Anyone else on here get depressed?Just wondered how you cope with it.I live alone,apart from my dogs who are my life,but sometimes I get so low,everythings an effort and I hate to face people,it doesnt always last too long so Im hesitant to go back on pills,as I know sooner or later itll pass.Short on money too,since I retired,got a couple of cleaning jobs to help out.I usually just kick myself mentally ,up the backside, and force myself to get on with things.sorry for moaning.any tips?

Depression is horrible. Never suffered myself but I have a couple of friends who have. Try to fill your days with nice things, they do not have to cost much. Long walks with the dogs, cleaning is OK but a solitary job, maybe try a little vollentary work in a charity shop ? How about offering to help walk dogs in a local rescue kennels? Or volenteer to help in a hospital, we have a team of local vollenteers who do sterling work in my ED making cups of tea sitting chatting to old and lonely patients. They fill a gap the nursing staff are too overworked to do (Much to thier sorrow as people need a sypathetic ear)
They say St Johns Wort is good, I know the health shops sell it and it is a much more natural remedy if it works for you.
I expect the weather has not helped this year, it is enough to depress everyone, fingers crossed for an Indian summer.
Aileen

Self awareness is a big first step: Knowing that it will pass is another,  so well done you :)

Have you ever kept a diary?  Feeling low as you do is often cyclical and to some degree can be anticipated and planned for.  I have a friend who after some years of medication decided simply to give in to it every few months, and accept that it would happen, whilst putting a time frame on it.  She gives herself 2 days of duvet diving and wallowing then always goes to lunch with her 80 something year old dad on day 3.  It's not perfect but it works for her and she says that giving herself permission makes it easier to cope the rest of the time.  Does that make some sense to you?

How is your diet?  Since I've changed how and what I eat I've been so surprised at how different I feel, mentally and physically.  I wouldn't presume to know exactly what changes you could make but if nothing else it might help to strengthen your resolve or simply improve your physical wellbeing giving you the strength to cope better.  My sister always says (yes always!!) that it's very important to manage your blood sugar throughout the day - if I wasn't her little sister, and genetically programmed to disregard my bossy older sister - I'd say that's very good advice and could be worth exploring.

I don't think medication is necessarily a bad thing but if you feel you'd prefer to manage without I'd say that's a very positive sign.  Do you think your doctor could refer you to some non medical options - a nutritionist, a counsellor, or even yoga.  Perhaps thinking outside the usual 'box' might throw up something useful.  xx

Yes, -sooo many times that now I am permanently on anti-depressants to keep me on an even keel.  It is a horrible condition.  The tips I would give anyone who was depressed are to do at least a little excercise every day, walking the dogs is great for this, even when you really don't feel like it, gets the endorphins going and you feel less like you're letting them down.

Try to do at least one thing you don't feel like doing every day, even if it's just getting out of bed or going for that walk.  It'll give you a sense of having achieved something.

Don't give yourself a hard time if you can't achieve anything. Some days you win, some you lose.

Try to eat healthily.  Don't drink alcohol - it's a depressant.

Be kind to yourself - you are not a bad/miserable/horrible/stupid person for feeling like this, it is an illness like any other.

Accept that sometimes, it isn't going to go away on it's own and that you may need medication - this is not a sign of weakness.  Going to your doctor doesn't necessarily mean that they are going to force medication onto you - they may suggest talking to someone instead.

It does get better :-)

Yes I get depressed due to health problems and then being forced into early retirement last year, tried various meds but they didn't help so told the GP it would be better if I was helped to be painfree etc rather than throwing pills at the depression.

I too live alone and do have some down days but then give myself a kick up the backside and force myself out of the house even if it is only a walk with the dogs,health permitting.

Yes, get a complete and total health check if you haven't already.  I've had depression and been on meds for it, no health tests done at the time and I now know that it was cqaused by hypothyroidism.  Unfortunately I didn't know until last year, a long time after I spent 18 months on Prozac (fluoxetine) which contains a lot of flouride, which directly affects the thyroid (it's used in treatment for overactive thyroid as it's toxic to the gland).

