Why?
Because it was just One More Thing that needed caring for, looking after, sorting out.
That's one way I knew I was suffering from depression. Not the very BLACK sort but more dark grey, up and down, when anything would make me panic, feel I couldn't cope and sink into a dark hole, which took days to get out of again .
Thank goodness doctors understood that I needed a small dose of anti-depressants all year round and all the time. It's a lack of a chemical in the brain and since then, with that small dose I've been fine.
Now I don't suffer from depression. I just feel normal - if there is such a thing!.
There is nothing wrong with taking anti-depressants - either in the short term or long term it's just the same as a person with diabetes needing insulin - always.
Mental Health needs talking about. It's this years W.I. Resolution to be put forward at the National AGM and campaigned for all year.......... MENTAL HEALTH MATTERS
Now I love to bring flowers in.......................... Even if I do just plonk them in a vase!
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| I like to know what flowers are called and have learned the names of so many over the years. These are Delphiniums, Golden Feverfew, Nigella and Veronica. |
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Sue
Lovely flowers, Sue, I'm envious of your delphiniums, mine (admittedly very new) is tiny and looking a bit unwell. I've suffered with depression on and off over the years (it's a bit of a problem right now), you're so right, it does need talking about, so many people are scared of it (you find that out when you're suffering yourself). Once again you're so pragmatic about it, Sue, you inspire me.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sue. Thank you for your comparison of how a person with depression needs anti-depressants to person with diabetes needing insulin. It is the same thing yet so often there is a stigma attached to depression. I have been treated for depression for many years. I think I have an inherited disorder because my mother had the same thing but did not get the treatment she needed. It was really looked down on in her day. Things are better today but could still be improved upon because many people still don't understand depression.
ReplyDeleteI love your beautiful flowers. I don't know all the names to flowers but I'm learning. I hope your week goes as well as possible. Keeping you in my thoughts.
Hello Sue,
ReplyDeleteDepression is something which needs to be addressed more, I think some think if you are bonkers if you have it, I have been down that road, suffering from the "black stuff" so I fully understand it.
Random flowers plonked in a vase make the nicest displays I think.
totally agree, with all you say. depression hits in so many different ways, it's not always obvious to others. Thinking of you. x
ReplyDeleteI love the 'plonked in a vase' style of flower arrangement. Natural and the flowers seem to know where to look best.
ReplyDeleteI like the very occasional bunch of flowers being bought but it is much nicer to pick your own, far cheaper and no air miles.
ReplyDeleteWithout good mental health, we have no health. Thank you for sharing your own experience with us all, Sue. Beautiful flowers, and they are so natural and seasonal which makes me happy.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful flowers , So very true people really don't understand mental health , When my husband first had his stroke and could not work and i was still working he used to shut the curtains until i had gone out of the street this is one way he suffered with his depression , I only found out about it when he went to see a psychoanalyst for two years a few years later , Now i work from home and after treatment he is much better , Glad you don't have depression now sue xxx
ReplyDeleteYour flowers are lovely Sue. I've lived with depression on and off since my eldest son was born. I think it is one of those things that once you've had it, it bubbles away under the surface and something quite trivial can spark an episode of that black dog on your shoulder or as I call Evil Edna has arrived. Sometimes it lasts a few days other times longer but as you say never to that deep dark hole of despair only a fudgey grey these days. Certainly when it happened to me it was very much a taboo subject and I can remember people kept telling me I needed a tonic (not the sought you put with gin) and to pull myself together I'm so glad that for the most part it is no longer that taboo subject there is still away to go but it is so much better than it used to be.
ReplyDeleteMitzi
Thank you for talking about your depression, it's started people discussing it on blogs and is a great help, especially to me today.
ReplyDeleteI hope you're doing ok. I havent commented before, but I often think about you.x
Thanks from me also, it needs to be talked about and not hidden. It's a very debilitating condition yet one that's so difficult to bring into the open. I've had bouts if depression for many years - I can identify with the not wanting flowers bit - I once sat over many weeks watching most of my house plants die due to just not feeling like watering them.
ReplyDeleteA worthy topic, Sue. Something that needs to be brought out from behind the lace curtain, so to speak. Depression brings such immeasurable suffering to so many. You were fortunate to have medical help that recognized your situation and responded appropriately. Bravo for sharing.
