Depression and MS

[HVAC]

This time of year is a bad time for depression. Depression is the illness that does not want you to fix it. It tells you you will snap out of it. You might be irritable. You might cry. You might have the yes buts. Every time someone suggests a solution to a problem you say " yes but that won't work".

Depression is situational. Dealing with MS is hard. We get angry and have no one to take it out on so we turn it on ourselves. We feel guilty for putting MS on our family. Other real situations such as illness or death of other family members can add to depression. So can financial worries. MS is life changing and that adds to depression.

Other family members can be depressed. Living with a depressed person can make you depressed.

Also MS is about the brain and can cause depression. If you think you may be depressed. Or you do not know what is wrong you can see the family doctor.

There is no shame in taking medication to help. There is also counseling. I said counseling is too expensive until I realized what a hospitalization would cost.

Depression is weird. When you are depressed you can't remember what it felt like to not be depressed. When you are not depressed you can't remember what depression felt like.

Depression is as real as optic neuritis or trouble walking. You are not weak or bad. It is quite real.

I take medication. When I feel out of sorts I go into my doctor and have her access me. She picks up on my depression before I do. I will tell myself I am okay and get off my meds. Then I notice I am irritable again. I go back on and I am happy. The pills do not mean I don't have ups and downs. I just have less deep downs.

Be kind to yourself. MS is really hard so is being in the diagnosis process.

Alex

[cjtmn]

"Every time someone suggests a solution to a problem you say "yes but that won't work" "

I heard myself in that statement so very loud and clearly. Thank you for the great post & gentle reminders.

Cheryl

[TLC1104]

Thankyou so much for all you have written.  
T

[supermum_ms]

So very true!

Depression changes the way you see and experience the world, it can cloud and or leave holes in your memory, turn a perfectly average day into something really terrible because it's almost impossible when your depressed to recognise that you are projecting the way you feel, into every experience, and onto everyone your interacting with.

Depression can also deceive you into believing you've been handling every thing just fine but your usually not. When your depressed it's common to avoid dealing with things in your work and private life, even very important things. It can be harder to get out of bed, bath, eat properly, make decisions, look after your kids or pets, open the mail, answer the phone, go out with friends, harder to not be impulsive and self reward, make you react with tears, anger, guilt etc etc etc

Depression unrecognised, only spirals in one direction until something or someone leads you to get the help you need!

Look after your mental health.......JJ

[aspen2]

Thank you.