So that will have done damage.  I always urge people to totally rule out other causes first now rather than just accepting the diagnosis of depression.  I'm not saying it's not a disease in its own right - it is - but there are things that it can be a symptom of too.

Not suffered this so I would never presume to understand how it felt but whenever I feel out of sorts and weighed down by various problems, the key with me is not to think too much. Just do something. The other week I felt like this, every time I started to over think stuff, I went into action. Cleaned out every kitchen cupboard (boy did they need it). Ironed, went outside in the fresh air and did some gardening. Anything to keep busy. If it hits in the evening, don't sit staring at the telly if theres nothing on, I cross stitch or rug make. The more complicated a pattern the better.

So with me its, don't think, just do!!

I'm suffering with it at the moment.  I'm similar to you, same circumstances and do get over it but have been bad the last few weeks.  I also am hesitant about taking any medication but I am also wondering if I may have thyroid problems.  I don't eat lots, I definitely don't snack but have put lots of weight on in the last 3 years after doing my back in and more than I should be putting on.

I have suffered for years. I refuse to take meds as they just make me worse so I do things. I started knitting again this year and so far have finished 4 jumpers and am about to start a 5th. The house is a mess but who cares ;-)

My youngest daughter has just started college, my son moved back in a few months ago which has caused a few problems, my oldest daughter has medical health problems and wants to move back in sometime but I don't have the room (she has a 5 year old daughter) and there are days that I just don't want to get out of bed. I have to get up for the dogs and once up I get a move on and do something. Bein outside is far better than sitting indoors so try to be out in the garden during the day if it's nice.

I used to have depression; think the worst thing is that you think you will ALWAYS be depressed and it will just have to be managed. But I'm fully recovered now, and see it was just part of the illness.

I found getting a volunteer job was a good way to bring some routine to my life.

Thankyou for your sympathetic repl,Merlot.Ive just bought some st johns wort,so will give that a go.This is going to sound crazy-im retired!But although Id love to be a volunteer ,especially,at a rescue kennel,I dont think Id have the time!That sounds ludicrous,but I get up around 5-well,a little later now its darker in the mornings ,Go out for an hour with the dogs,come back and clean up,then 3 mornings I work,the other two I use for odd things,i meet a friend for a regular walk,or dentist visits,no,im not going to carry on because i just sound like im copping out!!I do feel like Im overloaded though,and Ive never much energy-tend to think"groan"at the thought of more effort!One of my cleaning jobs is for a lovely 80year old man,no matter how"groan"im feeling as I set out,he cheers me up so much!

Thankyou dogs a babe,funny you should mention food,Ive had this problem since my thirties,and I used to be convinced it was something I was eating that was making me feel down,to the extent when a new  doctor once asked if Id considered food allergies,I grasped at the idea like a drowning man at a straw!However,nothing much showed up,but after being really ill after an operation,turned out high doses of ibuprofen were upsetting me,some prescribed stomach protecting pills seemed to cure me overnight yet i was so weak and ill-im in no doubt how important what goes in your tum can be,and ive recently found an almost fat free diet  makes me feel loads better,as soon as I give in and eat anything like cheese,puddingy stuff,chocolate,I feel bad again.So Im currently watching what i eat again!Also,I do suffer from low blood sugar,and have to eat regularly,or I feel weak,and ill.
Havent ever kept a diary,but its a great idea,thankyou!

Hi Paula,thankyou! maybe I cant be as bad as I thought,as I always walk the dogs at least twice a day,I couldnt not,Id feel too mean!And I suppose thats good for me,cos I certainly dont always feel like it!
I think its easy to feel "not worthy",the reason behind me not wanting to go out and face people,I think,I feel little and scruffy,and "lookdownable on"if that makes sense.
I like your idea of little goals,if Ive got a lot to do,I make a list,its great to cross things off!

Rhodach,I know relentless pain would get anybody down,i hope yours is under control now.

Good thought,Nikita .Ive had one of those "health m.o.ts"for older people thats recently been brought in,apart from slightly raised cholesterol,everything was fine,but I didnt have a thyroid test.The thing is,when Im upbeat and not a depressed slug,I feel really fit,so there probably isnt a physical cause,still,i I ll bear it in mind,as something must be causing it.

