How did you deal with it? Or did you have to deal with it? I am suffering with some big time depression here. My daughter keeps me going, but I just feel sad all day underneath...I also have a health condition that at the moment has me in almost constant fatigue. I just feel a mess. I'm not handling things as I normally do. I have less patience, and am having a hard time putting a smile on because I'm just not feeling it.
I'm so sorry to hear the rough time your going through. I highly recommend therapy and personally had a very good experience with anti-depression/anxiety meds. Hugs!
@excited03 have they discussed medication with you? If it's something you are open to/interested in they often have psychiatrists they can refer you to and will work together with as part of your overall plan.
No medication has been discussed yet. I am not one who has been prone to depression. I'm usually a get up and go kind of girl. It's just since the decision of divorce my whole demeanor has plummeted and I'm just sad, really sad...I picked myself up with distraction for my daughter's 3rd bday party recently, but I'm just down again. As a last resort I'll use medication, but I'm wondering if there's another way around this. If it were just me, and not my daughter, I'd be on the couch a lot more right now and probably would only shower once every 4 days...but I have to get out for her sake and do..but am empty inside at the moment. It's my birthday tomorrow too...
I'm sorry you're feeling this way. Ditto counseling and meds. And do you have a support system? Be kind to yourself!
I have a support system, but everytime I mention that I'm feeling depressed they tell me I should take something for it. The thing is I'm hoping there are other alternatives. The depression is situational from divorce. I'd rather deal with these emotions now and to me medication is a last resort. It's only been a month.
@excited03. Not to push meds, but I did just have a low dosage doe situational depression and it helped a lot to het over the hump. Other things that help are excercise, eating healthy, meditation and just getting outside going for walks and spending time time with family and friends. The problem I had is that I couldn't bring myself to do any of the above.
Also it's natural to be sad and want to spend some time on the couch. It will slowly get better. I always give myself time to wallow and then by a certain date I tell myself I have no choice but to pull it together. And usually I'm moving forward long before the date I set for myself. It will get better!
excited30 it sounds like your daughter is helpful in keeping you active -- continue to do that! Letting time pass is hard for sure. But I hope you have a great birthday! Focus on you and the positive things in your life.
I agree with PDX and the others. I currently see a therapist but I'm not on any meds anymore. I was when I was super depressed. Another thing you can do is journal and if you don't want to actually write you can use apps like Evernote.
I'm sorry you're feeling this way. Ditto counseling and meds. And do you have a support system? Be kind to yourself!
I have a support system, but everytime I mention that I'm feeling depressed they tell me I should take something for it. The thing is I'm hoping there are other alternatives. The depression is situational from divorce. I'd rather deal with these emotions now and to me medication is a last resort. It's only been a month.
Exercise has been proven to be really beneficial for anxiety or depression. I know with the fatigue it would be hard, but I'd think even 20 minutes would do you good. Journaling could also be helpful.
There are some "natural" things you can take too. St. John's Wort and amino acids. I take amino acids and they've helped a lot. There's a book on taking amino acids for anxiety/depression called "The Mood Cure" that provides a lot of information. I felt more comfortable taking amino acids because they're part of our bodies already. I also have taken pharmaceuticals for anxiety and depression.
Post by Emerald1486 on Mar 29, 2015 18:39:53 GMT -5
I have bipolar disorder and am prone to depression. I highly recommend therapy. Talk to the counselor and they may refer you to someone if they feel medication will be a help. Sometimes meds are not needed, sometimes just as kickstarter and are temporary. Journaling can also help. I noticed that it would help me focus in on what I was feeling, and sometimes why. Diet can be a thing too. I noticed that when I was not careful about my sugar intake, my moods would start to be unstable. I also take Vitamin D supplements. Finally, time is the biggest thing.
Post by Mrs.Rad888 on Mar 29, 2015 19:31:51 GMT -5
I also suffered from situational depression after DD went to live with her dad, and I took longer to deal with it than I should have. I second (third) recommendations to ask about medications, just to get over the hump. I was on ADs for about 3 years, but was eventually able to get off them, they don't need to be a rest-of-your-life regimen. Also, maybe look into upping your vitamin D dosage. I live in the Pacific NW, where we get less than average amounts of sunlight, and increasing my VitD intake helped a lot.
