Ruth Bygrave wrote:
Sorry about the vent here, but try to follow it along if you can!
snip
I was diagnosed with depression 10 years ago and have 'lived with it' ever since. I would suggest the follwoing.
1. Remember you are not alone; about one in 10 people suffer from depression at some point in their lives. When I was first diagnosed I was surprised how many of my work colleagues had had similar experiences.
2. See a doctor. I am not talking drugs here, but the NHS has some very good counselors. Not only can you talk to them but htya will give you useful tips on managing depression such as relaxation and meditation techniques.
3. See a doctor, because the symptoms of depression are very similar to those of other conditions. I tried just about every anti-depressant tablet on the market but none seems to do the trick. Then I read an article about the male menopause which described symptoms very similar to those of depression. I persuaded my doctor to let me have a blood test for testosterone and when this was found to be very low I was referred to a endocrinologists. To cut a long story short he found I had a shrunken pituitary gland which was screwing up my hormone system. I now have regular testosterone injections and feel much more like a normal human being.
Hope that helps.
Ian