My Experience of Anti-depressants (SSRI)
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- čas přidán 17. 11. 2022
- I have suffered periods of intense and persistent depression in my life, I've never talked much about it and never in public before as I've never wanted to identify as a depressive or be seen as mentally ill. Now though, I've made a video all about it!
This is a video I've been thinking about making for many years - I guess it finally felt like the right time. Despite how it may look, this is not a confessional, not a cry for help or anything like that, I am well removed from the events I talk about.
Instead, I have made this video with the aim to help others that might in a similar place to where I once was, or know someone that is. I also wanted to share what it's like to be on these powerful drugs, because I don't think doctors always prepare people very well for what's going to happen to them.
These were the anti-depressants I was prescribed:
Fluoxetine, brand name Prozac
Paroxetine, brand names Paxil and Seroxat
Venlafaxine, brand name Effexor
Sertraline, brand name Zoloft
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My Dr sent me to a counsellor once. After an hour the bloke said ( as I remember it) "you're not depressed, you're just living a shit life." That insight saved me from antidepressants and is exactly what you talked about: appropriate emotional response to circumstance.
Exactly. Depression is a mental illness. There's nothing "ill" about being unhappy with an unfulfilling life. In fact, it's an entirely healthy and necessary response.
That's actually a very important thing. To oversimplify it: You're not depressed if you're unhappy for a reason.
But still medication can help, even if not depressed. Like a painkiller is useful, even though you need to get your broken leg fixed.
good that your counsellor said that, a good one perhaps
Good man, that bloke.
If you had won the lottery, or had your side hustle/business grow to millions of dollars; within 2 days, all of your symptoms of depression would disappear. You would get a private chef to cook you healthy food, you would have so much time to exercise, and you would feel confident to talk any beautiful lady. Think of that, you are only 48 hours away from being happy for the rest of your life.
Thank you. That took courage but you might have saved a life. Or improved one. So glad you are with us.
I second that!👍
Absolutely agree. I venture to say that the world is a better place with people like Max in it.
Well said.
I feel that depression is a symptom related to having a good heart, an overly caring nature, a propensity for putting other’s needs ahead of your own and a generally kind and caring nature. A higher than average intelligence and intellectual mind can also be a risk factor too. I think you’re going to be just fine and if you have a set back in the future, we’ll you have a lot of experience to draw on. You will also be an invaluable source of help to others who may find themselves on a similar journey
Thanks again, best wishes and kind regards
Have a good week 👍🏻
Dude that describes me perfectly. Better to be a complete ass hole and beat the shit out of everyone ( can't bring myself to do it though)😍
An awful thing called codependency can sneak in and mess us up lots!!
you have just described what is pejoratively referred to as 'codependency', a product of conditional or negligent parenting and care by your primary caregivers. being utterly dependent, this causes dissociation from your true self to get your infantile needs met by putting theirs first. depression and other mh conditions are a result of this developmental dysfunction and trauma. that was not your fault. you were not given the unconditional love in a home that is a safe place to fail that all children deserve. that is your actual starting point towards a full recovery. 🙏
give me a thumbs up if this resonates with you.
you may have heard of 'codependency', a product of conditional or negligent parenting and care by your primary caregivers.
being utterly dependent, this causes dissociation from your true self to get your infantile needs met by putting theirs first.
depression and other mh conditions are a result of this developmental dysfunction and trauma including autism.
that was not your fault. you were not given the unconditional love in a home that is a safe place to fail that all children deserve.
that is your actual starting point towards a full recovery. 🙏
@inhale.exhale.2527 Yes, a thumbs up. I mentioned codependency one month ago in the thread already.
I baulked at the idea of investing 38 minutes in this. Turns out it's the most important 38 minutes I've ever watched on YT. Thank you so much for explaining your experiences so frankly and lucidly. This should be a mandatory watch for trainee doctors and blokes. Cheers.
Gotta shout at the devil. ,)
You and me both pal, I'd left this one bookmarked for far too long, being a guy that has always dealt with my mental state cold turkey, I'm only recently thinking of speaking to a professional.
It seemed like a bit of a daunting task to hear about a subect I can consider 'personal' from someone I (in some small way parasocially) admire.
