Trying to get out of the hole

[superchick22684]

I don't know if anyone will actually read this or not, I just need to vent really badly and have no one to vent to. I'm currently in my first depressive episode that I've had in months. I'm experiencing lack of appetite, depressed mood, loss of interest in pretty much everything etc. I seriously feel like there's nobody to reach out to. Nobody in my family knows what is going on and I prefer to keep it that way. My boyfriend has been acting weird on top of everything that I'm already dealing with.

Anyone have any tips on how to cope?

[Kirk]

I feel the same way sometimes, as I get in moods where I say what is life all about? When I get in those moods, I try to do things I enjoy, to
try to take my mind off my bad thoughts. Do something you enjoy like, going to a movie, shopping, etc. I too am careful who I say things to as
many people don't understand how I feel or could care less.

[Anne1221]

Superchick, I know in the past you have had to try different medications or change medications. You said recently that your medications were working for you. (maybe you take Celexa and Abilify?-that's what I seem to recall but you posted that months ago).
I would say (and my psychiatrist would say) that your medications are definitely not working for you. Antidepressants are designed to pull you out of depression. However, if there is a particular situation that is going on in your life that is causing you depression, that is a different story. I wish you could find someone to talk this over with. That is so helpful. I know you're waiting on your therapist to be available and that will help.

Kirk's suggestions are good. I would add to that force yourself to get exercise. That is crucial. The more exercise you can do the more it will help you. You won't even feel like going, but that alone is therapy in and of itself.

[Sarastim]

I'm feeling pretty depressed as well. I jus had to get out side in the nice weather and start doing something
I hope you feel better soon. One tip is to not isolate, find someone or something to make some joy

[gypsylee]

I don't know if anyone will actually read this or not, I just need to vent really badly and have no one to vent to. I'm currently in my first depressive episode that I've had in months. I'm experiencing lack of appetite, depressed mood, loss of interest in pretty much everything etc. I seriously feel like there's nobody to reach out to. Nobody in my family knows what is going on and I prefer to keep it that way. My boyfriend has been acting weird on top of everything that I'm already dealing with.

Anyone have any tips on how to cope?

Hey superchick :)

It's absolutely horrible when you've been "well" and then the anxiety/depression comes back. I actually started a thread recently about how past episodes have sort of traumatised me and when it hits again it brings up feelings from the past, and you feel like "OMG I can't believe this is happening again!" Someone commented that they felt like they were ten times worse in fact.

Venting is really helpful.. Just getting the thoughts and feelings out of your head (where they fester) and even better if other people can reassure you you aren't the only one feeling like that. I know that feeling of there being noone to reach out to and it's honestly one of the worst feelings ever. The other weekend I made the mistake of getting drunk and ended up in a pretty bad state.. I then ended up asking my neighbour to come over (I'd met him briefly a couple of times) and managed to get through it with his help. It turns out he also has problems with alcohol and depression, so we've been helping each other a bit and it's good to know there's someone nearby who I can turn to. I think you'd be surprised how many others are going through the same thing.

So yeah, just being open about how you're feeling can go a long way.

Hang in there..
Gypsy x

[Dubc5000]

Hi Superchick,

I can totally relate to what you're saying. I have less depression and more anxiety and panic. After struggling with it for 12 years I thought that I had it beat completely. I was able to do things I couldn't imagine doing for a full year and it felt great. However, about 2 months ago the symptoms all started coming back. There has been a lot of stressful things going on in my life and I assume those are what sparked my anxiety again. Sometimes we can't really see the things that might trigger us and that's what a good therapist can really help with.

Is there anything that you think could have brought back these feelings? In my situation I think I'm pretty aware of why my symptoms came back. Just knowing it can help but there is always work to get through it. It really sucks but I do believe that it's all about knowing yourself better and getting through these things will make us more at peace in the future.

[superchick22684]

Superchick, I know in the past you have had to try different medications or change medications. You said recently that your medications were working for you. (maybe you take Celexa and Abilify?-that's what I seem to recall but you posted that months ago).
I would say (and my psychiatrist would say) that your medications are definitely not working for you. Antidepressants are designed to pull you out of depression. However, if there is a particular situation that is going on in your life that is causing you depression, that is a different story. I wish you could find someone to talk this over with. That is so helpful. I know you're waiting on your therapist to be available and that will help.

