[Closed] Depression - work and medication

* How honest with work and colleagues should I be?

I'd be tempted to tell HR at least. It gets the first blow in should performance become an issue, should give them a reason to be more lenient. If work are aware and they're putting you in situations which could exacerbate the situation then they could be in trouble, so they'll hopefully want to make allowances. There may well be things HR can suggest from an Occupational Health perspective too (our place has an "employee assistance" programme for stuff like this).

Telling your manager, really depends on what they're like your relationship with them. I had a fairly life-altering situation a little while ago and had no qualms about informing my boss, but he's a great guy and we get on really well so there were no downsides for me. Conversely, if you work for a fin du cloche it could possibly do more harm than good.

Colleagues, none of their business really. If it's impacting working relationships then you could always say you've "not been well," that could afford you some slack from them without giving them your life history (though the chances are they'll probably have forgotten 10 minutes after you've told them).

If you have a GP, go and see them first.

They can be incredibly helpful in these situation in my experience.

I'd be tempted to tell HR at least. It gets the first blow in should performance become an issue

I think ordinarily that would work but as a contractor, they don't have to sack you, they just don't renew your contract. Telling them might actually precipitate that sooner.

Here's something to think about.

Some forms of depression are simply the result of your body reabsorbing too much seratonin. It's a simple chemical fix with an SSRI drug.

It's no different to taking say, insulin because you're diabetic so why would you not just explore that route.

I don't want to compromise someone close to me (because they are a private person), but if the airline industry let pilots fly planes while being prescrubed SSRIs, why would anyone feel awkward about being on them?

It's about time we normalised the problem to the same level as taking an asprin to manage cholestrol (assuming they still do that).

St John's Wort is a proper drug - with side-effects - and is licensed as such in Germany.

Go to the GP.
And good luck.

I think ordinarily that would work but as a contractor, they don't have to sack you, they just don't renew your contract. Telling them might actually precipitate that sooner.

Ah, fair point. I forgot that bit in writing my reply.

It's about time we normalised the problem to the same level as taking an asprin to manage cholestrol

Well said.

asprin to manage cholestrol (assuming they still do that).

Erm... no
Thats statins

See the GP and, they'll put you on antidepressants, not all types work for all people but I've no issues with the 2 types I used. Do it now as they do take a few weeks to kick in but it should make the rest of the year easier and allow you clearer thoughts about the future.
You don't say whether you think it's your current contract that's causing the issue. I still get dark days but last time I was bad it was because I was working for an outsourcing company and I couldn't reconcile it with my moral compass, sounds like you may be somewhere similar.

go to the GP

GP. Ask for counselling.

Don't just blindly take antidepressants but that's the first thing GPs will offer to get you out of the door. However they make work for some people to get you over the worst bits while you sort things out. Depends on the personality though.

If the job sucks, chuck in the contract and find another one. Ideally with contracting you want enough in the pot to cover you for three months. Though understandable that financial issues may make that difficult and even difficult to just chuck it in.

Contracting itself is a funny one. It can be lonely as you may be moving from one job to another, not making friends at work or the company treats you like an outsider. So not terribly good for depression. On the other hand a company can treat someone permanent like crap and make life very stressful with it being harder to just leave. Or they kick you with redundancy but drag you through a long process to get there. Contracting is an easy exit and just move on.

If the kind of work is a problem, then a rethink on the work. Again though when you need the job to pay the bills / debts, then it's a tough one.

Again though, counselling may help there. There are different kinds and doesn't have to be all about the mental health side, but can help on how to sort your life out. That said, what you get offered on the NHS may not be enough.

Switch off from work as much as possible. Don't take work home with you, and don't take work worries home with you. Just think about the great day rate and how that will pay off the debts etc. At work, you're there as a contractor to just do the job and go home. Don't get dragged into politics.

Work performance would come with a clear mind and less stress. Getting enough sleep and are you drinking? Though don't obsess about being great at work. Work to live, don't live to work.

Exercise.

Can't stress that enough on how much exercise is a great benefit to mental health, and relaxing, switching off, and just generally being good for you.

Riding bikes especially.

See the GP and, they'll put you on antidepressants, not all types work for all people but I've no issues with the 2 types I used. Do it now as they do take a few weeks to kick in but it should make the rest of the year easier and allow you clearer thoughts about the future.

