Depression, Anxiety, or other Mental Health Conditions

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Poser
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PostRe: Depression, Anxiety, or other Mental Health Conditions
by Poser » Mon Jul 30, 2018 2:40 pm

No:1 Final Fantasy Fan wrote:Hope you feel better soon. Do you know what the cause of this depression is or does depression just come and go without reason sometimes?


Thanks.

Alcohol can cause me to be really low, so I rarely drink very much any more. One or two pints is fine, but any more will set me right back. Most the time it just comes and goes. It seems to be linked to me spending too much time thinking about stuff in a non-productive way - getting wound up about stuff that I never used to, or whatever. I'm mega defensive when challenged or questioned about stuff, too, which isn't good in a client-facing industry (marketing).

It's killing my creativity and focus at work, and it's making a real dick to live with, too.

I'm hoping talking therapy will work. I've said I can't do the group sessions, mainly because they are long courses that take place every week, and I can't shape work around that, sadly. So it'll be one-on-one stuff.

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PostRe: Depression, Anxiety, or other Mental Health Conditions
by jawafour » Mon Jul 30, 2018 3:46 pm

Poser wrote:Saw GP last week...

That's great, Poser; you took a big step to make that happen. I hope the behavioural management approach helps, man.

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Green Gecko
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PostRe: Depression, Anxiety, or other Mental Health Conditions
by Green Gecko » Mon Jul 30, 2018 5:46 pm

Your strategy seems sound. If therapy does not help, medicating also with anti-depressants certainly should help some measurable amount, at the very least. You'll confirm that by filling out the DSM-IV diagnosis over about 4-6 weeks. So don't expect anything to improve immediately, it really is about baby steps, and identifying small improvements - even if the improvements are largely psychological that's, well, kind of the point. So don't worry about placebos or anything like that. And also don't forget that your personal and occupational circumstances can and will massively effect your mental state - and that's OK. You need to assess how you are feeling/behaving in different situations and learn to work out those situations, without over-analysing it. And please, if the therapist suggests a change, at least try it - speaking as someone who rarely did and end up having to make massive changes.

"It should be common sense to just accept the message Nintendo are sending out through their actions."
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No:1 Final Fantasy Fan
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PostRe: Depression, Anxiety, or other Mental Health Conditions
by No:1 Final Fantasy Fan » Mon Jul 30, 2018 7:04 pm

Poser wrote:
No:1 Final Fantasy Fan wrote:Hope you feel better soon. Do you know what the cause of this depression is or does depression just come and go without reason sometimes?


Thanks.

Alcohol can cause me to be really low, so I rarely drink very much any more. One or two pints is fine, but any more will set me right back. Most the time it just comes and goes. It seems to be linked to me spending too much time thinking about stuff in a non-productive way - getting wound up about stuff that I never used to, or whatever. I'm mega defensive when challenged or questioned about stuff, too, which isn't good in a client-facing industry (marketing).

It's killing my creativity and focus at work, and it's making a real dick to live with, too.

I'm hoping talking therapy will work. I've said I can't do the group sessions, mainly because they are long courses that take place every week, and I can't shape work around that, sadly. So it'll be one-on-one stuff.


That is interesting! Thanks for sharing. I do feel for you having to face up to work still when you are feeling depressed. But I'm sure it does you good as it gets you out the house and keeps your brain functioning on normal stuff.

yes hope the talking therapy works, I'm sure it will help even if its just a little bit. So you are going in the right direction to fix this.

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PostRe: Depression, Anxiety, or other Mental Health Conditions
by Poser » Tue Jul 31, 2018 12:34 pm

Green Gecko wrote:Your strategy seems sound. If therapy does not help, medicating also with anti-depressants certainly should help some measurable amount, at the very least. You'll confirm that by filling out the DSM-IV diagnosis over about 4-6 weeks. So don't expect anything to improve immediately, it really is about baby steps, and identifying small improvements - even if the improvements are largely psychological that's, well, kind of the point. So don't worry about placebos or anything like that. And also don't forget that your personal and occupational circumstances can and will massively effect your mental state - and that's OK. You need to assess how you are feeling/behaving in different situations and learn to work out those situations, without over-analysing it. And please, if the therapist suggests a change, at least try it - speaking as someone who rarely did and end up having to make massive changes.


Sound advice. Thanks.

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Green Gecko
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PostRe: Depression, Anxiety, or other Mental Health Conditions
by Green Gecko » Wed Aug 01, 2018 11:57 pm

I just self-referred for therapy as I have been thinking some bad things, so I'm back in the club (not that I ever left).

Beside that a mole is annoying me on my head that's possibly skin cancer, hooray for aging.

"It should be common sense to just accept the message Nintendo are sending out through their actions."
_________________________________________

❤ btw GRcade costs money and depends on donations - please support one of the UK's oldest video gaming forums → HOW TO DONATE
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Rocsteady
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PostRe: Depression, Anxiety, or other Mental Health Conditions
by Rocsteady » Sun Aug 05, 2018 6:08 pm

Had such a heavy weekend. I’ve been non stop lately with work, gym, moving country and meeting women that I haven’t given myself 5 minutes to stop and think about anything. Thought it would be nice to have yesterday and today to myself but by the evening yesterday was climbing the walls. Felt very alone and trapped in my head. Hopefully out on another date tonight to help distract and clear my head. Always thought I was very adept at being by myself but lately, despite being an introvert, I definitely think people help.

