Do you or someone you know suffer from depression?

[Carolear]

Hi!
I thought I'd see if anyone else suffers from depression, and maybe what you do to help you get through the day?
I've had depression for over 15 yrs and before that was undiagnosed bi-polar. I've been in a mental hospital a couple of times for suicidal thoughts and med changes.
I don't think I was helped at all by the hospitals, if you've been were you helped?
I haven't been to a mental hospital in about 13 yrs. I decided that it did no good and refuse to even CONSIDER going back to one. I do see a therapist twice a week for my depression and help with coping.
My Mom suffered from depression, but I never knew it til I was prescribed the same meds she took. She never talked about it.
Now my 5th adult child, aged 27, is currently in a mental hospital. It is her 3rd time in 2 months. They are not helping her. She feels like she 'belongs' to the group that goes there. The staff give out hugs and are very nice. So it makes her want to go back....and back....
I don't know how to stop the cycle of depression, or of her going back to the hospital for attention and affection.
She gets attention and affection from her 2 brothers and 1 sister and 10 neices and nephews that live around here.
She is single, never been kissed. She lost 100 lbs a couple yrs ago (I just found out she's bullemic)..and has kept it off..but she still has about 75 lbs to go. She doesn't smoke, drink or do illegal drugs or sleep around.
She was a strong Christian man and there aren't very many available. Seems these guys go for the thinner girls.
So I thought if someone wanted to vent, share, support each other, we could do that here.
Please no flaming and be sensitive to the subject.
Hugs
Carole

[Jillibean]

Oh my, you need some hugs and prayers. Depression runs in my family but I didn't know it either until it happened to me. Then my mom told me that my grandmother dealt with depression. Mine was post-partum after my second child and never went away. I'm still on the same dosage of med. that I was on when I started it 5 years ago, so I guess it is considered pretty mild. I feel almost guilty even mentioning it after hearing your family's experiences. I don't have much advice other than you and your daughter just keep praying and God will send the right man her way. I know I wasn't much help, but just felt the need to let you know you all will be in my thoughts and prayers now.

[Carolear]

Thanks Jillibean,
Prayers are always good for everyone.
Your story is just as important as anyone elses. I don't want anyone to think they can't share their pain, or stories because 'yours' isn't as bad as someone elses.
We are all here for each other.
We both are active in our faith, which is hard when you don't want to get out of bed in the morning! LOL. Sometimes I simply don't want to be around people and I'll stay home. Last Sunday I went and stayed in the car! I was dressed for church and everything, but just didn't want to go in.
I tried letting people know about depression and understanding etc....but they feel awkward and I understand that. So I don't mention it to much anymore. People ask how I'm doing in passing and my automatic response is "I'm doing Great! and you?"....when really I'm burdened down quite a lot.
I wonder if other depressed people have trouble being around others or in crowds sometimes too?:shrug7:
Carole

[jillibean_1978]

I have suffered for a few years now. I have never been in a hospital for it. Don't think I would go. Doctor's just wanna dope me up with a bunch of meds. and I don't like taking meds just for the sake of taking something. I have had much better results just praying and talking with God. Not sure what causes mine. Some days are great and others are just hopeless. One day at a time.

[CoffeeMom]

Carole, I don't have any real advice for you but just wanted to offer my support and say that I'm sorry for everything you and your family are going through. My grandmother suffered from depression and mental illness almost her whole life - started in her 20s, wasn't diagnosed or treated until her 50s, and she's been in and out of psychiatric units ever since. I think she's a bit like your daughter in that she keeps going back because it's a comfortable/comforting place for her to be. She's told me that she likes the attention in the units, and I know that she 'needs' the attention and sympathy from the family...she's not a bad person, it's just part of her illness.

About your daughter's eating disorder, I'm so sorry. I've suffered with anorexia and bulimia, the latter for 10+ years. I've been "recovered" from both disorders for 2 1/2 years, but it's always an uphill battle. I'm so sorry your DD is going through that.

If you ever need a cyber shoulder to cry on, I'm here for you!

[wookin]

I have had a few family members with depression. If it gets serious enough to be hospitalized and you feel they aren't helping, maybe you need another hospital. I know that may not be an option but it helped my family member tremendously. She had problems with dealing being alone and other stresses. The first hospital did nothing but feed her depression. The second hospital helped her and she was able to live her life out to her fullest. I sincerely hope you or someone can find the right place to treat your daughter. My thoughts are with you.

[sati769leigh]

I am very sorry that you are going through this and your daughter. Bi-polar and depression are not easy to live with and many folks who just dont understand it are callous and cruel about it. sometimes without meaning to be. like comments about just get over it, put on a happy face, or calling us crazy but crazy without aknowledging that it is an illness. I have had a lifelong struggle with bi-polar. i was once sick to the point where i was literally delusional. and even now in the winter when it gets worse for me it is hard for me to always figure things out most folks take for granted. i dont feel hot and cold like others do as a result of mania or depression. so i will go out without shoes or a coat and now know i am hurting my skin with the cold. i was functional till about 13 years ago. a tragedy occurred in my family and i snapped from functional to non functional. i was very very ill and in and out of hospitals several times a year for the next 10 years. at this point in time i am on the least amount of meds i have ever been on. I do intensive therapy and did several intense out patient programs last year in a row. between the meds and the therapy i have now enjoyed a year of being able to USE my bi-polar intstead of it USING me. it is still not easy though.

too many people do not understnad that we DO NOT choose to be the way we are. we dont LIKE being out of control or depressed. we dont LIKE how we have to question our every thought and if it is NORMAL or not. or when we feel ALL emotions at ONCE. that without daily care of ourselves we can die. many think its a joke disease. and it hurts real bipolars to be around that kind of thinking because it can contribute to us being in denial and not getting help.

maybe being in the hospital is where your daughter needs to be right now in her life. your experiences are different from hers. and this might be what she needs right now.

i will think of you and pray that things go well and there is help and healing to be found.

[cspigner28]

I wish I had some advice for you, but I do have to say I know what you are going through. I started having problems at 15 or so, I am now 29. I have been diagnosed with several things, from several drs, I don't think any of them are right. At 15 I was diagnosed with BiPolar, about 17 or 18 it was borderline personality disorder, and then in my mid 20s it was depression. I have never been hospitalized, but been on different meds. I still believe that it is none of that, but ADHD, both children were diagnosed with different forms of ADHD, they had to get it from somewhere right?? Anyhow, as of right now, any meds cost too much so I have my own way of handling emotions, if I had to diagnose myself, I would say adult add, from different articles I have read and what not, but well, I know I have depression, just can't quite afford the treatment anymore. Just venting I guess.

[tdgirl]

I suffer from severe depression, bipolar, anxiety. I go see a therapist and med doctor 1 time a month each. I'd go more if I had the money. I'm going through a really bad stint right now, haven't been out of the house in a while. I think getting out helps, but hard when you are agoraphobic. I also think that having friends that you can talk to and will really listen to you also helps (I have none but do think that if I did it would help me tremedously.) Also, meds do help, but doesn't get to the bottom of depression, etc. I've been taking Wellbutrin for a while, it has helped for a while. Been on Seroquel, thinking of going back on that. It differs between people, not everyone could do the same things I am doing to cope. Just know that there are others out there that really understand what you are going through and if you ever need someone to just talk to, we are here.

[tdgirl]

PS, if you are 'religious' at all, reading the Bible or even just praying also helps.

Try to get in exercise (although hard to do when you just plainly don't care about anything.) And try to get out of the house, even if it is only a minute or two. I even find that sitting in a different part of the house will help me to get out of a crusty funk I find myself in sometimes.