Rocknrose,Im glad activity works for you,but Im usually so tired(in fact whenever I get really tired,i feel depressed(just remembered that)that Ive no energy to do anything else .However,havingsaid that,there have been occasions when Ive started off a walk as a depressed heap,and its been so lovely,Ive come back feeling much better,so It could be worth kicking myself out,if it doesnt help,at least the dogs will have enjoyed it!

It does sound a possibility,PDAE,might be worth a visit to the doc?

Thats me,Lindylou,the dogs get me up,even if the thought of work has me hiding under the covers!Then,as you say,you just carry on from there.Wouldnt it be lovely to wake up full of beans,and jumping out of bed!I used to,once!

Im glad youre over the depression,waggamama,youre right,even though through experience,i know i ll be ok soon,when youre in the throws of it,you think itll always be the same,and imagine dragging about forever,dreading visits,or events.

> when Im upbeat and not a depressed slug

Mood swings can be part of it though, if it is a factor.  My general sense of wellbeing can fluctuate daily or over weeks - there's a general rise and fall over 2 or 3 weeks, and it's all to do with the antibodies I have to my thyroid (they wax and wane so when I'm feeling better, they're on the fall then as they launch a fresh attack, I go down again).  At the moment I'm in a good patch, chances are in the next week or two it'll go south again (then, thank god, I'll see the specialist and get back on my flipping pills!!).

Raised cholesterol can also be an indicator of thyroid problems (not always, but it can be) so I do think it would be worth getting it checked (and the full TSH/T4/T3, not just TSH as it is NOT reliable as my own results have proven!).

I'd take some vitamins with Iron.  I take these when I feel just done in(not very often).  I'm lucky,I don't seem to get too depressed with life.

One thing that struck a cord with me, I meet a lovely older lady who walks 2 mad collies out on my walks.  She has crazy, windswept hair and 'dog-walking' clothes(don't we all??) on but honestly, she makes my morning.  She is such a nice lady and she adores all dogs.  In fact, this morning she caught me yelling at my dog to shurrup! She was barking like a loon.  And the lady in question wandered over and calmed the entire situation.  Her dogs distracted mine from barking(they wanted me to throw something hence the barking) and the lady stood and chatted to me.  "S'only barking, innit?"  She said, "Just shows what a fun time they are having".  Made me smile.
You might think you look 'lookdownable on' but maybe you make someones day? How fantastic is that?

Just another thought I suffer from depression/anxiety and underactive thyroid taking meds for all of it. I have been checked by and endocrinoligist because of the combination of syptoms and the fairly high levels of thyroxine I seem to need 250mg. After numerous blood test looking at 8 different things it turned out I am low in vitamin D low not depleted.
He suggested asupplement and commented hat he is seeing more and more people wo have this problem and are being treated for depression. My be worth a try especially as the winter is comingup so sumlight will beless and we havnt exactly had a sunny summer.

I'm a sufferer too, have been since 2009 when I split from my ex-husband ..... came off meds this January and managed to get myself a wonderful new man and remarried in May this year.  I do still have bad days / weeks but slowly I'm finding good days are becoming more in a row than the bad days and able to manage any stress better.  Apparently the doctors say mine is a one-off episode due to circumstances so maybe one day I will look back and realise I no longer have bad days (think I might need to win the lottery first to pay off my debts / divorce costs etc) :)

I might pluck up courage and go to the doctors for a thyroid test,it cant hurt,and I havnt been for ages so he wont think Im a hypochondriac! I ll make sure to ask for the t thingys you mentioned as well,but I know me,if he says"oh you dont need all that"I ll not argue!
Hope you dont get the down patch.youre expecting,Nikita.
What a nice thought about making someones day! I know one or two people like that,theyre the kind I never mind bumping into!
Im already taking d,and d3,as well as omega 3s and st johns wort. Maybe Im just one of lifes miserable gits!
thanks for all your kind replies,i really appreciate it.

