h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

From the NHS site http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/articles/article.aspx?articleId=127&sectionId=10

Psychological symptoms of depression include:

* continuous low mood, or sadness, YEP
* feelings of hopelessness and helplessness, YEP
* low self-esteem, NOPE
* tearfulness, YEP
* feelings of guilt, NOPE (well, no more than usual)
* feeling irritable and intolerant towards others, YEP
* lack of motivation, and little interest in things in general, YEP
* lack of enjoyment, YEP
* difficulty making decisions, YEP
* suicidal thoughts, or thoughts of harming someone else, NOPE
* feeling anxious or worried, and NOPE
* a reduced sex drive. YEP

Physical symptoms

Physical symptoms of depression include:

* slowed movement and speech, NOPE
* change in appetite and weight (your weight will usually decrease, but sometimes it may increase), YEP
* digestive complaints, such as indigestion, constipation or diarrhoea , YEP
* unexplained aches and pains, NOPE
* lack of energy and a lack of interest in sex, and YEP
* changes to the menstrual cycle (in women). N/A

Social symptoms

Social symptoms of depression include:

* not performing well at work, YEP
* taking part in fewer social activities, and avoiding contact with friends, YEP
* reduced hobbies and interests, and BIG YEP
* difficulties in home and with family life. YEP


This doesn't bode well.

Hi Roy, link below may offer some help mate. Straight out my ps actually. You have my mail addy



http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/conditions/depression1.shtml

Many of those fit me, too, at the moment.
I'm determined to get over it, though, and I do hope you will get out of your current state into a better one, soon.

Thanks peeps. The problem with you two turning up is that it puts my position into perspective! Though common sense and perspective don't count for much with these things.

Watchit Roy, or I'll be forced to come over.... then you will* have something to be depressed about
Seriously though I've noticed you being a lot mor withdrawn on here of late and kept meaning to give you a call to see if you were alright

It appears I am in a deep depression



*strokes her comfort Matt*

It's winter, Roy, and not uncommon for many people to be feeling the same things at this time of year. Dark mornings and nights can take a lot out of you.

Take care

Roy, first up there's no shame in having clinical depression nor is it any help blaming yourself.
I was the classic, a trained professional, dealt with broken bodies in road traffic collisions, assisted with a murder enquiry where a 15 year old girl had been raped and murdered, among other stuff over the years. It was the job. I was expected to be cool, efficient, professional, not bat an eyelid, not show emotion. It was frowned on just 10, 12 years ago. Well what folk forget is under the uniform is a human being, with the same emotions, feelings, failings as any other human being. Since the heart probs. started, now 9 years, I've dealt with deaths in the family, of close friends, all manner issues, not having had or been given the time to grieve or deal with my own issues. Being 'dumped' by so called life long friends who deem me useless now because I can't work or do things for them I used to be able to do. I don't care how strong anyone thinks they are mentally,to deal with that sort thing over 9 years mostly on your own, it's no wonder I finally had to admit defeat and ask for help. It was either that or I wouldn't be writing this today.

Moral of the story is, excuse caps here :- DON'T BE AFRAID OR EMBARRASSED TO ASK FOR HELP!!

Even having a long term health problem, with help you can get some quality of life back.

Having met those people listed in my ps, they're the reason I'm still around, restored my faith in people and the value of true friends.

Thing is, there's no one thing that's giving me trouble. There's a collision of little things (amongst which is probably the S.A.D. that Magwitch mentioned) but I'm usually able to rise above 'em. I have posted a few drunken 'oh, woe is me' rants in the past (which Liftliker correctly identified as Dave's perpetual existential angst) but I've been feeling like shit for a couple of months now.

I've a room full of guitars which I can't be arsed playing, I've got myself in a hole at work through bad time keeping (or not turning up at all, which really isn't like me) and just can't be bothered doing anything.

I'm already saying more than I want to say here.

Look at this: it's a lovely Saturday and I'm sat here in front of a PC finishing off last night's JD. Not good.

Young man, there's no need to feel down.
I said, young man, pick yourself off the ground.
I said, young man, 'cause you're in a new town
There's no need to be unhappy.

Young man, I was once in your shoes.
I said, I was down and out with the blues.
I felt no man cared if I were alive.
I felt the whole world was so jive ...

It's fun to be at the H M R C

You sod SWL, I'm trying to be all moody and you keep making me laugh!

For the record, it's not fun to be at the H M R C, for reasons which have been made quite public over the last couple of weeks!

"You mean, let me understand this, 'cause, I don't-- You know, maybe it's me, I'm a little bleeped up, maybe. But I'm funny how? I mean, funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you? I make you laugh? I'm here to bleeping amuse you? What do you mean, funny? funny how? How am I funny?"





I wish we could post wav files. Hey-ho.

nearest to a wave (file) I know of mate.

Hey Roy, I more or less echo what ST Mk ll has said, speaking as someone with bipolar. One of the 'poles' ie depression, is every bit as real a medical issue as any so called physical ailment. And of course that's a meaningless distinction because pychological illness is a problem with brain biochemistry. And medication these days can really help. If you have a good GP, speak to them about it. CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy), which helps you look at your 'thinking' which can affect mood, is also widely available now on the NHS. It can be really good.

Just don't feel bad because its a *mental* thing. Many of peoples' attitudes to it are still based on irrational superstitious ideas from the past. You should take it really seriously as its affecting your quality of life. I know myself how hellish it can be, and I still feel loathe myself sometimes from talking about it to others in case they just think I'm being a silly woos, who should pull themselves together. I'm not medically trained myself, so a chat with a good GP should be your first choice, to confirm whether or not it's likely to be depression which can be treated well these days for many people, as I say.

And *respect* to you for being open about it here.

à propos wav files: Roy, did you read the latest AViators emails? I could send you something to cheer you up, if you like.

Thanks Effers, and respect to yourself for being so open!

I keep thinking I'm just being stupid and lazy and moody and intolerant, none of which are really me. I know I've had my moments of stupidity online (Vicki notwithstanding: she's a stirrer of shit par excellence and asks for everything she gets) but I've really been under a cloud for the last couple of months. My brain hasn't been working as it should be: I've felt like I've had mild concussion for the last two months. I've just registered with a new GP and when the bloods come back from a couple of days ago I'll have a better word with him.

B'Elana, I've seen the emails but haven't really been paying attention: I promised to do stuff that I haven't done and now I can't log into my Yahoo account!

I bleedin' hate Yahoo groups anyway!

I should still sort out the jingle that I promised six months ago!

it's ok, I didn't mean to make you feel even worse.

You didn't!

This is the problem with online stuff: the facial expressions are missing!