Or, if the initial prescription doesn't work, it can take months before you have a drug regime that manages your condition.

It took my wife 6-9 months before she was stable.

For most people, it isn't that bad, but OP should expect to pop a few pills and feel better in a fortnight. It can be a long road. The sooner that road is started the better. See your GP.

My experience, extreme depression after a number of deaths of family and friends.
Spoke to GP who was excellent and was very honest about the options of drugs vs self help. I opted for self help and was referred to a talking therapy service, I did supplement this with low dose St. John's wort. It helped a lot. I learned a lot about the causes of my depression and how to deal with them.
One of my triggers was alcohol, I still drink I just avoid getting drunk as that seems to be the tipping point.
Three years later Exercise is my main therapy now. I can tell when I haven't ridden for a few days as the darkness sets in a little. But I can spot it before it becomes critical and deal with it.

Speak to someone, learn to control it and take control of your life with the help of professionals.

Remember that once you have a GP diagnosis you become a DDA issue for HR. Mention this in your dealings with them as they will be more careful if they are on the ball. If not an ambulance chased will see you right. (You may not feel up to that though). Good luck and anti-depressants plus exercise and talking should see you right.

GP. Ask for counselling.

Fairly pointless as the waiting list will be 6 months at least unless you get an urgent referral e.g. suicide risk.

You can of course pay to see a counsellor privately (about £50 an hour).

My GP was very reluctant to give me antidepressants, I had to practically beg them on my knees. Was worth it in the end as they worked brilliantly and allowed me to keep my job and not end up unemployed...

ootflaps - Member 
Fairly pointless as the waiting list will be 6 months at least unless you get an urgent referral e.g. suicide risk.

Not pointless. A couple of weeks in my experience and very helpful. At least pointed in the right direction.

My GP was very reluctant to give me antidepressants, I had to practically beg them on my knees.

Mine jumped on them straight away and didn't even mention counselling as an option initially. I was determined the drugs were the last thing I wanted at the time and then they said maybe counselling is right for me. As I say, depends on the personality. If you're able to seize the guidance and drag yourself on track then in my opinion it's better than risking certain drugs that may take a long time or even increase symptoms or cause new ones.

Though everyone is different. I didn't need much help, just a pointer basically and I could self help. The drugs would have had me on a long slope from the start. Symptoms though were anxiety related (of obscure kind with no logic, but that's weird mental health issues for you).

If you have a GP, go and see them first.

They can be incredibly helpful in these situation in my experience

My experience also

15 years ago counselling was a 4 month wait, 4 years ago it was 6 months. The counselling helped but the antidepressants were necessary to get me to that point. Everyone is different though, as is every area's waiting list.

See the GP and, they'll put you on antidepressants,

Some will, others will have a look at all the options and suggest the best course of action in each individual situation. (In my experience)

A couple of weeks in my experience and very helpful.

I'd say that as unusual, we had a suicidal friend and getting her referred for counselling was a serious challenge, resources are so stretched that only the most urgent cases can see someone, everyone else just [url= https://www.mind.org.uk/news-campaigns/news/people-with-mental-health-problems-still-waiting-over-a-year-for-talking-treatments/ ]sits on a massive waiting list, up to 2 years[/url].

I think you should seek as much help as possible. Do you have family or friends you can talk to?

Exercise and diet are more likely to give you an immediate benefit than the drugs. It will also feel that you are doing something about the problem yourself. You can also get 5HTP from health food shops, it is a precursor of serotonin, but do some research if taking that in combination with St John Worts and be careful about doses.

See your doctor to talk about the options available, any drugs they offer you will take some time to have an effect, 2 to 6 weeks, depending on the person. You will not be able to take 5HTP and SJW if you are on medication. Some drugs will be more effective than others and it is a game of chance of how soon you find the right one for you. The GP will first offer you the one that is most effective for the most patients and is also the cheapest to supply, this is usually Sertraline but varies. There will usually be some side effects, but these should reduce with time, but not always true, depends how sensitive you are. So it is likely to be at least 2 months before you can change to a different drug, and then another few weeks to see if that one works and is tolerable for you. They are generally relatively safe, and do help lots of people, but it really is your choice. No more unhealthy for you in the short term than a crap diet.

