• The first stage of the forum upgrades has now been completed but they remain in a degraded state and are still being worked on. Normal posting/reading should now be possible.
    Please read this thread for more details.
    New user registrations are currently disabled.

Depression thread continued...

Unless you're referring to the short term intervention sessions?

Me and another lad did a radio segment recently on and he covers in detail going through some early sessions, etc.

No idea. Had a phone call last week where they asked me a load of questions. At the end I was asked what my preference was for next steps. I said I didn't want to go through cognitive behaviour therapy as I found that utterly hopeless last time I needed help. So it was agreed that face to face counselling would be a better option. I was told it's a 10 week waiting list.

However, I've since found out I can get counselling arranged via my employer much quicker, so I'm pursuing that.
 

The waiting list is currently 10 weeks in Sunderland for someone in the same situation as me i.e., someone who is struggling but not at immediate risk of suicide or self harm.

Whilst I'm not doubting your friends story at all, I think it is important to make it clear that the waiting list isn't currently 18 months. Especially on a thread where someone might read that and feel more desperate as a result.

And that's for face to face counselling
I am in north Tyneside.

I spoke to someone quite quickly in the first instance, a phone call to answer some questions, then it took over a year for my first real appointment with talking therapies, I had 16 sessions after a long wait, because of rules I was discharged ( only allowed 16 sessions at a time ) and told to ring straight back up and ask for a second lot of sessions. that took closer to 18 months of waiting.

Granted it was level 4 sessions and needed someone who was trained in complex PTSD treatment, but it was a long old wait.

I have now been referred to some other bodies and been waiting months again already.

Mind I am not complaining just adding what I have been through, the services are under funded and hellish busy, so I dont blame them at all.
 
I am in north Tyneside.

I spoke to someone quite quickly in the first instance, a phone call to answer some questions, then it took over a year for my first real appointment with talking therapies, I had 16 sessions after a long wait, because of rules I was discharged ( only allowed 16 sessions at a time ) and told to ring straight back up and ask for a second lot of sessions. that took closer to 18 months of waiting.

Granted it was level 4 sessions and needed someone who was trained in complex PTSD treatment, but it was a long old wait.

I have now been referred to some other bodies and been waiting months again already.

Mind I am not complaining just adding what I have been through, the services are under funded and hellish busy, so I dont blame them at all.
That's the same for me, they were quick to have the telephone appointment, I wasn't seen at risk of suicide so put on the waiting list.
 
Just catching up with this thread but that's a dreadful story, Migs, really sorry to hear all that. You must feel so frustrated and angry.

When I lost my dad (40+ years ago) I wanted to take it all out on his GP for the woeful diagnosis which shortened his life, but my dad probably didn't help himself either.

Take care of yourself, mate.
Cheers, GTG.

It’s been a while, hope you’re doing well. I’ve just been on a rollercoaster with emotions since he went into intensive care. Struggling to sleep on a night - my mind won’t switch off. It sounds like I’m in denial and pointing the finger. But I’ve got a few medical people in my family who can’t believe the red flags that were missed.

I’m sorry to hear about your dad. Did you go through a complaint process? I wish I researched more before his operation. But you just presume people in hospital are getting the best care possible. I know for one thing going forward I’m gonna question everything regarding any care I get from the NHS.
 
Also, recklessness maybe for a dopamine hit or something.

Hope today has been a bit brighter for you, and everyone else

does anyone know of, or have experience of how to handle low dopamine levels? i feel hesitant to post on a depression thread, but i do wonder if the swings i sometimes experience (within 24 hours) are in some form related to dopamine levels - just wondering what can be done to manage this kind of thing?
 
does anyone know of, or have experience of how to handle low dopamine levels? i feel hesitant to post on a depression thread, but i do wonder if the swings i sometimes experience (within 24 hours) are in some form related to dopamine levels - just wondering what can be done to manage this kind of thing?
Funny you say that as would be interested too.
Been great (almost on a high) for a couple of weeks (unheard of) but today just isn't happening and feel really off/weird

Might just log off, take some time back, and go for a walk as that often works
 
Might just log off, take some time back, and go for a walk as that often works
exercise can be a good dopamine boosting activity (the type being unique to the individual), but it's not always possible in modern life which makes interested to know how or if anyone has been able to manage their levels while also navigating the world we live in.
Been great (almost on a high) for a couple of weeks (unheard of) but today just isn't happening and feel really off/weird
mine can be more day to day... tuesday i'd describe as like yourself, wednesday exercising all day (so up), thursday was middling and friday\today i can sense its back to tuesday... i did hesitate to post on a depression thread because i don't feel its as extreme as what others are struggling with but i feel that there must be something in it to do with low dopamine.
 
Last edited:
exercise can be a good dopamine boosting activity (the type being unique to the individual), but it's not always possible in modern life which makes interested to know how or if anyone has been able to manage their levels while also navigating the world we live in.

mine can be more day to day... tuesday i'd describe as like yourself, wednesday exercising all day (so up), thursday was middling and friday\today i can sense its back to tuesday... i did hesitate to post on a depression thread because i don't feel its as extreme as what others are struggling with but i feel that there must be something in it to do with low dopamine.
Feel better now. Nearly hours scrolling in the sun
See if it lasts
It just gets a bit exhausting trying to manage it day to day.