ReplyDeleteI think they have been attractively plonked.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, we are made to feel everything should be perfect, but our mad world is a harder place to live in these days.
ReplyDeleteThere are so many families out there who have been touched in some way by mental health issues. I'm glad you posted this. Just spoke with a dear friend whose 20 yr. old son refuses to take antidepressants. He's going through a very rough time and we are all concerned. I agree that a low dose is sometimes all some people need to get their lives back. -Jenn
ReplyDeleteThank you Sue for writing that you have written what I say all the time. Having now been on anti depression meds for close to 20 years and what a difference it makes. Mental illness is not discussed enough, and people still think its taboo to take medication. Thank you for everything you share, including the loss of your dear Colin. My heart goes out to you and your family. With hugs from Connecticut USA X
ReplyDeleteMental health definitely needs to be talked about more Sue...you are right.
ReplyDeleteHugs-x-
Well said and so important to keep saying. My DIL has depression in her family history. She and one of the twin boys must take anti-depressants to counteract their brain chemistry. So grateful that there is medical help as I believe we may have lost a grandson without it. He is on a med that works for him now.
ReplyDeleteAntidepressants and a good psychologist helped me get through a dark period in my life and I will be forever grateful. When I see the early signs of depression coming back, I stop it at the beginning. Exercise and walking helps me cope. I never want to go back to that very dark hole again.
ReplyDeleteHaving fallen 'in to a dark hole' and dragged myself out - I can empathise and understand. Walking, painting and gardening help keep my head straight. My favourite style of flower arranging is 'plonk' :)
ReplyDeleteI have been offered anti depressants and always refused. As life gets narrower perhaps I should grasp the nettle. On a lighter note I am determined now to bring in some flowers as they do cheer me.
ReplyDeleteYour flowers and their names are beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI will hold my hand up to having suffered from depression, and my poor mother suffered from depression and other mental health issues for much of her life. It is good to talk about these things, there should be no shame in it.
I've been sad lately and I found being outside in the garden pottering has helped me cope x
ReplyDeleteThat's a very pretty plonking of flowers, I have to say!! I do try to make a display when I have lots for cutting but a florist I ain't! I am glad that your depression is under control even if it does mean a forever pill, but it sorts of what you are lacking, seretonin or whatever it is.
ReplyDeleteOur eldest daughter suffers from anxiety and that will flare up now and again. She is finding having the allotment really helps, plus she does Yoga and walks when she can.
Like you, I am interested in what flowers are called - it's a permanent learning curve. I am better with wild flowers as I have been mad about them ever since I was 5 or 6 years old (and dad bought me the Observer's Book of Wild Flowers). Garden flowers I know mainly by their common names, rather than Latin ones, but sometimes I surprise myself by remembering the Latin!!
I suffered with depression from the age of 8 until I was 21, at 15 I tried to take my own life, I as put on Valium at 14 and continued to take it through my teenage years until I was 21 then suddenly one day I decided to stop withdrawal was awful as I had been dependent on them for 7 years and back then it was monitored, I came through it and occasionally still have times of depression but the fear of becoming dependent on drugs again stops me from getting medical help, I find spending time outside with the animals helps along with crafting, I can usually work myself through it, yes it needs to be more in the open and accepted not like in my darkest times when it was swept under the carpet.
ReplyDeleteI have several family members who have suffered mental health problems; one was shunned by his son because of it. I have suffered with anxiety at several points in my life. A good psychologist helped several years ago, but it still rears it's head.
ReplyDeleteI take an antidepressant as well. The lowest dose available of my particular kind. I never knew how other people felt until I started it in my 40s. The feeling of well-being is amazing.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I struggle with anything, it is always nature and my garden that I look to. There's always something beautiful flowering. It's lovely that you can now bring flowers inside and enjoy them and the beauty they offer to you. Meg Xx
ReplyDeleteI was very surprised when it was pointed out to me that I was depressed ... I thought grey and everything an effort was normal ... we just struggle on. Good on you for being sensible and takin the medication. I giggled at your description "plonking them in a vase" - you are seriously underestimating your talents!
ReplyDeleteI seem to be in a very highly populated club...have been in a very dark cave before...really scary...I find people who experience depression are often more compassionate to others suffering and far from being weak actually come out stronger xx
ReplyDelete