I wrote a long post, pressed preview and got the join up page, perhaps I'd been thinking to post or not to post too long, anyway it's lost. Maybe I'll have another go later. In short, thanks for the great posts, there are some threads on this forum which live with us long after they pass into cyber history, this will be one.
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Stephen Fry on BBC2~living with Manic Depression
Sex God
Quote by poshkate
Hijack in mind I'll be briefit's not a case of it being addivtive I have to be aware of.....due to a life long mild illness I have to take Beta Blockers to function at times and these work by slowing down my heart rate and nervous system (er thats the way I see it any Doctors please feel free to correct me) so they are a downer do to speak whilst anti depressants are an upper...........the 2 I am prescribed are compatable but it's a case of taking more or less Beta's to get a happy medium which is perfectley acceptable in Medical terms but a right royal pain in the arse to get right
Bollox sorry all wrong account.....PK has just posted and I forgot to log in/out SHEDDY
:lol: @ the posting ID. We've done that a few times. :doh:
Pretty much spot on for beta-blockers, they regulate blood pressure and heart "contractions" so that you don't get as much of the effect of a panic attack.
ADs tend to work on brain chemical to address inbalances in the brain. The thought is that they effect the way the receptors react to these chemicals and this improves mood.
Quote by Sassy-Seren
... have these manic periods when they are super confident, energetic which allows them to achieve great things.
The manic periods can sometimes be as destructive as the depression if the mania is not mediated, even though it might feel nowhere near as bad as the depression. There are cases where people have got into huge debt, often resulting in house repossession and bankruptcy, through massive spending during their manic phases.
I agree, northwest. It's during these peaks when manics are just as vunerable, sometimes doing things like driving too fast, acting reckless and taking drugs. My mate described these peaks as feeling as though he's invinsible and on such a non drug-induced high that he almost feels immortal, hence the lack of fear when driving etc.
The plus side, as Chris pointed out, was getting on with jobs that would normally be put off. In one of his peaktimes, I've seen my mate assemble a wardrobe in 5 minutes :shock:
I've heard of one guy who put a bet on with his life savings (£9K) during a manic phase........ and won. :shock: Fairly good odds as well IIRC. B**tard*
:lol: Quote by little gem
Lilac... the second part of the programme is on the same time and day next week (Tue 9pm BBC2) and I think theyre going to be talking about the provisions of mental health care both here in the UK and in the USA.
Looking forward to tonights programme then. :D
Quote by little gem
A while back (I mean a long time, possibly nearly two years ago now) there was a thread about mental health where someone asked if swingers and experience of depression went hand in hand. If I get time I'll go an hunt for it... the thread made very interesting discussion.
Wasn't Venus who started it was it? Is it this one
Quote by H-x
.............................After all if your life partner doesn’t think you’re worth living for what chance is there that anyone else will?.......................
H.x
You probably know this already; depression is a horrible illness that is self-feeding. I mean you get low, you start to withdraw which makes you feel worse and less likely to engage with the outside world and then you just disappear into this hole of dispair and self loathing. You start to believe that you're doing the people you love a favour by not being there any longer because you're holding them back or weighing them down, but you can't face being alone so it starts to seem like a reasonable option. I'm sure your husband debated with himself long and hard before he made the decision to do what he did.
I just want to add that there is a lot of support out there for anyone who is feeling this way and if anyone feels like you're getting to the point where you can't cope any more please talk to your GP to start with and see where you can get with them. More and more GPs are becoming aware of what mental illness is and how easy it is to improve peoples quality of life in very simple ways.
If you're feeling suicidal and you feel like you are going to go through with it, please go to an A+E department. They all have consultants and nurses who are attached to them and who understand and are specially trained to deal with mental health issues.
Sex God
H-x 
Brave post.
Is it this one
There was another one in my mind, but can't seem to remeber who the author was. 
It'll come back to me when I'm not trying to think of it so hard. 
Yes, that was one of the ones I was thinking of. Thankyou Easy. Brought back some memories that thread did. Seems like forever ago now, so much happened since.
