“Pull Yourself Together”

The last post was one in which I spoke of depression, in my case brought on by a number of factors, not the least of which was the loss of my job. I have found another job, less money, worse hours (a late shift in a warehouse), but for the same company. The one that decided that they did not need 2 people working in the Health and safety department, well, there are only 400+ employees…….

Not unnaturally I looked at the Internet to see what I could find out about depression in men. After all, we men do not go to our doctors. I do not know why we do not use our GPs more but it is a fact that we do not. One site that I found useful was Depression and Suicide in Men If for no other reason that it did confirm that I am suffering from something other than feeling sorry for myself. Here are some of the tell tale signs;

pervasive low mood
loss of interest and enjoyment
reduced energy and diminished activity.

Other features can also be present, including:

poor concentration and attention
poor self-esteem or self-confidence
ideas of guilt and unworthiness
a bleak pessimistic view of the future
thinking about, planning, or attempting suicide
crying for no reason
disturbed sleep
poor appetite
decreased interest in sex

The recommendation from the site is that that if you have any of the symptoms you should talk to your doctor. If you have 3 or 4 symptoms and have thought about committing suicide you should talk to your doctor, urgently.

I certainly have a few of the symptoms. However, it seemed to me when I first read the list that everyone must qualify. It was not until I talked to a couple of male friends that I realised that they did not but I have on a number of occasions throughout my life. So, it seems that I have had several bouts of depression and come through them one way or another. I am sure that it will be the same this time. I have no desire to resort to medication, I have even cut down on my medicine of choice (whiskey).

I know that it will take a while but at least last weekend I was able to face going to have a meal with friends. For a number of weeks I have not been able to do that. I had been out for a social drink twice during the last month and had to leave very early because I could not stand the company of good friends.

If you are suffering from depression there are a number of pieces of advice I would offer. The main one is that the road to recovery is not straight. There will be times when you are feeling markedly better and then you may well slip back again. Talk to your partner, if you have one, they deserve to know what you are going through, so that they can help. It is not their fault if they tell you to pull yourself together if they do not know what is happening inside your head. Do seriously consider talking through your feelings with your GP or someone who you trust.

Above all, if you know anyone who seems to be displaying any of these symptoms then talk to them. You might just save their life.