How many of you are depressed?

[sharann, BSN, RN]

Oh gosh yes, depression can definetely occur. It can happen to anyone in any profession, but I think us caregiver types have a soft spot for others woes. I have all my life had depression that ranged from mild to suicidal, but I have learned that it is a physical thing. Nothing could bother me but whammo, one day I'd wake up and not even be able to eat, talk, move.... So I take a very low dose anti-deppressant every day. Take it like a diabetic takes insulin, or an asthmatic takes an inhaler. I almost never get down (years and years) now. I tried to get off them nut I can't live with the "what ifs" I have a family and job and need to be at my best.

As for nursing and depression, yes at times it can be rough, but I am balanced by the reward I recieve taking the best care of my patients. The frustration comes from not the work, but for NOT being able to give adequate or safe care due to "the B word"(BUDGET).

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

My dreading going to work has nothing to do with depression. I basically am lazy and want to stay home reading, watching movies and playing on the internet.

I dread sometimes the stress, sometimes a certain coworker brings me down.

Would I do it all over again? Absolutely. I would probably go back and take nursing straight out of high school instead of waiting until I was 30. Don't know what else I would do.

[mario_ragucci]

Originally posted by sharann

depression can definetely occur. It can happen to anyone "(BUDGET).

I still can't pretend to know about depression. In school they said "depression" is a serious condition. We use the term freely in our society, depression. I remember the first time I started hearing the term "stressed out" in the 80's. Today mental illness in the form of depression and anxiety disorders has grown, I think, due to technology. We can all "feel depressed" like after a loved one dies, or some other misfortune. There are many unanswered questions about the state of mental health in the world today, but not everyone is gonna get depressed:kiss

[catz]

i am depressed and have been off work for ages because of it. i loved my job and it, apart from my bully boss, had no contribution to my depression. i kinda miss it bt i also know that i would not make it in most days if i was at work. depression is horrid.

[mattsmom81]

I have probably had a mild mood disorder since adolescence (probably dysthymia) which was undiagnosed until I developed a severe situational depression in my 40's and began therapy. My work was not the primary stressor, altho it figured in.

Like Sharann, I now take an antidepressant daily (Prozac 20 mg) daily more as a preventative measure. I live with chronic arthritic pain and the Prozac seems a useful adjunct here too.

Helps me keep my perspective. :)

[nursy_ann]

hi

I did a depression 2 years ago when I worked with ppl with alzheimer. A lack of experience made me sad about their situation. I bagan to think : Why am I treating them? I'm going to be like this in a few years! I didn't want to live if it was to become like this.

I finally found out that I am not wroking with them to cure them I'm there to help them and prepare them to die. I'm trying to make them laugh and have fun, when they die I'm abke to have good memories about them.

I'm still depress but when I'm at work I never look what hour it is. I like what I'm doing and I wouldn'T change even if I could.

[mjamesRN]

When I was in Nursing school I HAD to have something in my last semester so I tried Zoloft. Didn't help.

After 2.5 years on the floor, I've had it -- anxiety set in badly. I just quit my job-- I need a change. I don't know where I'm going, but I have to get out of the hospital.

Three of us from the same grad class have suffered cardiac incidents over the past year due to stress. The word DREAD is common. I also work with a girl who is on mega SSRIs (and I only know this cause she told me -- who knows what the others are taking).

Nursing offers a variety of different jobs -- with the shortage, there are jobs eveywhere. MY mental health and physical health are more important than this job....so I quit.

[CseMgr1, ASN, RN]

Originally posted by peggysue

I am VERY depressed...I've been Christmas shopping all day, and now I have no more money!

:chuckle

BE glad that you HAD the money to go Christmas shopping to BEGIN with. I don't have ANY!

[mattsmom81]

I am glad to hear when nurses make good decisions for their OWN health and well being. Sometimes I also think that those who have left facilities for good (as well as those who have left nursing altogether) can be our strongest voices...as they no longer need to feel the fear of facilities' retaliation.