As with a lot of his videos, our man Max puts them into words in a way that makes them both in depth and easy to hear, without watering down the subject.
same here, wise words, applicable for me, and far too many others
Yep I’ve had moments I could have addressed to the doctor,, but I realised that it’s only me that can address why I feel low, what made me feel this way etc. only then, once I’m true to myself, can I pick myself up and deal with it, talk to someone about it. Put it to bed then see life’s to short to let emotions usually caused by others ruin your life…. Reevaluate what’s important and your passionate about and go after it 100% xx
I am a professional psychotherapist of some 20yrs experience and I agree with everything you’ve expressed here. Not only have you been courageous enough to share your journey publicly, but have managed to deliver it with great eloquence and insight. As you say, one of the most important realisations we can have in life is that there is always hope. I’m so pleased you’ve survived, you are worthy of every second of your existence - well done you on being you 🔆
It is a very sad fact that very few doctors have the time or the inclination to ask "what is or has been happening in your life" when a patient sits themselves down in front of them. If they did, they would uncover the potential to learn enormously more about that patient and their state of health than any amount of asking where it hurts. Thank you Max for taking the time and summoning up the courage to share your experiences.
Max, I absolutely applaud you for your blatant honesty. Life isn't an easy ride. Men suffer all sorts of horrendous issues. Medical/personal etc. Have been on antidepressants personally and lived through the side effects. Anyway extremely envious of your abilities and lifestyle. Keep up the progress matey. Yours Andy
I’m a heterosexual man but I’ve never felt so inclined to hug another man. In my experience, people who’ve had a difficult journey and try to understand the reasons for that are the very best of people. You’re a top bloke.
Mate it’s not gay to hug someone
@@Gnasherism what if you are both nude?
What has being heterosexual or not got to do with hugging somebody?
@@catabaticanabatic3800 well exactly. That’s why I thought it was strange that you felt the need to state that you’re straight. That’s all
@@jtothew4201 just bromance! Haha
I have been on antidepressants for about 10 years. They are most certainly not a quick fix, and to be entirely honest I don't think they are a fix at all. They alleviate symptoms but never cure the root cause of the issue in the first instance. That requires a lot of work on a personal level.. Having seen the entire video, I can 100% identify with your experience "getting off" venlafaxine. It's absolute hell. I have tried several times so am now on a low dose as well as counselling and that works ok for me.
You have my sympathies. My first wife was put on Prozac back in the '90s. Changed her, from a competent, intelligent woman with some issues to an angry, nasty person. I didn't see it at the time, too close. We divorced, acrimoniously. Thirty years later I can look back and see the harm that drug did (although I first realised this probably 15 years ago ).
The problem is you can't fix the underlying problem if it's a life event that has devastated you .for some meds are the only answer.
quit venlafaxine my second time over a month ago, i'm sure you'll manage eventually. but doing exercise is mandatory
Different medication but I had awful withdrawals from amitriptyline. Was trying to taper off for months with terrible nausea and ‘brain lightning’, basically small seizures.
Going tee total and stopping completely over night kicked in those withdrawals very quickly! Can’t recommend for everyone but worked for me.
Use 5htp or niacin/nicotinamide for withdrawal. Also thiamine and riboflavin and vitb5 and b12 etc. Also vit c and magnesium in masses.
I wanted to thank you for these honest and open videos. I had a tough couple years a bit back and there were several points when I found your videos useful or reassuring. Your running video was especially appreciated as it inspired me to get back into shape and gave me a project outside and in the fresh air. Did me a power of good.
I know this video will help lots of your other viewers too. Cheers Max!
Your comments re: outside project, fresh air and getting back into shape I believe is spot on. Good luck.
I listened to your story and learned a great deal. I’m 60 and have led an “interesting“ life of chaos and variety. I’ve been treated for most of my adult life for clinical depression. I’m currently on venlafaxine and have been for at least 10 years. I’m having the devil of a job persuading my gp that I would like to come off them to see if I’ve any emotions left! I have been more or less blank for years. I think a lot of people will receive a lift from hearing your story. All strength to you a great success with your fantastic CZcams contributions
Iv also been on venlafaxine for 10 years or so. When you say you want to come off it to see if you still have emotions left it sounds like I felt in the past. I do now feel genuinely content for the most part but still get the numbness sometimes. Maybe the numbness reduces as we heal? I don’t know much about the complexities of these things other than my own experiences but just thought I’d put in my 2p worth. Good luck to you sir. I hope you’re journey to contented ness isn’t too much longer. All the best.
