Black Dog Gang 4

all of you I hope your day is going well.

Annie So glad you are going to get a handrail fitted, you've had to wait for ages for that.

Nanny Marshall is gorgeous. I think pets know when we need a cuddle.

MaggieTulliver Please speak to a doctor. Depression is terrible, and we on here have all felt at rock bottom at times. It can be managed, though.

Good to read all your positives. I don't have one today, feeling negative.

Hi friends. A little question to ask.
Have any of you lovely people read books or attended workshops by The Speakmams?
I have known about
Them for sometime but never had the chance to attend a workshop, I have tuned into their many you tube posts. They seem to have helped many people.

I've only seen The Speakmans on daytime TV. They seem to have remarkable success curing phobias. I don't know how they treat other problems. I have thought of buying their new book Conquering Anxiety.

Yes I am thing of buying the book too Katy.

Just had a quick look at the Speakmans looks interesting will look into it more thank you for that.

Nite night all sleep well ?

Morning everyone, what do you all have planned? I’ not seeing anyone socially but will take a long walk with Alfie (my quirky little JRT) and read (as well as a trip to Sainsbury’s).

SalsaQueen, I’ve been to see my GP many times about my anxiety/depression but we seem to have run out of options. The only drug I haven’t tried is Mirtazapine, because I’m worried about the weight gain. Is anyone on it to good effect? Maybe to not be so anxious and overweight would be better....

Maggie, could the little woofer provide a point of contact with other people?
Doggy cafe's and so on, seem to be very fashionable.

Hi all x

Maggie, when you say ‘overweight’ are you thinking ofgoing up a size or much more ?

KatyK, if you buy the book do let us know your opinion on it

Salsa yes the hand rail this week, feel anxious about stepping outside but it has to be done , first steps to overcoming the agoraphobia.

I will do the daily crosswords, killer Sudoku etc as usual .
My younger daughter is on holiday in Dubai, I miss our chats at 11.00 in the mornings . Because I don’t leave the house hers is the only voice I hear in a day, well except for tv but not the same as a chat is it ?

Is this the site for helpful advice? I have battled depression on a daily basis and try and keep off medication but I think the time has come to seek some help. I have had a bad past, battered wife etc and there are days when I just want to be on my own and others when I want people to be around. I could scream today because I hate sundays! Any words of advice even though I probably know I have to go along to the drs. Thank you for reading x

Hello whywhywhy

We all have problems with depression, anxiety etc. We share,
listen and understand.

This is the 4th Black Dog thread, over this time many have said they don’t like Sundays .

See your GP, ask for help and we are here x

Yes I will Annie

Thank you Anniebach. I am seriously considering seeing the dr this week as it is getting worse and I don't feel like I have any joy for life at all lately and just want to sit and cry. Also my little best friend, my cat is poorly - maybe it has rubbed off on her, but she is 20 years old. Thanks. x

MT I read somewhere that Mirtazapine is not recommended for older people. Of course I am not implying you are old! Perhaps you could discuss that aspect with your GP.

annie if you only step out to the handrail that will be a start. I think in most areas of our life we just need to take one small step and have very small goals. Also not beat ourselves up when we fail, just come back and try again.

WWW yes of course you will get advice on here and it will all be intended to help. It may or may not help you but I'm sure a chat with your GP will help you decide if meds are appropriate or not. You would take meds if you had a serious infection, if your depression is serious then there is no difference.

Don't know if this will help anyone: I set myself very small goals and congratulate myself when I achieve them. I can't go into detail on here but will give one example. Depending on what I hope my height is and what it may have gone down to I am either 2 lbs overweight or 8 lbs according to the BMI charts. My current target is those 2 lbs, then I will have to get to the next stone, not far, after that it will be the weight I was for a special occasion and then the rest of the 8 lbs. Very, very small steps as the big ones can be too difficult to think about. Yesterday I nibbled whatever came to hand, too many oatcakes! I am not beating myself up about it, just try harder today.

