Depression / Suicide

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Wed Jul 04, 2018 11:15 pm

JohnMac wrote:You have done the right thing admitting how you feel, now take the next step and see your GP. Do it tomorrow and don't be fobbed off with a 'no appointments' scenario.

Lots of sound advice on here but you must see your GP.

Easier said than done. They'll tell me to go to A&E. I know how it all works. They don't want to know about people being depressed.

JohnMac · Post by **JohnMac** » Wed Jul 04, 2018 11:19 pm

They won't or shouldn't. A GP will be able to start you on an anti-depressant and yes they help.

They will also arrange for you to receive counselling if you wish. It also helps.

Been there and done it and was never rebuked or belitted at any stage.

Bin Ont Turf · Post by **Bin Ont Turf** » Wed Jul 04, 2018 11:26 pm

Going off this board every time this subject crops up, we must have the poorliest fans of any football club on the internet.

I don't want to make light of the subject, but is there a correlation between being a Burnley fan and having depression/mental health issues?

ClaretAndJew · Post by **ClaretAndJew** » Wed Jul 04, 2018 11:28 pm

Bin Ont Turf wrote:Going off this board every time this subject crops up, we must have the poorliest fans of any football club on the internet.

I don't want to make light of the subject, but is there a correlation between being a Burnley fan and having depression/mental health issues?

Did you really just ask that?

Bin Ont Turf · Post by **Bin Ont Turf** » Wed Jul 04, 2018 11:31 pm

The question mark clearly gives it away.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Wed Jul 04, 2018 11:31 pm

Dawlishclaret wrote:Hi Frank, may I flag up the Samaritans, we have a freephone number 116123 and are available 24/7, you can also email us at jo@samaritans.org text 07725909090 or call in at your local branch for a talk (opening hours on their website. You have made a brave decision reaching out for help and it is wonderful to read on here how supportive people are being. Busy yourself, eat properly, exercise, relax with music or a book, spend time with family and friends, see your GP and above all keep talking to people about how you are feeling. A general tip to anyone who is concerned about someone is to try and make sure that you ask open questions which encourage them to open up about how they are. My thoughts are with you.

I think they need to answer the phone for that to be helpful. I guess a lot of people need help as the phone rung for 15 minutes. Nothing.

Wile E Coyote · Post by **Wile E Coyote** » Wed Jul 04, 2018 11:33 pm

play a waiting game Frank, it is a real pit, but you WILL climb out of it mate, do not give in to it, however low you feel, it is vital to recognise it is not forever.
Lot's of good advice on here from fellow clarets, there will be moments when you can focus again, and that will make you stronger.
might sound like sh***, but it is true.

Paul Waine · Post by **Paul Waine** » Wed Jul 04, 2018 11:40 pm

FactualFrank wrote:I think they need to answer the phone for that to be helpful. I guess a lot of people need help as the phone rung for 15 minutes. Nothing.

Hi Frank, some more details on Samaritans here: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-h ... contact-us" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Take care.

Paul

Damo · Post by **Damo** » Wed Jul 04, 2018 11:51 pm

Well done on opening up on here Frank.
Keep speaking about it mate. It doesn't have to be close family that you open up to. Just somebody that understands and is willing to lend you an ear.
Someone more sensible than me once told me that a problem shared is a problem halved.

piston broke · Post by **piston broke** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 12:20 am

Bin Ont Turf wrote:Going off this board every time this subject crops up, we must have the poorliest fans of any football club on the internet.

I don't want to make light of the subject, but is there a correlation between being a Burnley fan and having depression/mental health issues?

It’s known as first signing syndrome. First through the door and everyone brightens up.

Wile E Coyote · Post by **Wile E Coyote** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 12:34 am

Bin Ont Turf wrote:Going off this board every time this subject crops up, we must have the poorliest fans of any football club on the internet.

I don't want to make light of the subject, but is there a correlation between being a Burnley fan and having depression/mental health issues?

t**t, there will always be pig ignorant swine around every dark corner, but ignore the crass and useless.

FactualFrank · Post by **FactualFrank** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 12:59 am

Bin Ont Turf wrote:Going off this board every time this subject crops up, we must have the poorliest fans of any football club on the internet.

I don't want to make light of the subject, but is there a correlation between being a Burnley fan and having depression/mental health issues?