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PostRe: Depression, Anxiety, or other Mental Health Conditions
by gamerforever » Sun Aug 05, 2018 9:37 pm

Being around people definitely helps in the long term, its just in the short term you just don’t want to be around people. I decided not to take citalopram anymore - the increase in appetite, the weight gain and the lack of focus whilst working was just too much.

The CBT group therapy gave us a few ideas and its all about keeping to a routine, which includes a lot of exercise, so will give it a go. This is a pain.

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That
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PostRe: Depression, Anxiety, or other Mental Health Conditions
by That » Sun Aug 05, 2018 9:50 pm

gamerforever wrote:Being around people definitely helps in the long term, its just in the short term you just don’t want to be around people. I decided not to take citalopram anymore - the increase in appetite, the weight gain and the lack of focus whilst working was just too much.

Make sure you go and tell your doctor you aren't taking it any more. They need to be kept informed, and might have advice for you.

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PostRe: Depression, Anxiety, or other Mental Health Conditions
by gamerforever » Mon Aug 06, 2018 6:22 am

Karl wrote:
gamerforever wrote:Being around people definitely helps in the long term, its just in the short term you just don’t want to be around people. I decided not to take citalopram anymore - the increase in appetite, the weight gain and the lack of focus whilst working was just too much.

Make sure you go and tell your doctor you aren't taking it any more. They need to be kept informed, and might have advice for you.


They really don’t know that much about mental health and just advise going on different medication etc etc. Whilst group therapy was ok, its just a cost cutting exercise and isn’t really tailored to individuals.

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That
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PostRe: Depression, Anxiety, or other Mental Health Conditions
by That » Mon Aug 06, 2018 6:35 am

Well, a GP will always lean towards prescribing medication as that's what they're trained to do. It's fine if you don't feel that's right for you, but you should still notify your doctor if you prematurely cease a prescription.

I agree the NHS has poor mental health care provision in general.

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Green Gecko
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PostRe: Depression, Anxiety, or other Mental Health Conditions
by Green Gecko » Mon Aug 06, 2018 3:00 pm

I've got an appointment sorted out, on the phone, assumed they meant next week, "no September", it's in 5 weeks. Man I forgot how slow this gooseberry fool is, chances are with the cyclothymic rhythms I'll be fine by then and "not depressed" enough by then despite being "severely depressed" on whatever form I fill out a week beforehand that they've "lost" or whatever. That's exactly what happened last time. Why is it so hard to actually speak to a trained psychologist?

It's weirdly crushing that I'm OK today, but I am having the mood swings, the irritability, the lack of focus, the lack of decision making, inability to enjoy things I normally enjoy etc.. just weirdly riding things out, and thinking that by feeling "OK", I am happy, which isn't quite the same thing.

I'll see what happens, but at least my referral notes struck a chord somewhere in the system. It was my GP who told me to do it, so I decided not to ignore it for once.

"It should be common sense to just accept the message Nintendo are sending out through their actions."
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❤ btw GRcade costs money and depends on donations - please support one of the UK's oldest video gaming forums → HOW TO DONATE
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Octoroc
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PostRe: Depression, Anxiety, or other Mental Health Conditions
by Octoroc » Mon Aug 06, 2018 3:27 pm

Green Gecko wrote:I just self-referred for therapy as I have been thinking some bad things, so I'm back in the club (not that I ever left).

Beside that a mole is annoying me on my head that's possibly skin cancer, hooray for aging.


I was referred to a dermatologist by my GP here in Germany because I asked her about a mole on my neck.

The dermatologist took one look at it, rolled her eyes and went 'Pfft!'. Which was actually very reassuring. I think there had been a communication breakdown because she'd made me strip-off first.

Get it checked out. I bet you 50 of your English pence it's not cancer.

In other mental news: A guy I worked with committed suicide last month; 39 years old, great guy, Doctor of Mathematics, 2 year old son and a pretty wife. It knocked us all for six.

I went to the funeral which was awful, but from a purely selfish perspective it really did underline what a very very very bad idea suicide is. Which sounds bloody obvious, but if you've ever knocked on that door you'll know what I mean.

Anyway, I've got a good job back in Preston which means I'll be seeing my kids every week. Current status: 'Cautiously happy'. :toot:

So far this year, I have eaten NO mince pies.
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PostRe: Depression, Anxiety, or other Mental Health Conditions
by Corazon de Leon » Mon Aug 06, 2018 7:17 pm

Ooft, sorry to hear you've got a job in Preston. Good that it suits your needs though! :toot:

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Seven
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PostRe: Depression, Anxiety, or other Mental Health Conditions
by Seven » Thu Aug 09, 2018 9:40 am

So I guess it might be good idea to post something with my current position.

