Depression, Anxiety

[iCat]

There's been a bit about this topic in the media of late. What tips can you suggest to help people through these dark times?

[buggerlugs]

See a doctor.
Plenty of discussion here.............
http://www.fordforums.com.au/showthr...=panic+attacks

[Maka]

Firstly go see a good doctor & discuss your mind space like previously said by buggerlugs. Learn when your about to have a attack or thing's that trigger bad / upsetting thoughts.

Distract your thought's if possible & go do something to take your mind off thing's that get you down. Don't listen to or focus on things that get you down also ie things in the media, life issues or family hassles etc for example. Good luck!

cheer's, Maka

[cram_it_frog]

I have a major spinal injury and live with chronic pain and I do suffer occasionally with depression for over 20 years now

I have slowly learned yes speak to your GP and other health professionals but in the end you have to take responsibility for your own health

other people can suggest and help you get the tools to manage your problem but you are the only one who can fix the problem

I get frustrated at not being able to do things like I used to do working on the car gardening ect

it is not a easy road to take but the sooner you work out you are the only one to fix the problem the sooner you learn to live with it

There is always some one a lot worse than you just around the corner

I can still walk at my own pace and enjoy life at my own pace what more can you hope for ?

[Alesener45]

I think it's a popular problem right now while the period of lockdown. Don't you think so? The main problem-not every person, who feels pressure during the pandemic can afford work with specialist.

[T3rminator]

Originally Posted by Alesener45

I think it's a popular problem right now while the period of lockdown. Don't you think so? The main problem-not every person, who feels pressure during the pandemic can afford work with specialist.

Alesener, if you are struggling, please go see a GP. They can put you on a mental health program which gives you 6 subsidised "specialist" visits per year. You just have to go to specialists that are signed up to the scheme. After the first year, you go back for a re-assessment, and can be given more the year after if its required. It is a really good scheme.

A lot of work places are also giving their employees access to similar schemes funded by the employer. Combine the two and there is a lot of help available. All the best.

[sneaky]

Originally Posted by T3rminator

Alesener, if you are struggling, please go see a GP. They can put you on a mental health program which gives you 6 subsidised "specialist" visits per year. You just have to go to specialists that are signed up to the scheme. After the first year, you go back for a re-assessment, and can be given more the year after if its required. It is a really good scheme.

A lot of work places are also giving their employees access to similar schemes funded by the employer. Combine the two and there is a lot of help available. All the best.

I think the specialist/psychologist can actually extend the subsidised visits for an extra four sessions but they have to request it from your GP and you have to go back to your GP for another referral...

also check what the gap fee is, I had the subsidised visits and the subsidised amount was $130 per visit. I was still out out of pocket $120 per session.

There may be a public health service available - I have used this in the past to see a psychiatrist and from memory there was no fee. I on;y had a few appointments to change meds and sort dosages.

As Terminator mentioned some workplaces offer a service - the one at my work extends to family members so there may be a way in if your workplace doesn't offer it.

[raised by monkeys]

Be careful of being prescribed meds as a first point of call.

[Falcman0o7]

Originally Posted by raised by monkeys

Be careful of being prescribed meds as a first point of call.

YES, Been on aropax for 19 years :( Can't get off them! Miss a day and I'm on another planet

[ILLaViTaR]

It's an illness and needs to be treated as such, hard to overcome mental aspects and perceptions/moods when they stem from chronic physical underlyings.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0528180900.htm
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...1114124307.htm
http://www.nature.com/nrmicro/journa...cro2876-f1.jpg
http://www.nature.com/news/gut-brain...ntists-1.16316
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zlJ8CztFO8
http://www.nature.com/nrmicro/journa...cro2876-f1.jpg
http://www.ucsf.edu/news/2014/08/116...rule-our-minds
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases...0108125953.htm

[zilo]

From what I've seen as a starting point....

First and foremost surround yourself with good people,
not nasty negative complaining types.. ..sometimes certain family members are the worst.

Stay away from facebook if you are a multi-daily user too, seems to affect some people.

[buggerlugs]

Originally Posted by zilo

From what I've seen as a starting point....

