I need help from you guys!

[adnelps]

I don't really understand whats going on with me. I feel depressed all the time (for about 2 years now) for the most ridiculous reason. My situation is a bit strange. About 18 months ago my neighbor decided to make his two small nervous poodles outside dogs. These dogs barked day and night- to the point where I became very depressed. I spoke to him about putting the dogs inside, at least at night, but he was a bit rude and did not do it. I did not know how to deal with this situation so I became depressed. As a result I saw a psychiatrist and took medication (first Lexapro, and then Pristiq). None of these medications worked- so I stopped taking them and moved in with my mother. Later my neighbor decided to move out of his house and rent it, mainly because he was going into foreclosure and had already found another place to live. It didn't matter to him that his tennants would eventually get evicted by the bank. As it turns out, a year and two good lawyers later, he still has not lost his house and has it rented to inconsiderate people with- you guessed it, barking dogs. Now, I know of people who don't even hear these dogs bark when they are in my house but in my case I've become so hypersensitive/obsessed with it that I always hear them barking and become anxious and depressed by it. I would sell the house in a minute to get away from this hell but sadly  nothing is moving in this real estate market where I live. As a result, I feel I'm at my wits end. Medications don't work, I've also tried therapy but quit because the therpist was really bad. I just don't know what to do! Please share any advice/reflections that you may have with me. It's difficult to talk to my family or friends about this because they just don't understand how a barking dog can depress me so much!  

[mammo]

There is more to this than just barking dogs.  There are laws against allowing a dog to bark all night, you should have called the police about this.  But for you to become so depressed over barking dogs tells me there is more going on.  It's become an obcession with you, and if you move, you will develop a new obcession.  You need to seek psychiatric help with this.  If your therapist is bad, find a new one.  If your medication doesn't work, switch until you find one that does.  This really isn't about the dogs, you're directing your anger and frustration about something else in your life towards the dogs.  You need to find out what this is and deal with it.

[adnelps]

Thanks for your thoughts. I also often feel that my depression must be caused by something other than the dog barking- although it does cause me anguish. As far as calling the police about the barking- I didn't do it because its futile where I live. It really isnt worth calling the police because the laws here would'nt back me up anyway. I am thinking about going back to the psychiatrist to try another med but I'm still a bit hesitant because I hate the side effects. Anyway... thanks for your insight I really do appreciate it.

[Hensley258]

Major Depression caused by a neighbors barking dogs?

I have to say that I have heard many odd things related to depression on the forum here, but this one is the most odd by far.

There must be somekind of OCD or pre-existing mental health issue you had that is causing this massive focus on this barking.

I agree a barking dog at night is annoying, but take it from a person that has very severe refractory depression.....Barking won't make the mental illness worse. It's annoying for sure, but can't make one get sick with any mental illness.

[whodunnit]

Agree with the other two. The dogs aren't the actual problem as in inititating depression, just an irritant and/or trigger.

As far as the dogs go you've given up without trying. COnstantly barking dogs will be removed in any neighbourhood unless you are the only one who hears it. In which case it's not the dogs at all, right. SO I'd ask other neighbours if they have a problem with the dogs. If so do a joint complaint. If not then you know the problem is yours alone.

Noisy, barking dogs and noisy neighbours do irritate the hell out of me. But I've been depressed for most of my life and I get angry when they do this, not more depressed. I react and confront them etc. And they usually stop.

Meds are certainly not going to stop the dogs barking are they? I know they can drive you nuts if they just keep at it but you taking meds won't change that. They have to stop.

If we assume you try the neighbours thing and you are the only one then it's therapy, talk therapy to try and get at what causes this.

Is there any physical issue that may aggravate your hearing? Sensitive hearing etc? Just a thought, best to attack on all fronts mate.

Good luck.

[adnelps]

Thanks for you input. I think you may be right. I'm starting to believe that the barking is both an irritant and a trigger to my depression. I may just be going through a cycle of deppressive episodes- this economy has really devastated my investments as well as my annual income. I've gone through depressive episodes like this one before but I was doing quite well for about 10 years so I thought my depression problems were over. I guess not! Anyway... I'm still going to hold off on medication for a while. I've seldom found it to work for me and the side effects are really bad- so I end up with depression and side effects. And if I start on meds I would just have to start experimenting with different ones. What I think I'll do is give therapy another try. Lets see what happens!

Thanks again !

[rov26]

I'd be really interested to hear how thing turned out for you in the hope it might help me too. I'm fortunate enough to have a great job which pays well and in which I'm respected and don't need to work hours, have a loving wife and two great kids yet I am massively depressed and the catalyst for this has been the dog at a pub next to my house. I am the only neighbour as I live in the country but the barking has become like water torture and this week I had something of a breakdown and my wife found me sobbing uncontrollably on the floor. To put this into perspective, she has seen me cry maybe twice and then after bereavements in 17 years together. I have seen a doctor and I am expecting a referral to a cognitive behavioural specialist but I'm hoping your journey had a happy outcome and may inspire me. Like you, I tried addressing the problem with the neighbour and the authorities and neither worked but, while it is inconsiderate and hugely annoying, I'm struggling to reconcile this with the massive depression it is causing me. Really hope to hear from you.