18-12-2002 23:23									#91
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I already have a doctors appointment booked, I have had it booked since before I made this thread.

Doc Strangelove, I have realised this too. I need a bit more of a boost to my confidence before I can really consider any long term kind of stuff. I am aware of the nature of antidepressants and the nature of the treatment. I am not looking at them as a cure, but as a means to start to be able to remedy the underlying problem and break the vicious circle.

A lot of these ideas, especially the teaching abroad thing, is really, really tempting. The idea of teaching is a good one, but I need to be able to assess how well I would be suited to the occupation. The perks and the pay are good, but I have to be realistic about how I would get on with the job, and to do that, I would shadow at my mothers school.

But first things first as Dr Strangelove has said. I have to make a start on this long road before I can start tackling some of these bigger underlying causes of depression in my life. I have naturally been good with friends so that isn't a major one I have to deal with, although making new friends has become more difficult.

But seriously, some of this advice is fantastic. In fact, it is better than the majority of advice I got in the job thread. Thanks, I don't know what else to say people.

	18-12-2002 23:28									#92
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I know how you feel Provost... I've had depression my whole life (althought only diagnosed at 18). I basically feel that the worlds sucks, there's no point to lfie, so why bother? But after two overdoses, I just feel like I've got to stay around... I figure, sooner or later I'll find what it is I'm looking for.

ANyways, drugs didn't work for me. At first, they help with moodswings, but I was taking Zoloft and the sexual side effects were far worse than the problems in my life (in fact, sex was the only good thing in my life ). Anyways, you can't let job problems get you down so much. You're a smart guy and sooner or later you'lll find your spot. Exercise definitely helps more than any drug will.

	18-12-2002 23:35									#93
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I have never derived any pleasure from sport though, that is my point, so it is not like I have lost my enjoyment of it, because I never had it. And as for diminishing the sex drive, sometimes I think that may be a bonus in my current situation

	18-12-2002 23:49									#94
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The reason your unhappy is your letting society set your
goals in life. Do you REALLY want to be a PHD biochemist or do want to be a PHD biochemist cause the
place in "society" you THINK will grant you.

Tell society to bugger off, and be selfish enough for once
in your life to look after yourself.

"I hav'nt decided what to be yet, eithier a Brain Surgeon
or a fry Cook"

Jetho Bodeane

	18-12-2002 23:51									#95
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Most importantly, stop eating the babies. That can only lead to continued depression. I think they contain chemicals that lower your seratonin levels.

	19-12-2002 00:21									#96
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You're doing the right things, PH. Just bear in mind that teaching is a tough and frequently thankless profession. I'm not trying to put you off, just making sure you go into it with realistic expectations.

Incidentally, depression doesn't equate to a life sentance. It can go, and go for good.

	19-12-2002 01:57									#97
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Have long-term depression? Feel rejected?
Make a bomb from some home-made chemicals, add some
shotgun shells into it, then blow yourself up on the nearest mall. That'll teach the society!

After that, police hears that you were surfing at the internet sometime ago,
and bans internet for people under 29-year old's.

Last edited by VJ on 19-12-2002 at 02:10

	19-12-2002 02:08									#98
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Hmmm...I think I will pass on that one...besides, have you ever tried getting hold of shotgun cartridges nowadays?

	19-12-2002 02:19									#99
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quote: Originally posted by Provost Harrison I already have a doctors appointment booked, I have had it booked since before I made this thread. Doc Strangelove, I have realised this too. I need a bit more of a boost to my confidence before I can really consider any long term kind of stuff. I am aware of the nature of antidepressants and the nature of the treatment. I am not looking at them as a cure, but as a means to start to be able to remedy the underlying problem and break the vicious circle.

Just remember that there are a lot of anti-depressants out there, and people respond differently to each of them, You may have to try several of them to find the right one or the right combination. Work with your doctor to help him find the right treatment for you.

	19-12-2002 02:21									#100
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I will do, thanks.

	19-12-2002 02:27									#101
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quote: Originally posted by Provost Harrison A lot of these ideas, especially the teaching abroad thing, is really, really tempting.

Yes, you could go to Thailand and teach the King's children, sort of like a male "Anna". You'll need a ten year old daughter. We'll need to book a good film crew too, only this time, because the Thai are so touchy about that "advanced white people teaching culture to butt naked yellow savages" we'll need to completely revamp the whole plot. How about this: instead of you teaching the Thai children, they teach you. You come back home and spread Buddhism throughout the western world. You become known as "The Enlightened Provost" and people make gigantic golden statues of your scantily clad body.

	19-12-2002 02:42									#102
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Ah depression. A favorite topic of mine.

Some of you dismissed FNBrown without giving it much of a chance. A friend of mine goes severl times a year with her church group on missions. They go and help paint houses or do things like that to help under privliaged people around the state. Once a year they go to Mexico and help build houses kind of like habitat for humanity. My point is it doesnt have to be religious in nature. It's the kind of program where you and other people like you can get together have a good time and help people. It's a great way to get involved in a group and a great way to get to know people, including girls. It doesnt have to be something terribly complex. It can be something as simple as helping older people around their house, delivering groceries or helping improve neighborhoods. Anything to get out with other people and accomplish something positive. Make yourself apart of the community and along the way you will meet all kinds of new people. You don't have to go all the way around the world to do exciting things and meet people. You can do all that in your own community if you just look around. Things like that look very good when people are hiring. It shows a committment to your community and a willingness to work together without necessarly becoming just another cog in the wheel.

	19-12-2002 03:06									#103
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I once thought about drugs like Paxil. But what good are those drugs if you get hooked and your Wang doesn't work?

Sure they say they aren't addictive, but I've heard too many stories.

But not everyone is the same. Drugs can work for many people.

