DEALING WITH DEPRESSION
GETTING TO KNOW YOUR OWN PATTERN
Restless Sleep Pattern |
Don't want to get up and face the day |
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Don't want to wash |
No shopping |
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Hide away from people |
Not caring for oneself |
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Not eating |
Think about Hell |
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| Refuse to answer the door bell or telephone | |||
Dismal thoughts |
Suicidal Thoughts |
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| "Some" people ( a minority) seek company, most people prefer isolation | |||
Anti-depressants take 10 days to 3 weeks to work effectively in your system, therefore, you need to recognise your symptoms VERY EARLY to avoid long term depression.
POSITIVE STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO HELP YOURSELF
 | Keep a diary and log
your illness, also keep a graph chart and track your own
pattern. |
| Medication - TAKE IT
SERIOUSLY - to do otherwise you are just pressing your
own self-destruct button. |
| Keep an open mind on
ECT for depression which will bring you up to normal much
quicker than drugs. |
| Consult with your psychiatrist on how to self mediate. He/she will tell you if this is possible. If you start taking anti-depressants at the onset of a depressive episode, this could help to avoid a deep depression and a long stay in hospital. |
Some members find visiting the beach and watching the waves roll in helpful. Other members get away from people and buildings by visiting the hills.
Some relax on the bed and listen to music. Any form of exercise helps physically and mentally.
WHEN WELL SHARE YOUR FEELINGS WITH THE FAMILY OR GOOD FRIENDS. IT AFFECTS THEIR LIVES TOO.
They could borrow books on depression from our M.D.F. library.
You could join an 'assertiveness' course at the University. These run for 6 weeks one evening a week and are similar to night school courses, only shorter.
You could ask your psychiatrist if you could visit a psychotherapist.
Join your local Manic Depression self-help group. This will give you the opportunity to meet fellow sufferers and carers and share experiences and learn from them.
In the Aberdeen Group we hold monthly meetings. Our other activities include going for a walk in our beautiful countryside (followed by a bar supper), youth hostelling, fund raising at Royal Cornhill Hospital Fete (a fun day for all of us) and enjoying our Christmas Party.
If you live on your own, some of our single members suggested you contact a C.P.N., Social Worker and V.S.A. Befriender Scheme for practical help if you need it in times of illness.
YOU AND YOUR CARER MUST NEVER FORGET THAT THERE IS ALWAYS AN END TO THE SUFFERING OF DEPRESSION AND THAT ITS EFFECTS CAN, WITH PLANNING, BE MINIMISED.
This
information was collected from the Members of
Manic Depression Fellowship
Aberdeen Queen's Cross
January, 1995
Last revised: February 29, 2000