I used to be a manic depressive, but over the years I seem to have evened out for the most part. Still get over enthusiastic about some things and then very down when something bad happens, but it's not nearly so much of a cycle as it once was. Hope yours will improve too. :-)

Sorry to hear that ColliePam. I have briefly looked at thread but not got huge amount of time and really wanted to reply to you so apologies if i echo other peoples thoughts.
I have suffered several bouts of depression in my life, one quite severe where i was suicidal and others not as bad but still bad enough to warrant time off work etc. I also suffered Post natal Depression.
It is a horrible thing and when i first had it I was scared. Scared to admit I had a problem, scared that it would go on forever, scared that they would section me but most of all I was scared what people would think. My Mum helped me through it and gave me great advice. She said that if you break your arm people notice the cast and ask how you did it etc but with mental illness people dont know so it can be kept hidden which isnt neccessarily right. I was quite open and talked to friends etc & with being signed off work my work colleagues also knew. They were bowled over in shock that i was depressed as i come across as so happy and bubbly. Trouble was it was just a front and i would go home and sob for hours. I got so severe that i couldnt even get out of bed or wash. It was a very dark time and a huge chunk of my life is missing as i was simply too depressed to notice one day from another. Things i found helped: The love of friends and family. Talking to them was a huge help. Once they knew how i felt they did amazing things for me. Simply taking me out for the day (even when i didnt want to go) or coming round for a coffee to give my day some structure and something to look forward to. I kept a diary and wrote exactly how i felt. Over the months the bad days were fewer and it was nice to look back over the diary and see the improvements i was making. Eating well helped. I had lost a lot of weight as food just wasnt on the radar(only time on my life!) and having balanced nutritious meals gave me the strength to drag myself out of bed on a good day. I have been on anti depressants but depending on the severity you may feel you want to try and conquer it without to begin with (although dont feel you have failed if you want a bit of help). My Doctor was very supportive, amazing infact and got me onto a Cognitive Behaviour Therapy counselling course. Dont ask me what she did or what we talked about as i spent most of the time in tears but it did help which is why i recommend it. Taking time to go out every day helped and getting my dog Fred was one of the major steps in my recovery. I got him because of my depression and Im not ashamed to say he saved me. Suddenly my life had purpose and he was the reason i got up/went out/spoke to others etc. Look online too. There are many forums and sites with advice. sometimes its nice hiding behind a computer screen and being honest and speaking to others or relating to how others feel.
I felt that were a million things wrong in my life but once i had sorted one or two the rest fell into place naturally. I can fully sympathise with you and as i type there are tears in my eyes remembering such horrid times and feeling for someone else also going through it. Please feel free to message me if you want to talk or more advice. Good luck in your recovery. You have recogised you need to do something so already you are heading in the right direction - a huge positive step - well done!!!

Thanks lucydogs,Im glad youre feeling better.

Thankyou,Freds mum,what would we do without our dogs,eh?I have pmd you!

Another depressive here and I'm afraid I take the pills for it as it's the only way I can get myself to work everyday. I also have thyroid problems, low iron stores, low vitamin D and fibromyalgia - I don't know which came first but all in all it can be pretty miserable sometimes - the tablets keep me on an even keel but if anything else (like migraine) is added on top then that can be enough to set me back and make me want to hide under the covers for a few days. I'm sure most people would never be able to tell by looking at me but I do wish I could start reducing the medication. I must be the only woman I know who is looking forward to menopause :-) - one less cause of mood swings to cope with!

I hope you feel better soon colliepam - go to the doctor and get the tests done and if you have to take some pills to help you through then remember you are not alone.

> I must be the only woman I know who is looking forward to menopause :-) - one less cause of mood swings to cope with!

No you're not! :) although I am not looking forward to the hot flushes, lol.

Where I lived before the docs gave me 3 months worth of my meds (ADs, keep me on keel) every time, but here it's only 1 months worth at a time. Also, it takes days and days here to get a repeat prescription, especially if there is a weekend in the way, so more often than not, I do run out. I also care for my mother who is virtually housebound and can't be left alone - so ordering repeats or even picking up meds can be awkward.

However the end of my month's meds also always coincides with my monthly visit from 'Aunty Flow'

I can tell you it is not much fun to go without your meds for a few days... AND have crippling period pain on top - AND care for an elderly person with incipient demetia. Last month I also had a tooth abscess join in the fun as well... happy days. I need to see the doc to refigure that timing of events somehow. I also get hot flushes and night sweats anyway with my periods, menopause or not, and going by my mother's pattern I might have 5-6 years more of this before they stop.