:kiss: Gem. x
Brave post.Quote by easy
A while back (I mean a long time, possibly nearly two years ago now) there was a thread about mental health where someone asked if swingers and experience of depression went hand in hand. If I get time I'll go an hunt for it... the thread made very interesting discussion.
Is it this one
There was another one in my mind, but can't seem to remeber who the author was. It'll come back to me when I'm not trying to think of it so hard. Yes, that was one of the ones I was thinking of. Thankyou Easy. Brought back some memories that thread did. Seems like forever ago now, so much happened since.
:kiss: Gem. x
Quote by easy
You probably know this already; depression is a horrible illness that is self-feeding. I mean you get low, you start to withdraw which makes you feel worse and less likely to engage with the outside world and then you just disappear into this hole of dispair and self loathing. You start to believe that you're doing the people you love a favour by not being there any longer because you're holding them back or weighing them down, but you can't face being alone so it starts to seem like a reasonable option. I'm sure your husband debated with himself long and hard before he made the decision to do what he did.
I just want to add that there is a lot of support out there for anyone who is feeling this way and if anyone feels like you're getting to the point where you can't cope any more please talk to your GP to start with and see where you can get with them. More and more GPs are becoming aware of what mental illness is and how easy it is to improve peoples quality of life in very simple ways.
If you're feeling suicidal and you feel like you are going to go through with it, please go to an A+E department. They all have consultants and nurses who are attached to them and who understand and are specially trained to deal with mental health issues.
Wise words indeed. I've always thought that life was the most sacred of things. I'm not religious, although I have nothing against those that are, I think we are only here once and we only get one go at it, that every second we are here should be taken full advantage of. It's very easy to fall into the trap of thinking negatively, it is a vicious circle and it does take a long time to learn to think yourself out that blackness. But it is possible, with help.
H.x
The last time I had a really bad episode which consisted of being huddled in the corner of our spare bedroom and crying for about 2hours and then doing the same thing the next day I went to my GP. I had made a list of my past episodes and I handed it to him. He scanned through it and perscribed some anti-depressants and forwarded me to someone else. I was in and out of the surgery in minutes.
The people he forwarded me to were useless, they didn't return phone calls, passed me from pillar to post as they searched for who was dealing with me. All the dealings I had with them made me feel worse than when I started.
I know I just had a bad experience and there are many caring people out there trying to help but sometimes it feels a bit glib when people say 'talk to someone'.
The people he forwarded me to were useless, they didn't return phone calls, passed me from pillar to post as they searched for who was dealing with me. All the dealings I had with them made me feel worse than when I started.
I know I just had a bad experience and there are many caring people out there trying to help but sometimes it feels a bit glib when people say 'talk to someone'.
It's a shame that so many GP's don't know how to handle depression, resulting in far too many people on anti-depressants for the wrong reasons instead of being allowed to try other therapies. My niece has suffered with Crohn's for 9 years and she was offered Valium and was told she was depressed. It's scary to think she could have been on these at 18 ! I managed to get her back to the GP for further tests which confirmed the Crohn's and thyroid problems Thankfully she hadn't taken any of that presciption.
It's one of the bonuses of the net that people are more aware of these conditions and illnesses and where to get help
It's one of the bonuses of the net that people are more aware of these conditions and illnesses and where to get help
My ex hubby was and still is a manic depressive ... his main function in life now is to cause me as much damage as he can ..... I stayed with him for 22 yrs thru hell and back but had to put a stop to it when i came home and found he had slit his arms with a scissors .... self harming and took 3 overdoses ... was too scared that the kids would com,e home one day and find their dad dead in bed
Good luck to everyone with this disease as I know from my past how hard it is to live with
BB x
Good luck to everyone with this disease as I know from my past how hard it is to live with
BB x
Sex God
Quote by little gem
H-x
A while back (I mean a long time, possibly nearly two years ago now) there was a thread about mental health where someone asked if swingers and experience of depression went hand in hand. If I get time I'll go an hunt for it... the thread made very interesting discussion.