Kirk's suggestions are good. I would add to that force yourself to get exercise. That is crucial. The more exercise you can do the more it will help you. You won't even feel like going, but that alone is therapy in and of itself.

I just got back from seeing my psych and I told him that I've been depressed for the last nine days. He basically looked at me at and asked me why I'm depressed. I honestly have no answer for that. I have a job, a place to live, food to eat, transportation to get from place to place etc. There's nothing really "bad" that's going on with my life. All I know is I woke up last Wednesday feeling incredibly doom and gloom and I'm having trouble getting joy out of anything. I have very little appetite. A few days ago I spent most of my day crying for absolutely no reason. He suggested that journaling might help so I think I might try that to get some of my thoughts down on paper and out of my head.
You were correct Anne on the medications that I'm on. My psych decided not to change any of my dosages today. I'm a little disappointed but part of me is hoping that using some of the tips you guys have shared with me will be enough to dig me out of the rut I'm in.

[gypsylee]

My psych recommended a book to me called The Happiness Trap. It's based on something called "Acceptance and Commitment Therapy" (ACT) which he believes is better than CBT and he's a really good, down-to-earth psychiatrist who I've seen for a long time. So I downloaded it on iBooks and read a couple of chapters and it's already helped me with anxiety (which is more my thing than depression but they are closely linked). I think it could help you with your depression. The first chapter gives you statistics on depression and that alone made me feel better! So if you have iBooks or Kindle or whatever, take a look.

:)

P.S. It's by Dr Russ Harris.

[Ponder]

My therapist has spoken often about ACT. I'm not sure anyone can claim one concept to be better than another (although I don't think much of CBT) ... however for me ... I did find ACT very useful for putting into place what I already knew. The Happiness Trap was also something I liked as well.

May I suggest just getting up and moving around as much as you can. Try not to look at it as exercise if that's that term is not so comfortable. Moving however small or little that may be is very good for promoting clarity; especially when feeling so low.

[Kirk]

When it happens to me, I go out and do something I enjoy doing, I just get out of the house and
do something. Go to Starbucks, shop, etc. Anything to help me get moving.

[Anne1221]

Not eating can make you feel worse, so if you really have no appetite, at least get some Ensure and drink that to get the nutrients and sustenance you need.

[superchick22684]

Hey Anne,
Sorry for going quiet for a few days. The depression finally lifted on its own so I'm finally starting to feel better in terms of that. The anxiety is kind of a different story but I find the anxiety much easier to cope with. I am beyond thankful for everyone on this board and how supportive they are.
I've never been diagnosed with bipolar, pretty sure the Abilify was prescribed because I have a history of having "failed" numerous antidepressants.

[Anne1221]

SO glad to hear that! That is good news indeed.

[J. Ans]

I hope that these wonderful tips that everyone gave helped you. I know that they certainly have helped me. I hope the low dip has passed and that you feel at least a slight bump "up" to be feeling a bit better. I like the idea someone suggested of moving around a little bit, rather than seeing it as exercise. I hear so much about exercising to help with depression, but many times, people with depression are too depressed to exercise, so it's kind of a Catch-22. Maybe the light becoming darker and darker might have started making you feel a bit down? I have a light therapy lamp, which you just reminded me that I should start using. Using it in the morning is supposed to help elevate mood. I use ones that specifically say "can be used for light therapy." I don't use a light box, I use a lamp, but its wattage is strong enough to be "light therapy."
(Sorry, I didn't read the rest of the posts, and you are feeling a bit better -that's great news!)

[Marrin]

What i do when i get depressed randomly, i just want to lay in my bed in a fetal positoon, and forget everything that is going around me, but what has helped me is googie my problems, and i have been doing this recently for the past 2 days, it helps, but very little....

[Procrastinator]

Go on this forum as you have and read about what others do. I find it helpful to see I'm not alone. Doesn't always speed things up but I tend to feel a little less like a freak..

[varjakbaby]

good luck, superchick. I know what you mean. Disinterest, no reason to do or even try to do anything. No reason to complain, which makes you feel even worse because you feel entitled and it's like, why is this happening. I hope it gets better for you.

