Stress & Depression Biggest Cause of Sickies - Page 2

**Maggy** · 09-04-2005, 22:30

I have a nephew who was struck suddenly out of the blue at 18 in the middle of his A- levels with depression.At 28 he is still suffering.He has never held a job,never took his A-levels,never got to university.I suspect he will never achieve all that the rest of us do.I feel so bad when speaking to my sister because she asks after my two children...I contemplated not actually phoning her to say that my daughter had passed her A-levels,got into uni,got her degree..

Depression is an evil condition.For some it's like having a terminal illness that destroys your life but you don't die.

When I look at the photos of my nephew when he was small I find myself crying..He doesn't deserve to be this way...

allieyoung666 · 09-04-2005, 22:46

Paul hasnt told you this as he probally thinks he needs my consent to do so. I suffer from bi-polar, which is quite an extreme case of depression. Paul used to think that it was all in my head, I wish!!!!
I have had to take a hell of a lot of time off work to get my medication sorted out and so I can go see a shrink and sort my problems out. I was like coggys nephew I felt a total let down to society, and then I met Paul and had the boys which made me think, I need to do something right and just and I found my choice in a career which shuns mental health, even though a lot of referals I do is to go and be seen by the mental health team.
Yes it is a real illness and it is about time people sat up and listened to us, we are not mad!! Like a colleague once labelled me, we are not outcasts, we need to be taken seriously and no we do not kill each other, just misunderstood!!!!!

kronas · 09-04-2005, 22:56

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrlipring

The problems really begin when there's nothing obvious that's causing it.

tell me about it, i am currently on a waiting list for CBT to see if that can turn things around, but atleast im not too hopeless i managed to unpack and setup a dell pc package and everything went smoothly! tonight, not rocket science but often when things go completely pair shaped then you start on a downward spiral.

i often sit down and think (thinking is your worst enemy) how can people live their lives as hectic as they do, long hours, little or no breaks then be expected to 'wind down' at home.... i suppose there are oher things if you have a girlfreind or family it takes some stress away, or in other cases creates stress.

society is becoming more and more labour intensive, everyone has a diffarent job to do, some more tasking than others but a job is a job and working long hours and being under stress to achieve targets or productivity rotas is something that would get to me certainly!

the bottom line is that in this day and age there are people who are 'tough nuts' and dont faulter under pressure, but thats mainly down to self belief a sucessful person in life will never go down, i have rarely seen it happen, thats because achieving in life and doing things others can dream of doing is an achievement in itself, no matter how big or small, whether it be an 'executive' position, to a millionare tycoon, as humans you want to further yourself more and more, but its whether things fall in to place or not....for some it comes easy for others it doesent and it never will happen.

apologies for the babble

allieyoung666 · 09-04-2005, 23:05

Kronas nobody is tough, trust me on this. Before I went to work in the private sector Iwould have never belived it. A 45 yr old managing director came on to the ward crying to sectioned as he had enough of society. I know this guy and I was gobsmacked!!!
He seemed a tough nut to crack, owned a sucessful nursing home business and car dealership, but could not cope anymore. You see it happens to all of us and I mean all of us!!!!! I started To feel the way I did when I was17 and it has never ever gone away, **** I have even tried to taken my life on various times, but I am still here!!!! Life is crap and it does not care who it picks on to shed it's load I am sorry to say and I do understand where you are comming from just ask Paul!!!!

ian@huth · 09-04-2005, 23:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulyoung666

apologies , if you are suffering from depression , you dont just turn yourself around and get on with it , not being personal there you understand

I am not sure whether to agree or disagree? If you are suffering from depression then you have got to take positive action to overcome this. Don't just bottle it all up and think of nothing else. Give your mind something to do. I find coming on here and getting involved with problems and discussions helps take my mind off other things. Playing fast action games can stop you concentrating on the negativity in your life. Take good care of your appearance and your body as if you let yourself go it only depresses you even more. Get out and about (if you are able) and involved with things.

I have suffered really bad depression but have got to grips with it for most of the time. Occasionally I have a bad patch but nothing like as bad as it used to be. My problems started with my physical conditions (Parkinson's Disease, osteoarthritis in both hips and lower back and hypertension to name the main problems) which seemed to strike all at once. Depression really struck in and took some overcoming. A pain management course at the hospital was a great help in understanding better my medical condition and developing strategies to help cope with life. A lot of fear and depression stems from lack of knowledge on what you are going through and fearing the worst regarding the future. Realistic goal setting can show you that life is not really as bad as you thought it was.

allieyoung666 · 09-04-2005, 23:10

Hey bud I am nurse and an agony aunt, I keep my mind busy. I am also a wife to Paul, we have suffered from depression [I still am!], but these thoughts still creep into your head. you cannot keep your mind busy for 24 hours or you would end up burnt out.