I have battled on my own with my health issues for most of my life, yet it took well over 10 years to get a referral and a proper diagnosis... which immediately identified my main issues to be anxiety.... as well as depression [huh no wonder prozac didn't work then!]. Once during this limbo time I saw a locum who put me on an AD which GAVE me panic attacks - horrendous, it ruined my life in almost every way and I still have huge issues of guilt - and they continued after I stopped taking the drug - that fear has never quite gone away.

I forgot to say - worth getting your B12 checked too as this can cause a huge range of symptoms, depression among them (less common but still worth checking - deficiency is quite common).  If you manage to get it tested don't accept 'normal' as an answer - our UK ranges are too low, B12 should really be 800+ but here we won't get treated until it's below 200 usually, by which point many people are a mess (personally I'm a mess at around 400 or lower).

Dakkobear - couldn't tell you which came first but low iron causes big problems both in thyroid hormone production and uptake in the cells, ditto low vit D so you really need to get them addressed for any treatment to be properly effective (and addressing them will help your thyroid directly too, of course so potentially less actual medication needed).  The FM is typically part of the hypothyroidism for a couple of possible reasons, have a google about Dr John C. Lowe and his research into the disease and treatment (him and his team had great success treating sufferers with T3 directly).

I should probably get my thyroid checked too then ..... maybe the B12?  Anything else I should be asking?  thanks (and didn't mean to hijack thread)

> xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">I can tell you it is not much fun to go without your meds for a few days

You need to speak to the Doctor about this. You shouldnt notice a difference by not taking them for a few days, however, i agree that its not good that you cannot pickup your repeat prescription easily to continue taking them without a break.

> I should probably get my thyroid checked too then ..... maybe the B12?  Anything else I should be asking?

If you can persuade them... TSH/T4/T3/antibodies (TPO andTgab), as antibodies can skew results.  B12, Copper, Zinc, ferritin (iron, but that specific compound), folate, magnesium and vitamin D.  I think that's right lol!  At the very least though you want all the thyroid factors - TSH is NOT a reliable test by itself no matter what they tell you.  But those others all affect hormone production and utilisation - if any are low (even low within range, for most) then it can have a detrimental effect.  I had a fair bit of improvement just working on deficiencies before I went on meds proper, it can really help :-)

Dakkobear - I forgot to say also that low iron causes huge impairments in the conversion of T4 to T3 as well, which is a common cause of FM.

I know Nikita - spoke to my doc about this after you had posted about it before and I had a look at the site you mentioned then. He did the bloods, sent them off then told me they all came back normal! Got fed up banging head off brick wall - especially when he shouted at me when I was feeling particularly bad - haven't been back since although I do need to go for a repeat prescription review so I'll have to speak to him then :-) He is actually a very good doctor but I think my bad day just got him when he was having a bad day - hence the shouting!

My FM is under control most of the time - I saw Dr David Mickel years ago and he did help me so now it is only bad when I'm stressed and I can control the FM fairly well. The depression is another kettle of fish though and I just keep taking the pills and hoping for a miracle!

Ms Temeraire - I'm well on my way now - the only good thing about getting old :-D

You should speak to your doctor about the quantities of AD's you are getting as I know that I can't be off them for more than a few days before I start getting problems. There is no way you should have to wait for your prescription - can your surgery not just send your repeat to the chemist every month? Don't Boots do a service like that? You should certainly not have to put up with days of no medication - I would make a fuss if they refused to give me mine on time!
I have severe migraine attacks and they would only give me 12 naratriptan at a time which is no use to me as like you I can't always get to the surgery (our surgery dispenses too). After I told the doctor they upped it to 24 a time which was much better.

hi colliepam, see, you are in excellent company! I must say the best cure I found was to go on on long walks, the longer the better. I bought myself a book called something like 100 challenging walks and set about doing the ones within reasonable distance. The 3 peaks was a favourite and I did that 8 or 9 times one summer, I did Hadrian's Wall from end to end and there were some that scared the pants off me (I was terrified of heights) like Striding Edge. I found the walks emptied my brain and the landscape made me glad to be alive. I never needed company or conversation. I stopped when I got my first dog 5 years ago and thought I'd pick it up again when he was mature enough to handle the distance. It came to nothing because every time I got close I added another dog. My latest is just under six months old, so we are quite a way off being able to do much, but one day...

