[Slacky]

I thought I'd put this here as opposed to the General chat section as its a really important topic.

This day last year an old friend of mine committed suicide by hanging himself in The New Forest. He'd had long term clinical depression, his marriage had floundered and he obviously wasn't coping.

He left 4 kids.

I struggle at times with anxiety and occasional depressive bouts, currently its been pretty bad. I think there are times when this job doesn't help, being I work by myself. I use various apps for 'entertainment' and try to practise a regime of meditation.

Does anyone else on here struggle with this, if you are comfortable enough to acknowledge it publicly.

[Forum Admin]

Fair play to you Slacky for bringing this to everyone's attention, I think it's extremely important to talk about these things and shows you're a lot stronger than you realise. I definitely believe that a problem shared is a problem halved, sometimes people fear talking about their feelings and somehow that feeling down is a weakness; it's definitely not! Everybody goes through bad days and periods of time, always talk and get it out in the open; this is how change happens.

There will always be ears to listen here mate so feel free to be open and talk; it can also help many others with your same feelings.

[nathankaye]

I dont, or at least I dont think I do but as probably recall, my wife suffers from various debilitating long term illnesses and this then impounds her depression n anxieties.  Due to young kids, i will have to cancel work at short notice some days to help more and thus makes her feel guilty which adds to the depression.
My daughter has BPD on top of her other problems and this wknd her mother has had a mental breakdown due to all she has on her plate.
So i dont feel i have depression but some days if i stop n think about it all, it can get me on a downer as well.

Doctors, getting on the right medication helps and sometimes if fortunate you can get some support groups which can be beneficial. Sure, talking about your depression alone doesnt really help that much but its the ability to talk to others who know exactly how you feel without being judged for how you feel which helps.
You can get books and apps on mindfulness which helps and excercise is good. You do alot of cycling dont you matt?  Head phones in, switch off n cycle or run.

I think on the last thread which was done a while ago, i think there are a number on here who are going through it and can offer support as well.

My ex wife examples has helped me. She didnt buy out time for herself but then she was one who would escape her own problems by helping everyone else. Her daughter who lives with her n sister n bro. Her hubby's kid (20's) who has autism and her mum with bipolar and without looking after her own wellbeing has had a mental breakdown.  So we all have our limitations and recognising them is important and buying out time for ourselves is a must.
Oh and venting on here is a good escape 

[G Griffin]

Sorry about your friend, Matt.

I don't consider myself depressed but my Missus has questioned this recently. I think that I just get down and struggle to motivate myself. I do manage to get on with stuff but my mood might be affected.
Life's not easy and I've experienced significant loss over the years. I just think it builds and builds and I'm almost waiting for the next lot to happen  .
I feel older than I should sometimes, if that makes sense? I manage but I could probably manage in a better way.

Take care and good luck with it, mate.

[johnwillan]

I thought I'd put this here as opposed to the General chat section as its a really important topic.

This day last year an old friend of mine committed suicide by hanging himself in The New Forest. He'd had long term clinical depression, his marriage had floundered and he obviously wasn't coping.

He left 4 kids.

I struggle at times with anxiety and occasional depressive bouts, currently its been pretty bad. I think there are times when this job doesn't help, being I work by myself. I use various apps for 'entertainment' and try to practise a regime of meditation.

Does anyone else on here struggle with this, if you are comfortable enough to acknowledge it publicly.

Struggled in my late teens but all fine now. It affects far more people than than we imagine, had a similar experience to you with and old boss - very sad. Fortunately it's being discussed more openly than ever before, however us chaps are less inclined to do so - well done for posting. Crazy as this sounds there are lots of people who have overcome depression by changing their nutritional intake, if you're interested take a look at Mikhala Peterson, her Joe Rogan interview was very thought provoking https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwiXv-m-v-znAhUhtnEKHTsPCesQwqsBMAF6BAgMEAk&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DPF_7688Zk6s&usg=AOvVaw0GK-xxprTiFXsv2KhAywWF

HTH

John

[david mark]

I feel this job to a point does not help specially working on your own I get days just can't be bothered with it I suffer from depression from time to time. The thing with window cleaning
It does not keep the brain stimulated enough which for me gets me depressed from time to time

[Forum Admin]

Going for walks and the gym has been fantastic for me; both with people and alone, it's fantastic for the endorphins and allows the mind to settle.

[Stoots]

Yes for as long as I can remember.

Everything from anxiety and panic attacks to depression.

I think it's hereditary. My dad was bad with mental health issues and 2 of my daughters have problems. One of which had to be taken out of school for anxiety and self harming.

It's heartbreaking people suffer like this in silence everyday.

[Oliver @ GrippaTank]

I thought I'd put this here as opposed to the General chat section as its a really important topic.