First and foremost surround yourself with good people,
not nasty negative complaining types.. ..sometimes certain family members are the worst.

Stay away from facebook if you are a multi-daily user too, seems to affect some people.

I think "Facebook" has a lot to answer for in our Society....

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by buggerlugs

I think "Facebook" has a lot to answer for in our Society....

Your not wrong there!

I spent half the day Friday sitting in a Doctors surgery talking to my GP and then an hour with a Psychologist as the result of a family fight over Facebook.
All because my sister added her phone number to her account when she opened it and an estranged family member clicked on those 3 little dots and found it and called her.
My sister wouldn't have any of it and accused her daughter in law of providing the number.
My nephew went around and proved to her that her number was on the profile, but she wouldn't have a bar of it.

The next thing I get a phone call from my mother expecting me to sort it all out and when I did they refused to apologise.

I lost it completely, I'd been doing well too but all it took was a few poorly chosen words and I was right back where I started.

I've always baulked at the idea of medication to treat my problems, but as a result of the state I was in on Friday my GP said either take something or im ringing an ambulance.
He gave me something called Alepam and within a few hours I was smiling from ear to ear. To be honest I hadn't felt that good in ages and I slept like a baby, but now im concerned that I will turn to it every time I feel flat and I don't want to become dependant on them.

[buggerlugs]

Originally Posted by BENT_8

Your not wrong there!

I spent half the day Friday sitting in a Doctors surgery talking to my GP and then an hour with a Psychologist as the result of a family fight over Facebook.
All because my sister added her phone number to her account when she opened it and an estranged family member clicked on those 3 little dots and found it and called her.
My sister wouldn't have any of it and accused her daughter in law of providing the number.
My nephew went around and proved to her that her number was on the profile, but she wouldn't have a bar of it.

The next thing I get a phone call from my mother expecting me to sort it all out and when I did they refused to apologise.

I lost it completely, I'd been doing well too but all it took was a few poorly chosen words and I was right back where I started.

I've always baulked at the idea of medication to treat my problems, but as a result of the state I was in on Friday my GP said either take something or im ringing an ambulance.
He gave me something called Alepam and within a few hours I was smiling from ear to ear. To be honest I hadn't felt that good in ages and I slept like a baby, but now im concerned that I will turn to it every time I feel flat and I don't want to become dependant on them.

Bloody Facebook.........
http://www.news.com.au/technology/ba...-1227246580941

[BENT_8]

Originally Posted by buggerlugs

Bloody Facebook.........
http://www.news.com.au/technology/ba...-1227246580941

That is sad.

On a brighter note your sig is so appropriate to me right now I couldn't help but giggle a little.

[5wheelguy]

Sometimes, you can't help.

It's like -

1) you can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink.
2) you can lead a horse to water, but don't let it drink too much.

People HAVE to make mistakes to learn. Just try - not giving 2 hoots. Do something else.

[raised by monkeys]

Positive self talk strategies
Challenge your own thinking i.e. "is this rational?"
Stretch your capacity (much like a rubber band) by setting small goals i.e. if your anxiety is about new environments and unfamiliar faces, start in an environment which is non threatening.

An example is a small café I use with young people . I take them there once a week; the coffee is the distraction, the environment and people are the challenge. The café has access to a busy road from which they can see from the café'. People move up and down the road going about their business. This in itself is therapeutic as often a person's anxiety is built upon irrational thoughts that others are thinking about them; or want to know what they're doing.

Initially, young people are often too nervous to make the order. Over a couple of weeks they become comfortable and build them up to make the order themselves. Eventually encourage them to go there themselves. Narrative therapy and challenging irrational thoughts; as well as the coffee acts as a tool to disassociate and focus on when the anxiety comes on strong.

This could be done with a friend also. But the idea is to stretch your inner 'rubber band' to increase your capacity to become less anxious in new environments and around strangers.

[Legit290]

if you have a headache you take a painkiller
if you have an infection you take penicillin
if you have depression there are medications out there that can help

[raised by monkeys]

Originally Posted by Legit290

if you have depression there are medications out there that can help

No. Long onset of low mood, depression, is a chemical imbalance. Its the reduction in serotonin received by receptors in the brain. Anti depressants, sri and ssri's (serotonin reuptake inhibitors and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) only trick other receptors in the brain to receiving serotonin. This is a bandaid fix.

