topic I can't stop thinking about sad things? in Depression

I can't stop thinking about sad things?

mmmmmmm — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 17:28:14 GMT

But not sad things in my life, my life is actually great. I think about completely random things. The level of sadness completely varies. E.g. sometimes it would just be a father and son having an argument, but sometimes it would be a man being dying violently in front of his wife. Yep, that escalated quickly. There are others, those are just two examples.

You're probably thinking it represents something that's happened in my life, but it really didn't. I have a great relationship with my parents, and I've never witnessed real death or violence.

I don't think it's depression, because I'm not exactly sad for no reason. I start off completely happy, but then I get these thoughts, and I feel really sad for the next few hours. What could it be?

I can't stop thinking about sad things?

white knight — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 20:27:57 GMT

Hi and welcome

Ive had similar all my 62 years.

Music could be the trigger or when I'm alone.

Eventually a psychiatrist diagnosed me with dysthymia (along with bipolar ). I'm not able to diagnose you but its worth taking it further.

TonyWK

I can't stop thinking about sad things?

quirkywords — Fri, 21 Dec 2018 21:55:07 GMT

Mmmmmmm

Hello,

I can really relate to your post because I can become sad from the most random thing .

I am thinking that anyone would be sad thinking a about or seeing a man being violent the attacked in front of his wife. I realise that was just an example but sometimes it is reasonable to be sad if we see or think about something very sad.

I wonder if you are a very sensitive person in that you react to things or feel emotions more than others?

When you write that you can’t stop thinking about sad things , do you mean every day or a few times a week ?

Do you also think about happy things or only sad things?

I think like Tony, many people find music a trigger for sad thoughts. I listened to a song I had not heard for ages and started crying even though it had happy memories for me.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and feel free to,post here alas much as you like.

Quirky.

I can't stop thinking about sad things?

mmmmmmm — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 08:54:15 GMT

That's weird, I replied a day ago, but it still hasn't showed up.

Thank you both very much for the replies.

This actually only started happening fairly recently. Before that, I wasn't sensitive at all, I reacted to things normally.

Yes, I think about sad things every day. I try not to, but they just automatically show up.

I do sometimes think about happy things, and sometimes I am completely happy. And then I try to convince myself I was just being a drama queen, and it's all over. But of course then I start thinking about something sad again, and am sad for a while.

I can't stop thinking about sad things?

quirkywords — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 10:01:26 GMT

mmmmmmmm

Thanks for your reply.

i wonder if something happened recently maybe a small thins, or some change in your life , maybe a loss of some sort. I was just wondering if there is a reason but there may not be.

it must be reassuring that you can be completely happy at times.

Have you tried instead of changing the sad thoughts to let yourself think about them for a short time and then try to focus on things that make you happy.

Sometimes when we try hard to focus on things we think about them even more.

Have you thought about writing down when you have happy thoughts how long they last and

how often you have sad thoughts ? then you may see a pattern. just a thought .

Quirky

I can't stop thinking about sad things?

mmmmmmm — Sat, 22 Dec 2018 12:45:26 GMT

Something crazy is happening. I don't wanna jinx it, but I think I'm getting much better. The problem is still there, but it's much less severe now. Maybe talking about a problem really does help. But I still wish I knew why it happened in the first place.

I actually kinda did the opposite of that. At first I tried to completely block out the sad thoughts, but that didn't work. So then I decided to actually try to think about them as much as I can, so eventually I'd get used to them, and they wouldn't be that sad anymore. And maybe that's what helped.

But there are still random things that can give me new sad thoughts. But they're not as sad, and don't last as long.

No, my life is actually great, I have no idea what could've caused this. Nothing particularly bad has happened recently.

Before today, I'd say I was sad for about three hours, then happy for about one hour, and so on. But today I've actually been happy for the majority of the day.

I can't stop thinking about sad things?

Doolhof — Tue, 25 Dec 2018 08:27:00 GMT

Hi mmmmmmmm,

Wondering how you are getting on and if Christmas has caused you any triggers or if it has helped you to be busy and not have time to think too much.

I know when my mind is idle, it can drift off to places that are unhelpful and unproductive.

Hope you continue to be able to acknowledge your thoughts and deal with them in a healthy manner.

Cheers from Dools

I can't stop thinking about sad things?

mmmmmmm — Tue, 25 Dec 2018 17:54:22 GMT

Hi, thanks for the concern. Since my last post, things haven't really changed. The issue is still here, but I think it's mild now, hopefully it will go away sometime soon.