This day last year an old friend of mine committed suicide by hanging himself in The New Forest. He'd had long term clinical depression, his marriage had floundered and he obviously wasn't coping.

He left 4 kids.

I struggle at times with anxiety and occasional depressive bouts, currently its been pretty bad. I think there are times when this job doesn't help, being I work by myself. I use various apps for 'entertainment' and try to practise a regime of meditation.

Does anyone else on here struggle with this, if you are comfortable enough to acknowledge it publicly.

 Hi Slacky,

Thank you for posting this - this is such an important topic for conversation, because as Gomo mentions, so many people suffer in silence.

I have in the past, or close family members have suffered from various forms of Anxiety and Depression. It can be extremely debilitating and it can sometimes feel really difficult to talk about it.

However taking that first step to just talk is such a key step. I also agree with ForumAdmin and John - regularly exercising outside, walks in the country side and fresh air, or where possible a regular gym schedule plus a good healthy diet is what keeps me on the straight and narrow

Well done  Slacky for starting this conversation - this could be one of the most important conversations ever started on here if it just helps one person.

[G Griffin]

Some people might not even realise that they are suffering with it.
Tyson Fury described it as like carbon monoxide poisoning. I thought that that was quite good for him.
There was me thinking that I was just an angry, impatient, unsociable old modded when my Missus said that I might be depressed. She might be right, to a degree. She usually is.
I'm still working on my treatment plan though  .
I think breaking down all life's little battles helps; deal with one at a time and tackle a day at a time.

[TomCrowther]

Sorry to hear that Slacky. I think it’s far more common than anybody realises. Emotional pain, mental issues and anxiety is all hidden. You break a leg and there’s a cast, people see it and it’s “acceptable “, you have time off work, people ask “how’s the leg” ? Etc. Men especially will just try and crack on and not deal with the issues. Self harm is never the answer but the physical pain temporarily masks the emotional pain which is why people do it. Not everyone is able to open up or feel they have someone to talk to about it. The nhs us rusted of its feet. This is where good mates are so important if your lucky enough to have them.

[Dave Willis]

Feckin weather doesn’t help! 

[Small but perfectley formed]

Modern life constant negative news.
People always comparing themselves feeling like they don't earn / have enough.
I have suffered with depression and anxiety since being  a teenager .
In my 20s and 30 s I self medicated with various drugs and alcohol 
I still get depressed but it doesn't last I just crack on with living always good to have something to look forward to holidays / hobbies etc.
Life is constantly moving between being good and bad that's how I get through it.

[SB Cleaning]

Feckin weather doesn’t help! 

Yep
This weather is enough to make any one feel down, whens it gonna end!!

[Forum Admin]

The weather certainly doesn't help anyone, I joined one of those 24/7 gyms so I can get some cardio (without relying on weather) and weights done at any time which is fantastic especially having 3 little ones, I can normally be found in there early hours of the morning....it's my medication would be lost without it!

[Dave Willis]

I don’t suffer from depression as such (I know I’ve been checked by several in the profession) however, a marriage split knocked me sideways and put me into a mental disorder for a few months.
I need a regular sleep pattern to function, I find cleaning windows incredibly boring, with nill job satisfaction (you’d need a brain the size of a pea to enjoy scrubbing glass). Customer interaction is mostly good for the brain too but I become pretty miserable during winter months.
I also think the difference between’normal’ and depressed isn’t very much and fully understand why people often take their own lives having been quite close to it.

[david mark]

Spot on mate

[robbo333]

Slacky

This is my mobile: 07850 262016

If you're working and not feeling good, give me a ring.

I can work and talk at the same time...(it's not just women who can multi-task!).

We can talk sh111t and put the world to rights!

[wayne 77]

Feckin weather doesn’t help! 

Seasonal affective disorder
Symptoms of SAD
Symptoms of SAD can include:

a persistent low mood
a loss of pleasure or interest in normal everyday activities
irritability
feelings of despair, guilt and worthlessness
feeling lethargic (lacking in energy) and sleepy during the day
sleeping for longer than normal and finding it hard to get up in the morning

[windowswashed]

I left the army after a friend got blown up, couldn't handle life for a while as I'd been very close to the bomb myself.  A cousin of mine took his life after his fiancée committed suicide. He went back to Belfast to get his head around her suicide, he went on a drinking binge and never came back as he followed in her footsteps.

I keep myself busy as I live alone. Make a point of phoning some not all, just some customers to keep myself on the straight and narrow, especially during the lousy winter months weather wise. If I feel anxiety coming on I make a point of taking time out to get away somewhere for a break and change of scenery.

Best thing anyone suffering depression can do is make sure they get dressed and go outside  their front door every day so they don't become an introvert shying themselves away from others and to keep in contact with friends and relatives even when they feel unsociable