I have a support system, but everytime I mention that I'm feeling depressed they tell me I should take something for it. The thing is I'm hoping there are other alternatives. The depression is situational from divorce. I'd rather deal with these emotions now and to me medication is a last resort. It's only been a month.
Exercise has been proven to be really beneficial for anxiety or depression. I know with the fatigue it would be hard, but I'd think even 20 minutes would do you good. Journaling could also be helpful.
Thanks for the mention of exercise. I keep wanting to bring myself to do it, but the constant fatigue right now is really making it hard. I'm seriously tired a good chunk of the day. I was running up to 30 min at a time 3-4 times a week + walking a couple months ago...then I hit a patch where I started to get sick and my energy level isn't great. Now the depression is setting in and I'm finding it hard to find enough energy to get through the day. I know I need to walk, but I'm yawning away all day, and sooo tired. I will try with the exercise as soon as I feel I can.
There are some "natural" things you can take too. St. John's Wort and amino acids. I take amino acids and they've helped a lot. There's a book on taking amino acids for anxiety/depression called "The Mood Cure" that provides a lot of information. I felt more comfortable taking amino acids because they're part of our bodies already. I also have taken pharmaceuticals for anxiety and depression.
I had a personal friend suggest St. John's Wort to me and now you have too... perhaps I should ask my dr about that and see what she says? I'd be open to that a lot quicker than pharmaceutical drugs
I agree with PDX and the others. I currently see a therapist but I'm not on any meds anymore. I was when I was super depressed. Another thing you can do is journal and if you don't want to actually write you can use apps like Evernote.
Hugs
Thanks for the suggestion to journal. I bought a journal the day after I spoke with my husband about divorce and have used it a couple times. I think you're right though, that I could benefit from using it more. Im' not a big journaler, but it could help get some things out...couldn't hurt, right?
I have bipolar disorder and am prone to depression. I highly recommend therapy. Talk to the counselor and they may refer you to someone if they feel medication will be a help. Sometimes meds are not needed, sometimes just as kickstarter and are temporary. Journaling can also help. I noticed that it would help me focus in on what I was feeling, and sometimes why. Diet can be a thing too. I noticed that when I was not careful about my sugar intake, my moods would start to be unstable. I also take Vitamin D supplements. Finally, time is the biggest thing.
What do you mean by kickstarter? How long did you use the other meds for? I've never heard of that method.
Also, I appreciate the mention of diet. I am usually a whole food eater and my diet is very healthy and nutritious. Lately though, I've been eating a bit more sugar...which you've just made a point to say that that's not doing me any favours with my mood. Valid point, and noted. I had forgotten that it can affect mood ups and downs too...that'll be a good incentive to stay away from that. And yes... time. I am allowed that, right? Time to heal and grieve.
FWIW, I woke up this morning not wanting a birthday. I didn't want it to be my birthday. Could've cared less... still somewhat apathetic about the whole thing right now. Although, I went out to a birthday dinner this evening with a group of friends and my sisters. It was lovely. They blessed me and supported me. I am grateful and know I am cared for. I know that I am depressed though when I cry all the way home, and just feel sad. There are so many seasons in life, and this is just a season for me. It too shall pass.
I have bipolar disorder and am prone to depression. I highly recommend therapy. Talk to the counselor and they may refer you to someone if they feel medication will be a help. Sometimes meds are not needed, sometimes just as kickstarter and are temporary. Journaling can also help. I noticed that it would help me focus in on what I was feeling, and sometimes why. Diet can be a thing too. I noticed that when I was not careful about my sugar intake, my moods would start to be unstable. I also take Vitamin D supplements. Finally, time is the biggest thing.
What do you mean by kickstarter? How long did you use the other meds for? I've never heard of that method.
Also, I appreciate the mention of diet. I am usually a whole food eater and my diet is very healthy and nutritious. Lately though, I've been eating a bit more sugar...which you've just made a point to say that that's not doing me any favours with my mood. Valid point, and noted. I had forgotten that it can affect mood ups and downs too...that'll be a good incentive to stay away from that. And yes... time. I am allowed that, right? Time to heal and grieve.
Sometimes meds are used to help you start feeling better, but are not a permanent solution. I was put on meds for my bipolar. Then I found out I was pregnant and got off them (about 4 months after starting them), and then separated from XH when DS was born. I have not had to go back on meds, though I will see a therapist occasionally for checkups.
Time is always the biggest thing. In time, it will get easier and the load will lighten.
