I'm not ashamed
to admit I suffer 'the black dog', as Churchill called it. But now I know what it is, and what it does, it doesn't seem to effect me as much, or as often. I see it coming now and I take measures to get me through. Either they work or i'm just getting better; who knows?
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TheSundaeLunch I'm a fucking shrub, alright?, Sun 6 Mar 2011, 15:43,
Reply)
I'm stricken too. Don't cope too well but it's nice to be able to say so.
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Bela Lugosi's Dad, Sun 6 Mar 2011, 15:54,
Reply)
Knowing it
is half way to coping with it.
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TheSundaeLunch I'm a fucking shrub, alright?, Sun 6 Mar 2011, 15:57,
Reply)
Exactly, I'd say it would be the coping strategies
I don't think its something that can just fix it's self over time (though I may be wrong). But stuff like Cognitive Behavioural Therapy has been proven to be extremely effective, more so than medication in a lot of cases, and essentially CBT is just a method of creating coping strategies and understanding the processes that are going on.
The problem is the stigma that goes along with mental illness, and what I think is terrible is the stigma that is still with depression given the sheer numbers of people that suffer from it. I've been trying to handle it my self since I was first diagnosed, though my GP back then did handle it incredibly well, its been going on for too long now, and I feel like I should start some proper CBT with a therapist to sort it out once and for all (though the book Feeling good which started the whole CBT thing has helped). Problem is my cousin recently got a mortgage, and obviously had to get Life Insurance to get it, one inconsequential mention of 'anxiety' on her medical records got her life insurance
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Jorvic, Sun 6 Mar 2011, 15:59,
Reply)
Officially
I don't believe insurance companies can access any info you don't give them. This was one of the arguments about ID cards with medical records on; then they could. However if you fail to tell them then make a claim they might not pay. But only if they prove it was a pre-existing condition that you were aware of. Some insist on a medical, so they will know all about you from that. But my understanding is that a doctor will only give out information with your permission. For now, anyway. When big Brother really gets rolling.... *tin foil hat on*
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TheSundaeLunch I'm a fucking shrub, alright?, Sun 6 Mar 2011, 16:33,
Reply)
One time I applied for a job at the civil service,
and with the letter I got inviting me to the interview came a form asking me for sign over to them the right to access my medical records. Fuck that, I thought. At the very least offer me a position first.
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Moon Girl Technologies horrendous beanbag, Sun 6 Mar 2011, 16:55,
Reply)
Very true
I've had dark periods most of my life, but had pretty much always managed to establish a 'baseline' - i.e. when I start to notice I'm slipping, I set a 'things that I must keep going no matter what' i.e. Job etc. And letting the other parts of life slide a bit with a reduced level of guilt.
Due to circumstances I had a major period in the last two years, that pretty much stopped me from managing any aspect of my life. Dark days indeed, and very hard to explain to people who just want to see you getting on with your life. Very hard to be able to go for a job interview when a knock on the door or a telephone call leads to massive panic.
(, Sun 6 Mar 2011, 19:31, Reply)