The Black Dog Gang

Strangely enough, I've never been off work yet because of my depression. I bought up my 2 sons (my husband worked, I stayed at home until our boys were 15 and 18), and I worked in the care sector for 20+ years. I think work has helped me - without a reason to get up and ready to go out during the day, I could very easily lapse into a worse state.

I went to work today, put on the "front", ran the day centre for the elderly people, made the buffet that they have, and then when I got home I had a cup of tea and fell asleep for an hour.

I think I'll join this club. I guess I've lived with anxiety and lately depression, all my life but never done anything about it. I've noticed physical symptoms as well, like palpitations, stomach queasiness, low mood, lethargy which could be part of the condition but hard to believe it's not due to a physical illness, increasing the anxiety. When I did mention it to my GP he only suggested a counsellor which I was not keen to try. Hopefully coming here and sharing experiences will help.

I should have mentioned that I've also suddenly stopped my daily glasses of wine and whisky...

Blue Sky.....did the doctor suggest anything else? Or are you left to cope?

Oldbatty no the GP only suggested counselling saying that nowadays they are not keen on giving you medication. So I guess that's where I started to drink shorts and wine, found that helped but I have now stopped as it was getting out of hand. And of course cold turkey has its own problems

Sorry, is this in the UK?

My GP said the same - 'I don't like handing out medication. Would you like some counselling? There is a waiting list'.

Depression and anxiety needs to be treated using all means available, including counselling and medication. If your GP is refusing to try medication, then please change your GP. You should be offered all the help at their disposal, including the support of the local mental health team.

PS There is a waiting list for counselling on the NHS, but there are plenty of private counsellors available immediately if you can afford to pay yourself.

You are perfectly justified if you choose to make another appointment and say you are interested in whatever help you can have quickly. If you don't feel strong enough take someone with you. There is no need to soldier on, when there is help there. You can see a different doctor.

I believe Blue Sky it is known as 'self medicating` with alcohol, because you feel rubbish.

My GP suggested counselling to me, but I declined. For me, there isn't any reason at all for me to be depressed and anxious - I've got a lovely family, a nice home, no money problems (mortgage paid etc), a job I enjoy, friends and social life, etc., etc. - so there would be nothing for me to say. I had a good childhood, loving parents, etc.

I'm hoping the side effects of my new tablets will start to ease off soon.

Lynne59 how did you managed to persuede you GP to give you medication? I feel exactly like you I wouldn't have anything to talk about with the counsellor. What side effects of the meds are you getting?

Don't " beat yourself" up about not having a reason for depression. You could probably say that about a lot of people ..Also by talking things through with an impartial expert, you may discover some interesting new directions.

Blue Sky, I would suggest you write down your symptoms, be honest that you are using alcohol as a coping mechanism and quite simply say you would like to know what is available.

BlueSky...I'd been on Citalopram for MANY years, until last week when the GP changed them for Mirtazapine. Originally, I was diagnosed 29-30 years ago, and I had some other medication then. I've never had to, or tried to, persuade any GP to give me medication. When I've been to the doctor with my mental health, I've been unable to even speak without sobbing and I've had to write down all my symptoms and hand the note over to the doctor.

The side effects I'm having with this new drug:
drowsiness, tiredness, trembling a little, feeling "spaced-out", in fact it's like feeling very drunk - but looking at the leaflet enclosed, it seems quite common, and I'm sure the feelings will pass.

The depression I have got used to be known as ENDOGENOUS depression (no obvious cause), but I expect it's known by a different name now.

I have some sympathy for the GP who won't prescribe ADs. They only have 10 minutes to talk to a patient and maybe that isn't long enough to find out how ill a person is. I think you need to go back a few times before they can fully appreciate how ill you are. I suspect some work on the premise that if they send you away and you don't come back you were not as ill as you thought you were. Some practices have different docs who specialise in different areas so perhaps ask which doc specialises in mental health and make an appointment with that one.

How are all gang members doing? Please check in, even if you don't feel good. You don't have to wait until you feel better!

Hi all. I've now got new symptoms, feel full after eating little, poor appetite, lethargy are in fact symptoms of a disease, to go with my palpitations, hot flushes and low mood..

I should have said: "I've now become convinced that my new stmpyoms..."

Well, I must say that after feeling absolutely terrible yesterday, (sobbing, at rock bottom, anxious, trembling) today has been different altogether...thankfully.

I was up at 6, still feeling "spaced-out" on my new tablets, but I got ready, did a couple of chores and was at work at 8am. The day went well (I'm the Manager of a day centre for people over 60), it was really busy, and I was occupied all day. I got home at 4, and I've felt OK all day!

I hope this means that the Mirtazapine is starting to work and the Citalopram is leaving my system.

I hope you all have been having a decent day too

BlueSky....Are your symptoms more to do with anxiety than depression, do you think? Also, are you menopausal? I'm 59 and had periods until 11 months ago, so I suppose I'm menopausal still.

No Lynne59 I'm no longer menopausal but I've recently been to the doctor every week with a different problem and I think they now believe I've health anxieties.

If you don't feel right, it's miserable.

Still doing ok thanks ?

BlueSky If you are indeed suffering with health anxiety, you have my sympathies. It's horrible.