And I'm Jewish, so I don't really do Christmas. And I haven't really been doing anything lately, so maybe that's a factor.

And it's complicated, but in case you're wondering, I am sort of getting professional help.

I can't stop thinking about sad things?

Doolhof — Tue, 25 Dec 2018 22:25:59 GMT

Hi mmmmmm,

Thanks for responding. I hope the professional help you are receiving is helping you. Over time I have used web sites like Mood Gym and another whose name has just slipped out of my mind!

You mentioned you are Jewish, are there special holidays and occasions that you like to celebrate through the year? I find it very interesting to learn about other people's faiths and beliefs.

I am a Christian and have family members who believe in witches and another in Aliens as being the source of our being here.

In the past we have travelled to a few Asian countries, I am always interested in learning more about the people's beliefs.

You mentioned you haven't been doing a great deal lately, for myself, I know if I can keep myself busy, even if it is reading a book, or working in the garden, then I do feel better and have more control over where my mind travels with its thoughts.

In the early hours of this morning I awoke and immediately my mind was wandering down some negative pathways, so I became aware of that and made plans for the day. It helped me to go back to sleep.

It is going to be a sweltering day here! Do you like the heat? I am already looking forward to winter and am thinking of moving to Tasmania!

Cheers from Dools

I can't stop thinking about sad things?

mmmmmmm — Tue, 25 Dec 2018 22:59:47 GMT

Well I'm not religious at all. There are a few holidays I sort of celebrate every year, e.g. Rosh Hashanah (the Jewish new year), but that usually just consists of a family dinner.

I understand keeping busy may help distract me from this specific issue, but the thing is, I actually don't really like being busy. So if I am, it will just create another issue. But if being busy can include things like watching TV or playing video games, then I guess I am fairly busy. But I don't really enjoy doing much outside the house, except maybe catching up with friends. And I actually have been doing that a bit lately, and I think it's been helpful.

I don't really mind the heat, I prefer it to the cold. But it doesn't really matter if I don't go outside much.

I can't stop thinking about sad things?

Doolhof — Tue, 25 Dec 2018 23:10:13 GMT

Hi mmmmmmmm,

I'm still connected to the forum and noticed a reply came through from you. Regarding Rosh Hashanah, I am presuming you may have special foods on that evening, do you have other traditions you carry out on that evening and please excuse my ignorance, but when is the Jewish New Year celebrated?

Some time ago, I looked p New Years celebrations around the world and discovered some countries celebrate at very different times of the year.

Regarding the word "busy" maybe being connected, engaged, involved, distracted, and actively participating may be better words and expressions to use.

Finding myself with nothing to do but aimlessly wandering around in the house or sitting in the corner staring at the wall do not do me much good at all. That is when my mind wanders.

So yes, gaming, watching T.V. , being with friends, all of those activities are important and beneficial I believe.

For me I may use books, colouring, craft, gardening, journaling, visiting friends, walking, the beach and so on, to me they are all beneficial to my well being.

Being "busy" and overwhelmed can do my head in as well, so finding a balance helps.

Cheers again from Dools

I can't stop thinking about sad things?

mmmmmmm — Tue, 25 Dec 2018 23:56:07 GMT

Rosh Hashanah begins on the 29th of September, and ends on the 1st of October. It's kinda traditional to have apple dipped in honey. It's also traditional to blow on a Shofar, which is a musical horn, made of a ram's horn. But to be honest, that's all I really know about it, I'm really not that religious. If there are any other Jews here, you're more than welcome to explain some more.

And thanks very much for the advice, it's been very helpful and insightful, and best of luck to you too.

I can't stop thinking about sad things?

Doolhof — Fri, 28 Dec 2018 07:09:23 GMT

Hi mmmmmmm,

Thanks for sharing the information about the Jewish holiday. I have read the Bible and there are a lot of ancient Jewish holidays mentioned in there, I am not sure how many of them are still followed in this day and age.

Many years ago we had a holiday in Israel. It was interesting to learn more about all the different faiths especially in Jerusalem. We also went to Bethlehem. While there a group of Asian Christians were singing Christian hymns in their language, it felt a little surreal to me. I knew the tune, just the words were different.

Our temperature here was a bit ridiculous in my books, over 42 degrees. Yuck! I know some places have been hotter still.

Being with friends can be very important when we have mental health issues. If I can't be with friends, I will sometimes send them texts and emails. I am a bit old fashioned and still like emails!

Hope you are doing okay. Cheers from Dools