:kiss: Gem. x
well gemmy, the search button hates me this evening and is struggling to "insert results" but t'was me and mike_north had a little exchange of posts on that little topic.
we decided that possibly there was a link in that depression might make you more self-aware, and more open to new experiences . . . . or something! ;)not blowing me own trumpet . . . . just it came to mind! ;)
H-x? dunno what to say, beyond acknowledging your post. crap that really innit?
neil x x x ;)
We have had a family member recently diagnosed with this and to see it on the telly, being talked about in such a clear and explanatory way by such a high profile personality was tremendous. Not enough is known by the general population on this and as with all things understanding means toloerance and acceptance...
Andy
Andy
Hi, i'd first like to say, i have read all the postings on this subjest H-X..was very frank-honest and moving post........well done you :kiss
I was first diagnosed with depression about three years ago, all the bad things that had happened in my childhood, came flooding back......and mixed in with the mess i had made of my life since....took me to the lowest point...i had ever been, i became withdrawn, suicidal, angry......just want to either sleep or cry my life away., had no get up and go......and i couldnt see no way out.........i just sat there one day, and tipped all my anti-depressants in to a started taking them all........thank god i had some sense still in me to think of the heartache i would cause those around me, slowly i got my life back together.........until recently when the depression came back with a vengence....this time though.i am suffering from panic attacks...........which is scarey.....to be afraid to go out your front door, be around people..even going shopping in case, you have an attack..........i am back on medication, and have the usual days of being high, and then very low..........i am determined to beat this again..........but i think you can never get rid of depression, just learn how to control it............and even now in this day and age, any kind of mental health is still frowned upon, which is very sad, as we as suffers dont go looking for it..........it's an illness not a crime.
I was first diagnosed with depression about three years ago, all the bad things that had happened in my childhood, came flooding back......and mixed in with the mess i had made of my life since....took me to the lowest point...i had ever been, i became withdrawn, suicidal, angry......just want to either sleep or cry my life away., had no get up and go......and i couldnt see no way out.........i just sat there one day, and tipped all my anti-depressants in to a started taking them all........thank god i had some sense still in me to think of the heartache i would cause those around me, slowly i got my life back together.........until recently when the depression came back with a vengence....this time though.i am suffering from panic attacks...........which is scarey.....to be afraid to go out your front door, be around people..even going shopping in case, you have an attack..........i am back on medication, and have the usual days of being high, and then very low..........i am determined to beat this again..........but i think you can never get rid of depression, just learn how to control it............and even now in this day and age, any kind of mental health is still frowned upon, which is very sad, as we as suffers dont go looking for it..........it's an illness not a crime.
Quote by swindonfun
Hi, i'd first like to say, i have read all the postings on this subjest H-X..was very frank-honest and moving post........well done you :kiss
I was first diagnosed with depression about three years ago, all the bad things that had happened in my childhood, came flooding back......and mixed in with the mess i had made of my life since....took me to the lowest point...i had ever been, i became withdrawn, suicidal, angry......just want to either sleep or cry my life away., had no get up and go......and i couldnt see no way out.........i just sat there one day, and tipped all my anti-depressants in to a started taking them all........thank god i had some sense still in me to think of the heartache i would cause those around me, slowly i got my life back together.........until recently when the depression came back with a vengence....this time though.i am suffering from panic attacks...........which is scarey.....to be afraid to go out your front door, be around people..even going shopping in case, you have an attack..........i am back on medication, and have the usual days of being high, and then very low..........i am determined to beat this again..........but i think you can never get rid of depression, just learn how to control it............and even now in this day and age, any kind of mental health is still frowned upon, which is very sad, as we as suffers dont go looking for it..........it's an illness not a crime.
Very open and honest. Kudos to you, my friend
Sex God
I just heard on the news that the powers that be are starting to get wind of the fact that sufferers are not able to get the support they need emotionally and practically and that they are concerned that people are just being given tablets with no prior treatment or help. Lets hope something might get done. :therethere: to anyone that needs it!