And on the bad days having to put things in place - see if anyone else has techniques as you say anyway

Also hesitate to post too. Am also not keen on opening myself up tbh
 
Feel better now. Nearly hours scrolling in the sun
See if it lasts
It just gets a bit exhausting trying to manage it day to day.

And on the bad days having to put things in place - see if anyone else has techniques as you say anyway

Also hesitate to post too. Am also not keen on opening myself up tbh
exercise can be a good dopamine boosting activity (the type being unique to the individual), but it's not always possible in modern life which makes interested to know how or if anyone has been able to manage their levels while also navigating the world we live in.

mine can be more day to day... tuesday i'd describe as like yourself, wednesday exercising all day (so up), thursday was middling and friday\today i can sense its back to tuesday... i did hesitate to post on a depression thread because i don't feel its as extreme as what others are struggling with but i feel that there must be something in it to do with low dopamine.
You both might have already tried this (and I'm not claiming it's a miracle cure), but have you tried taking Vitamin D supplements?

Sure there's something daft like 60% of the UK have insufficient levels of it.
 
but have you tried taking Vitamin D supplements?
I have in the past, not sure I really noticed much but I can also be a useless about taking meds regularly. Will have a gander next time I’m out shopping, certain can’t do any harm!
Sure there's something daft like 60% of the UK have insufficient levels of it.
I read something a few years back when I first tired them, that everyone in Northern Europe would benefit from taking it.
 
Last edited:
I have in the past, not sure I really noticed much but I can also be a useless about taking meds regularly. Will have a gander next time I’m out shopping, certain can’t do any harm!

I read something a few years back when I first tired them, that everyone in Northern Europe would benefit from taking it.
Yeah sure the doctor said it was 80% should be adding it. But Google claimed 60% insufficient with 20% deficient.

I'm in the same boat as you based on your description a few posts up. Certainly wouldn't claim to have depression, more just a low mood some days with the odd bit of anxiety kicked in a month or two ago.

Feeling pretty good (despite Sunderland's best efforts) at the minute and I've added Vitamin D and also Magnesium as supplements, but at the same time the weather has been good, work life balance has been better, diets been pretty clean, exercising more etc etc. So hesitant to say it's purely the vitamins, but you know, no complaints since I've started.
 
I've added Vitamin D and also Magnesium as supplements

I'll look into both of those next time I'm at the shops, never had magnesium added before. Would like to just flatten the curve between up & down day to day so will add this to my diet.
 
Mate don't ever give in , For some reason I always feel worse when it's sunny seeing loads of happy faces , doesn't help I can't drink either ❤️
Thank you. As I've said its just exhausting trying to manage the moods.

Spent the day in bed. Yet 2 days ago I was working and out and about about loving life

Am so tired of the swings.

3 people, "how are you". They don't want to know the answer. "Fine thanks". And the one I answered honestly to didn't reply
 
Thank you. As I've said its just exhausting trying to manage the moods.

Spent the day in bed. Yet 2 days ago I was working and out and about about loving life

Am so tired of the swings.

3 people, "how are you". They don't want to know the answer. "Fine thanks". And the one I answered honestly to didn't reply
Mate it's so fucked up the brain and have you been tested for bipolar just your swings seem like manic , not slipping a little they just seem to go from one extreme to the other ?
 
Mate it's so fucked up the brain and have you been tested for bipolar just your swings seem like manic , not slipping a little they just seem to go from one extreme to the other ?
Yeh its not normal. I just can't be arsed trying with the doctors.

It's literally just brain make up as you say.

I read something rubbish about how our thoughts aren't our own and controlled by spirits. I'll stick with my nana being with me

And burst into tears wishing she was here. Just for one day
 
Thank you. As I've said its just exhausting trying to manage the moods.

Spent the day in bed. Yet 2 days ago I was working and out and about about loving life

Am so tired of the swings.

3 people, "how are you". They don't want to know the answer. "Fine thanks". And the one I answered honestly to didn't reply
They’ve asked how you are, so there’s 3 people who care enough to ask. The person you were honest with it could just be that they don’t know how to reply.

I’ve been guilty of it myself before where someone has text me something and because I’ve wanted to get the message right so took ages to reply.
 
Yeh its not normal. I just can't be arsed trying with the doctors.

It's literally just brain make up as you say.

I read something rubbish about how our thoughts aren't our own and controlled by spirits. I'll stick with my nana being with me

And burst into tears wishing she was here. Just for one day
Sorry mate am always asleep early on but it's better your nana being with you than you being with your nana. She must be a miss mate and nothing is ever "rubbish" if it helps you.
 
Sorry mate am always asleep early on but it's better your nana being with you than you being with your nana. She must be a miss mate and nothing is ever "rubbish" if it helps you.
Don't apologise! I need to get away from here. Today's mission is to plan a week off and go stay with a friend in Oxfordshire.

Not that I can afford it like and would be terrified of the getting home effect
 
Back
Top