Thread: Depression

Hi Again everyone,

This will be short,

Since my last post I have had many unexpected and extremely supportive and encouraging PMs. Some from those who are genuinely concerned about my condition (and I'm sure all the other suffers out there as well), plus from others who have "come out" with their own battle with the BD.

To every single one of those kind and caring members who have taken the time out of their own busy days to enquire about my own mental and physical well being, I thank you all very sincerely and I promise you one and all that I will reply to you all personally as soon as I can raise the inner and mental strength to do so.

Right now I feel I have fallen into the deepest, darkest 'hole' I have ever experienced. I have not even been out to my shed in over a week. I have even considered giving up the only thing that gives me any real pleasure at all....my wood working.
There just doesn't seem a way out this time. I don't know how or why this is happening to me right now or where it will lead.
On top of all this, I feel nothing but guilt about what I'm going through when there are so many others suffering similar debilitating symptoms in silence. To all those other sufferers, I beg you to please get help so you don't end up in the place i now find myself.

Hopefully in time, I'll be able to dig myself out of this bloody depressive abyss, but for now I can only wish everyone all the very best with their own private battles and I wish you and your families a very happy and Merry Christmas.

Bob

You have my best wishes Bob.

If I may say, you will benefit from professional help. Talk to your GP; s/he can do a basic assessment to see if you qualify for Medicare rebates for a number of sessions with a psychologist.

Bob,

Sorry to hear your having a tough battle at the moment mate...hang in there.

Unsure if you have gone down this path, but it may be worth getting in touch with a mob called "Crisis Assessment and Treatment Team (CATT)". Can highly recommend them.

Beyond that, try not to make any plans (ie. I have even considered giving up the only thing that gives me any real pleasure at all....my wood working.) until your in a better head space.

Good luck mate, and pursue every avenue you can to put a smile back on your dial. Please keep us posted.

Craig

I'm writing here in response to all the wonderful PMs I've received from so many caring members who have opened up to me about their own personal and private battles with this debilitating disease that is Depression. Some were offering their very appreciated support, while others have thanked me for bringing this subject to the fore so their fellow members understand how many people this affliction has touched.
My own situation has just recently taken a big change for the worse.
Over 30 years ago I was in a motorcycle accident which left me in hospital for nearly 6 months. There's no need for me to go into my many injuries or the 17 plus operations I underwent during that time, but there was one specific injury which, compared to all the others, seemed reasonably minor at the time. This injury was to the Scaphoid bone area of my right thumb which was wired together for a few weeks. For some reason it has now come back to haunt me to the point where I can no longer use my right hand for anything that involves using my thumb. Hopefully it will slowly improve, but for the time being, I am unable to even use a pencil. My left hand is slightly less damaged, but nearly just as useless in many actions.

Consequently, the only activity that gives me any pleasure.....my woodworking.....has now become impossible for me to even attempt.
I have now officially reached rock bottom, I can do nothing, but wait to see what God and time has in store for my future.
This is my lot and only I have to live it. What I would prefer now though is for all of you wonderful and caring people to look to your friends and take the time to ask them "how you are doing." There is a National "How are you day", which was established to get people to take the time to turn to your friends and show them you care. All I ask is that you don't wait for just one day in the year to check on your mate's well being.
Suffering in silence is not the way to go through life. We NEED our friends more than we realise. I cherish and yearn for the all too infrequent days when someone drops by to visit me on my property. At least I have my dog to talk to and be my constant companion. He knows when I'm feeling down and does his best to lick my tears away.
Now that I have nothing further to offer this Forum anymore, I'll now just sit quietly on the side lines and try to enjoy the achievements and goals of everyone else here.

BTW, some of the questions that have been asked of me, is if I have seen a professional medical and psychological expert. the answer is 'yes'. I've seen them all....I take my regimen of pills regularly. So thanks to those who asked that of me.

I hope all my fellow Forum members and their families have a very Happy and Wonderful Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
Be good to each other and take the time to show them that you care. Believe me, they may not show it, but they WILL thank you for it.

All the Very best to Everyone for the future, and may your splinters be small ones.
Bob

I forgot to mention that if I can be of any assistance to anyone or even just offer a friendly ear, my email is [email protected]

You are stronger than you give yourself credit for. What you say about family and friends is the true essence of life.

Blessings

There is definitely no need to sit on the sideline.

Your knowledge and skills are able to be verbally taught to many people.

I wait for the day when I can have the guidance of someone with experience and knowledge in a field share their skills with me.

Originally Posted by Glenrob

....... I'll now just sit quietly on the side lines and try to enjoy the achievements and goals of everyone else here.

You will find greater pleasure in guiding younger, inexperienced woodworkers with your knowledge.

I have three hand injuries (one also from a motorbike off) and have got benefit from seeing a specialist hand therapist, both for exercises and soft and hard splints that enable me to keep on woodturning to a degree.

These practitioners appear to come from physio or occ therapy backgrounds.

Australian Hand Therapy Association Inc

HTH.

Hi Everyone,

At long last I have something better to report than my all too frequent tales of woe.
Since my last post, my doctors and x-rays have not been able to prove anything conclusive regarding my thumb, but at least I can say the pain is subsiding slowly.
Also after a talk with a friend and a surprising email from my younger sister, plus doubling my anti-Ds, I can actually say I almost had a "good day" yesterday. With things the way they've been lately, I'll take anything I can get.
So again I'd just like to thank everyone for their support and encouragement. You guys are the best.
Thank you all.

Cheers,
Bob

Hi Bob, Glad to here

Glad to hear things have improved a bit for you Bob. Keep it up mate.

good stuff Rob ... still hope we get to meet one of these days

Bob that's great news!!!!!!!!!!
It may only be a small improvement but it is going the right way.
Christmas is usually not a good time for me with my battle with the "black dog", but I am hoping this year will be better than usual. I was telling a mate that I usually sank low and he replied....not this year!!
Hang in there mate we are all looking out for you.


Please let us know if you need some encouragement during the next few weeks. Don't hesitate to let us know of any changes. There is a lot of us that know how you feel
Merry Christmas Bob and all the best