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Because We Need To Talk About It

  1. Observer I know nothing! May 16, 2019

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    My wife suffered from depression and anxiety for most of her life. She received almost as many diagnoses as she saw specialists and despite being prescribed many different medications, never settled on a mix that worked for her for very long. She died last year at age 42, and while mental health issues weren't a direct cause, they did strongly affect her drive to maintain good physical health. I don't know how much of her pain was due to genetics or childhood trauma that she suffered, but it's on my mind because my greatest fear now is that any of this will manifest itself in my 9 year old daughter. At least I'll be able to recognize that if it's the case.
    Empathy is not my strong suit, but I truly feel for anyone who suffers from mental disease and wish them the best.
     
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  2. michael22 May 16, 2019

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    You have my sympathy & condolences.
    I wish your daughter all the best.
     
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  3. Walrus May 17, 2019

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    Forty two much too young. I feel terrible about your story. Suffering I believe must have some meaning as we all go through it my mother like your wife had treatment resistant M.H. issues and Is now dealing with dementia. Yes these issues are or can be genetic but it’s not a guarantee anyone else in your family will get it and every year treatment improves. Just make sure your good that’s what your daughter needs now you have enough going on today, tomorrow’s troubles will take care of themselves. I wish I could say something to assuage the anguish you must feel but I’ll send out some prayers and some Karma. Very sorry for your loss. Kind of puts watches in perspective.
     
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  4. chum_2000_uk May 17, 2019

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    That's exactly how I felt reading through some of these posts. We sometimes get so worked up by things we read on these forums... But there's something to be said for just taking a step back, and realising that something so trivial as someone's opinion on a watch is such a small issue in comparison to what some people have to struggle with every day of their lives.

    I've known a number of people with mental health issues, in fact 2 of my ex girlfriends had a lot to deal with from things that had happened to them in the past. Many times I felt like I couldn't do anything to help them, which in itself is awful when it's someone you love. But I can't begin to know how awful it was for them, and probably still is. These types of issues can put massive strains on relationships, and I've no doubt that they went some way to us not being together anymore, despite us trying over and over.

    I'm glad that this is very quickly becoming a less taboo subject. I like the fact that celebrities etc are talking about it more and more in the media; it goes a long way to making a lot more people realise that absolutely anyone can suffer, and it's not something you have to deal with alone.

    Suicide in young men is at a horrible rate, I hope the more we learn to talk about our feelings and issues with our pals and family, this rate will hopefully fall significantly.

    Be well folks. This is a great thread :)
     
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  5. mmrols May 23, 2019

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    Great post and thanks for sharing. Very inspiring
     
  6. IWBA Jul 3, 2019

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    I had never really related to what anyone was saying about mental illness until I listened to Tyson Fury. What he says is very relatable to me. Have to share this. He's done a lot of interviews about the subject. Here's a great one:


    I've been dealing with this sh*t for over 8 years. I suffered a serious injury on my elbow and was given a lot of morphine pills, I wasn't addicted to them and I stopped taking them without any problems with quitting, I don't know if it's related to my anxiety but it's my guess.

    A month later I got a panic attack. I was hangover, drank a lot of coffee and was waiting to fly home on a plane. I rarely fly and I've always hated flying, I'm not scared but I don't feel comfortable. Anyway got on the plane and everything was surreal. When I landed I went to the hospital, like many others I thought something was wrong with my heart, especially because there's heart problems in my family. Everything looked good physically.

    Later I went to the doctor and immediately they prescribed me pills, SSRI etc. That made me feel worse. I learned now that they just should've told me that it wasn't anything dangerous and that I should train more or talk to a psychiatrist or something instead of immediately prescribing pills without any background check or anything. Instead I went for several years and got lots of new pills that didn't work... I was young and naive and trusted the doctors to much. That destroyed my life... Eventually I got hooked on bensodiazepines. It was the only thing that "helped" They promised me help but only if I quit the benzo, so I did a month ago, took me 2 years. Now I went back for the help they promised me, "we can give you SSRI"... I said no and no more help...

    I have no idea what to do. I live in Sweden. Health care here is free and people think that it means it's good. It's the other way around, especially when it comes to psychiatric care. I've been thinking about going to a psyciatrist that costs money, I'm poor because I haven't worked much the last years because of this.. But maybe that will help.

    I got stuck in a bad circle and everything got worse by going to the doctors. I wish I knew then what I know now.

    I want to have a family with my girlfriend. I want to live a good life with children. But I can't and everything seems hopeless... I don't know why I shared this on a Omega forum but I just felt like writing about this somewhere.
     
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  7. Wryfox Jul 3, 2019

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    IWBA, Your shared something very important with us and you're lucky you did it on a board where people will listen without judgement.

    I'm sorry I'm not sure how to help the Sweden health system, but what I can share is something I have learned from a recent family health scare (medication induced seizure disorder).

    Panic attacks and seizures are related, and have a common set of causes. Its called MSST.