[Windsor220]

Originally Posted by raised by monkeys

No. Long onset of low mood, depression, is a chemical imbalance. Its the reduction in serotonin received by receptors in the brain. Anti depressants, sri and ssri's (serotonin reuptake inhibitors and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) only trick other receptors in the brain to receiving serotonin. This is a bandaid fix.

Having suffered depression over the years I would agree with this. I am currently on some light medication but it is for physical anxiety symptoms. The biggest thing that helped me with depression was talking about my issues to a professional psychologist. He explained at the time how all the meds work and that they mainly mask the problem. You need to make life changes and also change the way you think about things. I have been a lot better ever since then even though there is the occasional down period.

[1TUFFUTE]

Originally Posted by raised by monkeys

No. Long onset of low mood, depression, is a chemical imbalance. Its the reduction in serotonin received by receptors in the brain. Anti depressants, sri and ssri's (serotonin reuptake inhibitors and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) only trick other receptors in the brain to receiving serotonin. This is a bandaid fix.

Forgive me for not reading the whole thread but I thought I'd make a contribution in case it helps.
On the topic above....Serotonin(your brains happy drug)......there is a natural liquid called "5HTP" that acts like an antidepressant! Half my wife's family now use it and boy o boy does it work....it's what your body uses(an amino acid) naturally to make Serotonin which is basically the happy chemicals in your brain.
Any natural therapist can get this for anyone. Let your body help and fix itself!

Has anyone ever looked at the side effects of today's prescription depression drugs terrible terrible terrible. Most would be better off without that junk(no judgement tho)

[Ford_The_Win]

Originally Posted by 1TUFFUTE

Forgive me for not reading the whole thread but I thought I'd make a contribution in case it helps.
On the topic above....Serotonin(your brains happy drug)......there is a natural liquid called "5HTP" that acts like an antidepressant! Half my wife's family now use it and boy o boy does it work....it's what your body uses(an amino acid) naturally to make Serotonin which is basically the happy chemicals in your brain.
Any natural therapist can get this for anyone. Let your body help and fix itself!

Has anyone ever looked at the side effects of today's prescription depression drugs terrible terrible terrible. Most would be better off without that junk(no judgement tho)

St. John's Wort is also a great natural alternative, I recommend it to all my clients who can't or don't want to go down the pharmaceutical pathway. It's very affordable, with a bottle that will last about a month costing $10-$15 from the chemist. A small number of studies have suggested it is even more effective than synthetic antidepressants - the jury is still out on that one I think, but it's effective enough that you shouldn't take it whilst also taking synthetic antidepressants.

[TheSneakiness]

Originally Posted by Ford_The_Win

St. John's Wort is also a great natural alternative, I recommend it to all my clients who can't or don't want to go down the pharmaceutical pathway. It's very affordable, with a bottle that will last about a month costing $10-$15 from the chemist. A small number of studies have suggested it is even more effective than synthetic antidepressants - the jury is still out on that one I think, but it's effective enough that you shouldn't take it whilst also taking synthetic antidepressants.

Very interesting... will do some research about St Johns Wort and hell if it makes me feel good then why not?

[1TUFFUTE]

Ok so I feel a tad guilty of not respecting the thread by commenting and not reading everyone's thoughts. So I read them, and feel compelled to man up and spread my story.....something that to me is rather depressing, emotional and until I read this thread....didn't think there was anyone who would care to hear! But it seems I'm a pussy ;) so here goes!