As above, CBT or counselling with the NHS will probably be some time wait, and it depends if you feel the person you are seeing is someone that can help you. If you can afford to go private then it's worth a try, you can try a session or two and see if you think it will work for you with that service provider, if not try a different one.

Only you can figure out if there are people at your work who you could tell and who would be sympathetic to your problem. How about looking for a different job?

Good luck.

Yo will not be able to take 5HTP and SJW if you are on medication

You really don't want to be taking 5HTP and prescription antidepressant drugs together.

It's almost as though you should be talking to a doctor about medication, really.

I thought thats what "Yo(u) will not be able to" means, sorry about the badass spelling if that confused yo.

As for talking to a doctor, I'm sure I mentioned that too.

Sorry, I wasn't arguing, I was backing you up.

Isn't text communication brilliant.

Sorry for wrong stick end.

Not for me.

Peace, out.

I'm bloody glad I don't live down south then, after talking to my doc I was seen by a councillor in less than a month.
Reading this through the overwhelming advice is talk to your doc.

Have you though the stress of a job you dont lke may be depressing you, and debt has built up as you tend to spend cash you havent got, buying things you dont need to cheer yourself up.

Change jobs,pay off the debt slower and cut up the cards as well as reduce all non essential spending.

and get out and cycling youll feel better.

I got burnt out at work a few years ago after 2 years of incessant long hours, working weekends, etc on a stressful project. I took 5 days off work and eventually got referred for counselling which was great but was a long wait so not an immediate option. I'd be inclined to go to the GP.

OP. Some advice based on my experience.

1). Go to GP. Anti-depressants can help, even just to get to a point where you can begin to stabilise your mood and start to take practical steps

2). Both your actual performance and your accurate perception of your performance can improve after anti-depressants take effect

3). When your mood improves, likely will your ability to cope with the environment you are working with and again your feelings about it

4). Once you are in a better place, then you will start to get a little more energy and motivation to things - both leisure (Which will again raise your mood more) and to improve your situation long-term, e.g. getting counselling, making long-term plans etc...

I've been through this before and I will happily share more of my experiences if it may help. PM me if you think it could be helpful...

Jay

I've suffered with depression most of my adult life and put off taking anti-depressants for a long, long time. I tried counseling and dredging up all the bad shit actually made things worse for me. The tablets, however, have been great. Still have bad days, but not very bad days. I now wish I'd tried them years ago. Exercise also helps, but between work and family commitments it's quite hard to find the time.

In short, speak to your GP about your options and don't be afraid of taking tablets. They might work for you. Keep posting if it helps too. PM me if you want to talk about anything

Thanks everyone, some really good pointers here.

I have made contact with a counsellor I saw many years ago - don't know why I didn't think of that before.

I'll see about a GP visit, after the counsellor and I have had a chance to assess things.

Will definitely not be in that role/environment for the long haul, but getting debt clear will be worth it.

And thank you for the offers of help. It means the world.

desperatedanbikerman - Member

* I am taking St John's Wort - no effect yet - how wary should I be of going on proper drugs?

It depends on you. And that's not such a helpful answer but... I always resisted medication, I had what I think now were some wrong ideas, based on a couple of <very> heavily medicated friends. Now I "beat" depression as much as anyone does, without it. Yay me? Nah, I regret doing it that way, it was longer and harder and, irony free zone, more depressing. For me it was a mistake.

I know this because I started really struggling with anxiety- which is its own different total bastard of a thing- and ended up on citalopram. And what a difference. It's like cheat mode for mental health, it doesn't change who I am or what I do and nobody would guess if I didn't say it, but it just makes it easier.

how wary should I be of going on proper drugs?

Not at all.

Hello!

Right, my two pence worth!

1) Go see your GP as in make an appointment tomorrow to see someone this week! Even if it's an emergency appt do it!

2) prescription drugs can, do, and most probably will help, but don't think you pop a pill and will feel great! What they do is just even out the roller coaster of ups and downs ( or just downs) they do take a little while to kick in but bear with it if your given them. I fought it for a long time, finally my GP said if you had an infection would you take antibiotics? If you broke your arm would you have it put in plaster of course I said yes, she asked why was this different? They won't be forever, but it's just a help to get through. It sounds like youve been under a bit of pressure for a while for your Debt and you're clearing it but you've prob worn yourself down, and that's when the good old black dog comes and sits on your lap!!