09-04-2005, 23:14

Good to know that i'm not the only f**ked up one here

Hope that wasn't too flippant. But as we're all in on a Saturday night.......

Now that was flippant!

Ooops. Just realised we should really be discussing how those stats can be reduced (no disrespect to those with back pain!

)

allieyoung666 · 09-04-2005, 23:16

No trust me it is more common than you think!!!!! I just wish more people would be honest about it!!!!!

**Damien** · 09-04-2005, 23:57

Its sad

I think it does need more attention because it is seen as people just being sad instead of seen as a medical condidtion which is why it may not be taken seriously yet.

Is there a medical term for it? Is there some sort of cause or is it more in the head rather than an actual change in the body? As far as i know theres no treatment that works correctly.

punky · 10-04-2005, 00:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyl

"UNTIL recently the most common causes of long-term sick leave and benefits claims was back pain.

But experts writing in the British Medical Journal said common mental disorders, such as work-related stress and depression, were now more frequently reported in cases of employees being off work."

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/me...ie_stakes.html

Wondered what people thought of this. I should state a personal interest having been signed off before with stress, anxiety and depression - I know, you thought I was such a happy go lucky fella

I'm also hoping that admission might also ward off some of the less sympathetic out there (yeah I'm sure there are people who blag it but I know several people who have been in a similar situation to me).

To my mind (!) there is clearly not enough being done to combat these illnesses - the provision of psychiatric support is currently woeful.

Anyway, Casualty is on - I'm feeling right down again

Call me cynical... But the fact that it is the easiest disease to fake, with no physical symtoms, and its an illness that can last as short or as long as it wants, probably has something to do with it.

If ever you want some time off, its the easiest and safest fake to get your GP to sign off on. He can't really dispute it.

Richard M · 10-04-2005, 01:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyl

I think Damien makes a valid point about the term 'depression'. It's a debased term now because people do think it's about being down but it's not really like that. Can't eat, sleep and do many normal things. It is difficult to understand without having suffered it I think (but I think too much

)

Exactly, "clinical depression" is very extreme to say the least.
You literally can't function normally and are prone to doing crazy things that a rational person wouldn't do.
Take the worst flu you've ever had, multiply that by 10 then add breaking up with a much-loved partner to the equation - that might be close to it.

A lot of people say "I'm depressed" when in reality they are just not in a good mood, or feeling lazy etc - people tend to overreact in our ultra-sensitive "oh so politically correct" environment these days.

BTW - I've never had the misfortune to suffer from clinical depression myself, I just know a lot about it, having an A-Level in Psychology and all...

the_neurotic_cat · 10-04-2005, 01:23

This thread is Brilliant !!! ... some very touching information being exposed so i think i'll join in ... hehehe

I've never had a job and have been on DLA+IS for years, once i was on SDA! This depression thingy grabbed hold of me when i was 14 and have been in it's teeth eversince. So, after a years worth of psychiatric residential care, a couple of 'suicide' attempts and 93 therapy sessions later ... i'm still *****ed up

Trouble is, if depression isn't nipped in the bud (as it often isn't) it often leads to all sorts of other neurotic personality disorders, anxiety issues, phobia's ... the list goes on. Eventually all the problems come together and form a self-sustaining nightmare. There is also a physiological consequence on the brain too, after all, the brain and the mind are intricately linked in some kinda 60's love fest 'active feedback loop'!

So, does depression warrent more attention?... abso'*****ing'lutely

kronas · 10-04-2005, 02:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by allieyoung666

Kronas nobody is tough, trust me on this. Before I went to work in the private sector Iwould have never belived it. A 45 yr old managing director came on to the ward crying to sectioned as he had enough of society. I know this guy and I was gobsmacked!!!
He seemed a tough nut to crack, owned a sucessful nursing home business and car dealership, but could not cope anymore. You see it happens to all of us and I mean all of us!!!!! I started To feel the way I did when I was17 and it has never ever gone away, **** I have even tried to taken my life on various times, but I am still here!!!! Life is crap and it does not care who it picks on to shed it's load I am sorry to say and I do understand where you are comming from just ask Paul!!!!

