Time to talk

[SprintMWU773V]

You've probably noticed it's been quite some time since I've provided any kind of update on my project, I did look the other day and it has been a really long time. A lot has happened over the last couple of years and one thing in particular has made life and my project progress particularly difficult.

I'm talking about depression. That thing that a lot of people just don't get or think it's a made up thing. Well as someone who has suffered on and off for 18 years I can tell you it really does exist and it is really not nice. Struggling to get through the day, zero motivation to do anything and generally being miserable. I've always been able to keep my illness to myself until late last year when matters reached a point that I just couldn't keep things to myself any more. I decided that enough was enough and I needed to start being more open with my friends and family.

I'm soooooo much better than I was just 4 months ago. I've left a truly awful job, found a much more rewarding and interesting one, I'm getting better at actually doing things, important things and fun things and my next goal is to start work on my project again. I took quite a big step at the weekend and I pushed it out of the garage, peeled back the cover and fitted the front seats which have been in the way for years. This first bit of work for ages felt really good. I hope to be able to do some more work very soon and start posting some progress very soon.

As well as actually feeling a little better and doing some things I've also come to realise that I am far from being alone and I have met and spoken to some really interesting people who have or are also having problems. I'm not sure why I never discussed things before but I would urge anyone who might be in a similar situation to do so as it can be very helpful.

So there you go, that's why I've been rather quiet for some time, just in case you wondered.

[Mahesh]

Glad to hear your on the up, I have memories of two years, where I did not step foot outdoors, not pleasant and I was not worth talking to.

[Galileo]

Depression is still in this day and age a subject that is not discussed openly as much as it should and could be, which I've always found a bit strange really, for in my experience most people seem like to overshare about all manner of ailments, but not ones of the mind. Still, attitudes are slowly changing, and posts like yours are helping that to happen.

Fair enough, I don't know you other than having read a few posts on this forum, but that doesn't stop me feeling empathy so I'm still really pleased that you are starting to feel better and recovering, and have done things to break the cycle like getting a new job, something I found helps hugely.

Look forward to reading you more regular posts in the future!

Raf.

[matt of the vivas]

Been there, still get the odd down day.
Changing jobs was the main thing for me - you don't realise how much a dreadful job grinds you down until you leave!
You have my sympathies - chin up, and keep plugging on.

[trackerjack]

Oh how I understand your pain.
We lost our son (that's him in my avatar) five and a half years ago when being depressed he took his own life.
It is far more serious an issue than many think.
Just try and stay with positive thoughts and people and a belief that though its bad sometimes it will surely get better.
So pleased that you are feeling better.

Jon

[Toledo Man]

Mark, I never knew you were suffering from depression. It explains your recent lack of progress. Glad to know you're on the up. Opening up was probably the single best thing you could've done. I'm fortunate that I don't suffer from it. We all get a bit down sometimes but we just have to get on with it. I had a horrible job for the best part of 18 years and suffered at the hands of one particular boss for the first 13 of those years who was a bully and thought he was always right (this was back in my younger days). I kept on telling myself "don't let the b*st*rd grind you down" which got me through a lot of sh*t back then. I also realized that if something isn't life-threatening, it can't be all that bad. Getting back to your restoration is a good therapy. Even the smallest job is one step closer to completion of the project and then you can ENJOY the fruits of your labour.

Keep on going.

[RobSun]

Mark

I feel for you and know how people, however well meaning, do not get this illness and what happens to sufferers. My wife died in 1990 and left me with a young family. She started with post natal depression which developed into what was then called manic depression now Bi-polar. The well wishes invariably get it wrong and can do more harm than good without realising it and I suspect you have had this experience. Sadly my youngest son has inherited the illness and suffers badly from it.

Depression is a vile thing and so debilitating, but as you are finding, once it starts lifting and you can feel more positive, you grow and it recedes. It will keep getting better, you may slip back a little on occasion, but keep those positive vibes going and it can only improve.

Bob

[alolympic]

Good luck with it Mark.
I hope the Dolly progressing can provides some moments of distraction and happiness.

[tony g]

Well done Mark, youve made a big step in talking about it. Youre a nice bloke and deserve to be happy, so keep it up mate

Cheers

Tony

[YoungManGoneWest]

[Deleted by user.]

[Steve28]

Brave man for talking about it, well done, i read this post a few days ago and been thinking about it since i myself suffer from it like yourself but never find it easy to talk about it, its a horrible thing that you just cant seem to shake off, i go through the same problems with my projects really find it hard at times to get the motivation to start on anything then before you know it the day has gone, but on the times i manage to kick myself up the arse and get on with something it does become very therapeutic.
Part of my problem i admit myself is too many projects but at the same time not wanting to part with any but i made progress by recently selling one of my sprints to a mate who has been asking for me to sell for ages, must admit its lifted a weight from me and now im considering selling my blue 2000 , slow steps but its working for me at the moment.
i hope that when the better weather comes along that both you and i and anyone else on here will feel more like putting the effort to moving forward with our projects, good luck Mark

[Jon Tilson]

The trick with depression - well its not really a trick....is to find the right clinician.

Some GP's are on the ball and some are not. Don't settle for the latter. You need a full range of blood tests and some dietary changes
can also work wonders.

The brain is seriously complex, but there have been some real improvements in medication in recent years. Try and clue in to some of
those and combine whatever your clinician says with a healthy dose of your own research.

On the simplistic side and this is also pretty obvious - cold weather and lack of sunlight and the resultant vitamin D deficiency really
do make a big difference so a vitamin D supplement can really help.

You are NOT alone.

Jonners

[Steve28]

The trick with depression - well its not really a trick....is to find the right clinician.

Some GP's are on the ball and some are not. Don't settle for the latter. You need a full range of blood tests and some dietary changes
can also work wonders.

The brain is seriously complex, but there have been some real improvements in medication in recent years. Try and clue in to some of
those and combine whatever your clinician says with a healthy dose of your own research.

On the simplistic side and this is also pretty obvious - cold weather and lack of sunlight and the resultant vitamin D deficiency really
do make a big difference so a vitamin D supplement can really help.

You are NOT alone.

Jonners

Yeah Jon re the latter part of what you say, im on the vitamin D and have had S.A.D.S. for 10+ years, its funny how every year when the summer has come to an end i look forward to the shortest day of the year because i know once there things do gradually look better.

[Galileo]

Yeah Jon re the latter part of what you say, im on the vitamin D and have had S.A.D.S. for 10+ years, its funny how every year when the summer has come to an end i look forward to the shortest day of the year because i know once there things do gradually look better.

As I glance to the side of the desk where my GoLite light box lives (mimics a spring sky apparently) at this time of the year, I can only nod in vigorous agreement with that sentiment.

[GTS290N]

Mark, well done for opening up about this.
I always think that if you can recognise a problem then it's a big help.
I have a very young relative whose life is blighted intermittently by deep depression amongst other things, but they always think they're 'cured' when on a good spell.
I hope they can get through it each time.