Thought I would keep this separate from the RIP thread. Posted by Stan Collymore early on Saturday morning.

 

http://www.twitlonger.com/show/ecoqm1

I heard about this

 

Helluva coincidence

Well worded by Stan, and brave of him to write. I hope it does help others to know they're not alone.

Read that before I heard about speed

 

I have to say that when I did hear about speed it's the first thing I thought of

It hasnt been confirmed depression played a part it was only what I was surmising from Twitter regarding Speed,

 

however this depression is something to easily dismissed as an illness, its something I read and retweeted yesterday, folks do need to be more aware of the actual damage this illness can cause.

Surely everyone that Kills themselves has some form of depression.

the problem for sufferers of depression is that it's been hijacked by the workshy

 

no, you're not depressed, you're a bit fed up

That must have been some punch Andy Todd landed.

 

Serious note though, I used to be in the "cheer the fuck up will you" brigade, but have learned that depression has more to it.

 

It's problem is that many people cry wolf with it, hence the reason it probably gets ignored so much.

the problem for sufferers of depression is that it's been hijacked by the workshy

 

no, you're not depressed, you're a bit fed up

 

 

Going to work helps my depression, takes my mind off things and I focus on doing a good job

Thanks for posting the tweet.

 

I suffer from Bipolar Affective Disorder - also known as Manic Depression. I was diagnosed as suffering from depression in 1997 and prescribed the drug de jour Prozac which didn't touch it. After a lot of research on my own my self diagnosis was confirmed on 9/11.

 

I attempted suicide in 2007 - I won't go into details here but I was pissed off to say the least when I came too in ICU three days later. At the time I felt (knew) that it was the only option - that's what this illness can do for you - despite the fact I had a successful career, lovely wife, gorgeous children etc. etc. At the time I'd worked in the City for twenty years, enjoyed a six figure salary and had paid 40% tax for most of those years.

 

The 'there's no such thing as depression' brigade do not help, my wife was one and if anything made things worse. Whilst I do not wish this illness on anyone (AND I do mean anyone) it is impossible for someone who doesn't suffer from any form of mental illness to even begin to contemplate what it can feel like.

 

Well done Stan, say what you like about him but his continued candour about his illness can only help fellow sufferers feel more comfortable discussing theirs with friends, family and colleagues. I am generally very careful who I tell but over time I've gained a sixth sense as to who will take what I tell them on board or will not be able to comprehend what I've told them

thanks for trusting wways, superwhite

thanks for trusting wways, superwhite

 

My post wasn't meant as a pop at yours by the way.

Thanks for posting the tweet.

 

I suffer from Bipolar Affective Disorder - also known as Manic Depression. I was diagnosed as suffering from depression in 1997 and prescribed the drug de jour Prozac which didn't touch it. After a lot of research on my own my self diagnosis was confirmed on 9/11.

 

I attempted suicide in 2007 - I won't go into details here but I was pissed off to say the least when I came too in ICU three days later. At the time I felt (knew) that it was the only option - that's what this illness can do for you - despite the fact I had a successful career, lovely wife, gorgeous children etc. etc. At the time I'd worked in the City for twenty years, enjoyed a six figure salary and had paid 40% tax for most of those years.

 

The 'there's no such thing as depression' brigade do not help, my wife was one and if anything made things worse. Whilst I do not wish this illness on anyone (AND I do mean anyone) it is impossible for someone who doesn't suffer from any form of mental illness to even begin to contemplate what it can feel like.

 

Well done Stan, say what you like about him but his continued candour about his illness can only help fellow sufferers feel more comfortable discussing theirs with friends, family and colleagues. I am generally very careful who I tell but over time I've gained a sixth sense as to who will take what I tell them on board or will not be able to comprehend what I've told them

 

 

 

I can relate, the only differance is that I have only thought about suicide and have never tried it. Did stand on the edge of a lift shaft 30 floors up once and wondered but had second thoughts

Thanks for posting the tweet.

 

I suffer from Bipolar Affective Disorder - also known as Manic Depression. I was diagnosed as suffering from depression in 1997 and prescribed the drug de jour Prozac which didn't touch it. After a lot of research on my own my self diagnosis was confirmed on 9/11.

 

I attempted suicide in 2007 - I won't go into details here but I was pissed off to say the least when I came too in ICU three days later. At the time I felt (knew) that it was the only option - that's what this illness can do for you - despite the fact I had a successful career, lovely wife, gorgeous children etc. etc. At the time I'd worked in the City for twenty years, enjoyed a six figure salary and had paid 40% tax for most of those years.

 

The 'there's no such thing as depression' brigade do not help, my wife was one and if anything made things worse. Whilst I do not wish this illness on anyone (AND I do mean anyone) it is impossible for someone who doesn't suffer from any form of mental illness to even begin to contemplate what it can feel like.

 

Well done Stan, say what you like about him but his continued candour about his illness can only help fellow sufferers feel more comfortable discussing theirs with friends, family and colleagues. I am generally very careful who I tell but over time I've gained a sixth sense as to who will take what I tell them on board or will not be able to comprehend what I've told them

 

When you are sat with a counsellor who asks you, Have you ever had suicidal thoughts.. and you reply, yes, once every hour. That puts everything in to focus. Hopefully some good will come out of today's tragedy, and people will start to understand how depression is one of the worst illnesses' that affects us.

 

We still don't know what drove Gary to take his own life, but depression is one of the last taboos's we need to break!

Edited November 27, 201114 yr by Peter North

Having sat by my wifes bed side as she came round from her 3rd attempted suicide by overdose (i was there for 1 & 2 too) I'm well aware of the ravages of depression and other forms of mental illness. The wife suffers from OCD and Borderline Personality Disorder

 

There's a massive difference between feeling a bit sad and being depressed.