Quote by Sassy-Seren
Hi, i'd first like to say, i have read all the postings on this subjest H-X..was very frank-honest and moving post........well done you :kiss
I was first diagnosed with depression about three years ago, all the bad things that had happened in my childhood, came flooding back......and mixed in with the mess i had made of my life since....took me to the lowest point...i had ever been, i became withdrawn, suicidal, angry......just want to either sleep or cry my life away., had no get up and go......and i couldnt see no way out.........i just sat there one day, and tipped all my anti-depressants in to a started taking them all........thank god i had some sense still in me to think of the heartache i would cause those around me, slowly i got my life back together.........until recently when the depression came back with a vengence....this time though.i am suffering from panic attacks...........which is scarey.....to be afraid to go out your front door, be around people..even going shopping in case, you have an attack..........i am back on medication, and have the usual days of being high, and then very low..........i am determined to beat this again..........but i think you can never get rid of depression, just learn how to control it............and even now in this day and age, any kind of mental health is still frowned upon, which is very sad, as we as suffers dont go looking for it..........it's an illness not a crime.
Very open and honest. Kudos to you, my friend
Very brave and very honest. :thumbup:
Quote by little gem
A while back (I mean a long time, possibly nearly two years ago now) there was a thread about mental health where someone asked if swingers and experience of depression went hand in hand. If I get time I'll go an hunt for it... the thread made very interesting discussion.
I wonder if it is swinging sites on the internet rather than swinging per se that seems to have the high proportion of people that have suffered episodes of depression. On a site where people use the anonymity of the net to tell all sorts of intimate details of their lives, admitting to depression here is probably far easier than in real life. Also, when the black hole opens and the outside world seems a scary place, maybe websites are somewhere to maintain a semblance of human contact. Does the internet and depression go hand in hand?
Quote by northwest-cpl
A while back (I mean a long time, possibly nearly two years ago now) there was a thread about mental health where someone asked if swingers and experience of depression went hand in hand. If I get time I'll go an hunt for it... the thread made very interesting discussion.
I wonder if it is swinging sites on the internet rather than swinging per se that seems to have the high proportion of people that have suffered episodes of depression. On a site where people use the anonymity of the net to tell all sorts of intimate details of their lives, admitting to depression here is probably far easier than in real life. Also, when the black hole opens and the outside world seems a scary place, maybe websites are somewhere to maintain a semblance of human contact. Does the internet and depression go hand in hand?
I think you have a point. Mental Health issues are surprisingly common but the anonmity here allows us to talk about it. The people I work with don't know about my problems and I don't intend to tell them but I've talked a lot here.
Sex God
Quote by northwest-cpl
A while back (I mean a long time, possibly nearly two years ago now) there was a thread about mental health where someone asked if swingers and experience of depression went hand in hand. If I get time I'll go an hunt for it... the thread made very interesting discussion.
I wonder if it is swinging sites on the internet rather than swinging per se that seems to have the high proportion of people that have suffered episodes of depression. On a site where people use the anonymity of the net to tell all sorts of intimate details of their lives, admitting to depression here is probably far easier than in real life. Also, when the black hole opens and the outside world seems a scary place, maybe websites are somewhere to maintain a semblance of human contact. Does the internet and depression go hand in hand?
good question!
you are possibly right with the thought of being more willing to admit things within the annonymity of the internet.
Sex God
Quote by H-x
..................... It's very easy to fall into the trap of thinking negatively, it is a vicious circle and it does take a long time to learn to think yourself out that blackness. But it is possible, with help.
H.x
Been to the edge of the abyss, had a look, decided that I didn't want to go there and got some help.
Now I try and shine a light into the darkness for others who have fallen further than I did.
:thumbup: Quote by easy
Been to the edge of the abyss, had a look, decided that I didn't want to go there and got some help.
Now I try and shine a light into the darkness for others who have fallen further than I did.
I normally stay out of threads like this. For my own reasons.
But I couldn't not say to easy . . . .
And if anyone doesn't know how to spell that emoticonsmiley thing, it's . . . .
worship
Sex God
There's so much here. I don't know where to start.
