battling depression??

[PiePie]

Is anyone willing to share tips on how you or a friend has battled depression, either now or in the past? I am on day 9 since suffering a severe shock and betrayal that triggered all sorts of post-traumatic stress stuff. :

I am leaning on DH (who is worried out of his mind -- this is my first episode since we've been together), a long-term therapist (whom I adore), and one extremely close friend (who has ignored me for 3 days and counting -- I think I burned her out: ). I know I need to broaden my circle.

I waver between self-hatred (which I verbalize, thus freaking DH out, see above) and anger at the people who hurt me (which has got to me healthier!). My biggest problem is that I feel like a huge hermit right now -- not the paralyzed, can't get out of bed level, but not "functional" either. I've got to get on the ball and DO STUFF TO MAKE MYSELF BETTER, but I need some oomph to get started.

Pls feel free to PM me.

[Camellia]

One thing that helps me is when my husband reminds me of all of the good things in my (and our) lives. He reassures me that everything really is great even though it doesn't seem like it.

My depression is very much rooted in anxiety. I worry about money, and the kids, and the state of our house. I see things not as they truly are. We barely make it moneterily -- but we are in the black! Our kids are doing awesome, and our house is lived in, but clean.

Maybe you could ask your partner to help you remember the good things in your life. I don't know if that would be helpful or not, but its the biggest thing that pulls me out of a depressive phase.

Deep breathing and exercise help too. Again, it lowers my anxiety which makes everything look brighter.

Good Luck mama. I'm sorry you are feeling so bad right now. This too shall pass. I know its cliche, but its cliche because its true

[mcjessica]

I am there too right now. Not to hijack your thread, but I just logged on to post a very similar thread. I am happy with some aspects of my life, but overall feel somewhat numbed, dissociated sort of... and some days it is a struggle just to get myself out of bed. It isn't fair to my husband or my son (9.5 months and perhaps my only saving grace at this point).

From long experience of dealing with this, my only advice to you (and myself) is to take things day by day, or even minute by minute if necessary. Eventually, things always get better and the more action I take, the better. So sometimes I make myself get off the couch and bake some cookies, not because I feel like it but because it will give me something to perk up about.

Don't put too many limits on yourself or expect too much from yourself either. This too shall pass. Now I just need to take some of my own advice. Good luck. :/

[vamp127]

I am currently on Wellbutrin & Zoloft for major clinical depression.

I've had it for as long as I can remember, but never really sought treatment, other than counseling, until about 5 years ago. At that point, it got so bad that I literally couldn't function. After spending much of the day on the phone with insurance and Catholic Charities, I had DH come home early from a business trip and I drove myself to the ER.

I got wonderful treatment and cannot believe that I spent so long suffering (and making my loved ones suffer, too) before seeking help. I still have periods of deep depression, but they last a couple of days now, instead of a couple of weeks.

I know medication is not for everyone, but don't hold yourself back from the possibility. You can take it for a couple of weeks, even, just to get back on track.

Also, know that it will end. You have people who love you and need you.

Feel free to PM me.

[majikfaerie]

I totally relate.
I spent pretty much my entire life suffering terrible from deep depression.
Actually, I now realise it was a lot of post-traumatic stress, and I've just had one of those lives that you see in soap operas - the kind that dont happen in real life - sexually abused and beaten as a child, I also grew up (from the age of 10) taking care of my grandmother who suffered with advanced Alzheimer's disease; she didnt know who I was, but from when I got home from school at 4pm, it was my job to watch her, feed her, change her wet undies...
I ended up on drugs at age 14, was kicked out of home at 16, lived on the streets, did all kinds of terrible stuff, was constantly violently angry and deeply depressed.

eventually I found my way to a kind of alternative community and learned about natural living, started travelling around the world (backpacked for 7 years). I was raped a few times as a teenager, held at gunpoint on one occasion, basically, every day of my life was some drastically terrible happening.
even the days when I didnt do anything much but veg in front of TV.

I just never learned any tools for dealing with stress or emotions. I would have the same reaction to burning the toast as to witnessing my child brutally murdered (that didnt happen, just an example). I lived as a total mess!! freaking out at every little thing, crying all the time. literally. all. the. time.
I guess you know how it feels.

well, in the end, I got better -
I QUIT EATING CHOCOLATE!!!

I found out that I am 'allergic' to cocoa! as long as I dont eat anything with cocoa in it, I'm fine. (not perfect, I still have the occasional moment, but I'm a regular functioning person - and even regular people have the odd moment )
Its like the sun came out in my life for the first time


I found this out while doing an intensive classical homeopathy treatment for the depression. the homeopathy really helped a lot too, and seeing a good therapist is a big help also.

Anyway, what I found to be really helpful, is to once in a while, actually allow yourself to process these feelings, rather than fighting them. stay in bed, alone with TV or some trashy novels, or magazines, or whatever, and STAY there for as long as it takes for you to feel like you HAVE To get up.
(even if its 3 or 4 days)
then take a good shower and go outside and run for a bit.

This worked for me everytime I managed to do it (i know, its tough when you have little ones around, but sometimes a few days without mama is better than a crazy mama), at least to get out of the really deep holes.

and look closely at your diet, you never know! it might be something that simple.

[zmom]

I've suffered from depression since I was a teenager. I've taken (and quit and started and quit again) several different kinds of antidepressants.

Most recently, I started taking a B-complex every day and it has helped tremendously. I still have days that aren't good but I can function and I can work and do what I need to do and even laugh! So try a B complex!

[PiePie]

Thank you for posting! I was feeling a little forgotten... I already take a B complex, for that and other reasons (for example, B6 is supposed to lengthen luteal phase). I agree that it is helpful. Some of us just need a little MORE help.

[vamp127]

I've been thinking about you today--hope tomorrow's a better day.

[PiePie]

vamp127: thank you. you are very sweet to post on my thread.