Ruby Wax talks about what it is like to live with depression for Time to Change

[TheintrovertedEye]

I suffered crippling depression and chronic mood swings for years. From a vantage point of wellness and understanding I feel it's key to contemplate that it's not always about escaping the storm but finding calm within it.

I would endorse good talking therapies, meditating, eating healthy, regular exercise, abstaining from alcohol and drugs, ingesting quality information (not the news), finding purpose and meaning, creativity

Best wishes to all

[27182818R]

I always liked Ruby. Depression is awful I know. I have had it and the pain is just unbelievable!

[DesertSmeagle]

i have avoidant personality disorder...im on k-pin and zoloft...zoloft makes me emotionally numb,i can only feel guilt, but i guess the depression isnt that bad anymore....my parents are constantly saying that i use my anxiety as a cruch.....its rediculous..its a miracle im even making it through school at all..constantly being attacked

[MrCartoonguy]

I'm accused of being self indulgent by my wife. When low or high....she says Bipolar is self indulgent. So I told her she was over opinionated and judgemental and that is part of her anxiety disorder.

[34point5ish]

We love you Ruby. Thank you for standing up!

[irishboy1971]

felt like taking my life last night and these sort of videos kept me alive today and am going to see my GP

[ttcnow2008]

@irishboy1971

Hi, really glad you found our videos. You can also find more info, advice and read about other people's experiences on our Facebook page or website (google 'Time to Change')

If you ever feel that you need to talk things over with someone, the Samaritans are there 24/7. You can call on 08457 909090

[kilakkm]

@irishboy1971 Good luck, and well done. <3

[L4184]

@irishboy1971 Hi there, how you doing these times?

[IThinkWereParkedMan0]

A human being needs specific types of foods, exposure to sunlight (full spectrum light), nightly high quality sleep, and daily exercise to feel good. These main points I have listed need further explaining to detail exactly what I mean but in any rate these are what is necessary to feel happy. See Mercola.com for details about anything I have listed or just email me.

[stone412]

I feel your pain, Ruby. You feel like days you want to end it all but your loved ones don't want you to talk in that manner but it's a free country, freedom of speech. I'm bipolar and adhd. I have moodswings that would make a moody bitch from hell look like a docile lamb. I'm supposed to take aderal but recently found out, that what has helped me in some ways over the years has hurt me in others. I pray we all find a cure. Maybe then, people who ignored us will start to listen!

[maxibud]

Thank you Ruby for telling it like it is. Your explanation is almost exactly my explanation. Don't stop talking.

[artysmokes]

The thing with depression is that you can't understand it unless you've suffered it yourself. The only good psychiatrists I've ever found have been ones who've been through the pain themselves. A doctor that just reads about it and hands you some new drugs is never going to be of long-term benefit.

[TheBextaah]

love you ruby boobie!! xo

[gretelfans]

For me, it's hard to talk about it with anyone, because I don't think talking fixes anything. But I also don't think drugs get to the bottom of it all. Drugs are like a numbing to help get through the pain...but what's the origin of the pain? What's the true answer? And drugs come w/ side effects & possible addiction depending on the type. It's frustrating because no one WANTS to feel this hell. But there's seems to be no true answer.

[rosscotube]

I saw Ruby recently on stage with her new show "losing it" which is based on the above. She was both hilarious and thought provoking. I was really impressed. Good on ya Ruby.

[MsBkirk]

I've read Ruby's autobiography and she describes her breakdown ,when she was trying to choose the right sort of decor for the children's bedroom - it's as if she couldn't see the wood for the trees and she went to pieces at this DIY place.

I felt I'd had similar feelings to this. It's not something that can be waved away with the phrase, 'pull yourself together'.

[anthonyshock]

What I like about this is that she's not being too sympathetic and coating it in sugar, she's being understanding but somehow imperative.

[Akyho]

depression effects everyone its just the severity. for some its feeling a little off for others its as ruby said a deep dark hole. like a hole you can climb so far and just slide back down. an like a hole you can climb out and fall down another. its just makeing sure you dont hit to hard an then getting back up, not forceing it as that makes it worse.