> You should speak to your doctor about the quantities of AD's you are getting as I know that I can't be off them for more than a few days before I start getting problems. There is no way you should have to wait for your prescription - can your surgery not just send your repeat to the chemist every month? Don't Boots do a service like that?

I'll look into it Dakko - thanks. Apparently I'm entitled to order repeats on the phone via the Housebound Line as mum is technically housebound (which affects me too) but not quite got to grips with it yet, it's only open for a few hours every day apparently. Like a lot of things when you first become a carer, it takes months and months to get things sorted, even little things, and people who should tell you about that stuff, like support workers etc, don't. I've had a lot of good advice from the Carers UK forum though.

Yes, I think Boots could do something like that - at the very least I need to see if the surgery will let me have more than 1 months worth at a time, though I think that's a general rule of this practice as mum doesn't get more than 1mths of hers at a time  - and as there's about 4 or 5 of them and they all run out at different times I seem to be always putting in scrips for her (and forgetting mine, common side-effect of being a full-time carer). At the very least I need to rework the repeat renewal of mine to mid-month so it doesn't clash with the other monthly issue! But getting a GP appointment and arranging care  for mum while I go, is another thing.

I am also trying to deflect ATOS at the moment who are desperate to declare me fit for work... :(

thanks Jay 15,I know,I absolutely love walking,used to do some lovely walks in derbyshire with  my friend Jim and his dogs,but it kind of petered out,i still go occasionally.Luckily there are some lovely walks locally-good as i dont drive-only problem with that is in my present mental state im afraid to go too far,even with my three dogs-i couldnt even tell you what im scared of!same as I feel panic rising if my bus is crowded,Im scared I might not be able to get off!We still do one to two hour walks once daily,with a couple of shorter ones thrown in.To add to the mental issues,im having problems with my "walking equipment"one ankle keeps giving way and the other foot hurts-if i ever had to stop walking,they may as well shoot me!
Ive got a doctors apt at 5 tonight,forgot to book a double slot so dont know if i ll be able to discuss my aching brain AND feet,but I ll gve it my best shot. Trouble is,Im not a very strong person,and I bet I get fobbed off!A doctor once shouted at me,because Id said I didnt really want steroid cream(Id heard bad things about it)so I caved in!"thats like coming to me with pneumonia and refusing antibiotics!"

> then told me they all came back normal!

Get copies!  Always, always get copies.  'Normal' simply means that they are within range - it doesn't mean anything else.  Everyone is different, and different people need to be at different points within those ranges to be healthy.  On top of that, with FM you need to check your T3 and a conversion problem can exist with everything still being in range (e.g. with the T4 quite high because it's not being converted, and the T3 low because it's not being produced).

For vitamins/minerals especially our doctors are hopeless - iron (ferritin) should be 70 at least in women for best thyroid function, any lower and it's going to have an effect.  But again, it might still be within range so it just comes back with 'normal' next to it!  This is why you need to get copies :)

Nikita -  Ms Temeraire, Colliepam and I need you to come to our next doctor's appointments with us! :-D I'll pay your bus fare lol

I ll go halves!

Me too, I am suffering terrible anxiety issues , have done for 10 years since I went mentalpausal. Starts when I stop sleeping well , I cant eat at all for days sometimes weeks, I have to go to work, have two jobs but sometimes I dont think I can do it, like this morning. Have knots in stomach, dry mouth, make loads of mistakes. Anyway I normally try and just keep doing things and eventually it goes away...after ive lost about a stone. It really is a huge issue for me as although it only seems to happen at this time of year ..I spend the rest of the year worrying when it will happen and how bad it will be. Sometimes I even have to go and stay with my daughter a night or two, although havnt had to for a few years now. Have been on Ads for all this time , have managed to reduce them right down over the last few years ...but have upped them again this morning which dosnt make me feel good...feel like i should be able to cope with it by now.
The dogs hate it too as im not feeling normal and they know it !
Any tips on not waking up at 5 oclock every morning ?