Some of you may have noticed I've not been on GRcade past two years (maybe more), and it can sum up to just being obessed with a mmo but in reality it's mixture of depression and anxiety -- mostly social aspect.

To tell truth, most of time I am not okay at all. I feel that I'm pretty boring/uninteresting person because I felt like nobody gives crap about myself, which I know isn't true with good amount of people -- and mixed with not understanding why people are like that this in social world. At first I thought I might be autstic because I've had some things that could link to it but I'd have to go to docs to make sure, nowdays I don't think I'm one though (but if I am, it won't make me sad, just would give some persctive).

In past I've usually kept my emotions to myself even if I don't like what people has done to me, but nowadays I could snap at stuff because I didn't understand person's intention with me. This is mostly online aspect, although irl it can be like that if I hang out with same peeps.

I've been trying to at least talk about it, with boyfriend, friends or even on Twitter -- just to get it out there.

At least on bright side I'm back in employment life finally, the downside is it's in Glasgow which means six hours of travelling a day (granted 3 days a week and only 5-6h in work a day) but it's still something, starting to learn saving money / budgeting and hopefully move out soon.

But yeah that's why I haven't been on GRcade much. Anxiety me would snap at people or taking them in wrong way so my mind just goes "well I'm keeping it to myself, not many care about me. I may as well not exist there". Stupid mind.

Bluesky: SevenFisher.bsky.social || Steam ID: SevenFisher
Corazon de Leon

PostRe: Depression, Anxiety, or other Mental Health Conditions
by Corazon de Leon » Thu Aug 09, 2018 9:44 am

Seven, the thing that really stands out to me is that you’re doing a mental, mental commute into Glasgow that can’t be healthy for your mind and even with shorter shifts means a very long working day. Is it possible to potentially move closer to the city?

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Seven
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PostRe: Depression, Anxiety, or other Mental Health Conditions
by Seven » Thu Aug 09, 2018 9:54 am

I would love that but unfortunately I don't think they have company in Ayr, or somewhere close to that. *Edit: misread that question sorry, it's covered later in this post though.

The bright side is however they're Scottish Association for Mental health and understood my condition. In fact I was their client (okay, still am) and someone figured I should work for them to get experience which I agreed after hesitating (since I don't earn more than what I was on job seekers allowance on top of having to go to Glasgow). It's been about 7 months give or take.

But yeah I'm hoping I can at least get another job that's close to Ayr, if nothing else move out. Which is.... Something I'm still completely clueless on how to do it. Like can't do council benefits because I'm in job and I have boyfriend I'd like to move in with me, but doesn't have residence or something in Scotland yet.

Still you're right, it isnt helping my mental problems but at same time I felt it's something I need to get out of rut for bit (considering before this I was unemployed for ten years after losing job at Wilko in Ayr), I'm just hoping once I get year experience or so I can look elsewhere.

Bluesky: SevenFisher.bsky.social || Steam ID: SevenFisher
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Trelliz
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PostRe: Depression, Anxiety, or other Mental Health Conditions
by Trelliz » Thu Aug 09, 2018 10:22 am

I have come to think over the past few months that i may have some sort of aspergers/autism, i know its a hot internet perjorative, but a combination of things has made me consider it.

I am by and large a loner, i don't have that many friends and find social situations with more than two people exhausting - i've only been to a few work drinks and always end up standing on my own for a bit before just leaving. I always interject random bullshit into conversations as i'm either into something 100% or it effectively doesn't exist. I discovered this during the world cup - i have almost nothing to say to people who don't share my interests and find idle small talk boring at an existential level. I have always found great relief in having a routine, i wear basically the same thing to work every day, eat the exact same thing for lunch and can be quite literal and have to double check what people mean almost all the time.

I'm going to book a gp appointment to get the ball rolling as i've noticed that i'm definitely not normal compared to a lot of people.

jawa2 wrote:Tl;dr Trelliz isn't a miserable git; he's right.
jawafour
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PostRe: Depression, Anxiety, or other Mental Health Conditions
by jawafour » Thu Aug 09, 2018 10:26 am

Seven, it's great that you've got yourself back into week - even though it involves a long journey - and it's terrific that you have met Kaz, too. Well played!

... ... ...

Anyhow, it's nice to see you posting here again and, to me, that is a positive step as it suggests you're keen to share your thoughts and communicate :) .

Last edited by jawafour on Mon Aug 20, 2018 3:33 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Octoroc
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PostRe: Depression, Anxiety, or other Mental Health Conditions
by Octoroc » Thu Aug 09, 2018 10:40 am

Trelliz wrote:I have come to think over the past few months that i may have some sort of aspergers/autism...

I'm going to book a gp appointment to get the ball rolling as i've noticed that i'm definitely not normal compared to a lot of people.




Self diagnosis is notoriously unreliable, but you're doing the right thing in checking it out. There must be a lot of people over a certain age (I'm not sure what that age is) who have never been diagnosed with Autism and have simply learnt to cope with society at large which can be quite exhausting.

My stepfather who is now in his late 60s was recently diagnosed as being severely autistic, which makes some elements of my childhood make more sense.

So far this year, I have eaten NO mince pies.

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