    M = Medication
    S = Stimulants
    S = Stress
    T = Tiredness

    If you are prone to panic attacks/anxiety, addressing these four things is key to reducing anxiety and the overall risk.

    As we found out, medication and stimulants are a big deal. Be very careful on medications to be aware of side effects. Some depression meds can actually cause panic attacks or seizures. Sounds wrong doesn't it?... but for some people its true.

    Stop stimulants like coffee, energy drinks etc. Caffeine, Taurine, Guarana, etc, all that crap. Just stop. Gradually reduce that for a few days and it'll suck but your brain will normalize and you'll feel better, I promise.

    Stress, well you know those sources by now and dealing with that unfinished business will help your overall comfort level. I'm sure there are resources for support groups in your area for people to share and help.

    Tiredness and stress are related, addressing the stress and getting proper unbroken sleep is key.

    I will also say without reservation there IS a magic pill that will help all of these things. Exercise. There is no better path to better health than getting out and moving around. Tax yourself a bit, sweat, and try a bit harder every day to improve your physical health. Physical health translates to mental health in a BIG way. I've posted before on this thread about an excellent book called Spark. Read this.

    Good luck, my friend.
     
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  8. loniscup Jul 4, 2019

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    That's the best advice to follow @IWBA :thumbsup::thumbsup:
     
  9. IWBA Jul 4, 2019

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    Yeah I I've tried most of the antidepressants and so on. Nothing works. I'm even on gabapentin now since 2 weeks and I feel no difference. The doctor told me that I would go there twice a week and talk to a nurse etc. two weeks later no appointment made. If I call it's full... That's what I'm dealing with... I've heard from so many people here in Sweden, that going to a psychiatric doctor made then feel worse. They don't listen to your story or read in your journal.. The psychiatric part of the doctor system is heavily critized now here in Sweden.


    I have to take Zopiklon (lowest dose, don't wanna get hooked) in worst case scenario just so my suicidal thoughts go away and so I don't do anything stupid...

    No stimulants. Don't even remember when I last had coffee. I stopped with that many years ago. Even before my panic attack I didn't use taurine (like red bul) that much because I was kind of scared of it. I have some softdrinks like Coke sometimes tough.

    I don't know where to go about that. I've asked about that. I even said I wanted to go to a treatment center and it was full, I said I could go to a private one and pay for it. Nope you have to get permission for that which I didn't. Because that was only for people that have anxiety and drugs/alcohol problems. I've had benzo problems tough... Where to go with that? Nowhere. I didn't missuse benzo, I tapered down like I should and so on. But so what? It's still a drug I quit and I should be able to get help with that.

    I'm having a problem even going to a doctor. I was going to check my arm because of the old injury I wrote about. When there's 2min for me to in I had to go away because I felt so bad...

    I have a big problem with sleep. When I fall asleep, I sleep, I don't wake up in the middle of the night or anything like that. But getting to sleep is very hard.I can't go up. Now I use melatonin for sleep and that's 10000 times better with no side effects, they should've give me that yeeears ago. But! It's starting to not work anymore. I was awake for 4 days straight a few weeks ago and went to the hospital where they did... Nothing. They wanted to give me some drugs which I refused, but I got some pills home an tried one out. That was the worst thing I've ever taken in my life, I wanted to kill myself because of how I felt...


    I try to work out. There was nice weather like 3 weeks here (that's our summer....) and I was out almost every day with my bike. Did I feel better? Nope not at all. If I go to the gym (free outdoor gym) I feel so bad... I still do it though cause I'm hoping it will start to work. Even tough it's super hard to even walk out the door, I still do it but I don't feel better.

    So meds doesn't work. Training doesn't work, maybe I need to train more though. Going to the doctors doesn't work. I've tried CBD (which stupidly enough is treated like a drug here now) and even was suppose to work with that because I know a looot about cannabis even though I don't use it.

    Seeing a psychiatrist maybe? I have OCD as well... I have to throw all my money at that then.

    And I wanted tro try Isolation tank for a long time.
     
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  10. larryganz The cable guy Jul 4, 2019

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    @IWBA I just want to commend you for trying so hard. Your story is not unique, and happens all over the world. All I can say is, please keep trying.
     
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  11. michael22 Jul 4, 2019

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    In Australia, Psychiatrists are all about drugs & not listening (generalisation, of course).
    Clinical psychologists are about non drug help.
    Sounds like a psychologist is what you are after.

    Don't give up.
     
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  12. Wryfox Jul 5, 2019

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    Melatonin is only good for about 2 weeks and then your body adjusts to it so have to go off for a few days then back on.

    It's incredible that you are a smart young man to know what will make you worse and not a "drug" user. Unfortunately it seems you are being lumped into that group though when seeing a doctor.

