Depression
Dr Helen Keely was our featured expert for June and answered your questions about depression and anxiety.
LG958 says:Hi, i’ve been having a really hard time at home lately, my friends aren’t speaking to me after a row, and I get picked on in school and stuff pretty badly! I feel really alone and scared right now, but I don’t know where to turn to! I’ve also been skipping meals and stuff lately, and I’m scared it will get worse
Hi LG958,
I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been having such a hard time lately, it seems you’ve been through a lot. Sometimes we can experience a hard time when we’re not communicating very well with each other which can lead to misunderstanding. The situation with your friends and being picked on in school is obviously making matters worse for you and making it harder for you to get through this. At this stage it will be important for you to speak to someone you trust about what is going on. I know it might seem like the last thing you want to do but talking to a teacher or the school guidance counsellor will help you to understand what’s happening. Teachers and guidance counsellors are trained to support students and it is their job to help you get through this tough time. I know it’s really difficult to do but if you can find the courage to speak to a trusted adult face to face you can begin to get through this. If you cannot identify a teacher you know well enough or trust you could visit your nearest GP and ask for his or her advice.
There is more information throughout ReachOut.com on Family and friends and Face to face help.
Please do talk to someone who can help you get through this.
Helen.
Lisa says: i tink i mite be depressed i hate me life im like this ages now i fell i cant talk to anyone about it im after pushn meslef away from me friends i stay in all the time with felln sad sumtimes i think bout ending it all but cant cause of me family ive an aunt who took her own life an cudnt put my family true that again and there ah strong family history of mental illness in my family aswell
Hi Lisa,
Even though you have been feeling so sad for a while now it’s good that you are really trying to make sense of those feelings and understand what is going on in your life. It is important that you speak to someone who can help you to get through those feelings. Your local GP can help figure out what will help and, if you haven’t already, you should make an appointment to see the GP as soon as possible.
If you are in crisis at any point and feel you need to talk to someone straight away you can call Samaritans on 1850 609090 any time of the day or night or the 1Life Helpline on 1800 247 100 – also open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Please do talk to your GP,
Helen.
Mike says:
Broke up with my girlfriend so low at the moment
Hi Mike
Relationship break-ups are very hard. There can be many reasons why couples break up and it can be very hard, even painful when you are trying to make sense of it all. The most important thing to do is to look after yourself, don’t rush yourself and talk to someone about how you are feeling. If there is a close friend or family member that you can confide in then talk to them. You might prefer to talk to someone outside of the situation like a counsellor.
You can find out more information about Counselling and what often happens when you are Ending a relationship on ReachOut.com
Take care
Helen
Louise says:
hi im feeling down all the time and its been 2 years. I am 18 going on 19 and feel like i have no where else to turn. i feel tired all the time i cant sleep and hae no motivation to do anything. i dont want to feel like this i even feel guilty for bring the way i am. I have been to my doctor and went on the pill incase this is a hromal thing but i dont think that has helped me. i feel lonely and pathetic i dont usually do this kind of thing but im willing to try something. what can i do ? i am not sure going to my doctor will help and i know going to talk with someone professional costs alot…any help would be appreciated. thank you
Hi Louise
It sounds like you have been trying to make sense of your feelings for a while and it can be difficult to know where to turn when you have already been to see your doctor. While it might seem frustrasting, your doctor will want to know that you don’t think their advice so far has really helped you…it would be doing both of you a favour if you go back to your doctor and tell him or her exactly how you are feeling so that you can explore other options to help you feel better.
You also mention talking to someone professional and the cost of that. There are a wide range of counselling services and some of them charge according to what the person can afford. There is a full directory of counselling services that are explained on CounsellingDirectory.ie
Shane says: i was caught drink driving i didnt realise i was over the limit the garda gave me my keys back that night and i drove my car home should i still be charged
An encounter like the one you have experienced with the Gardai can be very stressful, and not knowing or understanding the outcome can leave you anxious. It will be good if you can talk through exactly what happened with a trusted friend or family member and also read through the information on ReachOut.com about Drink driving. After you’ve done that if you are still unsure as to whether you will be charged you should ask the question in your local Garda station. Either way you will feel much better knowing than not knowing.