[ssMarilyn]

After doing a lot of research, I found out that exercise, such as jumping on the treadmill for a nice, brisk walk, gets the blood moving and stimulates the brain, plus flushes out the lymph system, which when it gets backed up by our lack of movement.. it can cause depression. The treadmill really does help take the edge off depression and many times, it goes away altogether. Also stopping and saying out loud what we are thankful for in our lives, helps as well. Most anxiety is caused by ruminating, which is what a cow does with her cud. She chews it over and over again. We tend to do that with negative thoughts without realizing it. We have control of our thoughts. Where the mind goes, the man follows. Make yourself think of the good things in your life, which are many that you just don't realize. Prayer helps me immensely too. I know how difficult depression and anxiety is to deal with. Change things one step at a time and do these positive things on a daily basis.

[ssMarilyn]

I just got back from seeing my psych and I told him that I've been depressed for the last nine days. He basically looked at me at and asked me why I'm depressed. I honestly have no answer for that. I have a job, a place to live, food to eat, transportation to get from place to place etc. There's nothing really "bad" that's going on with my life. All I know is I woke up last Wednesday feeling incredibly doom and gloom and I'm having trouble getting joy out of anything. I have very little appetite. A few days ago I spent most of my day crying for absolutely no reason. He suggested that journaling might help so I think I might try that to get some of my thoughts down on paper and out of my head.
You were correct Anne on the medications that I'm on. My psych decided not to change any of my dosages today. I'm a little disappointed but part of me is hoping that using some of the tips you guys have shared with me will be enough to dig me out of the rut I'm in.

Superchick, you sound like you have SAD.... seasonal affective disorder. It's a winter issue for a lot of us in the snow areas of the US. Lack of sunshine and low D levels. I get it too and it's no fun. If you can, try a light box. Many people have reported overcoming winter depression with light boxes! Also be sure you are taking D3 every day. My MD has me on 5,000 units a day. Has to be D3 and not just plain D though.

[EmilyPineda36]

easiest way that's helped me cope is a combination of Bioenergetics and working out. get out of your mind as much as possible...that's the key :)

[rebeccamcclellan]

My psych recommended a book to me called The Happiness Trap. It's based on something called "Acceptance and Commitment Therapy" (ACT) which he believes is better than CBT and he's a really good, down-to-earth psychiatrist who I've seen for a long time. So I downloaded it on iBooks and read a couple of chapters and it's already helped me with anxiety (which is more my thing than depression but they are closely linked). I think it could help you with your depression. The first chapter gives you statistics on depression and that alone made me feel better! So if you have iBooks or Kindle or whatever, take a look.

:)

P.S. It's by Dr Russ Harris.

Thank you for sharing!

[sm3392]

The hole lol

[Ponder]

https://thehappinesstrap.com/free-resources/

[gypsylee]

It really does feel like a hole sometimes.

[salvator here]

It sure does and the deeper you fall into the hole that harder to crawl out.

[nathalia1011]

every woman is also experiencing that especially when they have their monthly period we cannot control our temper and i do not really know what to do .

[MrsMargo]

To cope with your depression do things to help others. You'll be surprised at what doing something as little as complimenting someone can make you feel happy. Try talking to people on depression forums who are experiencing a similar situation and seek to make them feel less alone. In the process, it may help you to feel less sad and alone.

[Ponder]

every woman is also experiencing that especially when they have their monthly period we cannot control our temper and i do not really know what to do .


No matter how powerless I may feel I know always have a choice.
Knowing that may give me hope - however only by taking steps can I find my way out.

https://image.ibb.co/c4rHix/ladder.jpg

But that's OK - You can climb out whilst you still have your period. You don't have to leave it behind if you don't want to. hahahahaha ... just kidding.
My wife won't sleep with me, so I will blame that instead. It's beyond my control. hmmmm somehow I don't think it works like that. Again ... we always have a choice.

Passes you a ladder ... your choice.

[MrsMargo]

For my depression I often use essential oils. Lavender oil is my favourite. Of course, it's not the main treatment. But it helps for depression, insomnia and anxiety.