Thanks.

triadclaret · Post by **triadclaret** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 3:27 am

Depression is a strange animal. No-one here asks what FF is depressed about. Mine is financial. Two daughters in University in USA that i pay (borrow ) for. Massively depressing for me. Think OFTEN that the half a million Life Insurance would cure all, including the Ex-wife who thinks I never did anything for anyone but myself. So wrong she is and so DEPRESSING she never sees all I do. (Her especially, who has MS and I never stopped supporting her and paying for all she needed). FF, I am in your place. Been there a while. If you have children.....remember one thing.... they are far more important than you are....and DON'T do it to them....NOT a believer in drugs for Mental Health. Exercise and friends that love you..

Dawlishclaret · Post by **Dawlishclaret** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 5:51 am

''think they need to answer the phone for that to be helpful. I guess a lot of people need help as the phone rung for 15 minutes. Nothing.''

Really sorry to hear that you weren't able to get through Frank. The Samaritans are a voluntary organisation and there are times, especially at night when we struggle to answer all our callers - there should have been a recorded message advising you of this. My advice is put the phone down and try again, you will get through.

Imploding Turtle · Post by **Imploding Turtle** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 6:35 am

Call before full-time on Saturday though, or you'll never get through.

fidelcastro · Post by **fidelcastro** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 7:30 am

Imploding Turtle wrote:Call before full-time on Saturday though, or you'll never get through.

Eat a dick.

deanothedino · Post by **deanothedino** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 7:36 am

If this is unusual for you and short term (in the grand scheme of things) I wouldn't say meds are the best solution. As others have said they take a long time to work, if they work, and they can have some awful side effects. The talking related treatments are better but massively under resourced.

Some good advice in here though, get outside in the evening when the UV is less and go for a walk or a run. Exercise is a great thing at times.

Get well soon

Dawlishclaret · Post by **Dawlishclaret** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 7:43 am

Just to help put calling the Samaritans into context; I have copied below an article from my branch Facebook page written by one of my colleagues.
Samaritans are open twenty four hours a day so there is always someone awake in the small hours of the night waiting for your call.

Here is one volunteer’s take on that privilege.

There are many people in this world who would describe themselves as a ‘night-owl’ or like to be ‘up with the lark’. I have been told frequently the early morning is the ‘best time of the day’ or, as Sky Masterson says in ‘Guys and Dolls’ ‘my time of day is the dark time’. I have tested both theories and found that they both have one things in common – these are both times of day that I like to be curled up – in bed – asleep. I am sure I am missing out on glorious sunsets and magnificent sunrises but I do not care – I want to sleep.

Then I joined Samaritans and discovered the horror that once a month I was expected to be awake at these cruel and unusual times. People ask me if I have become used to it and the answer is a resounding ‘No!’ – I still hate being awake in the middle of the night but at least now I have found a decent reason to put myself through this trauma.

Have you ever had a conversation with someone late at night? Alcohol induced or otherwise, people seem to find themselves surprisingly honest in these dark hours. It is as if we can lie all we like in the day time but at night we are moved to honesty. Callers have always said that the anonymity of Sams means that they can be more honest than they can with family, friends or professionals – perhaps ‘under the cover of darkness’ allows this honestly as well. To listen to these calls is a privilege, sometimes it is a hard won privilege bought with caffeine and sugary biscuits, at other times it seems to come more easily. I am in awe of the Sams who come in to relieve me, bright-eyed and bushy tailed, ready to listen to our callers at the vital 3am timeslot. I am already in my pyjamas with a bed made upstairs waiting for me.

So why do it? In the middle of the night, we have the least number of branches open and scarily high numbers of callers. All our volunteers do an amazing job but some of these people will still get a message saying there is no one to talk to them right now. So why do they call? Imagine it is 2.30am, you can’t sleep, you have tried all your coping techniques – music, reading, movies, the night is still and your mind is racing. Perhaps you felt like this yesterday and called a friend, so you feel you can’t call them again. The crisis team are not available. Perhaps you do not want to end up in A&E again – so who are you going to call? (Once you have eliminated the Ghostbusters [for people of the right era that will be hilarious!]) . Who do you know who is awake at this time of night? Who do you know who is only awake so they can talk to you? Who is there when no one else is?

So that is why I do it. Why I pack my toothbrush and teddy bear once a month and stay awake long after my normal bedtime. It is because I do not want the answer to questions I just asked to be ‘no one’. I want the answer to those questions to be ‘me’- I may not be at my brightest and the callers may never know that they are being answered by someone in a pair of star wars pyjamas who has eaten more biscuits than is good for them but I am there for them and to be allowed to do that, for me, is a huge privilege.

