How do you deal with depression?

[Súil Eile]

I know there are quite a few people on here, including myself, who suffer from depression that has been caused by (or at least not helped by!) DES.

I'm having a pretty bad time at the moment. I'm on anti-depressants and usually get through day-to-day life ok, but sometimes I just slip a little bit further down the slope for a few days and I'd prefer to spend my whole day sleeping.

Tea, hugs, ice-cream and walks help a bit. It's also nice when friends ask how I am. It may be a simple line in an email, but it's intended to cheer me up and it can have a real impact.

So, what do ye do to help make those dark days a little brighter?

[y-gwair]

Sounds like we are all having a bad day. To be honest, I find it very difficult, as so many of the usual distractions are limited in my case (can't work, read or watch TV for long due to dry eye; can't go out before evening due to photosensitivity, which makes looking after the various livestock/large garden very hard work, and day trips we used to enjoy together virtually impossible, even with hats/sunscreen). I think that's the real problem with these conditions, they rob you of so many basic things that others take for-granted, including comfortable, undisturbed sleep.

I find the only way I can cope is looking ahead to the next consultation/treatment, basically the only milestones in my life at the moment (given that I'm probably getting to the point where not much more can be done, it's not a great strategy and one that has already cost a fortune, without much to obvious benefit to be honest). I think the only way to cope long term is to get back to work, plan projects and set some goals, but not yet at a point where my eyes will allow me to do that. I'd also like to be able to drive again, it would make such a difference if I could drive back and fore to Wales like I used to. I've been through bad flares before, I tell myself that things will eventually improve a bit, but it's been so severe and prolonged this time it's hard to convince myself.

[Colin P]

Hi, I know how it feels to be really low; when this all started for me (Jan 2011)...How low? you dont want to know!!.. I refused to go-on Anti-depressents, as some experts say they may worsen symphtoms? i was reading only last night about anti-depressents and dry-eye, it was probably on here-lol cant remember! a few sufferers are trying 'Adderall' instead of anti-depressents Adrerall is primarily used for Attention defecit Hyper dissorder, and calms sufferers down.
Maybe do some more research, and speak to your G.P?.

Myself i've found that 'Anadin-EXTRA' help no-end when pain gets too bad i take 2x Crikey they are strong! and really 'space-you-out' so to speak.
They are about £1 a box nowadays and not to be confused with simple 'Anadin'; promise me you will give them a try....

...Like y-gwair, i do not watch T.V any longer or read, and limit my driving or computer use. The bathroom is now my new home, warm soak every night, and the Radio is now my best freind (listening to phone-ins etc).. Plus i keep a pic of my 2x kids with me from when they were very young (now aged 19 and 16-and a pain in the butt).
Confidence is everything, and slowly i'm heading in the right direction, how you get the confidence is tough, and only through experimenting i have better days, but i do know, there are indeed better days if i just tough-out the bad days.

[Súil Eile]

Colin, I'm with you on the bathroom thing! People must think I spend ages in the shower, but I usually just sit there with the water running for a while before getting in...such bliss!

I find forcing myself to socialise can have some benefit; but only with close friends I'm competely comfortable with. The one thing that really brightened up my day yesterday was a phone call from my eye doc. He said the results from my blood tests show very high levels of thyroid (peroxidase) antibodies. Apparently normal levels should be below 5.6, and mine are 284! So he is making an appointment with an endochrinologist for me (the same one he goes to and trusts). I'm really hoping this opens up a new avenue of treatment for me. LIke y-gwair, I've spent a lot of money and hope on what seems to have very little benefit so far.

Also, my sister brought home a stray kitten that I'm now looking after. The antics of the little bundle of fluff are a great distraction from all things eye related

I might try the Anadin Extra, its at least worth a shot. Thanks for the tip! I have to say (if you can afford it) that the Kindle has been a godsend for me and reading. The text can be enlarged, and there's no backlight which makes it very easy on the eyes. It also has a text-to-speech function for when my eyes are just too bad and I need to listen to the rest of a book. Best Christmas present I ever got.

[littlemermaid]

Confidence is everything, and slowly i'm heading in the right direction

Good news, Colin P. Thanks for kind post about The Dry Eye Family ~ this is how I see it. Where else could we get practical and sensitive replies. The latest medical research. Exchange information, kind wishes, laughs, with people all over the world. The experience of patients of the world's dry eye docs feeds back to us here ~ how useful is that to people suffering in all countries? Thank you again Rebecca, moderators, research buffs, correspondents ~ makes our dark days very much brighter, being here.

what do ye do to help make those dark days a little brighter?

