Dealing with depression - suicidal thoughts - Join the conversation (including helpline details)

[Dangerous Dan]

This video is called Black Dog Depression. It's a pretty good and acurrate video of what life is is like with the black dog. My physiological therapist person told me to look at it and share it with people who don't understand. Showed my wife and she understands a bit better now. I hope you keep talking about it 12 bore. Keep up with us here soon as you feel low...... We'll make you feel worse........ [emoji850] [emoji14] [emoji14] Sorry. Better...... [emoji850] [emoji14] [emoji14]

 

[Christoph1945]

In my ignorant and blissful youth, I wasn't aware that I was heading for what would be some of my darkest days and almost total despair. I wasn't aware that I had a growing problem, or hid it so well that none would notice; not even me.

I took a journey that few would choose to take and many would perhaps fail to complete. Along the way I learned a great many things but also saw many others fall through the NHS safety nets. Looking back, which isn't always easy to do, I learned that even the darkest, deepest, depression is survivable with help and support.

For me; a key factor in not regressing too far was when I learned that diet was influential in triggering irritability/anxiety/depression.

Chris

 

[12 bore]

This video is called Black Dog Depression. It's a pretty good and acurrate video of what life is is like with the black dog. My physiological therapist person told me to look at it and share it with people who don't understand. Showed my wife and she understands a bit better now. I hope you keep talking about it 12 bore. Keep up with us here soon as you feel low...... We'll make you feel worse........ [emoji850] [emoji14] [emoji14] Sorry. Better...... [emoji850] [emoji14] [emoji14]

I really like that video never seen it before although I had heard it called the black dog before, thanks for sharing, thanks for all the support and kind words and good luck in your own journey

 

[Dangerous Dan]

For me; a key factor in not regressing too far was when I learned that diet was influential in triggering irritability/anxiety/depression.

Chris

Does that mean more or less doughnuts???? (Pleeeaase say more[emoji12][emoji12])

 

[Greenbeast]

Ditto the Headspace recommendation, i'm 34 days in to that journey. My partner has noticed the change

 

[Christoph1945]

Oh my Gawd! For me it means 'no' doughnuts and no caffeinated coffee either!

I also avoid gluten and limit alcohol intake.

It is well worth keeping a diary of your food intake and seeing if anything triggers emotional responses. Two pints, a couple of pork pies, and a cup of coffee would have me waking up tomorrow feeling all grotty, irritable, worrying over things that I would normally take in my stride.

 

[Dangerous Dan]

Oh my Gawd! For me it means 'no' doughnuts and no caffeinated coffee either!

I also avoid gluten and limit alcohol intake.

It is well worth keeping a diary of your food intake and seeing if anything triggers emotional responses. Two pints, a couple of pork pies, and a cup of coffee would have me waking up tomorrow feeling all grotty, irritable, worrying over things that I would normally take in my stride.

I'm actually trying a gluten free diet just to see if I can get some energy back into this body. So tired all the time. Not sure how much is physical and how much is mental. Have been using chocolate and coffee as a pick-me-up for years now. Needless to say, it doesn't work. Have half a bottle of cider with my wife every couple weeks if that. Chistoph, do you have physical conditions that re-inforce the diet change.??

 

[Greenbeast]

I'm actually trying a gluten free diet just to see if I can get some energy back into this body. So tired all the time. Not sure how much is physical and how much is mental. Have been using chocolate and coffee as a pick-me-up for years now. Needless to say, it doesn't work. Have half a bottle of cider with my wife every couple weeks if that. Chistoph, do you have physical conditions that re-inforce the diet change.??

I went full on paleo a few years back and lost 3 stone easily, i'm back on carbs now but still eating quite meat/veg/fat heavy. Not sure what it did for my psychologically at the time but certainly worth it for the physical changes.
Back on carbs now but i had a sedentary job then and a very active one now.

 

[Christoph1945]

Dan,

I forgot to mention that wheat and gluten are like knockout drops for me and sleep creeps up on me as my brain slowly shuts down. Almost like unto having been given a drug. Discovered the fact almost by accident. Having been on a diet for several months and avoided cakes, biscuits, and sweets I was tempted to partake in some cold sausage rolls and within the hour all I wanted to do was get my head down for a little while. Often had the condition over the years but had just put it down to mental fatigue.

Gluten free diets also lead to less sticky stools and a cleaner botty.

I have grown to describing the psychological symptoms of consuming gluten products to viewing life through a magnifying glass. The money spider now appears as a tarantula and problems look larger and more troublesome than they actually are.

 

[Christoph1945]

ps...……..my mrs can spot when I have consumed any of the forbidden items pdq!

 

[Newfoundland]

I was disabled out of the Army after 20 years with mental health issues (CPTSD) and physical injuries, depression is a silent killer if not dealt with. I have had every type of treatment and tablet going none of which worked for me, but that was due to my problems being multi level exposures.

I have recently been discharged from the care of the local mental health team as they couldn’t offer any other treatment, it’s a bummer but it frees up a space for someone else.

The only thing that has helped me is when I was introduced to the hobby of metal detecting by combat stress, nothing more relaxing than standing in the middle of a field with no one around.

If you do have this awful illness talking to a loved one or even writing a letter will help, it’s hard but once the first step is taken it gets easier.

 

[Christoph1945]

May I ask at what point in service time did your mental health issues commence?

 

[Greenbeast]

Dan,

I forgot to mention that wheat and gluten are like knockout drops for me and sleep creeps up on me as my brain slowly shuts down. Almost like unto having been given a drug. Discovered the fact almost by accident. Having been on a diet for several months and avoided cakes, biscuits, and sweets I was tempted to partake in some cold sausage rolls and within the hour all I wanted to do was get my head down for a little while. Often had the condition over the years but had just put it down to mental fatigue.

