Depression and Anxiety Thread
- Thread starter JohnBM01
- 2,241 comments
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Last evening I took my last "natural" Melatonin supplement. My reasoning was; melatonin is derived from Serotonin, a neurotransmitter you need in abundance to be depression and anxiety free (it is much more complicated than this). That is why depressed people can't sleep properly or even fall asleep and wake up even more depressed. Because the body uses Serotonin to make this melatonin sleep hormone resulting in even less Serotonin in the morning.
My reasoning was that if I take this Melatonin supplement, I probably have more Serotonin in the morning when I wake up and be less depressed. And ... it worked. When I told my doctor about this he said that my reasoning is correct.
Another positive thing is that I don't need to turn on the central heating in the bathroom anymore.
Yesterday I went for a brisk walk of more than one hour at the Belse Bossen (where I always go jogging) and there was a cold wind. Almost everyone was dressed not to feel cold and I was wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt. The chilly wind didn't bother me at all anymore, in fact it felt good.
I have to say that when you're very severely depressed, taking cold showers is not going to be on your mind, let alone try it.
My reasoning was that if I take this Melatonin supplement, I probably have more Serotonin in the morning when I wake up and be less depressed. And ... it worked. When I told my doctor about this he said that my reasoning is correct.
I thought the same thing but I persisted and now cold showers are "almost" as easy as warm showers. The positive effects of cold showers are felt after a few showers. You have to start at your feet with a comfortable but not too warm temperature and gradually lower the temperature of the water. Also, very important is to breathe slowly in and out (stomach breathe, not a chest breath).
Another positive thing is that I don't need to turn on the central heating in the bathroom anymore.
Yesterday I went for a brisk walk of more than one hour at the Belse Bossen (where I always go jogging) and there was a cold wind. Almost everyone was dressed not to feel cold and I was wearing a short-sleeved T-shirt. The chilly wind didn't bother me at all anymore, in fact it felt good.
I have to say that when you're very severely depressed, taking cold showers is not going to be on your mind, let alone try it.
Turns out this was a lie. Since getting the full album to listen to, in tandem with a couple other changes, I think Nurture has been genuinely helping me this past week. 👍 👍 I've been listening to my Porter Robinson collection on repeat since we bought the new files (kudos to Amazon Music for no-nonsense DRM-free service).
- 29,188
- Glasgow
- GTP_Mars
Ask who?
Be careful, because we don't allow or condone unsubstantiated claims, let alone something that could be construed as medical advice, on these forums.
Feel free to cite the scientific literature, but the internet is awash with nonsense relating to these subjects.
I would suggest that advice on these topics should only be sought via qualified professionals by the individual concerned.
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My clinical psychologist who is treating me.
I've seen a lot of "kind of" medical advice on GTP and not once a mod said something about it. After all these years, you have to know by now that I'd be the last person to give unsubstantial medical advice.
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- 29,188
- Glasgow
- GTP_Mars
Apologies if my reply sounded harsh, but we can't take chances when it comes to something like medical advice, which can and should only be dispensed by professionals to specific people, as you know yourself.
On the general topic of CBT, however, the short answer is that is can potentially help in the treatment of alcoholism, but whether it is recommended or how to go about getting it should be a discussion for the concerned individual and their GP.
On the general topic of CBT, however, the short answer is that is can potentially help in the treatment of alcoholism, but whether it is recommended or how to go about getting it should be a discussion for the concerned individual and their GP.
I can't get a better medical source. She is a clinical psychologist and a cognitive behavioral therapist. https://act-academie.be/personen/tinne-deboel/
No English available.
- 29,188
- Glasgow
- GTP_Mars
Just to be clear, there's nothing wrong with discussing the merits of CBT, just that I'm sketchy about people asking their doctors for advice on something that they intend to pass on to others, especially when something like CBT is going to be very specific and personal anyway - my guess is that any doctor or psychologist will simply say that it can work, but that it is something you need to discuss with a mental health professional.
- 29,925
- Thailand
Medical advice is specific to the patient. I get that. I can see how it might cause an issue claiming to have a solution for a problems that is multifaceted and requires specific treatment.
I know no harm was intended and that I should have know better than to reach out on a topic that is so very personal from individual to individual.
I was probably a few beers in when I made the post that started this conversation. My bad.
I know no harm was intended and that I should have know better than to reach out on a topic that is so very personal from individual to individual.
I was probably a few beers in when I made the post that started this conversation. My bad.
