More down than ups

I went to my GP''s yesterday, told her about the divorce and that I was having difficulty functioning - i.e. disruptive sleep patterns, hair falling out memory loss, lack of interest in life in general, unable to function some days, sleeping on the sofa most nights and so forth. She said doctors'' are no longer allowed to prescribe sleeping pills. She diagnosed me with depression and prescribed Citalopram 20 mg and explained that unfortunately they take approx. a month to have any impact.

She also said that she would take a blood test to see what was happening with regard to sudden hair loss and other displaying symptoms to see what was causing these side affects (could be thyroid problems I was informed) - unfortunately (she said) we only have 10 minute time slots with each patient and told me to go back after the current prescription had run out. No blood specimen was taken. She recommended hot baths before bedtime (sleep in bed and not on the sofa etc) and try and take control of my life.

I came out of the surgery feeling completely deflated. Luckily, I went to one of my exercise classes last night and came out of there feeling positive and almost whole again. This morning "I''m back down among the dead men". I hate the fact that all of this **ap is getting me down and am more than aware that there are other people out there with far greater problems than mine and my heart goes out to them.

Has anyone ever used a light box as I understand these can be affective for depression?

I have had the same problem with GPs. I think that they are good at the physical issues of the body but not so great on the psychological issues. Your hair loss is probably due to all the stress that your body and mind are going through so really important that you try and get proper sleep and get the body relaxed, especially at night. This is far easier than done though and taken me nearly two years to start sleeping properly but some nights I still struggle. Keep up the exercise as this is one of the best ways to treat depression and PM me if you want some tips etc to help with sleep etc.

I also think that dr appointments around symptoms caused by divorce and excess stress you should be seen by a GP that has gone through it themselves as they are probably more sympathetic and knowledgable I was just signed of with depression and they didnt even ask me to come back.

Hi Iqt42v

Just been to doctors myself this morning. I know why I am feeling like I am and she has known of my situation since my "tsunami" almost 2 years ago now so she knows how I cope. Often just having a cry and chat when things seem too much. Think this period is one of the worst due to change and uncertainty and it is the not sleeping which is is making things seem unmanageable so she did actually prescribe sleeping pills (have never taken them before).

I was also convinced I was losing my hair at one point. Hopefully not a problem now.

Just trying to keep my sanity. I am so angry at what has happened and the devastating effects but know I just need to try and keep calm.

Sorry to hear about the less than satisfactory GP visit. I must have been lucky to have got the counselling on top of the Citalopram. I''m relieved you weren''t offered sleeping pills. Try to think of your current state of mind as temporary - you are suffering from reactive depression and it will eventually go away. Exercise is good, lots of fresh air and let''s hope we get some sunny spring weather soon. Lavender oil in your bath or on your pillow is meant to be good too.

lqt42v wrote:

Has anyone ever used a light box as I understand these can be affective for depression?

No not me. I think its a cynical way of extracting vast amounts of money out of people for what they could get for free if they walk out into the open. But for those that are housebound I suspect they are a good option. However, I am told there is enough light to give you vitamin D even on a cloudy day. Try a walk in the evenings. Its starting to get lighter now.

Chances are, you are suffering from something called "reactive depression". That form of depression is short lived and will last as long as the trauma that is impacting you now. Solve the trauma problem and you solve the depression.

However it could be a coincidence but you could actually be suffering from pucka depression. I wouldnt take any meds if you can avoid it. But perhaps keep an eye on it and continue with the gym workouts which are good for body and mind in anycase. Gyming it wont hurt you. Thats essentially what I did. I started going to the gym and that helped me sleep better and feel better about myself. But dont make it your life and become a gym slave. Just think of it as a tool to help you.

See if you can get some talking therapies. Its not a cheap option. But it could help you a lot. Talking therapy like counselling is another tool in the arsenal to help you on your way. Same with self help books. Relate have produced a ton of them. But they are usually only in libraries that are close to the relate offices. All good tools. Use a mix of them as you need. And as we know, it takes a number of tools to fix a shelf up. Marshy.

A colleague had a light box to cope with seasonal affective depression. I have no idea how effective it was - and his problem was that he was bipolar. So a heck of a lot different to the reactive depression associated with traumatic events like divorce.

I''d get a new gp ...

A light box you say? Sounds like a plan bit.ly/17DvbZH

C