i wonder if someone could help me. i suffer from depression an p.t.s.d?

Question

i dont want to take anti depressants and i do quite a lot of exercise which helps however i cant do that all day every day as i know it would wreck my body. i find it hard to talk to people due to bad expeiriances from before. can somone help me as i feel so down

Answer 1

How great that you have found some relief through exercise.
Recognizing what exercise is doing for your body naturally,
you may want to reconsider the anti-depressants for a few months time. They work by kick-starting your body toward making its own missing chemicals. Once established, most people can back off (with a Dr.'s supervision) and successfully go on with your life.

If you are currently dealing with PTSD & Depression, then you know, that's a whole boat-load of extra stress and use of mental energy more than the average person. You've got to expect that something has got to give in order to compensate for both of them.

The way the medication is thought of is that it will take some of the pressure off of you -- giving you time and freeing up energy to be spent on your healing. Talk therapy really is the best sort of help toward long-term survival and true help.
Trust can be hard. So, grab a friend to sit through your first few Counseling sessions with a very experienced and qualified counselor. Your friend's presence can make for a calming and strengthening assistance.

Before you go to Counseling/ Therapy
Consider getting a notebook, and writing down your concerns, your history, your symptoms, the problems your symptoms are causing, and your questions. Do include pages on your current daily activities, exercise, and eating and sleeping habits. Once you have all this spelled-out infront of you -- take the notebook to the therapy session, and flip pages if you need to to calm yourself in responding to the questions.

Answer 2

I hear what you are saying but, why don't you want to take antidepressants? You may not even need them, Im not sure because Im not treating you, but a common misconception is that taking antidepressants means that you're crazy (which would then mean that literally millions of americans are crazy because depression is the most common mental illness) or that they will ruin your body when in fact antidepressants are the least potent psychiatric drug. Now if you know you have depression and PTSD my guess is that someone, either a therapist or psychiatrist has diagnosed you with this. Did you have a bad experience with them or didnt feel this was someone that you could talk to? I see you say you find it hard to talk to people, and this could be where a therapist could really help you. Therapists are used to dealing with people who dont like to talk, have PTSD, etc. Granted, the exercise you are doing will always help you down the line, but won't be a permanent long lasting fix. I really suggest that you seek out a therapist or a psychiatrist to help you out, because really living with those symptoms is no way to live. Hope this helps.

Answer 3

I'm sorry to hear you're feeling down - the British Armed Forces really should take more care of the invaluable servicemen and servicewomen who do so much for this country.

The only way to get through this is really to talk to people about your experiences, and get them out in the open. The old adage 'A problem shared is a problem solved' really does ring true.

Pills might help you feel better for a while, but the underlying problem will still be there. Can't the RN suggest any support groups or put you in touch with other combatants who have been in similar situations.

Answer 4

People dont want to do meds & its understandable.I was one of them, but have also been diagnosed with PTSD & mild depression, I found that it really did help with some of the struggles that I was facing.
EMDR is an amazing therapy,that can bring a lot of ease to traumatic memories.Look for a therapist that is truly trained in EMDR,through at least Level 2 certification.Its not something that can be "dabbled" in.But the effects are absolutely worth the time it takes to go through the process.
Groups are also wonderful starting places for survivours of trauma, that can help you feel less alone.
Please dont negate meds - even if its for a short time - the relief you will feel will help with whatever shame and fear you may have about taking them.

Answer 5

Hullo wren.

I too have experienced depression and post traumatic stress syndrome.

Going to a psychologist, attending group discussions, composed of others who may have in common with you depression and pstd. I cannotv tell you to take the medication, but I can tell you that fluoxetine helped make the difference for me between wanting to do the socially unacceptable (suicide or homicide) and being able to at least face each day on its own terms, per what I learn and have retained since childhood.

A good psychologist, one whom you trust and who is qualified, may be helpful. Or a minister or scholar known to you or your family or friends might help.

I wonder if by your username you are a veteran as am I. Perhaps there are veterans associations such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the Disable Vets, or something of that sort. I joined the VFW and the American Legion and got busy volunteering By visiting and helping other veterans, I was able to "get outside myself" enough to carry on in life.

Read as much as you can about depression and pstd. Knowledge can only help you.

I wish you courage, patience, and strength, good fellow, sir or ma'am.

Answer 6

I feel for you but don't suffer in silence.
If you are still in the service and you don't have faith in your MO then see your family GP when you are next on leave.
What ever caused your PTSD you need to talk to someone who has managed to get through day to day - only those who suffer like you will understand.
I suffered from depression after the death of my parents and was helped by my GP who helped with counselling as I could not talk to friends or family on how I really felt.
An experience Counsellor does not put you under any pressure what so ever, and does help to ease the fears and the pain I was suffering. Please try all that's offered to you as you have nothing to lose in trying.
Good luck and in time things will get better for you

Answer 7

I suffer the same problem as you, for different reasons.

Depression is usually caused by a shortage or too much of certain chemicals in the brain, regardless of age. Certain things will trigger it off or make it worse, unfortunately it is only something your GP can sort out, with the use of antidepressants, I have to take 2 every day of my life, which is a small price to pay for not feeling that death is an answer.

PTSD can be caused by many things, mostly horrible things we have seen or been involved in. Usually councilling can reduce it's impact on you greatly, however talking to someone you trust helps as they can give you a different viewpoint you may not have thought of.

If all else fails and things look as bad as they can get, email me, please. Nothing ever said to me in confidence has ever been repeated to anyone else, trust me on that one.

Answer 8

I too have depression and PTSD coupled with bipolarism. Have a word with your Doctor or Therapist about a treatment called EMDR. It works be reducing the amount of distress you feel at remembering certain memories.

http://www.emdr.com/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EMDR

http://www.affectivetherapy.co.uk/serv03.htm

http://www.emdr-practitioner.net/

There is also a pill called Prazosin (Hypovase) that is licensed for PTSD, it stops nightmares. I've been taking this for 2 months now, and my quality of life has improved, less flashbacks and not as many intrusive thoughts.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prazosin

Answer 9

I know I'll get ripped for this, but have you got a chaplain ?
I am trained in chaplaincy and our help is free, confidential, and we can take a lot of whatever you got to throw at us.
If not, you could try church, ( I suggest one with all age groups as they are usually non- judgemental), just sit at the back a few times and see what comes of it. I know our church is very supportive of people in all situations, and no-one will make you talk if you dont want to.

Answer 10

take anti depressants for a short term to turn the corner, once you get round the corner you can do the rest yourself. we all need help sometimes and it could transform your life. why suffer if you dont have to, we cant change things only the way we think about them. So get the help to turn that corner. you are not alone. good luck