Working through depression
 

Hi everyone,
I'm relatively new here, and I hesitated about putting this post up, but I wanted to share my recent experiences, as a similar post would have been enormously helpful to me when I was at my lowest. Obviously what works for one person may be inappropriate for someone else and visits to the doctor have been essential.
I have suffered from depression as long as I can remember and weight problems since my teens. After a terrible experience with contraceptive injections which magnified everything, I took some gentle advice from a mate and went to the doctor - one of the hardest things I've ever done- I feared anti-depressants like nothing else! I wasn't given any but sent to a counsellor. That was fantastic - having someone just listen to you is wonderful. It helped me sort out a lot of issues that I blamed my depression and weight on - things I had to put behind me and that still left me with bad habits and a residual problem of being sad for no actual reason. That's when I realised I might be unwell through no fault of my own or anyone else. I went back to the doc and started a course of anti-depressants. I really struggled with the idea, but they haven't turned me into a zombie or changed my personality as I feared (a friend of m ine had a terrible time with the ones I'm on) - they have helped reduce the amplitude of my mood swings and the frequency of the lows. I still feel like me, but better. I now feel I can start to tackle my weight as well as continuing my work dealing with those other problems from the past and bad habits. It will be so hard and I'm more than a bit scared of going for it, but I feel more positive than I have in a long time. I am sure I will b*gger it up at some point - the key is to move on and not let it feel like the end of the world.
Sorry if this sounds self-indulgent - but as I said, it would have helped me to be brave had I read something similar back then. I can't emphasise enough the importance of a sympathetic and up-to-date doctor - mine has been amazing.
Would love to chat to people working through the whole weight-depression thing. Hugs to all....

Hi Smurf7 and WELCOME !!!

Your story does not sound self indulgent. I think its wonderful that you are willing to share your story in hopes to help others. We need more people like you to come on board and post struggles as well as successes :D

We would also love to chat with you as well. You can find this lovely group on the daily threads (the thread with the day's date on it).

Hugs to you too !!!

AND THANK YOU :)

Hi Smurf7,

I am so glad you shared your story!

It is good to hear good things about antidepressants instead of all the negative and scarey things reported by the news and on the internet at times.

My son has a chemical imbalance and is on meds and is finally doing great! Like you, they did not make him a zombie at all - they made him more himself - more normal. And I am thankful for the meds! He also goes to cbt (cognitive behavioral therapy) and it has been a huge help. The thing was that therapy could not help until the meds kicked him and allowed him to be able to work thru the negative ruminating thoughts.

I am glad to hear that the meds are helping you and that you are doing better! thank you for posting your experiences here.

We would love for you to join us on the daily thread if you would like.

thanks again,
Cathy

HI Smurf

Thanks for sharing. It is so great to see such openess and honesty....a rare trait....looking forward to getting to know you better.


Eliz