You don't have to persuade your doctor to come of anything,the choice is yours and entirely up to you.Afrer my life had been destroyed by doctors and psychiatrists from the age of 14 ,when l was prescribed the sleeping tablet Mandrax,later banned by the Goverment,and Stelazine.These drugs caused depression,later l was sent to a psychiatrist to help me get off the Mandrax ,this was back in the early seventies,who used me as a lab rat and gave me ever increasing quantities of all classes of psychotropic medication ,which completely screwed me up ,leading to 54 years on this kind of medication,both the old and the new ,being sectioned multiple times,admission into 5 different mental hospitals ,including 2 of the old asylums,so many overdoses and other suicide attempts that l have lost count,various
diagnoses,including,
psychotic depression,schizoaffective disorder,Paranoid Schizophrenia,along with a couple of personality disorders ,for good measure.It was the drugs that were causing my symptoms,and making me suicidal.10 years ago,a psychiatric nurse came to give me a depot antipsychotic depression,she told me that she was leaving the job,and l think what she told me next altered the course of my life,for the better.She said that l might not be mentally ill,but it could be the effects of the drugs.This was the first time any medical proffessional had told me that,they had always told me that l needed this poison,and l was often forced to take it.l thought about what this nurse had said,and because by then l was disabled,housebound ,with several health conditions,and in chronic pain,caused by decades of this medication,
I made the decision to gradually wean myself off.I told my doctor what l was going to do,read books by American psychiatrist Dr Peter Breggin,on how to withdraw safely ,and began my journey back to better health.This was entirely my choice,and l did it completely by myself,without any help from any doctor,and although the withdrawals were often bad,and in fact l was sectioned twice again,because my doctor didn't understand that my brain was slowly adapting to less and less of the drugs,and 8 years later l was finally free from the grip of these drugs,and had completely escaped what l call The Mental Health Trap.Now,l feel alive ,my mental health never better,my only regret that a big chunk of my life was wasted.Each day now l am thankful to be alive,although l am left with much pain and suffering.l am now 71 ,and if l can do this,anyone can.
Ive been in a similar place, without going into detail and Prozac made me feel worse. Im still trying to get out of the hole im in and do feel like im getting somewhere. The best thing I did was to talk to friends and tell them EVERYTHING. It really helped. It takes balls to open up because at first you think it will be seen as a sign of weakness, but its the opposite. You are a shining example to many that you/we can beat this and there is a light at the end of the tunnel. You should be immensely proud of where you are now having looked back over those years of darkness and doubt. You now have friends from all corners of the globe. I applaud you Sir Maximus
This was so helpful. I am going through antidepressant trials with therapy, so far with poor results. I’m encouraged to keep searching for answers.
My uncle died some time ago. My aunt has been on antidepressants for 3 or 4 years now. She says that her life has sort of evened out. She also says that she would like to grieve and cry about her loss but she just cannot reach those emotions.
To be honest I feel that if the medication is keeping you from processing one of the most inevitable feelings we can experience (loss), it is no longer functioning like a medicine.
Facts
22:05 'Sitting staring into the corner not doing anything...' Yep, can relate so well to that. It's something so few people can understand who haven't experienced it. After nearly 2 years, I'm starting to find some motivation again, but that 'window' is so small, and you have to find something to keep it propped open!
Very well said.👍
Thank you for an insight into the world of antidepressants.... it seems men are generally not good at discussing mental health problems but hopefully you have ignited a spark with your frank discussion that will encourage that someone who needs help to reach out for it.
I am so glad you are in a good place right now Max.
What an absolute brilliant, brave, honest, open account of periods in your life. Which I think 95% of young men go through some type of mental health problem. Thank you max for shooting this video and giving people an insight into your life. It just goes to show CZcams is not only here for the funny and educational videos on how to rebuild a land rover. Thanks a lot and can't wait for more of the rebuild videos 👍👍👍👍. If your struggling or need to talk to someone please ring the samaritans they are open 7 days a week 24 hours a day.
Hi Max,
A friend of mine has often mentioned your videos. He was referring me to your blacksmithing and off-grid stuff. But I stumbled upon this video.
My own story is both very similar and very different to yours. I won’t bore you with the details. But suffice to say I also concluded it was time to ‘get off’. Like you I didn’t succeed.
