Managing minor depression

[numberwitch]

I have periods of moderate to minor depression. I find that regular exercise can help me manage my symptoms & keep my head clear - although if I'm going through a low period the last thing I want to do is exercise.

What do other people do? Are some foods good/bad?

[Charlie]

It is true that exercise helps but getting motivated is extremely tough especially when you are in a bad place. Sometimes you don't even realise that you are getting low as it creeps up so gradually but can be quite debilitating. I found that taking 5-HTP really helped (please read up on side effects before taking). I tried other medication but found that the natural alternatives were more effective. I had more energy which helped me get back into exercise and made life at work a little easier too. I also had counseling and found CBT to be the most effective.

[Alice]

I'm having the same issue: I'll be fine for a few days/weeks and then suddenly be really, really low - tired, irritable, sad, and generally just very 'fragile'. Lots of crying, not feeling confident, unable to do much. It's not always linked to anything, it can be totally out of the blue. I was diagnosed about 14 months ago (age 28), and so this has been going on for a while.

When I'm low, it's really pretty debilitating, and makes doing everything hard - including concentrating - which really isn't ideal at work. It's also really frustrating for my poor husband. Now the worst of the depression is over, about 70% of the time I can think rationally about it all, and know that "everything's going to be ok" - but when the bad mood hits, I can't see this at all and I'm totally irrational and, to be honest, a bit of a nightmare. He's tried everything he can to help (and done an amazing job...) but we're both very ready for these mood swings to end. Any tips? I'm reluctant to try anti-depressants (I feel like I'm pumping my body full of enough stuff at the moment, and don't want to get dependent on them) - but any suggestions welcome. Is it normal that I still feel like this over a year in? When can I expect it to feel better?!

[Kimberleyden]

Its the feeling of being totally out of control that I suffered with. How dare my life 'plan' be thrown away just like that. A simple blood test and a couple of hours later my whole life was turned upside down.

In fact I remember the words of my doctor "sometimes life just sucks" and he was right it does, but it doesnt have to mean the end. Since being diagnosed I have become closer to my family, my friends, my husband. I have met some great friends through the Daisy Network and hope I am helping some people, even if its just a little bit. I think just talking about things really helps so may I encourage you to do that as much as possible

Chin up

x x x

[Charlie]

Hi Alice,

It took me a couple of years before I fully bounced back and even then I had a few bad spells. You don't realise that you are in this cycle until you come out the other side. I also started to wonder how I was before the diagnosis and if I was always so irrational and miserable. I lost confidence and became extremely introvert and starting analysing everything I did wondering if it was because of my hormones or if I had always behaved that way. In fact I felt an inability to interact in many social situations and enjoy myself. It seemed to be fine at work but going out and socialising became really difficult. I tried anti-D for a couple of months and it helped get through the worst but exercise, laughter, spending time with friends and family and staying as busy as possible was the best remedy for me as I didn't have too much time to think. You are grieving for your loss and its an extremely powerful emotion. With that also come anger, frustration and coupled with symptoms it can all be a bit much some times. It sounds cliched but time is a great healer. The support of friends, family and meeting people via Daisy gave me hope and stopped me feeling so isolated. Take the time you need to recover and don't beat yourself up. It is a process and you will find the strength to overcome this.

[Alice]

Thanks, both of you, for your replies. Knowing there are other people out there who have gone through the same is already helping, and I'm trying to focus as much as possible on the positives. This forum has started at just the right time for me!

[KrystalTipps]

Hello numberwitch,

I took some symptons to my GP four years after diagnosis, including early waking and and a sense of disconnection. I was quickly diagnosed with moderate depression, put on anti-depressants and the counselling list.

I started a group therapy course today - "Loss & Change". I put up a new post before reading yours - hoping for some replies on it

What I would say is, just because we're suffering from POF it doesn't mean we're averse to other conditions, including mental ill health, and on that front we can turn to health care the same as everyone else.

I'm optimistic about recovering, and believe the talking therapies will address the causes while the ant-depressant help with the symptoms.

Consider asking your GP for counselling - its our NHS.

Onwards, downwards and upwards - life is a rollercoaster and joining others suffering Loss & Change (outside of POF as well as fellow sufferers) is already helping.

Bests
KrystalTipps

[Beetlebo]

Do you think it is a bad idea to start Anti-depressants whilst still tinkering with which HRT I should be on?

I feel so helpless at the moment because I am waiting to hear about the latest set of results which will show how my body is responding to the HRT I'm on. I find that I'm good for a couple of months and then it seems to tail off and I start having symptoms again. I know it makes sense to wait and see what the tests have shown but I'm really struggling in the meantime.

My GP is nice but seems a bit clueless and I find it so hard to decipher which feelings are hormone related and which aren't. I just feel totally lost and more hopeless every day. Everything seems to take such a long time.... I appreciate there is no "quick fix" but have seriously had enough now and just want to live again and feel like myself.