I have got my outstanding paperwork down to one major task (would have been a minor one a few years ago) and look forward to ticking that one off. I have cut back one area of the garden and am not beating myself up about the rest, I will do it or I won't. If I looked at all my tasks as the big things they are I would never even start them, just a little at a time and I will get there. No physical issues in my case, lack of motivation is my problem.

WWW, you’re amongst people who know how you feel. Do you live on your own? I’m the same, sometimes want to be on my own all day and others craving company. Please see your doctor and get the balk rolling. And I’m sorry about your little cat, mine is very old too and such a sweet presence.

Grapefruit, yes woofer’s a great way to meet people and I’ve made some nice friends that way. Annie, I find having the radio on is good company, even if it’s just in the background. Nonnie, good advice about tackling tasks, I find a lot of things really daunting and even the thought of going shopping is making me super-anxious. I feel I just want to hibernate today....

Thank you.

Hi friends. You are getting good advice here why why why.
I was ok this morning and after lunch went out to get some bits and bobs. Was looking around few shops but not really in the mood. Ended up coming back home ate bag of crisps while the tears were running down my face. Why? Still have this family problem lurking which has no quick fix. Going to try whar Dr Claire Weekes suggests in looking at the problem from a different perspective. Think I am also worrying about Christmas which I was looking forward to but not so much now. Tears gone now. Think I might have a cup of tea.

Nobody gets a medal for " staying off" medication.

Would you say to a diabetic " Well done, you have managed without".

Please folks, no need to suffer more, see a good GP.

A positive (I think). Had a call from DS who was doing something difficult physically when he 'hit a wall'. He was listening to random music when suddenly a song came on which reminded him strongly of his dead brother and he felt his brother was pushing him on to complete. He finished in a park and heard loud music playing the song which was played at the end of his brother's funeral. He said people look for things like this but he hadn't believed it. Now he is firmly convinced his brother was 'with him' and encouraging him to finish. We all cried but it was comforting also.

MaggieTulliver Mirtazapine certainly increases the appetite, particularly, I found, for bread and other starchy foods. I gained about 10lbs, (but I'm overweight anyway)but I keep active by doing Zumba, aqua aerobics and Salsa dancing. I would far rather be overweight without depression than suffering! I haven't heard about Mirtazapine being unsuitable for older people - I'm 60 and have been on it for about a year.

whywhywhy Don't try to cope with it without medication. Depression and anxiety are very real illnesses and often need medical help. I understand about your little cat. I've always had cats. My 18 yr old cat was put to sleep 18 months ago, after various health problems. Your little one is really elderly, but you must have looked after her well, for her to have lasted all this time.

Anniebach I hope you manage, with the handrail, to get outside for a while. Yes, a voice on the telephone is very different to listening to the tv and radio. Have you ever thought about Crossroads Care or similar? A friend of mine does voluntary work for AgeUK and she visits people in their homes, just for a chat and cup of tea, for an hour or 2, once or twice a week.

nonnie how lovely that your ds "heard* his brother and was led by him xxxx

I have felt good this last 2 days. Had a beautiful video call with my gd yesterday morning showing me her dinosaur pictures and telling me what they were called. Seeing my daughter on Tuesday I cant wait. Then the following week I see my gd the absolute reason I wake every day. Xx

whywhywhy welcome. Yes we all struggle on this thread. Some good days some bad. I too think you should see a GP if you are feeling so bad. Medication may help.
nonnie that’s a lovely post.?
Had a bit of a lazy day today just doing puzzles and reading the paper. Might have an early night and read a book for a bit.
Sleep well all ?

Thanks nanny & Doodle

Seems like things are looking up a bit for you nanny.

Doodle thanks for that post, I really struggle on days when I can't 'achieve' so it is good to hear that someone else has lazy days.

nonnie I am trying so hard to stay positive. Tank is still on my mind every single day..and i mean everyday. I need to move as when i am away from this place i can think of him and just tuck it away but as soon as i get close to home the tears start as it is where he was stolen from and i just cant forget that.