Anyway, thanks for sharing. It’s helpful for those of us who struggle with such mental health stuff to hear how others have got along.
I’m currently on Citalopram. I’d like to get off. But I don’t feel I’m there yet.
Regards, Sebastian
As an aside form my last comment, it needs more men to talk about this and things like it. Hats of to you sir for doing so! The number of times in my past I have cried myself (silently) to sleep because of the situation. 'Men don't show emotions. Men don't cry. 'Laugh it off' get on with things. The phrase that I ended up saying every day was' Oh well never mind'. and died a little inside.
Wow, I also suffered from a large tumour (brain), at 17, and have only in the last couple of years started to recognise and address the resultant trauma, and understand that it never was solely depression (I'm 32 now). Big love my man
Oh, Max what a life you have had to contend with.
I wish I could have seen this video before my daughter went onto anti depressants. I guess I just expected that, as soon as she started taking them, she would immediately be " better". Of course, that was not the case but she got through that difficult initial period and still takes them, which works successfully for her long term.
I feel that your video should be compulsory viewing to all health care professionals involved with prescribing these drugs. They could learn a lot from your case study!
It's great to hear that you are doing ok now. Thank you for being brave enough to post your story, and for telling it the way you did, unscripted and from the heart.
Sending you a virtual hug, because hugs are good!
God bless you sir. So glad you're still with us today
Thankfully Paxil is quite difficult to have a fatal overdose on. Glad you are still with us brother. You're doing gods work!
i really appreciate this video. Im 40. on anti D's for 5 years now. previously depressed and having issues for 20+ years. I've thought for years i'm Bi Polar and every doctor (6 of them during my life) has said no, your symptoms are not extreme enough. This year a new doctor said you know what, im going to refer you to a psychiatrist who promptly diagnoses me with Clyclothemia (or as they call it in the US... "Bi Polar Light"). A milder form of Bi Polar (Stephen Fry has it too). So i too have experienced that moment when a doctor actually cares enough not to just dismiss you with pills.
Max, a very brave man who hit rock bottom and came back from the brink. Now entertains us all with fabulous videos.
Ah thanks Max, I have also dealt with depression and totally agree with your point that it never goes away but hides somewhere. Recognising if/when you start spiraling back into depression is important so that you can warn others around you, try to change things that might trigger depression and most importantly, I found just being kind to myself and saying it was okay to fall back into depression, rather than fighting and punishing myself for not being 'strong enough' to resist it. I also found one of the very best ways to manage depression was through regular exercise. It won't stop it but it can moderate things and give you some perspective.
Maximus Ironthumper, thank you for your forthrightness and humility. So many of our doctors haven't a clue. We need to educate them. And we need to raise awareness in society as too many of us suffer in silence.
Hi Max, I normally skip over content like this.... in fact I skipped over this one when you posted it...... I find it either cuts to close to home, making me uncomfortable, or it's usually someone who talks about what I perceived to be rubbish.
But wow, this video struck a cord in so many good ways. You gave your experience on your own situation and clearly that you feel everyone’s is different...... that's exactly how I see mental health issues should be handled... individually and uniquely. It's the main reason I never dealt ......and still haven't ......with issues correctly.
Thank you for your fantastic work.
Thanks Max.
For decades now I have turned to alcohol and substances to self medicate. Which is completely unhelpful obviously; but I always refused to go on anti depressants. Over the last four years the booze has really got on top. Except I am now 6 days in sober but with the use of psilocybin mushrooms that I am picking myself. Taking small amounts every day; not enough to trip on. It is already helping a great deal. I have used psychedelics in the past therapeutically and they did work up to a point. It was my fault to slip back into old ways not the mushrooms. I am determined this time to make it work. There is significant and growing evidence for the efficacy of psilocybin used in treatment for depression, addiction and other mental disorders.
Stay well!!!
As someone who has taken antidepressants, for the best part of thirty years, Max I appreciate you putting this out , life is still hard , and I also made attempts at suicide, but life feels better now, I’m always cognizant that depression can take control again , but as you say having a supportive GP is the key.
As someone who’s watched various members of my close family deal with mental health problems, medication is certainly a rollercoaster. One of my children has had issues most of life, had years of counselling as a child which really helped but is still on setraline. She’s training to be a paramedic, just had her first death, I don’t think she would have been able to do this without all the work she has put in to help herself, definitely recognising triggers and when you are starting to get ill is key. Thanks Maximus!