ClaretMoffitt · Post by **ClaretMoffitt** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 7:44 am

Imploding Turtle wrote:What if i'm curious?

Have you tried it? (not that i'm advocating it, i'm actually curious though)

Yes, it made my lose the ability to walk temporarily and vomit profusely.

Tall Paul · Post by **Tall Paul** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 7:51 am

ClaretMoffitt wrote:Yes, it made my lose the ability to walk temporarily and vomit profusely.

Alcohol does that on its own.

Frank, don't do anything silly, you won't want to miss football coming home in a couple of weeks.

gtclaret · Post by **gtclaret** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 8:08 am

claretnproud wrote:I took fluoxetine and they were great. once through the darkest days I took up regular exercise. stopped drinking and sorted out my diet. much much better now.
always remember this. anxiety and depression is caused by thoughts and thoughts cannot harm you. stick with the plan frank and you will get there.

It can also be a physical condition caused by a chemical imbalance, this is where antidepressants have most effect. See your Doctor, don't expect immediate results, they are not pain killers. Keep talking (post on here if it helps) What area do you live?

Funkydrummer · Post by **Funkydrummer** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 8:09 am

Blimey Frank, you've taken me by surprise with your OP make no mistake.

As many have said on here, you have done the right thing by opening up to people about
your illness, (and it is an illness, make no mistake) and it will be the start of your road to
recovery if you keep it going. The hardest thing is to admit that you have a mental health
issue, believe me, I've been there.

The thing to remember is that it need not be permanent if you seek professional advice
immediately. The starting point is your GP, but be brutally honest and up front with him/her,
as hiding the truth and full facts will only hinder their diagnosis and hence your recovery.

After a long discussion, I declined counselling as I am a carer for my elderly parents and I
didn't want to have to explain where I was going instead of caring for them. Medication, in
the circumstances, was the best option and I was prescribed a low dose of Sertraline. Despite
initially feeling extremely nauseous for around 5 weeks, they worked a treat and 2 years later
I managed to get off the medication in Feb this year. So far so good, thank goodness.

Stay off the grog, switch to decaff coffee, surround yourself with family and friends, get out
in the fresh air, take regular exercise and look for the good and simple things in life.

One good thing that came out of my experience was that I instantly gave up
smoking and have abstained now for two and a half years.

Stick with it Frank, and you will come out the other end OK - you've done the hardest bit, now get
on with the rest of it and start enjoying this precious life that we are so lucky to have been given.

I wish you the very best of luck. I live in Burnley, but if you want to meet up for a decaff coffee

anytime I will be only too pleased to meet up with you. Before or after a match if you prefer.

piston broke · Post by **piston broke** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 8:10 am

Frank, just to keep the meanies out of your head. You haven’t put a quiz up for too long. Get the books out and set us a toughie.

LoveCurryPies · Post by **LoveCurryPies** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 8:16 am

hi Frank. I have had severe depression for a few years. It's hard for people who haven't suffered to understand what a black, black place it is.

Good news is there is a way back or at least a way of managing it.

Like many have already said, go see your GP immediately...they do take it very seriously. Medication will definitely help and quickly.

Healthy diet, less alcohol, lots of walking or running and plenty of daylight play a huge part in your long term recovery. Surround yourself with good friends.

And go see a Psychiatrist. Try and find the root of your unhappiness.

ksrclaret · Post by **ksrclaret** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 8:24 am

You’re one of the best posters on this board Frank, and the majority of posts you’ve received on this thread is a testament to how highly you are regarded.

The world needs people like you, and I hope you can recover from this with all the support you need.

LoveCurryPies · Post by **LoveCurryPies** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 8:38 am

Bin Ont Turf wrote:.....is there a correlation between being a Burnley fan and having depression/mental health issues?

BOT, it is a reflection of just how many people suffer from different forms of mental illness.

TVC15 · Post by **TVC15** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 8:45 am

FF very brave for you to open up on here. Hopefully doing this has helped you a little and plenty of good advice for you to consider.
As usual the odd belmtard can’t help themselves with stupid unhelpful posts.

Hope you get the help you need and start the road to recovery FF.

Oh and keep posting those “facts” !!

JPS71 · Post by **JPS71** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 8:54 am

Hi Frank as most have said on here see your GP asap insist on an appointment or at least telephone consultation dont let them fob you off.
I have suffered from depression for years it isn't a happy place but it isn't worth giving up on life.

