then on I worked at being happy and I mean I really worked at it and eventually being happy has become a normal state of being rather than the other way round. I am really grateful to the person that gave me my starting point and I can safely say that I would not wish those feelings on my worst enemy.

[el duder]

For what it's worth, I've had a couple of longish periods when I've had a definite slump in motivation but I wouldn't call it depression. It happens when I get into a challengeless rut, doing lacklustre tasks day in, day out with nothing to spur me on. It seems mainly to do with implementing software packages, strangely enough. I guess it's because it's not very creative.

i had that for 2 months, strong headaches, lack of sleep, feeling tired all the time, negative thinking lots, big slump in motivation, wrong attitude to everything, ie why should i do it.

im still kinda in that mode actually. but i have seen the light as im only 4 days away from breaking my prison sentence.

[oraclesmith]

For what it's worth, I've had a couple of longish periods when I've had a definite slump in motivation but I wouldn't call it depression. It happens when I get into a challengeless rut, doing lacklustre tasks day in, day out with nothing to spur me on. It seems mainly to do with implementing software packages, strangely enough. I guess it's because it's not very creative.

[CaribbeanPirate]

You cannot really escape the paranoia, listlessness, lack of motivation etc. Eventually your health starts to suffer as well ... guts go for a ball of sh1t, headaches, miscelaneous aches and pains.

I've got that. I just put it down to old age.

[sunnysan]

Depression

As someone says, you know about it when you have it.

Irt may build up for a long time, sustained period of stress, string of traumatic events etc etc

You cannot really escape the paranoia, listlessness, lack of motivation etc. Eventually your health starts to suffer as well ... guts go for a ball of sh1t, headaches, miscelaneous aches and pains.

It seems to hit suddenly for no apparent reason and goes as well for no apparent reason.

Its not really like you want to top yourself, but its just that horrible feeling that if you got hit my a bus or shot by a mugger, you wouldnt really give a sh1t.

Luke is right, money doesnt help, its family and friends and love that see you through and make life worth living.

[Flubster]

Indeed. Feel the Force, Luke...

[DimPrawn]

Wise words Luke.

[lukemg]

As mentioned, I have had a dose of this depression lark, no it isn't just 'being a bit p*ssed off'. No particular trigger, just a combination of lack of direction, couple of knocks, other people's lives moving on etc. At the time I clearly remember feeling I would not care if something wiped me out for good, at least it would have stopped the stress, I could clearly see how people top themselves although I never got near to that.
On the surface, I don't think it showed, I was still chatty, joined in, did my job etc just never felt anything while doing it all, just on autopilot.
Had a mate who was a joiner (in between working the sofa) he was so content with things, as long as he had a few bob in his pocket to see his mates, take a woman out etc he was happy. Yes, he was young but he has still retained that ability to be content with his lot as his responsibilities etc have increased - it's a real gift I reckon.
Cash can't do it (I was driving a Porsche) it just gives you a few more options and choices, which are nice but not the key to being happy. Family, friends, health, the rest is details.

[Mailman]

either in a short period or long period.

i think i suffered depression for about 2 months whilst contracting here in holland.

I usually suffer depression straight after the Rugby World Cup (long period) and straight after an All Black loss (short period).

Thankfully Im so used to the cricket team losing that their losses have no affect on my mental state

Mailman

[Mr Crosby]

coke is a good deal at this time of year.

Its essential for the late night shift.

[AtW]

Get a job Willy.