I took St John’s wort for about two or three weeks and I remember walking down the street one day and it suddenly felt like the sun had came out in my mind for the first time in years. That’s the only way I can describe it. It didn’t cure my depression immediately but it was definitely the first step.
I will never take a pharmaceutical antidepressant after my experience with anti psychotics. I will consider trying St john's wort though. It just seems like drugs derived from plants growing in the ground allways seem to be much less detrimental when it comes to the brain being irreversibly rewired.
That's one hell of a powerful story Max! My sister suffers with depression at times and has done for over 30 years I think brought on through a bully of a husband treating her badly.
My youngest daughter is now a Counseller and must be pretty good judging by the number of people asking to be referred to her,
Thanks for sharing and having the courage to open up this part of your life to strangers.
Keep on smiling mate.
Having lived intermittently with someone who has severe depression for 25 years, I'm obviously aware of their problem and have my own understanding but after listening to you speak on the subject from your own experience, I can say that my understanding about my situation has grown. Many thanks.
Hey Max, this video really felt meaningful. As a young lad at 26 years of age I think up to this point I have been lucky when it comes to health and mental health. But that's not the norm. Among my peers there are many that are struggling. Let it be dealing with stress and anxiety at university/job, identity crisis, being happy with themselves or dealing with addiction. There a many things that can throw you of and can make life a chore.
Sharing your insights and your experience can really safe someone. And you going the extra mile and finding the courage to do so is really a sign of what kind of a man you are. Inspiring.
Cheers from Hamburg Germany.
Where my doctors let me down was not listening to me over the decades when I told them sometimes I am so excited and very very happy, literally too happy and then I would crash and hit rock bottom and this became such a problem that I ended up literally screaming at the GP that I needed more intensive help and eventually I got to see a psychiatrist and he immediately recognised I am bipolar so the antidepressants were making things worse without a mood stabiliser. The past couple of years have been so incredibly difficult but now with the right sort of meds I am more able to cope with life. Thankyou for sharing your story on youtube, it will help so many people, its helped a close friend of mine understand it better.
Respect sir. As you mentioned "one has to live, or move foward." Not easy for some people without question, but is the absolute key to getting better. No matter how bad you may feel, getting out and attempting to be normal is so important to getting healthy important. Isolation is the very worse thing one can do. Certainly brought me to my knees. Good luck to all those fighting this horrible illness, and again respect for the video and brutal honesty mate.
I recognise so very much your sentence: "The world is better out without me". Luckily I survived that period too. And life is good now.
I wish more people would speak out publicly in this way. Thank you so much for making this.
From a retired mental health nurse, thank you for posting such an informative and honest video. I was shocked that your initial experience was to be given a six weeks prescription and not reviewed at all! Disgraceful practice from said gp. So many important points are made, especially the fact that medication and counselling work well alongside each other. I wish you good health
Never having been a sufferer myself. But have witnessed the damage to close family members who have used SSRI's. This video would be helpful training for future GP's on how to treat the patient as well as the symptoms.
I'm in my 60s and have been on and off AD's for 30 years. I had a bad childhood but felt fine until my 30s when a break up brought it all back. Prozac worked and After 6 months I came off them and was fine and dandy. I eventually married my childhood sweetheart and knew she drank too much but was in love. The relationship was hell and watching her destroy herself almost destroyed me. Eventually to save my own life, I left and had a complete breakdown and entered a very dark period....the very worst...I was in a black hole. I was prescribed Citalopram and went to counseling. I also found it brutal but It helped me spew out so much shit from my childhood that I'd told no one. Eventually things improved. I came off Citalopram for quite some time but suddenly felt that 'window' of depression opening and caught it just in time. I'm now on citalopram again and probably will be for life. They keep me on an even keel. Not happy..not sad and thankfully not in a black hole. Thanks for your brave post that I know will help many. Cheers.
Thank you so much for that Max.
My Wife and I were both made redundant in June of this year. Being in our early sixties and not having degree level education, we are finding it impossible to find jobs in the industry we have many years experience in.
I thought that I was suffering from depression and was on the verge of asking my GP for the magic pills...
