help please!

Hey Cuckoo,

Reading your post was like I was reading my own mind, felt a bit surreal actually.

Ive been on Flu for 14 weeks or so to help deal with my depression and anxiety attacks and have been to counselling for 8 sessions. Ive recently been thinking about coming off of them as i wonder if im actually \"cured\" now or if its just the Flu making me feel like this.

When i suggest to my doctor about coming off the tabs, he recommended I keep taking them for at least 6 months and try meditation/yoga to relax. I have tried both and found after listening to meditation tapes and relaxation music that i actually feel a lot better about stressful and anxiety-provoking situations. The yoga just made me ache like hell!!

The only advice I can offer is to take Flu first thing in the morning with food, get some relaxing music for the times you feel really stressed, do as much exercise as you feel comfortable with - dont do more than you want to as this will stress you out. Enjoy being you and doing the things YOU want to do, not the things people WANT you to do.

All the best,

Hi cuckoo

I agree with Hightower who has been a tower (excuse the pun) of strength to me.

Like you i've been on flu for just over 7 weeks now. I went right down last week for 4 days. The slightest problem in life is magnified tenfold. I'm sure the effects don't wear off but no two days will be the same.

I'm on 20mg of flu which is ok for the time being. The early weeks 2-4 i had extreme highs and lows which was hard to deal with. Now if i go down it's a gradual process. Can't say it's pleasant but when you come up again it's such a relief.

I would strongly receommend counselling. It's so good just to offload on someone that is not connected to work/family. Also they are trained to listen and try and work out the root cause/s of the depression and help resolve issues. Very worthwile and comforting.

Stick at it and good luck.

thanx meganpooch and hightower,it helps alot to know im not alone and other people do actually understand. my mum suffers with depression and anxiety and is in denial, thats added pressure dealing with all her probs, i do feel quite angry with her, reckon its learned behaviour im like i am or that its genetic from her. i feel guilty then that i feel that way about her, your mum supposed to be someone to support you, ive never had that relationship with her, my sister feels the same, she dont know im on flu though, too much info!!il do the meditation and see what happens then maybe consider counselling. Its almost like takin flu has solved one problem and then created another!!! these things are sent to test us i suppose. I can do this 8)

Hey Cuckoo,

If i can help in any way, i will certainly try. I just hope the support we offer to each other gets us thru this surreal and testing time in our lives.

I can totally relate to your situation, my mum has had depression in the past and was on ADs for over a year but refused to go to counselling because shes either in denial, too stubborn or something along those lines. She seems to have gotten thru to the other side pretty well but still has a real bitter attitude to life. This has affected me in such a negative way as we no longer see eye to eye and have regular arguements.

Both my parents know about my depression but they have no idea how to support me so i get on with it regardless but am so thankful I have a wonderful fianceé who is really supportive and some good friends too.

The meditation can be really helpful, try it a few times if you can and try a few different methods.....I downloaded calming music but also an audiotape of a guy who helps me to think more clearly about life and my problems. Anything that can get me thru this is worth a shot.

Please dont dismiss the idea of counselling, the idea of talking to a complete stranger or paying for it may be very off-putting but the NHS offers free counselling or you might find a free/cheap service near to where you live by speaking to your doctor (i have been lucky enough to do this).

Counselling really helps to get to the roots of your problems and makes you realise things about yourself you never knew - plus the counsellor is qualified to help you and be really supportive, which is very welcoming.

Sorry if i ramble, seem to do it a lot on this forum :roll:

All the best,