3) google Mind, they do free workshops and you can often get on one quite quickly.

4) if you can try to speak to someone please do do (yes you will likely have to pay) if Im honest it saved my life speaking to my chap. If you're in the Southampton area I'll point you in his way. If we had not moved to the other end of the country I'd still see him ever one or two months at least!

5) can you take even a week off maybe a long weekend just a Monday or a Friday to chill?

6) yes this made me cringe and turn my eyes to the heavens when it was first said to me but it's true! "Be Kind to yourself!!" Cut yourself some slack, sleep well eat well, get some exercise even a 20 min walk in the park. Remember you're actually poorly, like having an illness, it's just this you feel but can't see the symptoms. That's ok it's ok to feel this way, you will get better and you will get back to yourself.

It's a shit thing to deal with mate but you're not alone in doing so.

Finally this I always though made sense and helped to explain it to myself and often others. Thinking of ya mate.

desperatedanbikerman - Member
And thank you for the offers of help. It means the world.

I think I can speak for all of who have responded. No problem and you are welcome. If you have been through it, it makes you want to help others.

Go see your GP as many have said and don't expect any sympathy or help from work.

If you have a plan to get debt free, think about a plan B in case you need to get another contract fast. Can you divert some cash into a savings account at the moment in case something goes wrong, a safety net might make you feel a bit more relaxed.

Also from a work perspective can you see why you are underperforming, is it solely due to the depression or is it other factors you can't address (skills etc)

It may sound a little simplistic but perhaps you could find something small or subtly visual that reminds you why you are there, why you are putting yourself through this and what it means come 2018. Go back to that when work feels like crap and keep focused on the long game.

As the mercenary contractors I used to know said TOTM
Think Of The Money.

Avoid HR at all costs unless you want your situation to get a lot worse

OP is a contractor, there is no HR to deal with as it were.

Please bear in mind what I write now, is written as a depressive, with the best intentions...

Others have covered the medical side well, personally I'm pro-counselling.

On the work side. Don't say a word. I say this, because you're a contractor not a permie. If you were a permie, then I'd be full on the tell HR route and ask for help. But as a contractor, you're on thin ice all the time, illness or not. The slightest excuse for them not to renew, and they won't. Everywhere I've worked contractors are utterly disposable, and there is no loyalty at all. Personally, I'd walk and get another contract if one was making me feel the way you've described.

A follow up on the GP visit suggestion. Some GPs are specialists in the field of depressive mental illness. Ask for a referral to one if your's is not one of these. The speciality is about 10 to 15 years old now so you should be in with a good chance of finding a clued up one.

Funny thing I found in permie life is loyalty is expected from yourself and returned when things are going well, but the instant things aren't so good that's all out the door. Politics and finger pointing, lots of stress. Contracting was my plan once I could get out. It's not been perfect, but is more flexible and you don't have to stay if things are bad, and it doesn't look bad because you left or didn't get renewed.

Go see your GP as many have said and don't expect any sympathy or help from work.

Taking the drugs prescribed by the GP worked for me. It kept me in a job and gave me time and head room to make the changes in life that needed to be made. If an when you do come off them please listen to the doctor (i didn't), its a gradual process and needs to be managed carefully. As be aware that different antidepressants work for different people, my first prescription stopped me doing something stupid but made me feel like I'd been coshed. A change of prescription made a huge improvement.

I can understand the desire to take something natural but St John's wort is not something to take without advice. It can also mess with the way your body deals with other drugs so the GP needs to know you are taking it.

I'm only just picking up exercise again after a break enforced by injury

wait until you get goin on that exercise regime and then see how you feel before going for any medication.

I work in that sector and have a lot of your symptoms - but lack of exercise is causing a lot of it - not sleeping deeply (improves with exercise) and hence more fatique and then lack of concentration, etc.

It's almost as though you should be talking to a doctor about medication, really.

Especially if it isn't prescription stuff, you'll often find your pharmacist is more of an expert on interactions than your GP.