Gluten free diets also lead to less sticky stools and a cleaner botty.

I have grown to describing the psychological symptoms of consuming gluten products to viewing life through a magnifying glass. The money spider now appears as a tarantula and problems look larger and more troublesome than they actually are.

I have been suffering with tiredness for a while, i can't pinpoint it. Friends and family just excuse it for me as due to my job farming or having a new born, the fact is though, i'm 35 and in good shape and the baby does not cause me to loose sleep, so it seems unreasonable that i'm so tired. I might try and cut the carbs again

 

[dave6470]

Been dipping into this thread for a few week now trying to get the courage to post
Never thought I'd be suffering with depression
Having problems sleeping weight is just falling off me
It all started about a month ago when my best friend who is female told me she was seeing someone it really hit me hard as we have been friends for more than 16 years
We where inseparable everyone thought we where a couple .
She was in a bad relationship when we first met
But was 2 years before she left him
I was there at 3am picking her up from out side the house
Spent the next 6 months helping her get her life back together
Ever since then we wood see each other 3 or 4 times a week go on holiday together
Any time she need help I was there the same if I needed help she wood be there to .
We never talked about being more than friends as I new how scarred she was from her past relationship .
It just hit me that I didn't realize how much I loved her on till she told me about her new boyfriend .
She still wants nothing to change between us
She said boyfriends come and go but best friends are there for life
I can't tell her how I feel as I've never seen her so happy she deserves it
But it's tearing me apart

 

[Newfoundland]

May I ask at what point in service time did your mental health issues commence?

My first episode without going into to much info was being caught in a bomb blast, even though I was walking wounded and shrugged off the physical injuries it was the mental trauma that caught me out. The depression was very clever only ever invading my nightmares at first. This was approximately 2 years into my Army life!

 

[Lili]

Been dipping into this thread for a few week now trying to get the courage to post
Never thought I'd be suffering with depression
Having problems sleeping weight is just falling off me
It all started about a month ago when my best friend who is female told me she was seeing someone it really hit me hard as we have been friends for more than 16 years
We where inseparable everyone thought we where a couple .
She was in a bad relationship when we first met
But was 2 years before she left him
I was there at 3am picking her up from out side the house
Spent the next 6 months helping her get her life back together
Ever since then we wood see each other 3 or 4 times a week go on holiday together
Any time she need help I was there the same if I needed help she wood be there to .
We never talked about being more than friends as I new how scarred she was from her past relationship .
It just hit me that I didn't realize how much I loved her on till she told me about her new boyfriend .
She still wants nothing to change between us
She said boyfriends come and go but best friends are there for life
I can't tell her how I feel as I've never seen her so happy she deserves it
But it's tearing me apart

I hope posting here has helped. I can't offer a solution but someone on here will have been in your situation and may be able to offer some support and advice. Best wishes.

 

[Dangerous Dan]

I was disabled out of the Army after 20 years with mental health issues (CPTSD) and physical injuries, depression is a silent killer if not dealt with. I have had every type of treatment and tablet going none of which worked for me, but that was due to my problems being multi level exposures.

I have recently been discharged from the care of the local mental health team as they couldn’t offer any other treatment, it’s a bummer but it frees up a space for someone else.

The only thing that has helped me is when I was introduced to the hobby of metal detecting by combat stress, nothing more relaxing than standing in the middle of a field with no one around.

If you do have this awful illness talking to a loved one or even writing a letter will help, it’s hard but once the first step is taken it gets easier.

Newfoundland. Crikey. Utmost respect to you and anyone else who have given their lives to armed forces and their countries. Something I always wished I'd done but never had the balls to do. As for your CPTSD..... That's a complex issue. I have absolutely no idea how you cope with it and again, all the respect to you for waking up each morning!!!!


(Reply to Dave)
I'm sorry Dave, I really wish I had an idea for you. It must be a heck of a situation to be living with. Have you any other really good friends you can share with? Why can't friends be partners anyway?

I have been suffering with tiredness for a while, i can't pinpoint it. Friends and family just excuse it for me as due to my job farming or having a new born, the fact is though, i'm 35 and in good shape and the baby does not cause me to loose sleep, so it seems unreasonable that i'm so tired. I might try and cut the carbs again

Snap. Busy farming jobs, two young children but so so so tired. Can't be bothered lifting my hand at times sort of tired. Had a blood test last week and heard nothing back so far. So frustrating, what's mental and what's physical?

 

[Jambo]

I've got bipolar. It is't nice at all. Don't think bad thoughts.
Pocket positives.
There is a dimension where fountains of health and happiness awaits us, a peaceful space where the light of love will heal the wounds in your heart where there are limitless smiles behind your smile.
It is already in you.i
It is as real as the values, arteries and veins flowing in you,
So why can't you get there then.
Listen to the pauses in between your breathing in between you heartbeats. In the
Stillness you will feel the inner tai chi dance of yin and yang your every tingling of beauty and joy.

Hope this helps

 

[dave6470]

I hope posting here has helped. I can't offer a solution but someone on here will have been in your situation and may be able to offer some support and advice. Best wishes.

Yes it has talking about it has helped alot

 

[Jambo]

This video is called Black Dog Depression. It's a pretty good and acurrate video of what life is is like with the black dog. My physiological therapist person told me to look at it and share it with people who don't understand. Showed my wife and she understands a bit better now. I hope you keep talking about it 12 bore. Keep up with us here soon as you feel low...... We'll make you feel worse........ [emoji850] [emoji14] [emoji14] Sorry. Better...... [emoji850] [emoji14] [emoji14]

Really good video. I suffer from bipolar(manic depression) and know what it is like.