    Get into a group support. I'm not a fan of pharma drugs myself. There may be natural remedies..you will find on reddit etc, how this can help. I am from up north in USA but moved to Florida for work. This has helped accidentally big time. Outdoor sun helps alot. I have posted previously about the relationship between vitamin B, C, D and how its important to maintain good balance for mental health. The only real source of vitamin D is sunlight(or lamp substitute).Being outdoors...exercise and sunlight help alot. Supplements of B,C,D help when real outdoor exposure is not possible. There are lamps to produce real sun for winter doldrums and depression, which is quite common in northern areas.

    I suggest natural remedies first. I assure you, prescribed drugs are last resort. You're obviously on the internet, so search natural remedies for depression(AVOID ads, choose support groups). Reddit has surprisingly good advice if you find the right group.

    Don't be surprised if you find cognitive therapy suggested as well. Its basically a process to condition your mind to avoid negative thoughts. Changing your conscious thinking will help.

    Rest assured it will not be one solution, but a combination of things that set things right. Today is the first day of the rest of your life. The past is useless. Only the future matters. Small steps forward.
     
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  13. IWBA Jul 10, 2019

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    I think it's important to talk about suicide or suicidal thoughts. I have those thoughts all the time. How fun is it to feel like you lose all your friends, almost lose your girlfriend because she's feeling shit because she sees me suffer? And feel bad because of that because I love her To not be able to anything you used to love, not even being able to enjoy a movie on TV? To not be able to even stand up and just be shaking in the bed with awful thoughts? It sucks, it's horrible! And you know what, I understand that people can't take it anymore. I get that.

    But remember this: if your life is awful 99,9% of the time and you kill yourself you'll never be able to have that good 0,1% ever again. If your six feets under you'll never be able to have that rare smile on your face, never ever. And if your alive, at least you can try to feel better.

    I'm 30 soon. I've been feeling awful since I was 23 and it's just get worse. Today I had a "good" day (for being me) I got on my bike and went to play miniature golf by myself. I felt pretty bad during the game. But sometimes when the ball went in (I'm pretty awful but still) I could feel a smile on my face. Now I'm sitting in the sofa and feel my heart beating weird and I'm dizzy and everything feels bad.

    But if I was dead I would never be able to feel that smile I had ever again.
     
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  14. IWBA Jul 10, 2019

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    @Wryfox thank you. Great tips. Sure I know most of that. But it's always good to hear it from many people. It's just hard to take that step. But I'm trying. I usually feel better in the sun. As we say in Sweden "summer is the best day of the year"

    I have a time at a psychiatrist now. I found one that I have to pay for. Can be good to have someone outside the system. Hopefully. And as I've been saying for about a year now, I'm going to try that floating tank. Just have to take that step. It was hard today just to get on the bike, and to sit and eat a pizza at the pizzeria and not at home. But atleast I did it.
     
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  15. Wryfox Jul 10, 2019

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    Very important distinction!
    Psychiatrist is a medical doctor whose role is to manage MEDICAL treatments.
    Psychologist is NOT a medical doctor, and focuses on changing behavior to relieve emotional and mental suffering.

    You MAY need both but if a professional is warranted, a Psychologist should come first.
     
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  16. Walrus Jul 14, 2019

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    Yeah may be good to start with a psychologist they can make a referral if they suspect a chemical imbalance but most shrinks will want a patient in therapy as well. As long as you start with one of them you are starting in the right place.
     
  17. WatchTimes Aug 2, 2019

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    We all know someone who suffers from mental health and unfortunately in the US we more or less abandoned the public mental health system in the 80s for those who can't afford private care. Most of these people end up in jails which is very unhealthy for them and not good for the prison system. Its truly a sad situation. The worst part is the wait to see a Dr if you can afford it.... I have a friend (veteran) and its a serious process for him to get help, it will take 6 weeks to see a therapist whom he must see a few times before he can see a Dr and hopefully get medication...

    Be there for your friends and family. If someone seems off, ask them if they are ok. Make sure they know you care and you are there to talk or help in any way if they ever need. You can't force anyone to talk to you but sometimes them just knowing someone is there and cares helps. If you truly think someone is going to hurt themselves you need to find a Dr or if you have no other options go to the police and seek help, that should be the last option as it can be hurtful to those you are trying to help but long term its usually the right thing to do.
     
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  18. Tigeranteater Aug 7, 2019

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    I actually stumbled on this thread because I had sent you a message about a watch and was moved by your honesty and advice in this thread. While I do not suffer from depression I have a couple close friends that do. It’s not made up. It’s no joke. It’s an imbalance and illness. Your advice and links are going to help someone. I’m glad you sought and received help. Regards,
    Steve
     
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  19. yande Aug 20, 2019

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    Mental illnesses come in many different forms. None can be addressed without first identifying, acknowledging and accepting the affliction. Only then can progress towards a better sense of self be made.

    I need to consistently remind myself to never judge another person until I have walked a mile in their shoes. You just do not know what makes people do or say the things that they do, but it is all conditioning, for better or for worse.

    I wish the OP and all here contentment.
     
  20. squarelug Aug 23, 2019

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    Kudos to you, thank you for sharing.