However, after watching your video, I realise that I am just reacting to a situation and the medication would not be suitable, probably even counter-intuitive!
Good luck to you Gary, don’t be afraid to try something completely different for a job, I’ve surprised myself in the last couple of years!
I wouldn't necessarily rule out medication, it can be very helpful to get you out of a rut, and suits some people better than other. Definitely dont be afraid of councelling or psychotherapy either.
An hour daily walk will do more for you than anything the doctor can give you.
@@ragebait988 thats very reductive and simplistic. If you are in the throws of a mental health crisis, simply leaving the house can be a huge hurdle.
Great video, Max. One of the most painful parts of struggling with mental health has been the need for me to manage my own care due to issues with the health system that you've described. It's so difficult maintaining the awareness to stay on top of it and push providers to give you the care you need and make adjustments. It's too much at times and I don't know how people with more severe issues than mine could ever hope to get better. It's a terrible thing.
Listening to this, and reading the comments - humans need to be more open about their experiences. Thanks for opening up the conversation, and letting others learn from them.
Max your a one of a kind, I think that took courage. I have even more respect for my favourite iron thumping youtuber than I did an hour ago. More power to you and may your progress know no boundaries.
I had really good results with magic mushrooms personally. Information on that is plentiful and there are a lot of studies going on lately. Loved the video.
I've been struggling with depression for most of my life, but never took any medication for it. What helped me over it was buying a small old house that gave me the mental rest I needed (from the rat-race) and gave me also the opportunity to have something to do and wrap my mind around (finding the cheapest way to fix things). Once I had this, most other things started to fall in its place.
It's all about finding a purpose and connection and have a (small) group of friends that you can rely on.
Similar to me/us! Getting our own fixer-upper home has been a life-saver. How to get off the treadmill of the rat-race, tho’? Still haven’t managed that…
Not easy to tell the world your story. Well done, top bloke. Land rovers help greatly.
Thank you for sharing Max. The hardest part I found was admitting that I have problems they'll never be fixed I just learn to control, I've become an expert at masking.
This touched me in a good way...unlike when Rolf Harris touched me, which wasn't good at all. All jokes aside, you're a beacon of hope for others like myself who struggle with depression. I also tried to take my life when I was younger on two occasions, but I never got help because I always wanted to join the military for some strange reason, as I knew it would stabilise me with the routine that life provides, if I got diagnosed with depression & anxiety before joining...well I wouldn't have been able to join.
I thought I overcome depression naturally at the age of 22 ( I was at rockbottom, homeless, no family support, there was no other way than up), so I joined the military when I was 23...I had about 5 years of feeling normal (actually content), then It took over again & SSRI's haven't worked for the last 3 years, so it's really insightful for me to hear your experiences with them & how you have coped/progressed with this condition.
Your content whether you are explaining how to live off grid or restoring a land rover brings me 20 minutes of piece...You explain & articulate subjects really well, however what really draws me to your content, is that I see a really good person inside you. So keep it up mate!
Thanks for taking the time and having the courage to share your journey.
Intelligent insight, agreed 100%. Share much of your experience, although I never did get on with anti depressant medication exactly because I couldn't tolerate the side effects. The real change for me relied on a situational improvement.
Depression is never really gone completely. For me, at least.
I admire how you are living your life and I think that is probably the key element in your remission.
All best wishes. Thank you.
Thank you for the honesty and the courage in sharing.
Thank you for articulating your experience with such openness, Max.
Max, thank you for your courage and candour. I hope your message goes out a long way.
Big hug ,can relate, you’ve given me many hours of help through your channel max,I suspect many many more people ,keep the vids coming many thanks max we need you.
I'm very grateful your doing so well and able to provide us all with the excellent content you create. Keep up the good work. Thanks again.
What a powerful story. Thank you so much for sharing Max.
This video is an absolute treasure. I will be watching this more than once that is for sure. Thank you for articulating your story so well, I have no doubt this will help many people. Your honesty shines throughout. I don't take this for granted as much content these days is ruined by ulterior motives.
Excellent video! Wish you all the best Max.
What a brilliant, open and honest video.
I hope your continuing mental health keeps you in a "good place” and anybody watching positively benefits from you sharing your thought and experience (friends, family, medical professionals and sufferers alike).
