Funky Dave Posted July 3, 2005 Share Posted July 3, 2005 If the cause of the depression turns out to be environmental (eg; he doesn't enjoy his job, family issues, poor social life, too much drinking etc), then you'll need to help him change his routine. Get him out doing something different, try and get him to look into a different career, basically you need to understand what is at the root of the depression and then try to get him "out" of the "environment" that is causing the problem. Obviously only he can do this, but there's no reason why you can't gently prod him in the right direction. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phanerothyme Posted July 3, 2005 Share Posted July 3, 2005 Originally posted by Amyvictoria It is also readily available on the NHS - probably because it has proved effective in a short number of sessions. I was lucky because the councilor at my GP practice is trained in CBT. Your friend should ask for it specifically. My doctor told me that there was a long waiting list for CBT and the first question I would be asked is "have you tried fluoxetine (prozac)". A talking cure will probably help anyone with mild, triggered depression. Chronic, heavy depression is not so amenable, and a the moment the most effective treatments are drug treatments. Fluoxetine works - although no-one knows why really. But as anyone who has taken fluoexetine and ecstasy (MDMA) will know, they are quite similar - and to be honest, popping ecstasy tabs every morning for depression is probably not the way to go in the long run. But it can help you cope with current events without caving in. Severe depression may be treated with surgery Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lizzmobile Posted July 3, 2005 Share Posted July 3, 2005 I always find it helpful to go outside, especially when it's sunny, but also when not, and reconnect with the earth. Spend some time in a wood or forest, walk through and just look at what is around you, not to appreciate it as such, but to just "be" there with it. Walking bearfoot on the grass is very helpful, you'd be surprised how much these simple suggestions do actually work. Bach flower remedies are helpful with this type of illness, White Chestnut if it's a gloomy depression, but there is heaps of advice around about which ones to use for which ever state of mind. Eating raw food can help, which means fruit and veg in their natural state (not like raw meat or uncooked pasta!), and sprouted grains are full of happy stuff. Avocados are the ultimate happy food as they contain everything we need to function properly. Evidently I have no idea of our chum's diet but eliminating all processed/junk/dead food is always helpful. Something incredibly simple too, is to count five different blessings in your day each night before you go to bed, and feel thankful. Simple abundance is a marvellous thing. Will write again if I think of anything else. I've had help with this myself so can empathise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lizzmobile Posted July 3, 2005 Share Posted July 3, 2005 PS. Fluoxetine kills your libido. Amongst other things. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funky Dave Posted July 3, 2005 Share Posted July 3, 2005 A bit of a temporary fix is mild excercise, such as walking or rambling (I don't know the ins and outs of why, but it worked for me, although I only ever had mild depression). Invite your friend on a wander round the peak district. It'll be a change of scenery and give him the opportunity to think through his problems a bit more clearly, and perhaps open up to you a little (don't push him into a discussion though - just let him talk if he wants to). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funky Dave Posted July 3, 2005 Share Posted July 3, 2005 Originally posted by lizzmobile PS. Fluoxetine kills your libido. Amongst other things. Lord, I wish something'd kill mine! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antics Posted July 3, 2005 Share Posted July 3, 2005 Get in touch with Mind, they'll be able to help and put him in touch with people who can help him further. I'd say doctors are fairly useless at dealing with depression. I've been on anti-depressants for three years, and all my doctor has done is to keep throwing tablets at me. They don't seem to realise that the cause needs to be treated, as well as the symptoms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hels Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 As people have already said, it depends upon the type of depression your friend has as to the best approach to take. Certainly the MIND website would be a good start. 'Reactive' depression (related to a loss etc) can be helped with talking therapies (CBT, Counselling) and supported by medication in the short term. Exercise is nearly always helpful because exercise releases those feel good chemicals in the brain, regular walking or even running if he's fit enough, may help. Where the depression is due to a chemical inbalance in the brain (I think this usually begins when you are quite young, but i could be wrong) then medication is invariably needed on a long term basis and supplemented with exercise, counselling etc. I think all anti-depressants have adverse side effects (yup, they kill the libido)! but these side effects have to be balanced by the positive effects of helping the depression. Doctors generally do not have the time to spend with patients who have depression so will refer people to specialist services. Though I understand the services available in Sheffield are scarce and under-funded (was told this by a mental health worker). There are quite a few self-help groups around (again MIND will be able to offer advice) and these can be helpful because everyone there understands what everyone else is going through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redrobbo Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 Originally posted by Phanerothyme Severe depression may be treated with surgery Not so. Leucotomies/lobotomies are no longer performed for depression. They were never clinically proven, and have never been performed for decades now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ZEDEX48K Posted July 4, 2005 Share Posted July 4, 2005 Originally posted by Funky Dave A bit of a temporary fix is mild excercise, such as walking or rambling (I don't know the ins and outs of why, but it worked for me, although I only ever had mild depression). Invite your friend on a wander round the peak district. It'll be a change of scenery and give him the opportunity to think through his problems a bit more clearly, and perhaps open up to you a little (don't push him into a discussion though - just let him talk if he wants to). Yeah excercise can help. If you want to go with a few other people that is not formal try this group: http://www.sheffieldwalkinggroup.org.uk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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