I just can't control my depression.

[Dr Strangelove]

Originally posted by Boris Godunov
Seeker, while good advice for someone seeking something different to do, I wouldn't really recommend that path for someone suffering from depression. Moving to a foreign country with a very different and perhaps initially uncomfortable culture where one knows no one and is thousands of miles away from loved ones might not help such a person.

Well Gee Boris, Canada is one of the Queen's own Dominions you know. I'm sure the colonials would treat a real Briton like PH like a visiting god.

More seriously, working on a small career change, i.e., from professional biochemistry to teaching chemistry might be just the ticket for PH. From some of the responses on this thread I take it that he could go back to school for merely one year to get a teaching certificate and then he'd be set.

PH, if you're depressed to the extent that you're having trouble concentrating, feeling apathetic, having problems sleeping and / or contemplating suicide it would be a good idea to see your doctor and begin treatment first.

[Boris Godunov]

Originally posted by Dr Strangelove


Well Gee Boris, Canada is one of the Queen's own Dominions you know. I'm sure the colonials would treat a real Briton like PH like a visiting god.

Umm, Seeker was talking about PH going to teach English in an Asian country...

[TCO]

PH,

It's kind of natural that you lost a lot of structure when you dropped out of the Ph.D. program. I know it's hard...

[Urban Ranger]

Another thing you can do, Provost, is to pick up a form of martial arts. With your build and appearance, you make a formidable opponent in the Tiger form.

[loinburger]

I'll second the martial arts suggestion. In my experience the ass-kicking part isn't too helpful in terms of avoiding or breaking out of depression, but the concentration/meditation skills gained are extremely useful.

[chequita guevara]

Meds, definately to start. Then you should look into counseling, if that's for you (and for many it is). I've never been able to trust a counselor after my first. She's the only one I ever trusted, and since then they've either been idiots or I simply felt that their concern for me was faked. Hell, you have to pay them to listen to you, they're rent-a-friends.

That said, however, they are also full of insights into human nature. They may help you learn things about yourself and your behavior that are hurting you. Don't simply accept the first therapist you find, shop around 'till you find one you feel comfortable with.

But definately start with meds. Two weeks into my zoloft it was like a heavy blanket was lifted from me.

[Rufus T. Firefly]

First of all, Provost, let me echo others' support. I've gone through periods of depression (the most serious -- surprise! -- while finishing my Ph.D.), and it can be hellish. I found therapy helped, but it did take time (devilmunchkin's right). I never was on meds, but have friends whose lives have been changed, perhaps even saved, by Prozac. Medication seems well worth loking into.

With regard to career, or at least a job: Think about teaching abroad. There are elite, English-language schools all over the world, and with your scienticif background you could teach in one; at my daugter's school, the pay is good (and in hard currency), the housing free, the vacations generous, and the kids generally bright and cooperative. From what I've heard about some other places -- Qatar and the UAE in particular -- you can teach high school and live like a prince.

Teaching may not be for you. But I'll also say this: living abroad, away from all the entanglements and general bullsh!t of the life you've lived so far, can be very,very focusing -- especially when not knowing the local language initially helps you tune out much of life's extraneous noise. Turkey hasn't been the best 3 years of my life, but it's been the 3 in which I've come to know myself best and gotten most "centered" (if you can bear that dreadful Californian word). Think about it.

[Ned]

Provost, I have two thoughts:

1) Exercise and a lot of it. Physical fitness breeds confidence.

2) Join the army.

[Dis]

gosh, I really don't have any advice. I once suffered from that.

What helped me? Work a job I'm overqualified for so I feel superior to everyone else . Although I do get depressed sometimes by the fact I don't make much money . But I have no job worries. I'm great at my job and I enjoy doing it.

I do get depressed sometimes but it doesn't last more than a few hours. I do have some wild mood swings as well. Happier than I've ever been in my life to lonely and depressed.

But overall I'm the happiest I've been the last 10 years.

Excersize also helps. I have trouble keeping up. Since my vacation I haven't been working out. I am still losing weight though. Being thin again feels so freakin' good. Although I still have another 15 pounds to lose. I still lose weight without working out because I eat less and don't drink soda anymore. I put in less than 2000 calories a day. Takes discipline but I have that- I was in the military after all.

But seriously you may consider changing careers. Sure making money is important for meeting women. But you can always just tell them you make a lot of money like I do. I don't consider it a lie because what I make I consider a lot of money because I grew up poor. Most other people wouldn't consider it that much. It's a matter of opinion.

[Solly]

Provost, one last thing from me - can you tell us when you next get access which of these pieces of advice you are going to do.

[Sikander]

I'm glad to see so many people who have suffered from clinical depression chipping in here. Their advice has been very good IMO. For those of you who are unfamiliar with this disease, please shut your pie holes. It's nice that you hope PH gets better and all, but you don't know what you are talking about. He can't just snap out of it. If it was a matter of lack of willpower he never would have made it as far in his studies as he already has. Doing things he likes isn't going to help because he is so depressed he can't even enjoy them. This isn't just a case of the blues, he's been depressed for as long as I have seen him post here, and I'm glad that he is considering taking the sort of steps necessary to deal with it.

Clinical depression is a killer, and you have to take it very seriously as a medical problem. This seems to be a chemical imbalance problem, and I think that PH is well aware of what is going on. He needs to find proper medical help, preferably from a psychiatrist. My girlfriend is so much better since she has been taking prozac. The mild side affects are well worth being able to get out of bed, go to work, and enjoy all the things that you used to enjoy. It's been a lifesaver for so many people, and I hope you join them in rediscovering the numerous joys that life can hold for you when you are healthy.

[Sloth]

I strongly agree with what Sikander said. Believe me, I have, unfortunately, a long experience in the matter.

One piece of advice I can add is: try not to get discouraged when the medicaments at first don't work. I know for a fact that Prozac can take up to a month before having any effect and it is easy to loose confidence, especially as your illness hampers your ability to hope.
One more thing: when you'll feel better DON'T STOP TAKING MEDICATIONS WITHOUT BEEING TOLD TO DO SO BY YOUR DOCTOR!!!.
Unfortunately an abrupt stop can bring back depression with a vengeance, and it's therefore very dangerous.

[Dr Strangelove]

One of the reasons why your recent interviews have been going badly might be because you're depressed, so getting treatment before starting anything else makes sense.

[Urban Ranger]

Whatever he chooses to do, he should act on it right away. Going abroad, seeing a doctor, whatever. But just do it.

[TCO]

Veternary school? You like biology and blood and animals. And there's loads of chicks.