Try medication hopefully it will work for you (unfortunately I cant take them due to other medication)
What I do is take vitamin B6 daily which over a period of time helps mellow you out and give you a lift, Kick the booze in to touch it only makes you worse even though it may not seem like it at the time of drinking.
I took up cycling off road on cycle paths (Before my health deteriated to the extent I could nolonger do it) after a couple of miles I felt I was going to die and shaking with exhaustion but with in a short period of time I was doing 5-6 miles a day. The endorphins it gave me made me feel a lot better helping to get me through the day. Soon I was doing up to 15 miles a day and felt amazing fitter more alert less stressed give it a try.

Things can look so black that the only option seems to be giving up but you have to say to yourself Fcuk it your not getting me fight it distract yourself change your way of life just the smallest change can make everything seem a hell of a lot better.

Stay strong and always remenber UTC

vinrogue · Post by **vinrogue** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 9:17 am

The question do tablets help? Answering for a friend!..... I took citalopram for almost 2 years between 2005-2007 and I reckon the tablets were 50% of my recovery back to health from the illness. I was referred to a trick cyclist and when I met him he had big rimmed black glasses, a beard, sandals and socks and was perhaps late 20's in age and I thought......but this chap ended up being 40% and supported me heart and soul and I am ashamed of my initial thoughts on meeting him. I will always be eternally grateful to the tablets and the CPN plus of course the other 10% is you and with help you can recover from this illness. Good luck Frank, Vin

Steve1956 · Post by **Steve1956** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 10:14 am

Imploding Turtle wrote:I trust FF's sense of humour.

Other people than Frank with depression will read this thread condoning the use of alcohol for someone with depression is just fecking stupid...your a knob!

ClaretMoffitt · Post by **ClaretMoffitt** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 11:10 am

Tall Paul wrote:Alcohol does that on its own.

Frank, don't do anything silly, you won't want to miss football coming home in a couple of weeks.

Everyone's reactions will be different.

I had three bottles and I looked like id suffered a stroke and was rendered totally helpless for about 4 hours afterwards.

I'd advise to stay well away when I'm n SSRI's

Woodleyclaret · Post by **Woodleyclaret** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 12:08 pm

Frank I hope things get better.My family member has suffered with depression off and on for 18yrs.No person has a magic solution each person has to find their own path their own way
.its a cliche but it really is living one day at a time.The never knowing if its going to be a great day or a crap one for the family is the worst.
My mates lad put a carving knife through his arm on Monday in and attempt to end his anguish.Thank God he missed the main artery.Hes 28 and been seriously down for 5yrs.Alcohol is one way he has but it doesnt help.Try to visit and hang with positive people and stay strong.

piston broke · Post by **piston broke** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 12:12 pm

Silly thought, Frank.
Read through these posts.
Copy and paste the ones that lift you into a document.
Print it off and keep it in your pocket as a comfort blanket

Imploding Turtle · Post by **Imploding Turtle** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 12:38 pm

Steve1956 wrote:Other people than Frank with depression will read this thread condoning the use of alcohol for someone with depression is just fecking stupid...your a knob!

Just because someone's depressed doesn't mean they're a dribbling idiot who would take my that post seriously. Although if you ever get depressed then that would go towards proving me wrong.

Jakubclaret · Post by **Jakubclaret** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 12:40 pm

Smoking cannabis can help it takes away the blues for some people it's helped me in the past, if you are worried about the negative aspects of tobacco tar ect, plenty of alternative methods without going down the unhealthy road.

South West Claret. · Post by **South West Claret.** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 12:47 pm

Steve1965 makes a very serious and valid point.

claretrobo1 · Post by **claretrobo1** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 12:54 pm

piston broke wrote:Silly thought, Frank.
Read through these posts.
Copy and paste the ones that lift you into a document.
Print it off and keep it in your pocket as a comfort blanket

Love this idea, might even do it myself just to give us something to smile about if we are down

JohnMac · Post by **JohnMac** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 1:49 pm

Jakubclaret wrote:Smoking cannabis can help it takes away the blues for some people it's helped me in the past, if you are worried about the negative aspects of tobacco tar ect, plenty of alternative methods without going down the unhealthy road.

I wonder what the Mental Health Service think about your statement?

Each to their own BUT Cannabis is responsible for the mental health issues many people suffer from.

Jakubclaret · Post by **Jakubclaret** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 1:59 pm

JohnMac wrote:I wonder what the Mental Health Service think about your statement?

