Depression

[raysparx1]

Has anybody on here had really bad depression, I don't mean a bit fed up or p!ssed off, but proper depression, The reason I ask is, that nearly 3 years ago a good friend of mine commited suicide and it was revealed that he had had depression for 3 years, I never knew, I feel a bit guilty still because I feel i should have noticed, are there any tell tale signs? any advice please because I would hate for this to happen again and I never knew. thanks,Ray

[smudge]

cuddleMe - You say you were referred to a Counsellor by your Consultant when you were 14, so I assumed you were still seeing your GP about your depression......

You really can't get through this alone & should make an appointment with your GP asap. -xx-

[smudge]

Crossed posts with John....

[cuddleMe]

i was referred to see a counciler by my consultant cos i was badley effected from the operation i had. everytime i went for i check up with the progresss i just burst out crying. and no i am not seeing anyone about my problems/depression. i really dont want to.

[Bathsheba]

Is it just me, or is anyone else smelling a rat here?

[cuddleMe]

in a pickle.
i agree,

[smudge]

Bathsheba - I hope you're not thinking what I'm thinking...

[cuddleMe]

what r u guys thinking??

[Bathsheba]

Think we're on the same page smudge! x

[smudge]

I'm a little confused cuddleme, only you said earlier that your doctor isn't aware of how you feel. Have you changed doctor since you were referred to a Consultant &/or a Counsellor?

The usual procedure is to visit your family GP, then he/she suggests & makes arrangements for you to see a Counsellor &/or a Psychiatrist.

[cuddleMe]

ive changed gp 3 times.

my consultant - is my plastic surgeon,
i was born with a genectic disorder condtion called neurofibromatosis, they had to operate on me to stop a bone from growing any longer, and to remove tumors. one part of my body is disfigured and wil never be normal, ive had 7 operations, i am scarred for life, r u guys think im makin this up? i didnt want to talk about my condtion. because its very upsetting
when i was 14 i started to realise im diff to everyone and i am ugly, i get picked on and talked about throughout my life, and never be loved, who will want to go out with me. after my very first op, i couldnt bear that im not going to get any better, i was told by my consultant that there is no cure and may get worse and spread, i cant cope with it. its stoppin me from doing anything. i was really upset thats why he referred me to a counciller. im not making this up :(

[Le Chat]

I had depression after both children. After my second I felt really bad. A friend of mine had been on an 8 day course, which is equivalent to 5 yrs of counselling and she was a different person. I attended the course and have never looked back (2 yrs ago) www.hoffmaninstitute.co.uk. It is held in a lovely retreat in Seaford near Brighton. 8 days from 8-10pm of digging deep into your life, pulling out your problems from the core of your being and self realization. No corner is left unturned. You are also given coping strategies and tools for life, so as well as knowing what causes you to behave as you do, you can actually do something to change the behaviour.
It is hard work and yet fun...you get to know yourself and to free yourself from yourself. (if that makes sense) Life changing for many people.

[figure]

You bad, bad people for thinking CuddleMe was making up stories. Here's a cuddle for you CuddleMe > (((cuddle)))

[raysparx1]

Hi Pickle, Hope you are well, long time no speak, thank you for your very informative and honest answer, what amazes me is you are such an intelligent man with great sense and compassion, this devil called depression really is an awfull thing, I hope you also pickle are forever clear of this unseen illness that can bring such deep dark thoughts into such bright people, god bless and take care pickle, you also cuddleMe, look after yourselves and please go and talk to somebody, cuddleMe, you must talk to somebody. xx

[raysparx1]

Hi LeChat, wish you happiness also, so glad you are ok, take care and keep letting the sunshine in on your life. xx

[FKNelectro]

unfortunately i have depression, diagnosed depression i mean, so.. yea.
you shouldnt feel guitly, i know for one that people with depression can be VERY good at hiding it, if you suspect anything in any one else, dont question them about it, just be a good friend

[ChocolatChip]

I have found in my past few years of my depression, and knowing similar people. I have found that people rarely will go for help from a doctor or a counsellor because they don't want to be judged or go through everything again. Maybe! I'm not even that sure, since I was desparate for help after I came to my senses about how I felt. And that people weren't the same as me.
The suicide wait is so awfully sad! (Sad as an understatement.) The government and GPs are not doing enough to help people.
I was very lucky to get help very fast. I got it within about 3 weeks of being diagnosed with depression. Amongst other things. As at the time I was on a absolute mission of self destruction and needed help.

Poor people like Cuddleme need to rethink the 'go it alone' approach. It doesn't work. The pain softens for a while, and all you need is a comment, a bad nights sleep, even a TV programme to set off the old feelings. Continously trapped in a viscious circle.
At least this is what I believe.

[raysparx1]

thank you FKN and choc, So many people even on here, I never knew it was like this, please look after yourselves and take care, well you don't need a numbskull like me to tell you to get help if you feel real bad, really hope you all have more sunny days than dark cloudy ones. xx

[ChocolatChip]

Bless you ray. How sweet :)
I haven't been to counselling since October time. And luckily haven't been to bad. Although my other half would say otherwise....
I'm in trouble with him for not going back :(