I need everyone's methods, ideas, suggestions, coping strategies? I am about 3 weeks off of my Zoloft and doing rather well, but I want to be sure that I KEEP doing well. Dh and I want to have a baby so I went off my medicine and we are taking a little time to focus on taking care of me and being happy and healthy.
What I am focusing on:
Most importantly, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy 1x a week. I've gone nearly every week for the last 15 months and it's been a tremendous help. My therapist describes it as medicine treating the symptoms but therapy helping to cure. I don't believe I would have gotten as much out of therapy without the medicine to keep my panic and depression at bay, but I know I'd never have made the improvements I've made on just medicine alone.
Reading "The Feeling Good Handbook" by David Burns and using many of his techniques. I'd be very interested in any and all book recommendations along these lines.
Reading anything/everything by Sark, coloring mandalas, trying to keep my mind occupied with fun things that do not stress me out.
Taking daily walks, getting out everyday to collect beach glass or go to a playground or look for leaves with dd. Even just a bus ride downtown to buy a cookie on a rainy day helps. I know exercise helps with serotonin, but I also have agoraphobia so it's important I make myself leave the house everyday.
Taking B vitamins, calcium/magnesium, omega 6, and a multivitamin (I am researching a candida diet, my therapist recommended trying it).
Gettng any and all podcasts I can find with guided meditation/mindfulness type themes. Anyone know of any? I get most of my from hayhouse radio.
Sticking to a strict sleep schedule. If I start staying up late OR going to bed too early that's never good for me, I can sink into depression very quickly. Also, I force myself to stay in bed at least until 6am. Early morning waking is a problem for me at times.
What I am focusing on:
Most importantly, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy 1x a week. I've gone nearly every week for the last 15 months and it's been a tremendous help. My therapist describes it as medicine treating the symptoms but therapy helping to cure. I don't believe I would have gotten as much out of therapy without the medicine to keep my panic and depression at bay, but I know I'd never have made the improvements I've made on just medicine alone.
Reading "The Feeling Good Handbook" by David Burns and using many of his techniques. I'd be very interested in any and all book recommendations along these lines.
Reading anything/everything by Sark, coloring mandalas, trying to keep my mind occupied with fun things that do not stress me out.
Taking daily walks, getting out everyday to collect beach glass or go to a playground or look for leaves with dd. Even just a bus ride downtown to buy a cookie on a rainy day helps. I know exercise helps with serotonin, but I also have agoraphobia so it's important I make myself leave the house everyday.
Taking B vitamins, calcium/magnesium, omega 6, and a multivitamin (I am researching a candida diet, my therapist recommended trying it).
Gettng any and all podcasts I can find with guided meditation/mindfulness type themes. Anyone know of any? I get most of my from hayhouse radio.
Sticking to a strict sleep schedule. If I start staying up late OR going to bed too early that's never good for me, I can sink into depression very quickly. Also, I force myself to stay in bed at least until 6am. Early morning waking is a problem for me at times.