Is depression contagious?

[Lulu54]

I ask because it sure seems to be spreading around here.  There seem to be an unusually large number of forum members struggling this week.  

Here's my suggestion for a quick pick me up.........  sing a song, any song will do, but sing it with your full lung power.  Singing releases all sorts of happy endorphines in your body.  

Go on and give it a try - you know you want to. And humming doesn't count .....LOL

Anyone else have other suggestions for shaking these winter blues that seem to have descended in full force?

Let us know what song you pick! I'm singing Wonko's favorite - High Hopes.


Lulu

[Fluffysmom]

Hi,

I was wondering if there is anyone in your singing group that could drive you too and from the gigs?  If you truly love singing, then it is the perfect medicine for you, and even if your knees are bad and your vision iffy, you can sing your heart out!  

I have bad knees, hip, lower back, etc., and have been limited in what I can do, including my old water aerobics classes, that made me feel better even when I wanted to stay in my flannel nightgown.

I've been going to physical therapy, and plan on returning to class (with one of my favorite and understanding instructors) as soon as I can.  

Antidepressants have helped me in the past, to get through a few really rough patches.

I'm on my third neuro, and thinking about looking for the next, better one that can figure out what is going on with me, neurologically.

OK, if you really can't get out, you can try putting on your favorite music and singing from the depths of your soul, or try it a cappella.  Funny movies can help; laughing really is good medicine.  Exercise that you are able to do also helps.

I think that crying at inappropriate times has probably happened to a lot of us.  I was reading aloud to a friend last night, and was so into the story, that I couldn't stop myself from crying.  Kinda embarrassing, but my friend was understanding.  I've cried on the way to my car after an appointment with my MS specialist; couldn't wait until I got there, which I've tried to do in the past.

I'm undiagnosed, and that is a very frustrating, depressing place to be.  I try to turn my depression (anger turned inwards) into something constructive, like making sure I have copies of all my files, writing well-worded challenges to almost totally wrong chart notes of my latest neuro, writing reviews of past neuros on doctor-rating websites, and will be writing a good rating of my wonderful primary care doctor, who has been helping me through my multiple issues for a decade, sending me to specialists when she knows I need more that she can offer, and is willing to listen to my ideas.

Depression is common, and something that can be worked with so that you can lessen its impact on your life.  Seeing a therapist can really help; I've had some wonderful ones in the past, and have one at a pain clinic that I can see if I get overwhelmed.

Oh, I just thought of a feel-good exercise; make a list of the positives in your live:  The fact that you are ABLE to continue working from home, that you have an understanding boss, that you're able to keep up your mortgage payments; I'm sure that you can come up with more.

One rule for this exercise; if you start thinking about the bad stuff, put it on a shelf to deal with at another time, and continue focusing on the good stuff.

Take care,

Kathy

[PastorDan]

Oops, Quix, looks like I was busy typing and missed your helpful answer to my first question.  Thank you.  Fortunately, my last major down episode was more like four years ago, I think, but I'm keeping that aspect in mind as I look for explanations and solutions.

Pat, as far as someone understanding the depression, I will go out on a limb as a newbie here and say that I think you've probably struck gold with this group.  Meanwhile, I thank God that the antidepressants (SSRIs, in my case) were there when I needed them, though I recognize that they are not the full solution.  My depression has typically had a strong seasonal component, so this is not my best time of year, as my disposition is often a reflection of the skies (sunny, gloomy, foggy, etc).  For me, just understanding it has been a big help, though the answer lies (or seems to) in multiple simultaneous approaches.

[Eyesnlegs]

Just wanted to join in the fray - how about not being able to go out because your last fall damaged your knees which decided to react and I now limited mobility, working from home (thank god for an understanding boss) so money not the issue, but the depression which kicked in last year just gets worse as having a neuro who says 'if I was forced to make a diagnosis I would say you have MS' and this is after 19 years of symptoms and ON which twice made you blind in one eye for several weeks and then he says 'we will see you when and if it happens again!!'

I am a singer - I sing with a local group and often used to do solos now I am scared to as the foggy days and eyesight thing can make the day I turn up to a 'gig' unpredicatable - how do I know that I will be ok that day?

I can't find anyone that understands the depression, they all blame it on a bad first marriage which was over 27 years ago. Over the years I just get offered anti depressants - of course I'm depressed I still can't get a sympathetic neuro - I know I need to keep trying and I am but it is so tiring when you have to keep on working cos the family need your income for the mortgage. I can't even write this without crying!!!

Anyone else have problems with crying all the time even when it's not appropriate? I have been terrible lately and it's getting worse.

[PastorDan]

Never tried Cranium.

Charades was never one of my best games, but I'm usually up for it, with the right crowd.  Boggle's good, if I recall correctly (Incidentally, have I mentioned the memory problems?), but it's been years.  I've probably played Candyland more recently.  (Incidentally, have I mentioned the memory problems?)

[Quixotic1]

This is to answer your question about depression being a possible first presentation symptom in MS.  Definitely, yes.  Depression can be a direct neurologic effect of the damage of MS along with causing it secondarily.  MS has more depression associated with it than other more disabling neurologic diseases, like ALS.

Many researchers in the field say that if a person has had an episode of Major Depression within two years of the diagnosis of RRMS, then it is appropriate to call that episode an attack/relapse of the MS.

Quix

[Lulu54]

PD,
I'm over in the Dayton area - I have Balderdash but haven't played in years.  How about Charades or boggle or I'm good for a rousing game of Candyland with my 4 y/o granddaughter.  For some reason she always wins!

Later, I have to go sing some of these songs.
Lu