Well done mate as I expect this was a hard video to post. Kudos to you for your support.😎👍
Takes guts to explain what you have been thru, onwards and upwards young man. 👍👍
Hi Max, my first time messaging you. Well done on this post. Very open and honest. Mint. I just wanted to say how much I enjoy your channel - I've been a paramedic for 30 years and my dream would be to live as you do! Fortunately, I do still live in my home County of Cornwall and my child-hood was outdoors, practical, fixing my field bike, air rifles, keeping chickens and working on a local farm doing all the things like tractors and animal husbandry and fencing etc etc. Some long time ago I realised that I am at my happiest when tinkering in my workshop - rebuilding motorbikes or doing some involved DIY and it is my stress relief as my brain is fully focused on those tasks. I have nearly all of John Seymours books and I bet some same books as on your shelf!! Love your posts - find it relaxing and also inspiring to try new things like welding and make some changes and go back to basics. Might even get a Landrover in the future! Keep it up mate. 😉🍺🍺
I had so much respect for you prior to this, now I’ve even more respect for you, your life and what you have and continue to achieve, what a story. Thank you for sharing Max, you are an inspiration on so many levels
Hi Max, just wanted to thank you for taking the time in making this video, it's good that we are opening up about this reality, your words have helped me and I'm sure they will help many others, once again Thank You and keep the videos coming as I really enjoy them.
I think Max you were very brave to talk so frankly about your life and am really glad you are now ok
Thank you max for shearing you journey through, think this has to be one of the most honest and eye opening videos I’ve seen. I honestly hope that if someone is struggling so much that they think they need to end it, that they find this vid. I’ve heard of too many people who have finished it and as you said, it’s affected the people left more than they ever though.
I've watched all of your CZcams videos over the last few years and I've always thoroughly enjoyed your projects, your massive knowledge and your calm succinct explainations. You leave quiet spaces between what you say which is a breath of fresh air on CZcams. I'm now living off grid in Ireland, so your content has been really useful to me. Thankyou for your openness and honesty in this video, it is inspirational.
A wise, generous and courageous man. The world is a better place with people like you in it.
Thanks for the video. I'm so happy that you just record yourself sitting down and talking about your experiences, that's rare these days. You've given me a lot of courage, thanks for helping out.
Thank you for sharing and being so open and candid. Best explanation I've heard from anyone else. As a counsellor and someone who has struggled myself, this is extremely relatable and honest.
ive watched you rebuild a land over , ive watched you rebuild a zil with an organ on the back , ive watched you explain your off grid set up and all the way through you went through this too . i respect what you have done
I didn't expect this at all, but I'm glad I've listened to your candour. You've always come across as quite a jolly man and it was surprising to see this element of your personality. I'm sure this has been very helpful to some of your followers and it's certainly given me more of an insight into myself. Thank you.
Thank you so much for sharing Max. honest meaningful videos like this do more good to those in crisis than you might realise.
Thanks for your honesty, not easy to lay yourself bare like that ! I found it really helpful listening. All the best,
Steve. 👍
Thanks so much Max- I can see that wasn't an easy episode to make but I'm in awe of your bravery & honesty. I have a very close friend who has suffered terribly with his mental health for the last 20 years and this really helped me understand as someone who has luckily never had that struggle. I came upon this channel looking for advice about fixing up old Land Rovers - years later you're educating me about mental health and you apply the same depth of knowledge, wit and humility to both. Bravo & all the best sir!
Thanks for talking out and sharing this Max, not easy to talk about and can see we have been down similar roads and thankfully we took the right turn at those crossroads., so glad you did as i have always enjoyed your videos.
A hug and best wishes for the future going where you want it to.
Massive respect to you! I've been working in the "mental health" related services and I think you have experienced the worst and the best there is in the current system.
I was shocked myself, when I called my GP after a complete burn out (covid) at work and she offered me SSRI over the phone after about 5 min conversation. I told her straight away I didn't need medication but counselling and a change of scenery. And I did it only because I'm educated on the matter and have extensive experience with people who were prescribed drugs without any further help. I can't even imagine how difficult this it for people who find themselves in this situation without any prior knowledge or appropriate support.