[bunnyrabbit123]

Bad day here too. It's very hard, I'm a solitary soul anyway and now the things I enjoyed, books, movies, driving are pretty much too hard to do. I was depressed before this plague landed on the doorstep and frankly, and I too hang on from one doctor visit to the next, hoping some good info will be forthcoming. This website has been a huge help-to be in contact with those who know! on the other hand, I'm a member of a club I don't really want to belong too, no offense! I was doing the dishes earlier and giving myself the pep talk- "it's just a bad day, there will be better ones, etc" but what I'm going to do is take 1/2 a xanax, turn on a movie I already know (I just listen to the dialogue) and try to nap and hang on till tomorrow- thinking of you all, so grateful for this website.

[Súil Eile]

Hang in there, Bunnyrabbit. And no offense taken. It's a very difficult thing to handle when the simple pleasures in life are no longer pleasurable. Sometimes it really is the simple things that make you feel better; like a nap, or listening to a favourite film. Lyric FM today had a programme playing music to films...I really enjoyed listening to it and figuring out which films they were from. It really calmed me down.

[y-gwair]

The one thing that really brightened up my day yesterday was a phone call from my eye doc. He said the results from my blood tests show very high levels of thyroid (peroxidase) antibodies. Apparently normal levels should be below 5.6, and mine are 284! So he is making an appointment with an endochrinologist for me (the same one he goes to and trusts).

Well done eye doctor for thinking to check for thyroid (eye) disease, and good news you've got a referral to a good Endo, that's quite rare in my experience. Remember, thyroid problems can have a significant effect on mood and brain function, so that may also be playing part with feelings of depression, lethargy (plus the dreaded 'brain fog' that can affect concentration so badly). Also might be worth getting checked for anaemia, as this often occurs alongside thyroid disease and can exacerbate tiredness and dryness issues.

[littlemermaid]

the Radio is now my best friend

Lyric FM today had a programme playing music to films...I really enjoyed listening

Just wanted to mention Last.fm http://www.last.fm/home where you can stream music for free and build your own playlist 'radio' with recommendations. Soundtrack to your life, plus music it knows you might like. This keeps me off the antidepressants - you can choose music to suit/change your mood, remind you of good times, express the rage at full volume, whatever's needed. Easily find very different likes - for me, Ali Farka Toure, Led Zeppelin, Purcell, played Tarantino film music before our last appointment, sorry, needed it though... Hope this link helps, works for me.

Mermaid herself, early teens now, listens to a huge amount of comedy on YouTube - I mean All The Time and she is always laughing at this and talking to friends online. She follows favourite comedians through film, TV, game shows, stand-up, and this Very Therapeutic. Sometimes a comedian with attitude who's had difficult life experience, or the right comedy film, sees us through like a great doctor with the remedy.

[caddick]

I always prefer to keep my self busy in my depression period.I do spend more time than usual in my gym exercise,listen music,watch films which keep my mind away from depression and divert my mind from depression hole.Exercise also keeps me calm and relax my mind during depression specially yoga.

[DCRdryeye]

Depression is such a horrible feeling especially when dealing with ongoing eye problems. All we want is comfortable eyes, is that too much to ask? Then when our efforts don't work, or produce minimal results, depression can creep in. I've dealt with depression before developing dry eyes, and now, dry eyes means extra effort to keep depression controlled. Along with antidepressants and herbs, I use mind-body medicine and it's been so effective I provide these programs for others. www.depressionhypnosismp3.com.au - have a listen to a sample of "Escape from Depression"

[Faith1989]

I have been really down lately too. I went home to see my family for a holiday trip and couldnt enjoy myself because my eyes flared up everyday. I think it's probably because I keep using Restasis hoping that maybe one day it will actually work...so far that day has not come. For some reason even though it's not helping I feel guilty not using it, because its the only safe thing that is supose to work... I use anti-depressants and have for years now, I almost have to..I am off them right now, and feel worse than ever. Even though they say "it makes dry eye worse" I dont think it's true in my case. Has Restasis helped anyone reading this?

[DCRdryeye]

It's a funny thing. I find Restasis didn't help me much, but when I stop using it, I'm drier and more uncomfortable. So the benefits are only very minimal. I don't know how it ever passed FDA approval.

[Faith1989]

I'm going to stop using the Restasis and try just using the Lotemax... just for a few days and see if I improve, and the redness goes down. I guess I get my hopes up because its "supose" to work eventually after six months...

[DCRdryeye]

I think Restasis is over rated. How long have you been using it for? Perhaps give it a break for awhile and go back to it? It depends if benefit outweighs expense, you'll know whether if there's any justification in continuing with it. I'm seeing an eye doc here in Australia who does autogolous blood serum, so that's a new venture for me. What else can you try?