topic these forums help in Depression

these forums help

bluenight — Sun, 30 May 2021 07:43:31 GMT

Hey everyone

I haven't been onto the forums for about a year, as I started a new job and have been really busy and focused on doing well in the new position. Over the last couple of weeks though I've been browsing through the forums and it helps me to read what people are going through and the kind supportive responses.

That's it for now

these forums help

quirkywords — Sun, 30 May 2021 08:35:32 GMT

Hi bluenight

welcome back to the forums. I think the comments here help us to feel part of the community. I learn a lot from read stories here,

these forums help

bluenight — Mon, 31 May 2021 12:34:47 GMT

Hi Quirkywords 🙂

Thanks for your reply, yeh it's good knowing that other people have their problems and reading their stories. Sometimes when you look around everyone looks happy but we all have our struggles.

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blondguy — Mon, 31 May 2021 13:14:22 GMT

Hey bluenight

really appreciate your great thread....and your feedback 🙂

a new job/position is always a bonus....Good1 Bluenight! You would be an asset to your new employer...✔

my kind thoughts.......Paul

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geoff — Mon, 31 May 2021 17:54:08 GMT

Hello Bluenight, lovely to have you join us again, but is there a reason why you decided to start reading the many comments once again, because when people do this, then there may be something that's affecting them and hope to hear back when you are available.

Take care.

Geoff.

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bluenight — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 12:58:08 GMT

Thanks paul, that's kind thing to say. Appreciate your reply

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bluenight — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 13:01:36 GMT

Hi Geoff

I have been feeling depressed I guess, my depression always gets worse in the colder months. I've had depression and anxiety for years. I've made some real and significant improvements to my self and life over the last 12 months but there's still so much I hope and need to change. Sometimes, I just don't know how I'm going to do it. Tonight, I realised that there is so much to be grateful for.

How are you going yourself?

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geoff — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 15:25:55 GMT

Hello Bluenight, thanks for getting back to us and I'm good thank you.

As you've started a new job then changes may have needed to be done to your lifestyle, time to get up, a different route for work and how to get there, pus it may have changed your pattern of thought on your time off and who you are able to see, so we'd like to hear some more from you, only when you are available.

Geoff.

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bluenight — Sat, 05 Jun 2021 09:29:43 GMT

Hey geoff, good to hear you're good

Thanks for your reply and wanting to hear more

The new job has really forced me out of my comfort zone, I have social anxiety and interacting with people is the foundation of this job. It's also helped me become more hard working as my hours are longer than what I was doing beforehand. Overall I really like the job. There's a lot of things I want and need to change about myself and my life though.

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Doolhof — Sat, 05 Jun 2021 10:56:48 GMT

Hi blueknight,

Not sure if we have crossed paths here before or not. Welcome back.

I'm learning that relapses happen and I need to tell myself that is okay, to accept the depression and find ways to move on when I am able to.

You mentioned you feel worse in the winter months. It can affect us when we don't see enough daylight hours. Have you looked into seasonal depression at all? You might find some strategies you can put in place to help you.

Congratulations on your job and also for recognising there are parts of yourself you would like to change.

Wishing you well on your life's journey, cheers from Dools

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bluenight — Sat, 05 Jun 2021 12:35:32 GMT

Hello Dools 😃

Yeh relapses do happen which is okay, what matters is how we respond and we prepare ourselves for those relapses.. I think.

I think I do have seasonal affective disorder and I have some strategies in place for this winter. Although, this year I'm not feeling as depressed, hopeless as I normally do at this time of year.

Can I know a bit about yourself?

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geoff — Sat, 05 Jun 2021 15:26:24 GMT

Hello Bluenight, being out of your comfort zone can have a significant effect, not only on how you're able to face the next day but how you can prepare for it, especially if it's wet, cold and certainly doesn't inspire you in any way if you need to have contact with people you don't want to meet or need to present a document you've compiled with people you're uncomfortable with.

So all of this can determine what type of mood you're in when you prepare for the next day.

Past and/or present occasions this has happened should have no bearing on what will happen tomorrow, believe in yourself.

Take care.

Geoff.

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Doolhof — Sat, 05 Jun 2021 21:16:00 GMT

Hi bluenight,

I want to congratulate you for your understanding of what you are experiencing and for putting strategies in place to help you when you need it.

A little about me. I have had depression and other mental health issues since I was about 10 and am now over 50. It has been quite a journey and I am still learning!

Relapses are something I have been battling with lately. Some days I cope better than others. Maybe accepting I am not coping is okay as well.

I have a thread "How to move on" in the PTSD section that explains a little more about my recent journey in mental health issues.

I try to go walking every day. I know there are a lot of strategies I can put in place to help myself, just need the motivation to put them in action.

Hope you have a good day! Cheers again from Dools

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bluenight — Sat, 12 Jun 2021 06:07:56 GMT

Hi Doolhof

Thanks for your reply and encouraging words 🙂

I read your post 'how to move on' and I can relate to a lot of it. Stuffing emotions and feelings down and then becoming disconnected.

I think it's really important to do things that connect us to ourselves, for me that is prayer, relaxation time alone in my room, being in nature and reading.

I know that is really simplistic but this approach as well as other things of course has helped me. You can never underestimate the importance of good relationships either.

How are you feeling lately since you replied to my thread? I hope you have been feeling alright

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Doolhof — Sat, 12 Jun 2021 08:29:27 GMT

Hi bluenight,

Thanks for your response. I greatly appreciate this community and the way people reach out to each other. Thanks for asking how I am. I have days where I struggle and others where I cope really well and achieve a sense of acceptance and gratitude.

I like how you mentioned you need to find ways to connect to yourself. I believe that is something I struggle with and I work on connecting to the world around me more than myself. Maybe that is something I could work on.

The other day I needed to get out so I drove to a beach and had a lovely walk. I too find nature relaxing and have found some places closes to us where it can be quit and calming.

I hope you are doing okay bluenight. Cheers to you from Dools

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bluenight — Sat, 19 Jun 2021 08:46:16 GMT

G'day Dools

Beach walk sounds really nice, I love nature too.

You know how you struggle with connecting with yourself, I was curious whether that also interferes with how you connect with others?