Has anyone else here beat depression?
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Original post by DorianGrayism
Sorry, but you don't know what you are talking about.
This type of idiotic rhetoric is the reason why mental health is stigmatised and people are not caught till a late stage.
This type of idiotic rhetoric is the reason why mental health is stigmatised and people are not caught till a late stage.
Psychiatry fails due to it's reductionist outlook on issues like this - claiming that people who have just put their heart out here are "not depressed" is in fact what's idiotic. So if you became depressed and I gave you some pills to treat it would you instantly feel better? No you would not, the cause of depression should be resolved, not just sweeping the symptoms under the rug as they were.
Do you really know what you are talking about? Who does? Life is a mystery, some people just need help every now and then!
I wish the very best to everyone on here who has spoken out about their experiences and I hope that you get better soon.
Remember, "a day without laughter is a day wasted", just be yourself!
Original post by Always.Inbetween
I'm nervous, but I can't go backwards, only forwards lol.
I've read your post and it was quite touching, congratulations on your progress - onwards and upwards!
Yep, for about 5 or 6 years.
It certainly changes you but not necessarily for the worse. It might not seem like it if you see my posts on here but I am absolutely an optimist - people tell me how terrible the world is and I just can't accept that anymore - I love my life, sometimes i'm just listening to a song and there's almost tears of joy. A sense of extreme happiness. It certainly made me a lot more emotional, I mean I can cry over things now, that wouldn't have happened.
It can be conquered, it can be beaten, I know for a fact that I will not go back there. I'm never going back to that - not a chance - no way, it will never happen.
It was terrible whilst it lasted but I wouldn't change a thing.
It certainly changes you but not necessarily for the worse. It might not seem like it if you see my posts on here but I am absolutely an optimist - people tell me how terrible the world is and I just can't accept that anymore - I love my life, sometimes i'm just listening to a song and there's almost tears of joy. A sense of extreme happiness. It certainly made me a lot more emotional, I mean I can cry over things now, that wouldn't have happened.
It can be conquered, it can be beaten, I know for a fact that I will not go back there. I'm never going back to that - not a chance - no way, it will never happen.
It was terrible whilst it lasted but I wouldn't change a thing.
(edited 10 years ago)
Yes. But then I ended up with anxiety 
Original post by kk_15
Psychiatry fails due to it's reductionist outlook on issues like this - claiming that people who have just put their heart out here are "not depressed" is in fact what's idiotic. So if you became depressed and I gave you some pills to treat it would you instantly feel better? No you would not, the cause of depression should be resolved, not just sweeping the symptoms under the rug as they were.
This has nothing to do with what I said.
Year ago I did overcome mine.
However, for me, depression will never leave. You can conceal it, run away from it, but the mark of all that suffering continues, sometimes it comes out as anxiety attacks or just being too hesitant in talking with someone else. So, it has made me more antisocial, it's hard for me to talk with people and I'm entering university in September too and I wish to be more sociable than I am now. I have my friends, but finding new is not so easy for me, I don't place my trust in people anymore and this is a problem, I wish I was more naive or ignorant about this?????
Anyway, there's no cure, you have to overcome your demons, forcibly smile and put all the effort in talking with someone first. University is a place where you can find a lot of people of your interests, so it won't be a problem when you need a topic to discuss about "by accident".
My post wasn't very informative, but if you wish to talk about this more, you can send me a pm, I would be glad to talk about this with someone that has felt in kind of the same way, I guess?
Cheers!
However, for me, depression will never leave. You can conceal it, run away from it, but the mark of all that suffering continues, sometimes it comes out as anxiety attacks or just being too hesitant in talking with someone else. So, it has made me more antisocial, it's hard for me to talk with people and I'm entering university in September too and I wish to be more sociable than I am now. I have my friends, but finding new is not so easy for me, I don't place my trust in people anymore and this is a problem, I wish I was more naive or ignorant about this?????
Anyway, there's no cure, you have to overcome your demons, forcibly smile and put all the effort in talking with someone first. University is a place where you can find a lot of people of your interests, so it won't be a problem when you need a topic to discuss about "by accident".
My post wasn't very informative, but if you wish to talk about this more, you can send me a pm, I would be glad to talk about this with someone that has felt in kind of the same way, I guess?
Cheers!
I thought everyone on TSR had depression...and anxiety. With a dash of social awkwardness.
I used to have terrible depression, particularly in my last years of school. It seemed to ease off as I got older and I began to realise that not 'caring' so much made you a much happier person. That's not to say that I wanted to lose all empathy for everything and become hard-hearted, but it's so liberating to be free spirited once in a while. 