Best wishes to you and your friends. Hope you find a line of work you enjoy. I definitely understand your frustrations.

[sphinx, BSN, RN]

I have to laugh, if you were do a search for my posts, you'd find that a large percentage of them were related to depression, on one depression thread or another. But I digress.....

I have a VERY long history of depression, finally dx as bipolar type II. It's been a rocky road. I'm finally on a med combo that really helps, but I occasionally need it tweaked. I also occasionally have problems related to the stresses in my life. I find my job to be *very* stressful, and I often wonder if nursing is the right thing for me? But when I get beyond the stress, I excel.......and can't think of anything else I would *enjoy* doing.

The past year I have been doing more "self care" then ever before, and that has helped a lot-I eat better, exercise, do things just for myself. Things aren't perfect, and just recently I have been quite low. But I live each day as it comes. I've been to the bottom of the pit...and the top, and every where in between. I do what I can do. That's all *anyone* can do.

[Bambi]

Depression usually hits me at night; praying to God always helps me, and in the morning I ususally feel better.

I have been feeling really down the last couple of nights. I can probably attribute it to a new oral contraceptive I've started taking, one of the side effects is depression (won't be taking this long).

The other thing is I am transferring to a advanced ADN program in Jan., I have one year left.

Hubby is putting a little pressure on me to quit, because our eldest son is having a problem with motivation in his school work (he has been like this since age 9, he is now 14 years old).

By the way my son is very intelligent, but just doesn't try very hard which makes me even more frustrated. At this time we are trying to figure out what is the best route to take as far as switching schools, a tutor, me quitting school, etc. I am very torn because I am so close to being an RN.

I really feel like a single parent, because my husband works long hours, and I and my four children spend a lot of time without him.

I feel it's unfair that I have to do almost all of the caregiving, and making decisions when it concerns them. My hubby makes me feel quite guilty about my decision to finish school.

Sorry to digress here, but I just needed to say all of this, maybe someone else is in the same boat I am, and understands where I am coming from.

Perhaps I am just a selfish parent and need to stand back and really put things into perspective, and maybe stay home for a while. No flaming please, I am speaking of myself and no one else's decisions, and choices to go to college.

[Rhon1991]

Originally posted by Bambi

The other thing is I am transferring to a advanced ADN program in Jan., I have one year left.

Hubby is putting a little pressure on me to quit, because our eldest son is having a problem with motivation in his school work (he has been like this since age 9, he is now 14 years old).

By the way my son is very intelligent, but just doesn't try very hard which makes me even more frustrated. At this time we are trying to figure out what is the best route to take as far as switching schools, a tutor, me quitting school, etc. I am very torn because I am so close to being an RN.

I really feel like a single parent, because my husband works long hours, and I and my four children spend a lot of time without him.

I feel it's unfair that I have to do almost all of the caregiving, and making decisions when it concerns them. My hubby makes me feel quite guilty about my decision to finish school.

Sorry to digress here, but I just needed to say all of this, maybe someone else is in the same boat I am, and understands where I am coming from.

Perhaps I am just a selfish parent and need to stand back and really put things into perspective, and maybe stay home for a while. No flaming please, I am speaking of myself and no one else's decisions, and choices to go to college.

Bambi,

Its a difficult place to be. I can relate.

My gut feeling for you would be to finish school. Its the best thing you can do for yourself AND your family. You never know what will happen down the road and having your RN will better enable you to take care of your family financially and maybe even emotionally.

Ive heard many RNs say that work helped them get through things just because of the busyness of it and other factors that come with this line of work- be it divorce, death of a family member, ect

I understand your son may need you now and thats what makes this all difficult. Hopefully somehow you can assist him while also doing your studies. Also, I think it would be good (maybe inspiring) for him to see you succeed! I wish you the best.

Rhon

PS- Dont allow yourself to feel guilty! No matter if its coming from you or husband -ESPECIALLY when coming from husband. I understand thats easier said than done... its not selfish to do whats best for you and your family! Selfish is going on vacation for a year, leaving the family issues all on your husband!!