Discussion & help on depression & mental health related issues

[Brett Angell Delight]

Nope Irish, I actually said that to the wife today about it being dark early that it's a pain in the arse. I believe that a lot of people are not in great form this time of year. We are over the worst if it now, there is little stretch already in evening light. I'm actually looking forward to getting back to work now (probably not too many say that) I'm back on Monday.

The contrast between the full-on Chrimbo and New Year and then the screeching, pitch black halt it all screeches to I think messes with a lot of heads as well.

I actually think the relative normalcy of going back to work is a welcome relief for a lot of people!

Hope you feel better next week as the days get a bit longer and you go back to work.

 

[larbert toffee]

I agree. Do you not think the time of year has something to do with it. I don't mean Christmas, I mean that it's so flipping dark all the time. Dark when you go to work, dark when you come home. It makes me feel really miserable. (you are, of course now going to tell us you are one of our Aussie Blues and are currently basking in sunshine and 40 degree heat!)

So true, my missus has always suffered from SAD and as I've got older I've noticed myself withdrawing a little through the winter so I do try to go for walks when I feel at a loose end and it's amazing how much it can pick you up and set you back on track.

 

[The Missing Lineker]

Joined this forum only recently mainly for the banter! Noticed this thread but was hesitant opening it thinking it might be quite harrowing. I haven’t had mental health issues myself but come across a lot of sufferers in the course of my work. I have seen all sorts of workplace mental health illness prevention fads come and go. Most of these based on strangers from outside the work companies talking at groups of employees about mental health resilience and self help techniques. More recently, I’m seeing the emphasis slowly change. In a very few enlightened workplaces the preventative programmes are now being augmented by a proposed peer support strategy, with fellow work colleagues being trained to give low level support to fellow colleagues. Studies have apparently shown employees respond well to speaking with people they can immediately relate to. In effect, this is what I’m observing being executed so well on this thread.

Just wanted to say that and to add well done folks for speaking out about your mental health issues and for supporting each other so brilliantly. I’m currently trying my best to support my wife whose mum is on an end of life care programme in hospital, so all this resonates on a very personal level now. I hope to dip into the thread more frequently now and hopefully I too can give whatever support I can.

 

[COYBL25]

Joined this forum only recently mainly for the banter! Noticed this thread but was hesitant opening it thinking it might be quite harrowing. I haven’t had mental health issues myself but come across a lot of sufferers in the course of my work. I have seen all sorts of workplace mental health illness prevention fads come and go. Most of these based on strangers from outside the work companies talking at groups of employees about mental health resilience and self help techniques. More recently, I’m seeing the emphasis slowly change. In a very few enlightened workplaces the preventative programmes are now being augmented by a proposed peer support strategy, with fellow work colleagues being trained to give low level support to fellow colleagues. Studies have apparently shown employees respond well to speaking with people they can immediately relate to. In effect, this is what I’m observing being executed so well on this thread.

Just wanted to say that and to add well done folks for speaking out about your mental health issues and for supporting each other so brilliantly. I’m currently trying my best to support my wife whose mum is on an end of life care programme in hospital, so all this resonates on a very personal level now. I hope to dip into the thread more frequently now and hopefully I too can give whatever support I can.

The " problems in the work place " scenario is one that frequently crops up on here in it`s varying forms,

Keep posting, as you sound like you`ve got quite a bit to add / help

 

[Tipp blue]

Joined this forum only recently mainly for the banter! Noticed this thread but was hesitant opening it thinking it might be quite harrowing. I haven’t had mental health issues myself but come across a lot of sufferers in the course of my work. I have seen all sorts of workplace mental health illness prevention fads come and go. Most of these based on strangers from outside the work companies talking at groups of employees about mental health resilience and self help techniques. More recently, I’m seeing the emphasis slowly change. In a very few enlightened workplaces the preventative programmes are now being augmented by a proposed peer support strategy, with fellow work colleagues being trained to give low level support to fellow colleagues. Studies have apparently shown employees respond well to speaking with people they can immediately relate to. In effect, this is what I’m observing being executed so well on this thread.

Just wanted to say that and to add well done folks for speaking out about your mental health issues and for supporting each other so brilliantly. I’m currently trying my best to support my wife whose mum is on an end of life care programme in hospital, so all this resonates on a very personal level now. I hope to dip into the thread more frequently now and hopefully I too can give whatever support I can.

This is a great thread, I've been through anxiety and been on anti depressants and in with a Councillor hopefully it's all behind me now, I was a little down yesterday but I'm OK today hopefully yesterday was just one of those days. Stay on here sounds like you could have some valuable input. Touch wood you won't need help here but there are a lot of good people on this always willing to help how they can.

 

[Naisy'sCharitableLeanings]

I used to get a bit down after Christmas, haven't done for a few years now, I found that if you have something to look forward too, say in mid January then it softens up the period after Christmas, maybe a concert or comedy gig, I'm going to see Les Miserables on the 12th of Jan and I'm really looking forward to it.

Agree with this. If you’re prone to low moods, and know what triggers them, it’s important to proactively give yourself something to look forward to, even if it’s small. For me, it’s stuff like my evening walk, what I’m having for tea, getting to the next weekend - whatever. As long as you’re focused on the next achievable positive, you know the low will pass.

 

[Naisy'sCharitableLeanings]

At the moment mate she is only 18 months old so too young to come spend time with us but when she's older of course she will be involved. She is my daughters' sister so I wont be the one to split them up.