 

When Speed spoke on Football Focus and had his chat with Savage he could well have been feeling fine however this can change very quickly and be caused by something seemingly minor.

 

The under funding of Mental Health in this country is criminal.

There's a massive lack of the required support staff not just Psychiatrists its the Community Psychiatric Nurses and therapists

 

The under funding of Mental Health in this country is criminal.

There's a massive lack of the required support staff not just Psychiatrists its the Community Psychiatric Nurses and therapists

 

And as a consequence, drugs are prescribed that merely dampen what's going on inside and dope up, rather than get to the root cause.

an event such as this and posts from Superwhite and Frank makes me realise how lucky I am and sometimes an a tad ungrateful at the minor things in life, thanks for sharing your personal experiences

And as a consequence, drugs are prescribed that merely dampen what's going on inside and dope up, rather than get to the root cause.

 

Citalopram, Flouxitine or Zopiclone?

 

The side effects of the drugs that are supposed to balance your mood tend to make it worse.

 

Maybe, just maybe, the death of Gary Speed will bring about a change for the good.

 

If we, on WW are brave enough to tell our stories then maybe we can bring about some change.

 

When your only help is a counsellor paid around ?19,000 a year to listen and help then by god, we need something a whole lot better in this country.

Respect to you all who have posted your personal stories. This awful illness needs more publicity.

There was a programme on radio 5 a while ago covering this very subject in sport- with particular reference to Robert Enke

My link

 

Donno if it's still around but a must listen

Citalopram, Flouxitine or Zopiclone?

 

The side effects of the drugs that are supposed to balance your mood tend to make it worse.

 

Maybe, just maybe, the death of Gary Speed will bring about a change for the good.

 

If we, on WW are brave enough to tell our stories then maybe we can bring about some change.

 

When your only help is a counsellor paid around ?19,000 a year to listen and help then by god, we need something a whole lot better in this country.

 

Different drugs work for different people. You can add many to those for example Sodium Valporate (an anti-convulsant)- Epillim, Lamotrogine, Lithium and Olanzipine. The last one is truly awful, or was for me and many I know. It makes you put more weight on than chain eating Mars bars, a friend of mine who was a good looking guy, 6'2 ish, good physique, was prescribed it for depression and ended up attempting suicide self esteem issues (not low self esteem, no self esteem).

 

Unfortunately, it is very difficult to know which drugs, which dosages of these drugs and which combinations of these drugs will suit an individual resulting in some sort of stabilisation of their specific condition.

 

Zopiclone is a powerful sleeper but generally is only effective for two to three weeks at a time because the body becomes tolerant and can be highly addictive. I had an argument with a Consultant who told me that I could take upto 15mg a night (BMC recommends max does of 7.5) and said I could take it for years without any problems.

 

With regards to openess life is easier for me than it would have been when my parents were my age and similarly I would like to think that things will be a heck of a lot easier for my kids should they have such problems in the future. The stigma of mental illness and the taboos of society seem to be eroding albeit too gradually, mainly thanks to the likes of Stephen Fry, Paul Merton et al.

This missus has been lucky as her GP is a belting fella and has tried to keep her meds to as and when she needs it.

 

He and her consultant has talked me through what drugs she's to take and how to look after her when she needs it.

 

However due to lack of funds and therefore the lack of CPN's she's wasn't allowed one as i looked out for her.

 

Luckily she's doing a damn sight better at the mo thanks to her using her writing as an outlet and support from a local charity Streetwise2000.

Different drugs work for different people. You can add many to those for example Sodium Valporate (an anti-convulsant)- Epillim, Lamotrogine, Lithium and Olanzipine. The last one is truly awful, or was for me and many I know. It makes you put more weight on than chain eating Mars bars, a friend of mine who was a good looking guy, 6'2 ish, good physique, was prescribed it for depression and ended up attempting suicide self esteem issues (not low self esteem, no self esteem).

 

Unfortunately, it is very difficult to know which drugs, which dosages of these drugs and which combinations of these drugs will suit an individual resulting in some sort of stabilisation of their specific condition.

 

Zopiclone is a powerful sleeper but generally is only effective for two to three weeks at a time because the body becomes tolerant and can be highly addictive. I had an argument with a Consultant who told me that I could take upto 15mg a night (BMC recommends max does of 7.5) and said I could take it for years without any problems.

 

With regards to openess life is easier for me than it would have been when my parents were my age and similarly I would like to think that things will be a heck of a lot easier for my kids should they have such problems in the future. The stigma of mental illness and the taboos of society seem to be eroding albeit too gradually, mainly thanks to the likes of Stephen Fry, Paul Merton et al.

Like I said Frank. I only hope that one good thing comes out of this tragic day, and that depression gets to break that taboo.

 

Robbie Savage said that Gary was always looking out for other people..

 

Marcus Trescothick was always looking out for his team-mates. So was I...

 

Depression attacks, and I mean attacks strong people. Not weak people who sod-off at the first sign of trouble. It affects those who take on other people's woe's, burdens,mis-fortune'sand workload.

 

It happened to me

 

PS i werghed myself last night. I am 8st 11''

Would anyone be interested in maybe doing something to raise awareness of depression?

 

I have also suffered a few bouts in the past and still swing in and out - to be honest I am not very open about it and won't post my feelings at the time and what I was going through but I know how it is to be in that state of mind the never ending darkenss is horrific!

 

If anyone has any ideas to raise awareness/money pipe up.

These guys do a good job.

 

http://www.mind.org.uk/get_involved

 

or if you want to stay local then the Streetwise 2000 lot are always grateful of any ammount of money.

One of my best mates took his own life,and my father in law also committed suicide.Two very easy going,popular, and likeable people.They were both very deep thinkers though - maybe that could be part of the problem?.