im not disrespecting any other person out there but i do agree that even the toughest of the tough fall, indeed one fo my ex-freinds told me he had a few nervey moments in life, but he overcame them but he coped in his own way and is able to work.. and even though i dont respect him at all because of what hes done in his past and present he has still 'moved on' thats what enables some people to actually progress in life, life is about pleasure happiness and stability but you have to work hard first before you get all that.

everyday i become increasingly disillusioned by the amount of greed, synthetic love illtreatment, and undiplomatic means at which fellow humans can 'progress' on and not have a conscience about them to even know what they are doing is hurting other individuals, to be used and manipulated for their own means.....it seems to be happening all around me and even through other people....

i mean from what im going through now is not as bad as it was a month ago....im always told 'take your medicines and you will be fine' yet i was getting worse and worse, i became crippled almost to the extent i lost my appetitie and found it hard to move, anxiety attacks and mood swings, coupled with an overdose and suicidal attempts...

im off medication and even though im not feeling too good i can atleast venture to some sort of normality, i feel the exact opposite to how i was a month ago, i know medication for depression seriously is detrimental to your health but i took the risk and almost paid the price with my life.....

right now im calm, finding some focus and smiling, and not feeling all that crap, yes im down and out most of the time as the minutes and days pass im not feeling 'the pressure' and i do think some of my symptoms were made worse by the medication which was changed and changed again.

there is medical evidence to suggest some medication will actually cause suicidal tendences...

i dont know where im going in life and i do know that there are people who have lost an arm or arms legs, eyesight, millions starve around the world, children men and women, orphaned kids and countless other people wiith degenerative diseases and so on....and im here with almost all my facultys intact with a loving caring family.....but it doesent change the way you are as a person, because deep down in your guts, your heart of hearts you have to believe in yourself, be an individual and stand up in the crowd and position yourself in life where your comfortable and happy.....its easier said than done but its about hope too, that can be lost very easily..

etccarmageddon · 10-04-2005, 10:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyl

......I think Damien makes a valid point about the term 'depression'. It's a debased term now because people do think it's about being down but it's not really like that. Can't eat, sleep and do many normal things. It is difficult to understand without having suffered it I think (but I think too much

)

I think you guys dont realise there are at least 2 kinds of depression or perhaps a better way to put it is that that 'depression' describes 2 kinds of conditions.

Damian's interpretation is one of the commonly used ones - being 'depressed' ie. feeling down in the dumps about something - one where it's just an everyday feeling which you can turn around by your own thoughts or a pick me up. This kind of depression is one you probably have control over.

The 'serious' depression which is probably the one most people get signed off for is what I know as 'clinical depression' - something which involves a chemical imbalance. This kind is one where the sufferer has less or no control over their state.

http://www.progesterone.com/clinical_depression.html

If you suffer from clinical depression you need to behave responsibily - ie. following doctors orders to ensure recovery. For example dont mix your medication with depression inducing alchohol!

Escapee · 10-04-2005, 11:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by andyl

"UNTIL recently the most common causes of long-term sick leave and benefits claims was back pain.

But experts writing in the British Medical Journal said common mental disorders, such as work-related stress and depression, were now more frequently reported in cases of employees being off work."

http://www.manchesteronline.co.uk/me...ie_stakes.html

Wondered what people thought of this. I should state a personal interest having been signed off before with stress, anxiety and depression - I know, you thought I was such a happy go lucky fella

I'm also hoping that admission might also ward off some of the less sympathetic out there (yeah I'm sure there are people who blag it but I know several people who have been in a similar situation to me).

To my mind (!) there is clearly not enough being done to combat these illnesses - the provision of psychiatric support is currently woeful.

Anyway, Casualty is on - I'm feeling right down again

I have to agree with much of what you say....(Oh dear theres a first)

I suffered stress and anyone who worked with me would say "escapee's so laid back and doesn't care, how could he get stressed" just because someone doesn't show the signs is no indication. I used to look happy and carefree in work, but be very moody at home, often loosing my temper and sometimes bursting into tears over the slightest thing.
I had a bad patch recently, and had my six sessions with some useless councillor. He has no answer because he realises I know what triggers it, so he cant tell me anything I dont already know.

We have one guy in our department who had to be taken home by taxi earlier this week due to stress. He gets triggered by the same issues as I do, he bottles it up but I simmer and explode, My boss is also suffering stress, he has been off sick with colds etc a few times recently but had never had a day off in seven years previously, it all ties in withe the stress he's getting. He has started to suffer from psoriasis the same as myself, mine has been triggered again by the three useless ********* that we have in our department, mainly one with his head up all the bosses a****.

Never think "It will never happen to me" I never thought I would be affected by stress.