Original post by lovex
...
Then since 2013 I have managed to recover and I'm now content...
Then since 2013 I have managed to recover and I'm now content...
I don't know too much about depression so we'll leave the above discussions for another day, but it seems congratulations are in order, I've seen how horrible and difficult it can be to cope with, so well done for getting through it
Surrounding yourself with like-minded cheerful people could only be a good thing right, so I'm sure you'll love University!(edited 10 years ago)
I've had it for about a few months, not too bad compared to others.
Now I rarely feel depressed. It REALLY helps if you can talk to someone about it.
If you meet someone on twitter or whatever that are in the same position it can helps you
as you can get along well and not be lonely.
Being lonely only just increases depression cos I got really paranoid sometimes and it was the
worst feeling ever.
Having goals or targets can help you. I used to go swin by myself for hours to help calm me down or
keep my mind at a constant state which really helped me. But generally talking to more people is the best way to beat it I guess.
Now I rarely feel depressed. It REALLY helps if you can talk to someone about it.
If you meet someone on twitter or whatever that are in the same position it can helps you
as you can get along well and not be lonely.
Being lonely only just increases depression cos I got really paranoid sometimes and it was the
worst feeling ever.
Having goals or targets can help you. I used to go swin by myself for hours to help calm me down or
keep my mind at a constant state which really helped me. But generally talking to more people is the best way to beat it I guess.
No, not yet. But I will one day! Maybe... 
Original post by BeanofJelly
GPs use a patient-completed symptom/mood questionnaire (which is evidence based) to diagnose depression - so they basically rely on someone's own interpretation of their feelings, and people generally aren't wrong. If you have the features, you have the features - there's nothing complicated about the basic diagnosis.
Yes, it is complicated, wether it is easy or not to diagnose depends of the symptoms and the patient. There are also comorbidities and depressions only caused by something else. A Psychotherapist or a Psychatrist will usually spend at least 150 minutes with a patient before getting him a diagnosis or more, if he thinks he needs it. That does not mean that depression cannot be obvious or that every GP is making a fault, but that diagnosing depression is only a matter of filling out a questionnaire is wrong. Sadness is part of life, depression is an illness. To differetiate that and make shure, the symptoms are not a disguise for something else, is another cup of tea.
Original post by Nathanielle
Yes, it is complicated, wether it is easy or not to diagnose depends of the symptoms and the patient. There are also comorbidities and depressions only caused by something else. A Psychotherapist or a Psychatrist will usually spend at least 150 minutes with a patient before getting him a diagnosis or more, if he thinks he needs it. That does not mean that depression cannot be obvious or that every GP is making a fault, but that diagnosing depression is only a matter of filling out a questionnaire is wrong. Sadness is part of life, depression is an illness. To differetiate that and make sure, the symptoms are not a disguise for something else, is another cup of tea.
Don't mistake me - depression is complicated!
But the diagnosis of the vast majority of cases seen in general practice is not. Remembering that most people with depression have mild-moderate disease and can be managed solely by their GP. The questionnaire is a simplification, but the evidence shows it's very effective at separating those with depression and those without, both reasons are why it is used!
And you have a fair point about depressive symptoms being a normal consequence of some life events. However, that doesn't necessarily mean the management should be different. For example - both might benefit from seeing their GP more frequently (the so called therapeutic relationship, and for risk assessment), advice on life style (good sleep, exercise, social support), and possibly anti depressants (these are a choice!).
Original post by BeanofJelly
But the diagnosis of the vast majority of cases seen in general practice is not. Remembering that most people with depression have mild-moderate disease and can be managed solely by their GP. The questionnaire is a simplification, but the evidence shows it's very effective at separating those with depression and those without, both reasons are why it is used!
The problem with this is, that while a GP is totally entitled to help a person with her well-being, classifying everyone who needs help with depression is not helping. Neither those who are really mentally ill not those who are not mentally ill, but actually need help in another way. (A homeless person won't be helped with a change of thinking patterns but with a room and that before this person develops a mental illness.)
And you have a fair point about depressive symptoms being a normal consequence of some life events. However, that doesn't necessarily mean the management should be different. For example - both might benefit from seeing their GP more frequently (the so called therapeutic relationship, and for risk assessment), advice on life style (good sleep, exercise, social support), and possibly anti depressants (these are a choice!).
I have no problem with monitoring people, giving helpful advice, but as soon as it comes to actually diagnosing and treating people with medication for a mental problem, I have more than just huge doubts. A referral should allways be possible and looking at a lot of physcial illnesses, you often sent something to the lab, get to a specialist to be sent back with a report to your GP, thus I don't see why concerning mental health this should be different.