I have an extensive background in junior, schoolboy and non professional sports after school. Ranging from ANYTHING I could rap my hands or spikes around.so basically I was very very active! Anyway....started a career as a Carpenter and eventually a builder. About 10years in.....I start getting these nerve issues in my hip area.(never been injured, only a few fractured fingers). Overtime it progresses to my groin,back and legs, getting worse over time! 5ish years later I've scaled back so much I'm off the tools.....so I start my own renovating buissiness to stretch it out another year or so.
So here I am now on disability, with my lovely childhood sweet heart wife of over 10years, now as my full time carer.
The latest (basic version)and by far the mostsucsessfull diagnosis has come up with "pudendal neuralgia". Basically damaged nerve that leads to the groin. Now here's the fun part.
My pain can be described as chronic persistent pain to the groin area (including and by FAR the worst the testicles) A few specialists encouraged me to describe to others who required a description, too liken it to well over a few normal child births worth of pain every time! Often sharp hot needle like shots directly in the worst possible place for a male. These burst of pain go from all over my groin to my hips and down my legs to the knee! "During" these bouts I clearly admit to being capable of shooting myself, the pain being so great! (I stress I'm am in no way suicidal normally). They can last from 5mins up to over an hour and I generally get at least one event a day!
After the "event" (I'll call it that) the tenderness and touchiness is extreme, so much that even the lightest of touches from even light pants is unbearable!
For these reasons I also never sleep well as the onset is sudden an viscous and can be anytime, no particular movements seem to bring it on.....I can be dead asleep or totally comfy and BAM! Sad face!
On top of this I have an extreme tolerance too pain meds....so relief is minor. For those in the know....stupid amounts of Tramadol, Valium and Lyrica. Endep for sleep.
I therefore spend my life trying to do things I enjoy, to keep my mind occupied! I watch a lot of sport,read and play video games a fair bit! I do physio,vegetable gardening and look after chickens!
Being in extreme pain effects your brain in unconcevable ways.....especially when your body is perfectly healthy and fit. Being physically disabled and being a sports freak do not go well together! I feel for every person on this planet who is depressed or suffers from anxiety as it is not natural, and unless you have a great support network, it can be unbelievably hard to get thru life!

There are 3 things (short version again)that keep me sane.....
My religious beliefs(won't get into that of course)
My amazing workaholic little wife
And my DOG. Rico is a Bullarab/Ridgeback and is attached to my hip. He is my shadow more then you could imagine! Getting a pet is the number 1thing from my personal experience that I'd suggest to others to get to keep them involved,busy and loved an so on! Sorry I'm not the greatest with words!

Not sure if I got that all across right but I gave it a crack guys.
Stick in there boys n girls....get a hobby n enjoy life

[CoupeKing]

Originally Posted by Legit290

if you have a headache you take a painkiller
if you have an infection you take penicillin
if you have depression there are medications out there that can help

Yeah that's great until....

You're allergic to Paracetamol or Penicillin

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by CoupeKing

Yeah that's great until....

You're allergic to Paracetamol or Penicillin

Some people may be allergic to Penicillin, but allergies to Paracetamol are rare.

And I think Legit290 was just generalising so it's not worth splitting hairs.

[Legit290]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Some people may be allergic to Penicillin, but allergies to Paracetamol are rare.

And I think Legit290 was just generalising so it's not worth splitting hairs.

i made the point because a lot of people just suffer with it without getting help or are to ashamed to tell their GP.
My point was there is help there to make use of without worrying about any stigma.My point wasn't that anti-depressants are the be all end all but they are a step in the process.

[Fordster91]

I believe to overcome depressions and anxiety, it takes a long while and you have to be honest to yourself and willing to work towards overcoming them no matter what.
Set yourself goals that you canwork towards to, surround yourself by positive people. If there are none near to you, go where they are, try to blend in although you feel uncomfortable. Take one step at a time and make sure you have an emergency plan for your darkest hours. It can be anything, taking a walk, hitting the gym, calling a friend. Whatever helps, really.

[Legit290]

many medical practitioners would disagree with you

[raised by monkeys]

Originally Posted by Legit290

many medical practitioners would disagree with you

Of course they would. Above described is a (albeit brief) description of the medicinal effect of anti depressant medication on the mood. The medical model is to apply a bandage. Meds are not a long term solution and mess with the bodies chemicals to treat the symptom, not the problem.

We are talking about mental illness; the psych, not strictly medical. I work from a social work model which incorporates knowledge from psychology and sociology; social sciences. A combination of therapy + meds are recommended. Meds are recommended to assist in the short term to stabilise moods and allow people to function, but then to be weened off slowly as the problem is treated.