But I (I'm going on another ego trip so bear with me) know I have an extremely strong mind. I know I can enact change and make it stick. My weight loss makes me more confident in that regard. I can lose weight and not put it back on. I have extremely high amounts of willpower. But not everyone has that, and drugs are probably their best recourse.

	19-12-2002 03:33									#104
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Sleep works wonderfully for my depression.

And doing nothing except reveling in the fact that I am doing nothing for an hour helps my anxiety/stress/depression.

	19-12-2002 03:51									#105
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quote: Originally posted by Lazarus and the Gimp You're doing the right things, PH. Just bear in mind that teaching is a tough and frequently thankless profession.

Yes you may have to teach children like me

If you go somewhere like Thailand, don't knock off the students - its very tacky.

Mobius and I discussed this briefly last night - his advice was simple - "Leave Hull!"

	19-12-2002 03:58									#106
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The 'leaving Hull' thing is something I am pursuing savagely, but without a job somewhere else I can't get out of this place. Believe me, I want to leave this place desperately. I call it 'The Royston Vasey of British Cities'...

	19-12-2002 04:03									#107
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Have you looked into how to apply for jobs overseas?

	19-12-2002 04:10									#108
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quote: Originally posted by Calc II Sleep works wonderfully for my depression. And doing nothing except reveling in the fact that I am doing nothing for an hour helps my anxiety/stress/depression.

sleep makes my depression less out in the open, but just makes it seek deeper into me

it is not a good solution

Jon Miller

	19-12-2002 04:10									#109
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quote: Originally posted by Provost Harrison The 'leaving Hull' thing is something I am pursuing savagely, but without a job somewhere else I can't get out of this place. Believe me, I want to leave this place desperately. I call it 'The Royston Vasey of British Cities'...

So leave - teaching overseas is a great job. I'd do it myself if the charges are ever proven

	19-12-2002 04:24									#110
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Always remember to treat yourself at least as nicely as you do other people.

Being depressed may not be such an absurd thing - look around, we live in a very messy world. I find people who can cope with it "normally" to be quite abnormal.

But I think it is sound advice to interrupt the process that is not allowing you to see much hope... The world is still an open book, and the only constant is change.

Travel. Try doing things you never do (positive ones, hopefully).

Meaning is in the seeking thereof.

	19-12-2002 04:31									#111
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Look on the bright side - when you've gone completely round the bend depression is no longer a problem

	19-12-2002 04:45									#112
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Well sleep has very little effect to depression to me. Less sleep does little to effect my characteristics, not even grumpiness.

Yes, overseas jobs are cool too, but I have a lot of ideas swimming around in my head which are pretty cool, but I need to be able to apply myself to them.

	19-12-2002 04:48									#113
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Observe. You WANT to do many things but yet you don't DO them. Why?
Be honest to yourself and don't accept easy answers. In fact, don't accept any answers for a while.

	19-12-2002 04:52									#114
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Because they have only just been suggested to me, that is why. I just need to be able to think about which ones appeal. On one hand getting away somewhere completely different for a while would be really good, but not yet. I would just like to get my life on the tracks, sort out my personal problems, perhaps make sure my financial situation is a bit clearer before buggering off (that car is expensive to keep you know, that would have to be sorted out as the loan is still worth more than the car itself).

	19-12-2002 04:58									#115
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quote: Originally posted by Provost Harrison Yes, overseas jobs are cool too, but I have a lot of ideas swimming around in my head which are pretty cool, but I need to be able to apply myself to them.

Otoh you are such a Mummy's boy maybe overseas would be a bad idea.

Could you cope with London?

	19-12-2002 05:02									#116
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I could cope with London fine, just not the prices of property...

	19-12-2002 05:03									#117
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...and the hellishly long commuting. I'd rather live in Manchester than London for that very reason, although I do like London.

	19-12-2002 05:42									#118
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I hate to see you like this

Get anti-depressants, immediately - they work. These will not flat out solve your problems, but give you a much better perspective and physical/emotional motivation to do so. They'll most likely have you on an SSRI, which helps control your seretonin levels (the chemical your brain shotguns when doing ecstasy). Each of the four SSRI's they might prescribe are very similar - they will generally elevate your mood and help over come social anxiety to a degree, but they also have subtle differences.

Celexa (citalopram hydrobromide) - A very neutral SSRI with minimun reported side effects, often used in bi-polar patients as it is less likely to induce mania

Zoloft (Sertraline) - The most offen prescribed, Zoloft seems effective to a majority of users. It is a little bit heavier of a drug; often being used to treat panic disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder on top of depresssion. A minority of cases complain that although zoloft helps deal with depression, it leaves them feeling inanimate and "robot like"

Paxil (Paroxetine) - The most controversial of the four, this drug either "works" on you or it really works on you. Aside from treating depression, paxil works wonders with social anxiety disorder. If you have any bi-polar tendencies, this drug will easily exaggerate them and you'll appear a very erratic person. Paxil really changes people, and they either love or hate it. In my opinion (given your personality) you would not do well on paxil, and if you eventually decide to stop using it, withdrawal is extremely difficult

Prozac (Fluoxetine) - Not much can be said about this SSRI other than its neutrality and the fact that it's ancient. An undercommitment to the treatment if you ask me, used by doctors afraid of todays anti-depressants

	19-12-2002 05:46									#119
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...and the second on my recommendations would be going to the gyms, now. Nothing serious, just go work the machines an hour a day 3 times a week. After continuing with that after a while you won't have to start forcing yourself to go even more frequently. A changing physical appearance will do wonders, but the Endorphines will bless you - and it doesn't take long at all.

	19-12-2002 06:21									#120
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quote: Originally posted by Provost Harrison I could cope with London fine, just not the prices of property...

We're suggesting you move not buy a block of flats