Take care
Helen
Tricia says:
Hello there, I’m somewhat unfomalular with BiPolar etc… but I actually think I might have it. The only thing is that I had a stroke about 10 years ago, and seen as the symptoms are kind of similar… i.e. increased agression, I tend to loose my temper easily, I loose my train of thought when agitated, have sometime have furious mood swings etc… Most of the time I’m fine when i’m not around my family, but for some reason or anothe they just seem to set me off EVERYTIME !! Its like as if they are expecting me to act a certain way & I stupidly give them what they want !! I have a wonderful boyfriend who does have BiPolar Stage II, so I have seen first had what thats like watching him, but knowing myself and and my situation with my family I’m not so sure about myself !! I Really Need Someone’s HELP & Afvice coz honest to God… I just get so frustrated and end up loosing it unfortunately, even though I know I shouldn’t !! Whats worst of all is that everyone keeps telling me that I need to change my behavious, but no one seems to be looking at themselves !! Thanks.
Hi Tricia
We’re sorry to hear you’re feeling this way. It’s one of those ironies of life that we can become most stressed when we are among close family and that can often be associated with anger. We can feel this stress for many reasons including poor communication and mis-understandings. There are tips elsewhere on this site around Family relationships that will hopefully help you make sense of the way things are at home.
It is great that you have someone to talk to in your boyfriend who is outside of that immediate home situation but it would also be good if you can speak to your GP about how you are feeling. If you tell your GP that you think you may have bi-polar, he or she will be able to advise you on the next steps you should take to mmanage the way your feeling.
Please do talk to your GP so that you get the help and support you need,
Take care
Helen
Mary says:
i was recently treated for a very bad UTI INFECTION but failed to physically recover fully, no energy constantly feeling tired and faint. My bocy was shaking and i had the feeling i was getting a heart attack.Had lots of tests done, all showed up clear, thank god. Was told i was having anxiety- panic attacks, Put on low dose of Zanex and it helps but they have not gone away. Due to go on holidays for 14 days and will bring enough meds with me. Will follow up with physchiarist on my return from holidays. Any advice on how ot deal with these weak fainting feelings.
Hi Mary
It must be difficult for you managing those feelings of panic and anxiety. In many cases, the preferred treatment option for anxiety would be psychological, including cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) for example. There is more information on how CBT works on the site.It would be worth making an appointment with a psychologist to discuss how you are feeling and to go through the range of support options. Or discuss those different options with a GP.
Take care
Helen
Jason says:
do you know of any groups directed towards older men 43yrs, im currently on the mend. i think.
Hi Jason
It’s good that you think you’re on the mend.
The Men’s Health Forum in Ireland will be able to point you in the direction of any available support for older men near where you’re living – you can contact them through their website. It’s also worth exploring whether there is a Men’s Shed where you live. Men’s sheds is a fairly new movement internationally based around community sheds where men of all ages can get together and talk about whatever is on their minds while also getting involved in bits and pieces of manual labour or sharing skills.
If you are currently concerned about your mental health though you may need to speak with a health professional – your GP is always a good place to start,
Take care
Helen
Thomas says:
hi i have read abit about depression and think i might be suffering from it my dad had it dor years . i am a self employed mechanic but lately i just find answering the phone to customers is a big deal my relationship with my partner is suffering because of my attatude i just feel down all the time and have very little intrest in work . in the last few years i lost my mother my father and my brother and just cant seem to get my life back on track , do you think i might have depression, thank you
Hi Thomas
It sounds like you’ve been through quite a lot recently and it may be that you are experiencing depression and / or anxiety which in many ways is a normal reaction to what you have experienced. The best thing to do at this stage would be to have a general chat with your GP and explain to him or her how you are feeling.
It’s great that you’ve taken the first step towards dealing with and moving on from your feelings, please do take the next step and talk to your GP. There is short video on ReachOut.com that helps to explain what a visit to the GP for a mental health issue is like.
Take care
Helen.