I don't think there's any particular correlation between swinging and mental illness. From my experience out in the real world, it seems that there are far more sufferers than you would think. Most hide it very well (I certainly did - no one suspected a thing until I was curled up on the floor crying uncontrollably for an hour). But once you start talking honestly, the stories come out.
I fooled myself for a long time that my depression was only mild, manageable, and didn't need treatment. But after one breakdown, one near-breakdown, and serious thoughts of suicide, I can't pretend that any more.
I was lucky and got an excellent therapist. Someone earlier in the thread mentioned that they were about to start CBT. That's what I had, and it worked wonderfully. It has really changed my life. In my case, we spent a fair bit of time talking about the origins of my beliefs: CBT isn't supposed to be about that, but knowing where things came from helped me turn them around. I'd picked up a lot of my beliefs because they were helpful at the time. But as my life changed and they didn't, some of them became harmful.
Curiously, Prozac doesn't seem to do anything for my lows. It might make them less frequent, but it doesn't seem to make them less intense. What it does do - and why I won't stop taking it - is make the highs possible. For the first time in my life I can feel happiness.
Before I started treatment I was worried about what it might do to my personality. Depression had been such a large part of who I was for such a long time. Who would I be without it? Would it take away the qualities that I admired in myself? Would I lose my identity? If anyone is worrying about similar things, I can tell you now there's no need. You'll still be the same person. Just a happier version. And more able to go out and be all the good things that you are.
Therapy works. Drugs work. If your GP doesn't understand your problems, find another.
Do I really want to post this? What's the worst that can happen?
I don't think there's any particular correlation between swinging and mental illness. From my experience out in the real world, it seems that there are far more sufferers than you would think. Most hide it very well (I certainly did - no one suspected a thing until I was curled up on the floor crying uncontrollably for an hour). But once you start talking honestly, the stories come out.
I fooled myself for a long time that my depression was only mild, manageable, and didn't need treatment. But after one breakdown, one near-breakdown, and serious thoughts of suicide, I can't pretend that any more.
I was lucky and got an excellent therapist. Someone earlier in the thread mentioned that they were about to start CBT. That's what I had, and it worked wonderfully. It has really changed my life. In my case, we spent a fair bit of time talking about the origins of my beliefs: CBT isn't supposed to be about that, but knowing where things came from helped me turn them around. I'd picked up a lot of my beliefs because they were helpful at the time. But as my life changed and they didn't, some of them became harmful.
Curiously, Prozac doesn't seem to do anything for my lows. It might make them less frequent, but it doesn't seem to make them less intense. What it does do - and why I won't stop taking it - is make the highs possible. For the first time in my life I can feel happiness.
Before I started treatment I was worried about what it might do to my personality. Depression had been such a large part of who I was for such a long time. Who would I be without it? Would it take away the qualities that I admired in myself? Would I lose my identity? If anyone is worrying about similar things, I can tell you now there's no need. You'll still be the same person. Just a happier version. And more able to go out and be all the good things that you are.
Therapy works. Drugs work. If your GP doesn't understand your problems, find another.
Do I really want to post this? What's the worst that can happen?
Quote by DJohn
Do I really want to post this? What's the worst that can happen?
I could come along and give you a big hug for being so open and honest :therethere:
Many people on this thread have shown others they are not alone in the way that they feel. They have explained how people cope in different ways and what they have been through and I personally think it has been an amazing thread
Thank you so much for posting this thread and to all those who have contributed to it. I'm feeling very humble after reading all that has been posted. Babe has a bi-polar disorder, was diagnosed relatively recently (about 2 years ago) after having suffered almost all of her adult life from its symptoms. She is learning to deal with it and grow and I am learning to support (no small thing for someone as self-centered and arrogant as me). So reading this here really has made me take stock of things and given me a greater appreciation of the people on this site. I hope this doesn't sound trite as this note is meant as a sincere thanks to all who have contributed for all they have said.
Thanks, Biker
Thanks, Biker