We really need to hear more stories like yours. And again congratulations for getting through all of this and take care ❤️
Hi Max. Thank you for speaking so honestly and openly. I have loved watching your films over the past couple of years and draw a lot of inspiration from you. Watching you work with your Grandad and seeing the warmth and kindness between you is smashing. I have had similar problems in recent years and even though I work in Mental Health its really good to hear someone talking about their journey breaks down stigma and helps many people. Us blokes are not good at this. All the very best.
Thanks for posting this Max. I’ve had similar experiences in my own life, it’s good to hear someone speak so honestly on here. I know a lot of guys ( myself included ) find these things hard to deal with or talk about.
Your the man Max!..Have watched your channel from day 1, you are a true inspiration..I have great respect for you, your uploads help brighten up many people’s lives including mine.
I have gained so much from you, I think above all else you have demonstrated a simple life is it’s own reward!..Continue doing what you do, you absolute legend!
Genuinely the best content I’ve watched in ages! I’ve been on anti depression medication for ten plus years, and don’t feel I need it but it’s so hard to get off. After watching this and listening to you I’m gonna look into it again. Thanks for your honesty and common sense approach to a subject people don’t talk about.
Max, THANK YOU !!! Your videos are always a great pleasure for me to watch, but this takes a very fine and rare kind of man. You are one wonderful soul. God bless you Max. Z.
Thank you for being so honest in your journey.
I have a frighteningly similar story to yours and hopefully your openness here can save someone else trudging through what you have.
Good luck with your onward journey and thank you again 👍👍
Thanks max, your videos have helped me a lot over the last few years. And this video is something I will take on board going forward. You are an inspiration..
This is such a beautiful video. One of, if not, the best discussions on depression and SSRIs I've seen.
I've been on somewhat of the same journey and today was day I thought about the end and I turned on CZcams and your video was on. You filled heart with so much joy with your journey. Thank you sir
That was the clearest explanation of Depression and what I've seen happen to others and myself and what we have been through with these trials and pills, some sadly not with us now but those who have held steady as they could and have made it through, like yourself. It's good to see you strong and in good shape and I hope this remains. We'll miss the videos! Best wishes can only be wishes but Hope spring's eternal. Thank you for being so open and clear, it can't be easy. Thank you, sir.
Thank you for sharing the story of what happened to you. May your comprehension of matters never leave you.
Thank you Max. You have many friends here that appreciate everything you do. Your videos provide mindfulness, entertainment and education. This was a very brave subject to discuss and from all the comments you must realise how important and relatable it is to so many of us. You are a true gentleman.
Max, thanks for a very honest and informative video. Great to hear you are in a good place now, long may it continue. I'm sure that one of the reasons that people return to your videos is that you are such a warm and likeable guy. Stay safe.
Holy shit Max, I was already so impressed with what you achieve with your days but add to that the mental health battles you have fought and won, and then being so public about all that. I take my hat off to you Sir. Thank you, and like you said, there is always hope.
What a wonderfully frank, honest and heart felt video Max! That must have been difficult, but you have done so much good to so many people by releasing that. I have dragged myself out of depression a number of times, and you feel so alone and isolated. I’m not sure I’ll ever be free of it, but I’ve learned to cope with it, and I found the same as you, my doctor didn’t take time to understand, just wrote a prescription, which I think prolonged the darkest part of my life. Thank you for this wonderfully worded video. Warmest regards.
WOW! What an important and straight forward explanation of a personal experience and such a help to understand someone else close by.
Amen brother! Thank you for sharing with such honesty. I have experienced many of the same things on my long journey through depression and I have come to many of the same conclusions. I am not there yet, the meds keep me alive but life is so much less than I would want it to be. Your videos are a real tonic, you do things I would do, you take interest in many of the things I find interesting too. My home is full of stalled projects waiting for a better day or a more fit and able friend to assist me. I know my depressed and medicated mind is far from who I used to be and sharing such things freaks out people around me... so it is better all round to lay low, put on a smile and do the basics when I can. Something I have decided in the last fortnight... if I can find hope for a better future I am beating depression... so I am trying to focus on good bits when they happen... things like this video.
That was such a good explanation. I'm sure many people will find a great deal of comfort and hope from your story x
Wow, everyone needs to see this. I'm going to send it to my kids right now.
Thank you so much for making this video Max.
❤
Lovely to see a chat about mental health, your insight is invaluable, especially interesting about the gut, thank you.
Thank you for your honest insights into taking these medications and what you have been through. That takes guts. I wish you all the best. Take care.