I see no problem in asking what you asked and getting a general and professional answer from a professional. The way I see it is that when one has to go to the doctor/psychologist for only one question, it could be a waste of time and money.
What if this doctor says, "no it is not possible" then it is all for nothing. If the answer is positive, the better.
So if I should ask this question to my psychologist and she gives a general but professional answer then this person who asked the question can decide to do what he wants to do with this information (if it is a positive answer). And it will cost nothing and no time is wasted. Then this person can look for professional help if needed.
If it is not possible, it is still good information because this person doesn't have to waste money and time to find out.
No harm is done because this person still needs to get professional help if he wants results.
- 2,926
- United Kingdom
Danoff
Premium
- 34,009
- Mile High City
You're gonna hit us with Metallica song lyrics? Here are some lyrics right back at ya:
I've seen dark before, but not like this
This is cold, this is empty, this is numb
The life I knew is over, the lights are out
Hello, darkness, I'm ready to succumb
I follow you around, I always have
But you've gone to a place I cannot find
This grief has a gravity, it pulls me down
But a tiny voice whispers in my mind
You are lost, hope is gone
But you must go on
And do the next right thing
Can there be a day beyond this night?
I don't know anymore what is true
I can't find my direction, I'm all alone
The only star that guided me was you
How to rise from the floor?
When it's not you I'm rising for
Just do the next right thing
Take a step, step again
It is all that I can to do
The next right thing
I won't look too far ahead
It's too much for me to take
But break it down to this next breath, this next step
This next choice is one that I can make
So I'll walk through this night
Stumbling blindly toward the light
And do the next right thing
And, with it done, what comes then?
When it's clear that everything will never be the same again
Then I'll make the choice to hear that voice
And do the next right thing
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ROAD_DOGG33J
Premium
- 14,225
- IL, USA
- holyc0w1
- holyc0w
I believe this is the correct response:
- 26,814
- Houston, Texas, USA
- JMarine25
If someone is suffering from depression and/or anxiety, and if that person reject asking for help; try to do what you can to help that person realize help is available. If that depressed/anxious person refusing help is you, really take some time to try to gather your thoughts and try not to do something you're going to regret. We all can live life on our own, but it is best to have someone to help along the way. Always best to have someone watch over us instead of believing there is no hope whatsoever of recovery. Since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, we need to do all we can to help others in need from any sort of mental health issues. Let's do our part to keep smiles on our faces and belief in our spirits.
Don't let depression or anxiety win.
Don't let depression or anxiety win.
- 4,580
- SoCal
- GTP_MooCow
MedigoFlame
Premium
- 6,214
- Maine
- MedigoFlameX
Things felt like they've been getting better, but then last month and this recent week have hit very hard. Losing two people, one I was acquaintances with in our local car community (last month) and another who was really quite close (this week).
The person who was close was actually my therapist who had been helping me through my trauma and anxiety for almost two years. Scary part is that she had texted me the day of our appointment last week to cancel as she said she wasn't feeling well. Next day, I got a call from the police department of her town asking me about our appointment. Turned out she hadn't been home since the day of our appointment (Wednesday) and there was a missing person's report. She was a single mother with two kids and a puppy, so I knew something was wrong as she would not abandon them. The police had found her car an hour away from her home in a coastal town and her last phone activity was on the day she disappeared. Not knowing her whereabouts and the increasing number of days with little info only got worse.
Sadly found the news yesterday that her body was found by a fisherman in the waters near the search area. No cause of death was stated, but it seems like it only could have been an accident, natural causes (which doesn't seem as likely as she was in good health), or worse.... Unfortunately I knew she was in the dating scene and doing online dating, so who knows. At least there was some closure to finding her.
Knowing that she's gone so suddenly has hit me and I'm sure several of her other patients/clients rather hard. Even worse knowing her kids and puppy didn't have another adult (as far as I know) home for them. Feels like I was in the process of writing a book with all that I've confided in her and now it's all gone. I know she would have wanted me to live my life as our time together has helped me slowly improve my anxiety and depression. Don't know of anyone I know personally that has lost their therapist in such a way. Feeling a bit lost and I'm not sure the news of her death has really hit me yet. As of right now it just feels like a boat that's slowly sinking in a way, but I know I can escape it.
Life is fragile...
Feeling like I have more to say, but my mind's still feeling clouded.