Each to their own BUT Cannabis is responsible for the mental health issues many people suffer from.

It makes people laugh & act daft, you do tend to behave silly when under the influence, it's just the tonic when all said & done to banish the blues.

ClaretAndJew · Post by **ClaretAndJew** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 2:01 pm

Long term cannabis use is linked to some very serious mental health problems.

HiroshimaClaret · Post by **HiroshimaClaret** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 2:12 pm

Thoughts are with you, Factual Frank. You have friends galore on here

My advice would be (helped me greatly 5 years ago)

*get out, walk and just be around people and positive scenery (I used to walk around the entertainment district...full of people)
**cut down on the loony juice (if you drink - saying nowt before 5pm was a huge thing)
***have a hearty breakfast (I did salmon and poached eggs for a week)
****`vent` if needs be on here or with a good friend (a friend will listen to anything
*****have a `get these thoughts out of my body` mechanism - I inhaled DEEPLY and visually got that **** out of my body with a long, calm breath.
******know you are not alone

Take care good sir and again, know you have many people on here who care about you xxx

Jakubclaret · Post by **Jakubclaret** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 2:29 pm

ClaretAndJew wrote:Long term cannabis use is linked to some very serious mental health problems.

That may well be true for some people, I always got brought up with the motto a joint a day keeps the doctor away, & so far it's never done me any harm can't remember last time I even had a cold.

Damo · Post by **Damo** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 4:55 pm

I always got told it was an apple a day the keeps the doctor away

Blackrod · Post by **Blackrod** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 5:20 pm

Jakubclaret wrote:It makes people laugh & act daft, you do tend to behave silly when under the influence, it's just the tonic when all said & done to banish the blues.

Idiocy. Yes it can make you laugh but depending on the strength can make you hallucinate. I'm speaking from experience. Prolonged use can make you paranoid and forgetful. Hardly going to help someone keep stable. Avoid booze and this stuff and get fresh air and exercise.

Jakubclaret · Post by **Jakubclaret** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 5:27 pm

Blackrod wrote:
Idiocy. Yes it can make you laugh but depending on the strength can make you hallucinate. I'm speaking from experience. Prolonged use can make you paranoid and forgetful. Hardly going to help someone keep stable. Avoid booze and this stuff and get fresh air and exercise.

Super strong skunk can, I've never hallucinated off herbal resin or grass, put it this way in a simple way if I was down & contemplating a piece of rope I'd find the cannabis rapid.

Blackrod · Post by **Blackrod** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 5:33 pm

You have a point with anxiety as a short term solution but not sure this is the answer for depression.

LoveCurryPies · Post by **LoveCurryPies** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 6:19 pm

Some of the replies astonish me. Having said that, if you’ve never been properly depressed you won’t really know how it feels.

Depression to the point where you are considering suicide is not a case of having the blues. The take cannabis or alcohol suggestion are plain stupid.

Frank clearly needs real help. Doctors, psychiatrist, dietician and maybe the Samaritans. And close family and supportive friends.

I describe depression to my friends as ‘The thickest, blackest fog but it’s in your head’. Don’t wish it on anyone.

Medication really does help, but as someone else said beaware of the side effects. But it will take more than medication. Good luck Frank....it can be beaten!

Jakubclaret · Post by **Jakubclaret** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 8:38 pm

LoveCurryPies wrote:Some of the replies astonish me. Having said that, if you’ve never been properly depressed you won’t really know how it feels.

Depression to the point where you are considering suicide is not a case of having the blues. The take cannabis or alcohol suggestion are plain stupid.

Frank clearly needs real help. Doctors, psychiatrist, dietician and maybe the Samaritans. And close family and supportive friends.

I describe depression to my friends as ‘The thickest, blackest fog but it’s in your head’. Don’t wish it on anyone.

Medication really does help, but as someone else said beaware of the side effects. But it will take more than medication. Good luck Frank....it can be beaten!

I'm actually advising Frank from my own experiences, I've also been to these dark places & got well, from the sounds of it we've all got our own ideas & sagely advice keen to administer for the betterment of Frank. Hope you overcome it Frank in your own way & whichever road you go down.

Claretlad · Post by **Claretlad** » Thu Jul 05, 2018 9:20 pm

Please get well from this Frank,im on your side...

COBBLE · Post by **COBBLE** » Fri Jul 06, 2018 12:54 am

Please remember that you are precious and unique. Nobody else could be you like you do. please value yourself and find things to do, thoughts to have, that recognise how special you are.