Exercise has been proven to be really beneficial for anxiety or depression. I know with the fatigue it would be hard, but I'd think even 20 minutes would do you good. Journaling could also be helpful.
Thanks for the mention of exercise. I keep wanting to bring myself to do it, but the constant fatigue right now is really making it hard. I'm seriously tired a good chunk of the day. I was running up to 30 min at a time 3-4 times a week + walking a couple months ago...then I hit a patch where I started to get sick and my energy level isn't great. Now the depression is setting in and I'm finding it hard to find enough energy to get through the day. I know I need to walk, but I'm yawning away all day, and sooo tired. I will try with the exercise as soon as I feel I can.
Lack of exercise can be its own self-defeating cycle. You feel tired, so you don't exercise, but since you didn't exercise, you don't have any energy. You really just have to power through it at the beginning. Maybe just start with a walk.
At the end of my last relationship, I felt depressed, as would be expected. It was worst first thing in the morning, because I had the whole day to get through. When I'd wake up, I'd just tell myself that I only had to get through this day, then I could go back to bed. Way deep in my mind, I knew that I'd be OK one of these days, but that seemed too far in the future. By working on one day at a time, surviving was broken down into smaller, easier to handle increments. Eventually I got to the point where he wasn't the first thing I thought of when I woke, and it just got better from there. Slowly, it seemed on some days, but better, little by little.
Thanks for the mention of exercise. I keep wanting to bring myself to do it, but the constant fatigue right now is really making it hard. I'm seriously tired a good chunk of the day. I was running up to 30 min at a time 3-4 times a week + walking a couple months ago...then I hit a patch where I started to get sick and my energy level isn't great. Now the depression is setting in and I'm finding it hard to find enough energy to get through the day. I know I need to walk, but I'm yawning away all day, and sooo tired. I will try with the exercise as soon as I feel I can.
Lack of exercise can be its own self-defeating cycle. You feel tired, so you don't exercise, but since you didn't exercise, you don't have any energy. You really just have to power through it at the beginning. Maybe just start with a walk.
At the end of my last relationship, I felt depressed, as would be expected. It was worst first thing in the morning, because I had the whole day to get through. When I'd wake up, I'd just tell myself that I only had to get through this day, then I could go back to bed. Way deep in my mind, I knew that I'd be OK one of these days, but that seemed too far in the future. By working on one day at a time, surviving was broken down into smaller, easier to handle increments. Eventually I got to the point where he wasn't the first thing I thought of when I woke, and it just got better from there. Slowly, it seemed on some days, but better, little by little.
I really do agree with you...totally, but I've got another issue other than depression for fatigue..I'm in a flare up of my auto immune disease and this causes full body fatigue, which exercising through it isn't always the best choice for me. I have to find that balance.
Thank you for the tip on taking it a day at a time...I will keep that in mind when I get up in the morning. ..maybe even think in increments of 'until nap time' and then 'until bedtime ' for awhile. ..
excited30 would something like yoga be an option? or even some stretches? I find that doing anything with my body can help even if it isn't super high impact. Things will get better soon!
excited30 would something like yoga be an option? or even some stretches? I find that doing anything with my body can help even if it isn't super high impact. Things will get better soon!
Stretching. ..that sounds like something to do! I hadn't thought about that..I am going to do that. Thanks! It's very low impact but would at least be something.
Post by cookiemdough on Mar 30, 2015 18:11:00 GMT -5
Now that it is warmer maybe take your daughter out for a walk in the evenings. Think of things you enjoy doing and try to incorporate them. Blast some music and have a dance party with your daughter. Start small . The first months for me were the worst. But it gets better. So sorry and hope you feel better soon.
Now that it is warmer maybe take your daughter out for a walk in the evenings. Think of things you enjoy doing and try to incorporate them. Blast some music and have a dance party with your daughter. Start small . The first months for me were the worst. But it gets better. So sorry and hope you feel better soon.
Mornings are bad for me, but an evening walk seems like a good potential starting point. 20 min after supper...I will let all you ladies know how it's going in a few weeks. Thank you all for your support and helpful ideas
I have daily dance parties with my daughter. It helps me blow off some steam and it's entertaining/exhausting for her. Plus, it gets her to like my music and it's fun and cute.
I also suggest going for walks and trying to come up with new little routines, or even spontaneous stuff, like running to get ice cream one night after dinner.