(edited 10 years ago)
Original post by Nathanielle
The problem is, in the current system GPs rarely have heard much about mental illnesses during their education, so I am not saying that there have to be another system for every mental health problem, but I doubt most of the GPs have the competency to diagnose and treat.
With all due respect, I disagree. GPs are trained and qualified to identify and manage depression. Some cases will fall beyond their competency which will then need to be referred (eg: complicated, comorbidities, refractory, high risk) but it is entirely reasonable for many patients with depression to be exclusively managed by their GP, and for many patients this would be preferable.
Some GPs are obviously going to be worse, some may not meet what is expected of them, some may not have enough experience - so I'm not denying that some people will receive a poor service from their GP - but treating mental illness is a core competency (some 1/3-1/4 GP consultations) for GPs, not some fringe interest. Mild-moderate depression is not even the most difficult/complicated mental illness that GPs are expected to manage alone.
Education and experience in mental health is universally covered in all medical schools. Furthermore in 2 years foundation training and a further 3 years of GP training, only a minority of qualifying GPs will not have worked in a psychiatry job for at least 4-6 months, not to mention other hospital and community rotations where again depression will be prevalent and they will gain experience in its identification and management, As psychiatric illness (especially depression) is such a large component of the GP's workload they are likely to be amongst the most experienced professionals in its basic diagnosis and management. It's what they see day in day out. Managing this kind of thing alone essentially is what GPs are specifically trained for.
If that is not enough (and I would agree that sometimes it isn't) - the solution is to further education and training of GPs, and (critical in my opinion) giving them the time they need just for listening to patients with depression (which is a therapy in itself) and to adopt an individualised approach - rather than to shunt patients onto unnecessary, expensive and less ideal secondary care (which unfortunately has the same issues of time constraint and highly limited services).
Similar to not everyone with eczema needs to see a dermatologist, not everyone with a throat infection needs to see an ENT surgeon, etc
(edited 10 years ago)
Original post by Nathanielle
Why does a GP has more rights and more freedom with diagnosis people than those who are specifically qualified to do so?
Why does a GP has more rights and more freedom with diagnosis people than those who are specifically qualified to do so?
Essentially, GPs are specifically qualified to do so.
Original post by Nathanielle
Which leads to the big danger that depending wether you see a GP or directly a Psychatrist/Psychotherapist you get both different treatments and different diagnosis.
Which leads to the big danger that depending wether you see a GP or directly a Psychatrist/Psychotherapist you get both different treatments and different diagnosis.
You will not see a psychiatrist directly unless you go privately to one. This is because it is not necessary or appropriate for everyone with depressive symptoms to see a psychiatrist/psychologist - these offer a specialist service for depression which is beyond the GP's competence (or beyond the facilities a practice has available), but most depression is not.
Original post by Nathanielle
Who defines which one is entitled to get the opinion of a specialist?
Who defines which one is entitled to get the opinion of a specialist?
Those who need a specialist input are the ones who are referred - a decision which GPs are qualified and trained to make, as a core competency and expectation of their profession. If a GP tries to treat something beyond their competency without seeking help then they are failing in their basic duties as a doctor and what is expected of them. But in the majority of cases depression is well within their sphere of competency.
Original post by Nathanielle
Who has the authority to give out anti-depressants without planning a referral to a psychatrist/psychotherapist?
GPs! And hospital doctors too. Doctors are qualified to prescribe medicine within and outside of their subspecialism. In many cases this would be entirely appropriate.
Original post by Nathanielle
And looking through some posts, most people have no idea, that anti-depressants on a stand-alone basis are only helpful for a tiny minority.
I would disagree with that statement, as I have seen the usefulness of antidepressants myself on numerous occasions, and their use is evidence based (trials show that they are useful). Although you are right that they are not a sole measure, and become more useful when combined with others. For example, there is very good evidence that antidepressants may rapidly help to improve motivation and negative thinking patterns, which might be enough alone; but might also better enable someone to engage with lifestyle changes, changing their thought patterns and/or other psychological therapies which can then banish the depression more permanently.
Original post by Nathanielle
I have no problem with monitoring people, giving helpful advice, but as soon as it comes to actually diagnosing and treating people with medication for a mental problem, I have more than just huge doubts. A referral should allways be possible and looking at a lot of physcial illnesses, you often sent something to the lab, get to a specialist to be sent back with a report to your GP, thus I don't see why concerning mental health this should be different.