I feel for anyone going through similar its awful

poor you,jayp2008!Just a silly thought,your problem couldnt be due to an allergy,could it?certain pollens cause different problems at different times.If its any comfort,when I was depressed once and spoke to a psychiatist,I said I desperately wanted to give up work,as I hated what I was doing,he told me what I suspected,that making myself go gave me a reason to get up and ready,and I had to mix with people,which I wanted to avoid,but it did actually buck me up a bit,so I knew he was right,and I stuck it out.(not that I had a choice!)
I also woke up at 5 but now its dark till a bit later,i dont wake up till about ten to 6.A lay in!hope you feel better soon!

Thanks colliepam....I am hoping the darker nights make me want to sleep in.....bliss  Yes work is a must so will stick at it. Its just helpful to know im not on my own .....hope you feel better soon too, you sound like a lovely person

> xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml">Any tips on not waking up at 5 oclock every morning ?

There are some very good herbal remedies. May be worth visiting somewhere like holland and barret for some advice.  Also the usual: warm (not hot) bath before bed, warm milky drink or horlicks and a set bedtime routine will help you go to bed well rested so you are more likely to slip into a 'proper' sleep thus not waking up at 5am.
As for the suggestion of lots of sex, how ridiculous, anyone who has or has had depression will know that being intimate is the last thing on your mind and its been proven that libido goes down when depressed or anxious.

jyp2008 If its this time of year it happens, is it the heat of the bedroom/bed thats waking you up? Tiredness is well known for kicking off anxiety symptoms. If it is, you could buy a huge 12" fan and keep it going all night over the bed. Would keep you cool and maybe you could sleep longer.

I have more insomnia in the summer, hard getting off and then when I do, wake up every hour taking 20mins to get back. Add that up and its not much sleep. With me its heat so I have fan going all night and it does help.

Thanks for that, it could be part of the problem ..that and the change from light nights to darker. I do always have hot milk before bed and seem to drop off easily ....I used to sleep through the alarm at 8 some 18 months ago but thats all changed , in fact havnt slept since I lost my job..I have got two more jobs but maybe it affected me more than I thought. It does help to have peoples ideas ...thank you

Talking about your thoughts and feelings really can make a big difference and I'd recommend it to anyone.  Sometimes it's much easier to talk to a caring stranger though, as you can be more open and let things out.  The worst people to talk to are people who can't or won't listen - the sort of people who cut across you or jump in as soon as you pause for breath, or even worse, think they have all of the answers and can't wait to tell you about themselves and what you should do, think or feel. If you know lots of people like that (and we all do) it can make you more reluctant to talk, but if you find the right person, or people, who will give you time and space it can be the most liberating feeling to let everything out to them.    Writing it all down can be just as good though as it gives us plenty of time to consider and reflect on everything.

When everything seems an effort and you can't face people it gets really difficult to pick yourself up and do the practical things, doesn't it?  The important thing is to do what you can and celebrate everything you manage to achieve.  Don't raise your expectations too high and think you are somehow failing - you are not! Life is heavy-going sometimes and we all need a bit of support and we should never be afraid to ask for it.  Asking for help and support takes a bit of strength, yet we often see it as being weak - it's really, really not!

Eat well (but don't take comfort in naughty foods), get plenty of sleep and savour every single walk with your dogs - they are indirectly helping you by talking you out for a walk :)  Also, Dog's are the best listeners, aren't they?

And by the way - you are not moaning - these are your feelings and they are important.
 

Thankyou,Patrick H.you are very kind and understanding.Ive written letters to my sister now for about 30 years,we send about one letter each a week,its proper drivel,just like a friendlier diary really,we both know that we can tell each other anything without being judged(and frequently do!)
We are also very alike.I dont suppose it beats talking face to face,but we both find it comforting to have someone"listen"to our thoughts,points of view,and moans .And yes,I dont know what Id do without my dogs,in fact,all my dog-owning life Ive said they keep me sane,from when the kids were small and driving me batty,to marriage break ups,accidents and illness.We can never repay what they give us freely.