Over use of Anti depressants?

[cocobelle]

Depression is a horrible illness, that's often not recognised as such because of the lack of physical symptoms.
I think alot of people suffer from mild depression, I have to say I occasionally do in winter (but only in a mild form) I'm lucky that practising yoga, and trying to stay healthy and get lots of sleep helps. Funnily I feel like the black cloud has been lifted once Spring arrives.

[ajs88]

Jon I have to say my heart goes to you, I know that having a loved one with a mental illness can be incredably painful, let alone going through that. I also have to say that your decsription of depression 'Because true depression is a cancer of the mind, a gangrene of the spirit. It is illogical and malicious' is the best i've heard and really sums up what I felt between 12-17 which I've always struggled to decsribe

I suffered what I'd call 'true depression' during this time, by that I mean what Jon described. During this time I could have and possibly should have used treatment as it really impacted on my long-term education and relationships, but I never asked for help. I was lucky enough to be 'cured' just by meeting someone who loved me so much that 'the dark hole' (this what I called it) healed and never reappeared.

I do still suffer from being a bit blue from time to time which is fine but recently it has gotton a bit stronger and started to have an impact. I decided that I wasn't to let this get a grip on me and started taking evening primrose and st johns wart. I don't know if its just a placebo effect, or that it has encouraged me to look after myself in general but I'm feeling a lot better then I have for quite a while

[The Riff-Raff Element]

AJS - Thank you. I'm pleased to hear that you found a way to deal with your depression. It is an unspeakable condition that I hope never to meet again.I've never suffered beyond being "down" now and then, which isn't really the same thing. I avoid introspection and frequently count my blessings. That does it for me.

[mrsflibble]

I've not read the whole thread, but I wanted to mention that I am alive thanks to fluoxetine. I have had talking therapy, CBT and have tried to go it alone but clinical depression as bad as mine needs support, and yes I have been on it for nearly 2 years now, but it makes me function like a normal human being.

I am now mentally stable wnough to no longer need constant support from my mental health nurse, i can be a parent to my child, a wife to my husband and to be honest my medication has made his life better too.

I am more predictable. He no longer lives in the twilight zone, never knowing what state i will be in when he returns, never wanting to leave me alone because he's scared for my safety being laid solely in my own hands. He never feared for Sophie because he knows she's the most important thing in my life besides himself.

I will be on them for as long as it takes. You never know, 2011 may be the year. But it may not. I wont push myself becaus stress makes me so so so much worse.

[Wombat]

Hey Gang,

It took me many years to recognise that depression and anxiety are two sides of the same coin.

I took one of the internet questionnaires about depression a couple of years ago and the result was that I had clinical depression and should seek help, my response was - "wow, they screwed up the test". I found that i had a seven day sequence where things would get worse and worse until Sunday Night, where it more-or-less resolved and I was OK for a few days, with the frustrating result that I would have some really CRAP weekends. I believe that some things that happenend around work if not caused the anxiety/depression at least exacerbated the problem and I can say that it is highly likely that I am still in the land of the living due to Mrs Wombat. I was medicated for a while but being unemployed has its perks and have been off the little white pills for a month or two and feel fine.

I was comparatively mildly affected, and I salute all those who have it worse than I did and are still functioning.

Nev