I have no problem with monitoring people, giving helpful advice, but as soon as it comes to actually diagnosing and treating people with medication for a mental problem, I have more than just huge doubts. A referral should allways be possible and looking at a lot of physcial illnesses, you often sent something to the lab, get to a specialist to be sent back with a report to your GP, thus I don't see why concerning mental health this should be different.
GPs diagnose and treat, as generalist, a wide range of mental and physical illnesses. That is a huge component of their role for which they are fully qualified. They are not simply referral monkeys.
When a test is sent to the lab, it is not always seen by a specialist doctor. GPs do not rely on specialists for everything they do, certainly not for basic tests. So it is no different to mental illness.
With all due respect (again), it's great the interest you are taking and you raise legitimate points, but I think you have a very large number of misconceptions about the role and training of general practitioners and the way that our healthcare system functions over all. It's not really the place to address these on this thread (sorry OP) but I didn't feel I could leave these. I can try to answer any other points you may have by PM.
(edited 10 years ago)
It will be difficult but things do get better. You'll learn how to cope with it and any possible future hindrances you may have.
I started self-harming at 12, was diagnosed with depression at 15 and thinks started to look better by 18. I'm 22 now and I do have bad days but my past experiences shaped who I am and I try to embrace it as something positive.
I started self-harming at 12, was diagnosed with depression at 15 and thinks started to look better by 18. I'm 22 now and I do have bad days but my past experiences shaped who I am and I try to embrace it as something positive.
Original post by Red one
Have you been clinically diagnosed with depression? Very few people who say they suffer from or have been depressed in the past have actually sought medical attention which makes me skeptical about their claim.
I think people these days are very quick to say they're depressed.
I think people these days are very quick to say they're depressed.
Yes but its seems to me that it's that sort of judgement that leads to stigma against those with Mental Health conditions, "depression" that's just an excuse for laziness" etc. etc.
You need to recognise people as individuals with individual needs, everyone's situation is different you can't just paint them all with the same brush.
I've suffered with clinical depression since I was around 9 or 10 years old. I've tried countless medications, counselling and other remedies. I went through school as basically a mute, didn't have many friends and was seen as the 'quiet' one in the class.
I left school at 18, and shortly after I attempted an overdose which almost completely destroyed my liver (I'm on the verge of cirrhosis and I'm 21).
Three years have gone by, and I've since been studying Psychology from home and I would definitely say that I am what most people would say 'recovered'.
It's taken me a long time to build up relationships with people I once pushed away, including my family, but it's the best thing you can do.
I'm happier today than I have ever been (ignoring the bad days, which I'm 99% sure everybody gets).
The best thing to do if you've suffered depression, or if you're currently suffering is to grab life by the balls. Seriously, involve yourself in everything you like, regardless of the opinions of others. (For example, I've always had this fascination with bee's, so I've started bee-keeping. People think I'm mad, but I love it). Relationships and friendships will come, but right now, the best thing to do is love yourself, love your life and love your hobbies.
As cliché as it sounds, life IS too short.
Lol, I realise this post is REALLY cliché and I may have gone off topic, but seriously cannot stress how important happiness is.
Just think when you're 70 something years old, do you really want to be left with 'what ifs' and regrets? Of course not!
I do understand that what I'm saying isn't easy for everyone, but I'm sure there are plenty of people around that are willing to help you. Open your mind.
I left school at 18, and shortly after I attempted an overdose which almost completely destroyed my liver (I'm on the verge of cirrhosis and I'm 21).
Three years have gone by, and I've since been studying Psychology from home and I would definitely say that I am what most people would say 'recovered'.
It's taken me a long time to build up relationships with people I once pushed away, including my family, but it's the best thing you can do.
I'm happier today than I have ever been (ignoring the bad days, which I'm 99% sure everybody gets).
The best thing to do if you've suffered depression, or if you're currently suffering is to grab life by the balls. Seriously, involve yourself in everything you like, regardless of the opinions of others. (For example, I've always had this fascination with bee's, so I've started bee-keeping. People think I'm mad, but I love it). Relationships and friendships will come, but right now, the best thing to do is love yourself, love your life and love your hobbies.
As cliché as it sounds, life IS too short.
Lol, I realise this post is REALLY cliché and I may have gone off topic, but seriously cannot stress how important happiness is.
Just think when you're 70 something years old, do you really want to be left with 'what ifs' and regrets? Of course not!
I do understand that what I'm saying isn't easy for everyone, but I'm sure there are plenty of people around that are willing to help you. Open your mind.
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