Hi all, I’ve just found this site today, and it looks great. I’m really pleased that there is a proper section for carers too as I have been despairing at finding a way to explain things to my boyfriend and helping him to help me.

I have been suffering with depression for many years now, I was diagnosed at 16 (18 years ago), and I am feeling really low right now. I am coming off one antidepressant at the moment ( its hell) in order to start another. I have a feeling that visiting this website is going to be really worthwhile.

Hello Kelly Xx how was your weekend ? I had a busy wonderful one,I love being outside now walking. Saturday I sat on the beach eating fish and chips and watching the sunset. I have found going out exercising and eat healthy foods has helped me. Friday I felt a bit paranoid a friend had been mean about my daughter and after spinning the feeling had gone. I said to my friend at the gym wow it was the chemicals in my brain that cheered me up and she said or the distraction. I was making friendship braceletts with the kids on holiday and I started to feel a peaceful moment. My friend laughed and we said we should have brought our knitting. Yet never a truer word spoken in jest because that does give me peace. Do you have anything you can do to keep you occupied ie a jigsaw knitting sewing gardening anything that can occupy the mind and relax you while you are changing tablets. The author of spark says to use exercise to beat the blues so now I play the chemical brothers full blast and dance around the kitchen and running up and down the stairs helps if I am feeling a bit sad. Also have tou tried tapping emotinal freedom technique EFT. I hope you are feeling ok XXX thank you for joining us Xx hugXx stay strong Xxyour boyfriends a lucky man Xx I found my friends reminds me what is good…ie should you be at the gym tonight, are you still eating potatoes (Amazon Potaoes not Prozac) and they remind me to do it MEND Mind Exercise Nutrition Do it Xx I found I am on the mend ha ha and my sewing is on the mend I have been mending clothes sewing buttons on and being reminded what is good for me Xx laughter is great too watching all the old comedies, only fools and horses,  one foot in the grave and any programmes that make me laugh XX speak soon X love Chloe Xx

p.s being reminded of all my good points help me, my achievements and my friends. I suddenly realise if I reflect on what is great in my life it outways my sadness. I start to see how lucky I am Xx hug

Wow I think I might go and watch the new inspirational film about Kevin the abused child. It does look a bit morbid yet it is inspirational and these movies make me realise how lucky I am. The opposite to a comedy film Xx I used to read alot of Dave Phelzer (can’t spell his name sorry) I read the boy called ‘It’. That helped me Xx this new movie is called ‘The Kid’ I wondering if its a great idea to watch a violent sad movie while being depressed however it has a gorgeous ending he lives out his dreams alot like Dave P who lived to tell his tale and inspires and motivates others to be strong Xx p.s you have to be strong to have depression so I know most people are half way there to pull through. Having depression takes strength mad as it might seem its like a coming out and admitting it in the first place then working really hard to keep it away Xx

Hope it’s ok to call you Mea.  Welcome to the site Mea.  I hope that you are feeling somewhat better today.  Hopefully as you complete the changeover of your medication you’ll feel better day by day.  I’m not sure why you are changing medications (and please don’t feel you need to say) but I had to change several times as the prescribed medications weren’t effective or had bad side-effects but it will be worth it when the medication works.  Are you having talking therapy as well?  If not, do you feel that would help.  Please ask your GP if you think it would.
We are always here to talk and help Mea.  There are some wonderful and wise people on this site.  No one judges or preaches, just listen, empapthise and help.
I agree with Chloe about trying to do anything that you really really enjoy (or used to enjoy that you think would give you pleasure) during this transition.  Distraction is great for depression.  All the things that we don’t feel like doing when we are depressed - like exercise, laughing, going out in the sunshine, eating healthily -are great antidotes to depression.  I too force myself to do all these things when I am feeling low and feel much better afterwards.  I drag friends along to do them too who are feeling down and they feel much better afterwards. 
I understand that it must be hard for your boyfriend.  My husband found it very hard.  There wasn’t a lot of support for partners of a depressed person.  He read lots of books to try to understand but it can’t be easy as they aren’t doctors and I don’t think anyone can really understand (any illness) unless they have suffered it and we certainly wouldn’t wish that on anyone!
Anyway Mea, as I said, we are always here.  I hope that you have a good day.
Best wishes,
Helen

Hi guys, thanks for your lovely replies. As you may have noticed I changed my screen name, I use meamomma sometimes on parenting sights (me- a- momma!), but my name is Kelly. It was confusing to be called mea on here ( especilly with my addled brain right now) so I thought I’d change it! The light at the end is perhaps to dispel some darkness?

Dear Kelly, I am so very sorry to hear about your sister and the pain you are feeling. I wish I could wave a magic wand and take away your pain.  However grieving is a natural pain that only time will heal Allowi yourself to grieve and be kind to yourself.  I am sure she knew that you loved her dearly.  It is hard for those left behind.  We torture ourselves but you loved your sister.  Although people may not be able to respondwhen they are ill they do know the truth deep down.  Please stop punishing yourself Kelly.  As Chloe says, you have done nothing wrong.  You have lost a sister you loved dearly.  She would want you to remember her fondly and the good times you had together.  She wouldn’t want you to punish yourself.  Take care Kelly.  We are always here.  Thinking of you.  Best wishes, Helen

ha ha Xx yes you confused me ha ha Xx I just copied and pasted Helen’s beautiful message for you to read it was posted on relapse why again Xx

Kelly Xx you made me laugh Xxx How are you feeling ? Xx how was your day ? Have you managed to get some rest Xxx some TLC a stressless wonderful moment XxhugXX Helen’s right about smelling the flowers and chilling between meds Xx have you got any nice movies to watch ? I bought Ps I love you in a car bootsale and not had a chance to watch it yet. I loved the movie the boat that rocked that was sooooooo brill Xx Do you like Movies ? I never realised you had children ...perhaps you need to chill because you must be run off your feet..may I ask how old ? My daughter is 6 and hates school after such an excellent summer hoilday. She has adopted my friends little dog and would not give it back so we had major upset when the little man needed to go home. My friend is such a softie she let her have him for a couple of days to cheer her up Xx have you any pets ? I hope your feeling well today Xx ZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZzZZ time for bed, speak tomorrow Xx Chloe

Kelly Xx you made me laugh Xxx How are you feeling ? Xx how was your day ? Have you managed to get some rest Xxx some TLC a stressless wonderful moment XxhugXX Helen’s right about smelling the flowers and chilling between meds Xx have you got any nice movies to watch ?  prada  I bought Ps I love you in a car bootsale and not had a chance to watch it yet. I loved the movie the boat that rocked that was sooooooo brill Xx Do you like Movies ? I never realised you had children ...perhaps you need to chill because you must be run off your feet..may I ask how old ? My daughter is 6 and hates school after such an excellent summer hoilday. She has adopted my friends little dog and would not give it back so we had major upset when the little man needed to go home. My friend is such a softie she let her have him for a couple of days to cheer her up Xx have you any pets ? I hope your feeling well today Xx ZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzZzZZ time for bed, speak tomorrow Xx Chloe