The person who was close was actually my therapist who had been helping me through my trauma and anxiety for almost two years. Scary part is that she had texted me the day of our appointment last week to cancel as she said she wasn't feeling well. Next day, I got a call from the police department of her town asking me about our appointment. Turned out she hadn't been home since the day of our appointment (Wednesday) and there was a missing person's report. She was a single mother with two kids and a puppy, so I knew something was wrong as she would not abandon them. The police had found her car an hour away from her home in a coastal town and her last phone activity was on the day she disappeared. Not knowing her whereabouts and the increasing number of days with little info only got worse.
Sadly found the news yesterday that her body was found by a fisherman in the waters near the search area. No cause of death was stated, but it seems like it only could have been an accident, natural causes (which doesn't seem as likely as she was in good health), or worse.... Unfortunately I knew she was in the dating scene and doing online dating, so who knows. At least there was some closure to finding her.
Knowing that she's gone so suddenly has hit me and I'm sure several of her other patients/clients rather hard. Even worse knowing her kids and puppy didn't have another adult (as far as I know) home for them. Feels like I was in the process of writing a book with all that I've confided in her and now it's all gone. I know she would have wanted me to live my life as our time together has helped me slowly improve my anxiety and depression. Don't know of anyone I know personally that has lost their therapist in such a way. Feeling a bit lost and I'm not sure the news of her death has really hit me yet. As of right now it just feels like a boat that's slowly sinking in a way, but I know I can escape it.
Life is fragile...
Feeling like I have more to say, but my mind's still feeling clouded.
- 26,814
- Houston, Texas, USA
- JMarine25
A few things... first of all, I'm sorry for you, MedigoFlame. Second, I offer my condolences to those lives close to you who passed away. It's great you had this person as a support system to help you with your hard times. I hope times get better for you. Stay strong.
MedigoFlame
Premium
- 6,214
- Maine
- MedigoFlameX
- 4,881
- Connecticut
- Ridley-X4
Recently, I started withdrawing more and more from social media. Either I wasn't really getting the response(s) I was truly looking for in a given platform, or I was using it too often and to much. So I deactivated/deleted my accounts for SnapChat, Reddit, FaceBook, Instagram, and Twitter, in that order. But I still plan to keep in touch with relatives and friends either through Messenger, GMail, WhatsApp, or simply calling/texting them.
That said, I think it's going to be a lot better for me to stick to specialized forums like here at GTPlanet, or Discord channels for particular games, rather than more generalized platforms like Reddit.
That said, I think it's going to be a lot better for me to stick to specialized forums like here at GTPlanet, or Discord channels for particular games, rather than more generalized platforms like Reddit.
- 1,934
- A field in England
Makes sense. I think the bigger platforms like instagram and twitter are so massive that anything you post gets lost in a sea of scantily clad women who think they can dance or celebrities with nothing interesting to say. Particular forums are a lot easier to find common ground on. Must admit I didn't miss instagram when I got rid of it
- 4,881
- Connecticut
- Ridley-X4
I personally used IG to follow some pages I did find interesting, like the Museum of Modern Art, the Petersen Museum, Pininfarina, Italdesign, Zagato, the Museum of Natural History in NYC, and interesting artists like Sean Murphy. But whenever I posted anything, I felt like I never got much in the way of comments, not even from the people who were supposedly following me. Most importantly, my relatives/friends never seemed to like/comment much on my posts, not even on FaceBook where many more of my relatives are. So I left them all, as I don't think anyone will miss me from those platforms. I never really felt the "social" part of social media.
I also deleted all my dating app profiles. I tried multiple apps for over a year, and never got a single date, mostly because I almost never got likes/matches, and when I did, they never responded but stayed matched. Meanwhile, I've had a lot more fun talking to people at bars.
- 1,934
- A field in England
Facebook just seems to be a platform on which people measure their success and popularity against each other. Nothing social about it.
Online dating was an utterly depressing experience for me. I almost never got a reply, and out of the two women that did, one stood me up and the other went on one date with me which was really nice, and then it turned out she didn't enjoy it so that was that. She was perfectly entitled to that, but that didn't make it hurt any less. I was already in a bad place that year and online dating only made it worse. Trouble is I've never been the kind of person to actually talk to someone in a bar. I got lucky with my current girlfriend. Very lucky.
In short, screw online dating!
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- 29,925
- Thailand
Ditching social media is the way forward*. Messenger apps are perfect for communication.
More people need to unhook and get back into the real world and socialise in person**.
*I’m aware that GTP is a form of social media.
**I’m also aware of how difficult that can be at this current time because of the plague.
More people need to unhook and get back into the real world and socialise in person**.
*I’m aware that GTP is a form of social media.
**I’m also aware of how difficult that can be at this current time because of the plague.
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