My ex, my son’s mum, has married and had two more boys. In our case, enough time had passed for it not to be an issue and it’s actually been nice to take them out, babysit them, etc. I’m lucky in that respect, and appreciate it won’t be like that for others, but in a world in which there’s so much hate and animosity, I see it as a plus that my ‘family’ is that bit bigger. Beats the early post-split days when I couldn’t deal with her at all, but after a while, I realised that the only people my attitude was affecting were me, and more importantly, my son.

 

[Frang]

a quick heads up, ive finally moved everything out of my flat, and am now back at my parents for a couple of months whilst I look for a new place to live.

feeling a bit better about it all, and now that im out of the flat , I do feel like the pressure has lifted.

its nice to be around my family , even if we do argue more often than not. I think the place I lived was incredibly lonely, as I was the other side of town to all my friends and family.. ive only just realised how bad it was for me.

I think the whole thing could be a blessing in disguise. I will look to find a new place a lot nearer friends next time around.

im starting work with a mate tomorrow, which is also good, alltho ive not worked properly in over 12 months, so its going to be a massive shock to the system

at least I will be spending less time on here annoying everyone with my inane dribble!

**que the 'SHUT UP FRANK responses !

edit ; I have also just got my driving license back after having a 12 month ban. so a car is first priority

 

[COYBL25]

a quick heads up, ive finally moved everything out of my flat, and am now back at my parents for a couple of months whilst I look for a new place to live.

feeling a bit better about it all, and now that im out of the flat , I do feel like the pressure has lifted.

its nice to be around my family , even if we do argue more often than not. I think the place I lived was incredibly lonely, as I was the other side of town to all my friends and family.. ive only just realised how bad it was for me.

I think the whole thing could be a blessing in disguise. I will look to find a new place a lot nearer friends next time around.

im starting work with a mate tomorrow, which is also good, alltho ive not worked properly in over 12 months, so its going to be a massive shock to the system

at least I will be spending less time on here annoying everyone with my inane dribble!

**que the 'SHUT UP FRANK responses !

edit ; I have also just got my driving license back after having a 12 month ban. so a car is first priority

ONWARDS AND UPWARDS FRANK

 

[Frang]

ONWARDS AND UPWARDS FRANK

the only way for me is up. its been a terrible last 12 months.

 

[EvertonCJ]

a quick heads up, ive finally moved everything out of my flat, and am now back at my parents for a couple of months whilst I look for a new place to live.

feeling a bit better about it all, and now that im out of the flat , I do feel like the pressure has lifted.

its nice to be around my family , even if we do argue more often than not. I think the place I lived was incredibly lonely, as I was the other side of town to all my friends and family.. ive only just realised how bad it was for me.

I think the whole thing could be a blessing in disguise. I will look to find a new place a lot nearer friends next time around.

im starting work with a mate tomorrow, which is also good, alltho ive not worked properly in over 12 months, so its going to be a massive shock to the system

at least I will be spending less time on here annoying everyone with my inane dribble!

**que the 'SHUT UP FRANK responses !

edit ; I have also just got my driving license back after having a 12 month ban. so a car is first priority

Good luck, mate. I hope everything sorts itself out.

 

[FC sexy xxx]

a quick heads up, ive finally moved everything out of my flat, and am now back at my parents for a couple of months whilst I look for a new place to live.

feeling a bit better about it all, and now that im out of the flat , I do feel like the pressure has lifted.

its nice to be around my family , even if we do argue more often than not. I think the place I lived was incredibly lonely, as I was the other side of town to all my friends and family.. ive only just realised how bad it was for me.

I think the whole thing could be a blessing in disguise. I will look to find a new place a lot nearer friends next time around.

im starting work with a mate tomorrow, which is also good, alltho ive not worked properly in over 12 months, so its going to be a massive shock to the system

at least I will be spending less time on here annoying everyone with my inane dribble!

**que the 'SHUT UP FRANK responses !

edit ; I have also just got my driving license back after having a 12 month ban. so a car is first priority

SHUT UP FRANK

Onwards and upwards lad

 

[Frang]

SHUT UP FRANK

Onwards and upwards lad

WOOL

 

[Number_25]

When I came back from Saudi Arabia, my mental health was in a state.

I went into the PhD with this dark and gloomy cloud haranguing over me, unable to focus I eventually found myself taking modafinil. The results were incredible, I was doing brilliant work (~4 publications in 6 months) and everything was going to plan.

Sadly, I quickly became dependent on it and after a frank talk with the missus (who brought up how I had changed, and not in a good way), I made the promise to stop taking it in July 2016.

After another bout of ill health, I ended up becoming addicted to codeine. The mental health issue was still ongoing, and after having a very bad night I saw a doctor and was put on SSRIs. I gained about 40kg (from ~80kg to >120kg) within a year, I was not in a good state.

September was the turning point for me. I begun going to the gym again, took myself off SSRIs (with advice from the GP, don't do it yourself) and begun working on my mindfulness. I've been clean from codeine for awhile now, and wouldn't touch the stuff with a ten-foot bargepoll. I am mentally jaded, but I feel that I can push on again.

 

[LydiateLee]

My ex, my son’s mum, has married and had two more boys. In our case, enough time had passed for it not to be an issue and it’s actually been nice to take them out, babysit them, etc. I’m lucky in that respect, and appreciate it won’t be like that for others, but in a world in which there’s so much hate and animosity, I see it as a plus that my ‘family’ is that bit bigger. Beats the early post-split days when I couldn’t deal with her at all, but after a while, I realised that the only people my attitude was affecting were me, and more importantly, my son.

That’s an awesome post mate honestly. I’m very much on same page and hopefully I can get to a similar position for the sake of my two girls.