Hi to everyone.

[DeLilo-Fan]

Hi everyone.

Felt I`d join the forum to maybe achieve some new perspectives, hear some new opinions, and hopefully hear some uplifting stories of people who have beaten depression (if that’s possible). I’m also joining because I’m not really sure what to do. I was diagnosed with depression around 8 months ago, and received counselling to help try to alleviate it. However, while this proved very successful at first, I felt I was discharged much too early. I have not seen anyone for around 2 months and all of the negative thoughts and emotions that first led me to feel depressed in the first place seem to have returned.  I still have good days, but I also have very bad days.

I felt the NHS councillor, my GP, and my immediate family and partner (I didn’t really tell any of my male friends) were very supportive at first. However, I feel they`ve become sick and tired of my constant negativity. As a result, I think I’ve actually become quite good at completely bottling all my emotions up so as too not upset/annoy them. They`ve often asked me why I can’t appreciate that I have x, y and z good thing going for me in my life. I suppose they do have a point- I have good things going for me, I just seem completely unable to appreciate them.

Sorry to go off on one on my first post, I’ve just started typing and it`s spilled out!

[Zaf]

Hi and welcome, I think many of us could have written that post.  If you think it might help make the point depression is a long term illness and its not possible to bounce back quickly

Z x

[Sweetpea]

Hello and welcome,

I have to agree with Zaf, I certainly could have written your post myself.  Many of us also bottle things up and keep quiet about our illness to friends and loved ones.  If people have never suffered with depression they struggle to understand how this awful illness affects us.  We can't pull ourselves together, it doesn't work like that.

You will find great support on this forum, we are a friendly bunch.

S x x

[Ezel]

 .>,

[KateG]

Hi and welcome

[Desperado99]

 .>,

This is a great place for getting all your feelings out......... no-one ever judges you here

D xx

[DeLilo-Fan]

Thanks for all the kind replies. It`s nice to talk to others who actually know what im talking about!

[Beetzart]

 .>,

You've come to IMO the best forum for people with depression on the net!  Like others have said your post rings true with me too.  I've had depression since I was 18 (I'm 34) and it has been a difficult journey ever since.  There have been times when I've felt great and that I am over it but it always comes back, again and again.

Just sharing our individual experiences makes us realise that we are not alone, one amazing thing about the web!

B

[Ruth]

I completely agree with beetzart. The worst part is it just keeps coming back and people around you just don't understand why you are seeing the world in the way you do. It's good to know you are not alone and it can be coped with.

[Ohdaddy]

I agree - friends who see me being a bit down say things like "but you have a lovely....."    I know I do but the depression (it has a name now) gets in th way and blocks those comforting and feel-good feelings that come from having a lovely child, home, wife, living in lovely place in a nice house. I suppose you could have everything you wanted in life but if you are ill, you could still be down.  "£"

If your partner is supportive and sympathetic, or even tries to be, you are very lucky.

[Zaf]

Having everything doesnt stop people getting depressed, look at all the very rich and famous people that suffer from depression

Z xx

[Ohdaddy]

That's what I've been saying - you can have eberything you want and still be down.

[Zaf]

its very easy to think 'Ive got this and that, why am I depressed when there are others so much worse off than myself' but depression isnt a choosy illness and it will strike anyone at any time just like a lot of other illnesses

Z x

[pinkcasi]

Oh i agree with you all, but it's easy to know it's an illness and can strike anyone, rich or poor but it's another thing believeing it sometimes, when i suggested that my Depression comes from my dad as he suffers as well, my mum said 'but your dad actually has something to be depressed about' I know i know thanks mum, i have no reason for my unhappyness but that's just the way it is, yeah i feel guilty that doesn't help either it's a mad vicious cycle, why cant you appriciate what you have and sort yourself out, there are people much worse off, stop attention seeking and pull yourself together.

[Zaf]

I'm convinced some types of depression can be hereditary, my mum has suffered all her life.

Z x