[pancho8721]

i gave a thumbs down by some strange accident sorry

[Stacey2909]

well i have a mental heath problem and im 14 i find it hard when my friends say omg you dont have it like to talk about it to people i trust but some times they leave me and dont what to talk to me and now i have hardley any friends it makes me cry alot at school and at home some times im happy that people are doing some thing about this problem but unforchenty mine wont leave and i would like so help this video sends a good message to others

[Hottielvr]

i had depression all through middle school, its was the most horrible thing u cud ever go through i have no other way to describe it. for me it cud have been triggered by anything, a sad thought, raining... then i would feel as i was sinking and couldn't walk i would have to sit down and cry, it would feel like muy brother died or something. it was really bad

[NyeTunes]

Now, I know Ruby best from "Shock Treatment"... almost 30 years ago, and now she looks *completely* different, and quite fetching!

She's had some work done, hasn't she? :-P

[boohauntedhouse65]

who loves you baby! (flips her off) best line from her in shock treatment

[Akyho]

id say she sounds the most diffrent. yes its very hard to tell it was her. saw in the credits fer shock treatment ruby wax and couldnt think who.

[alchemorphtv]

it's great that celebrities who suffer from mental health problems are speaking out because people are more likely to listen to them than a non-celebrity. Ruby Wax explains very well what it's all about

[ArtisanSage]

Hats off to you Ruby for explaining to everyone how it feels to have depression!! All too often depressed people are told to pull themselves together, but that is the worse thing to say. Yes depressed people are never treated seriously as they have no physical symptoms. So I am really glad that a celebrity such as Ruby has come out and talked about her personal experiences of depression. People may stop and listen now.

[KickboxerEm]

xD i saw her yesterday =] hugged her xD..... she did the mental health talk ^_^

[LMN1968]

Thank you.

You explained my feelings perfectly.

I had an inlaw tell me at Christmas that I didn't LOOK depressed. While all the while I am going thru hell in my daily life.

They need to see this clip.

[evanmonaco]

Good work.

[QueerSwede]

Been there, hope I never go there again!

[dwphotoart]

lots of exercise can work well and help a lot.

[Theaterdancechic]

A couple of friends of mine did a study last year on shamanism and dance therapy, and found a study comparing people who exercised on bikes without music, exercised with music, and people who did a jumping type dance to music. the people in the latter group had more endorphins released (or perhaps serotonin, something along those lines) as opposed to the others. Dance is my exercise of choice, and it helps with my depression, but yes exercise in general is helpful. Not a cure, but helpful. :)

[suziescott2007]

Thank You!

[queenvickyv]

I agree with the previous posters. This is fantastic. The really great thing is she explains that people don't believe you, and in that way they make it worse ! I had a major onset of depression whilst living in London. I phoned my mum to try to explain. She told me I was 33 years old and to stop moaning.. But a further thing I agree with, is i don't like the line 'I like medication'. Medication had a bad effect on me.

[hsttraindriver]

Read Explaining colours to a blind man. Not only will it enlighten many as to what living with a mental illness is like, it also gives comfort to those sufferers who think there is no hope and that they are alone. It is very informative, sometimes shocking but also very funny in parts. All in all, a good read and highly recommended.

[xxxscrappyxxx]

thank you

[HOLLY7130]

Thank you Ruby for sharing with us. xx

[Misswarrior1985]

I HATE medication!

[asonofleemarvin]

why?

[AppelMak]

I hate when it's used wrong...it's not always necesary...but unfortunatly...it sometimes is

[breadandbuddha]

You really are an inspiration Ruby! Keep up the good work! :-) x

[magicplum]

This was great and spot on until Ruby says "I like Medication" -am not against medication, but rather the way in which she says it makes it sound like it's an ad for it or something. I think people are encouraged too often to take medication over other options, because its quicker+easier, but medication alone wont sort it. I know people who've been on Meds for 10yrs+have never got to the root of their issues. You CAN get through depression without medication if you have alternative support.

[FFLeader]

So true. There's too much of the "Got a problem? Drugs! :D" mentality going around. Not that those aren't an option or a last resort, but come on, there are always other options.

[JayEey]

Absolutely right.

Medication has a part to play but is not the be all and end all. Its not a cure.

It takes several things such as counselling and other talking therapies, supportive friends/family, medication, adequate sleep, adequate exercise, adequate diet, hobbies, outings and enjoyable activities, keeping busy - or knowing when and how to relax etc etc Its a whole life approach. Anyone who puts too much faith in medication is likely to be disappointed.