Depression is controlling

[naralle]

I've had enough of my depression, I'm on medication and I'm not seeing any councilor but my depression is controlling and it want allow me to enjoy my life and hobbies. I know this might sound funny or even weird, but it's true. This covid19 isn't helping either as it's put a damper on one of my activities I was doing and enjoying.

I'm trying to keep active but it's hard when you have two prolapsed discs in my lower back and in pain every day. I do take pain relief but this also affects my depression as well.

My husband has depression as well and he loves me very much and tries to help me, but its hard to explain to him how you feel. I will stop here.

[white knight]

Hi, welcome

Depression is like a giant ship - better to learn as much as you can steering it than trying to turn it into a small boat.

Most mental illnesses need a multi pronged approach, medication alone might be enough for some people but I found I had to self help between psych visits as the gap was too long.

Self help includes-

• Relaxation
• waiting for the right timing to do activities
• diet and exercise
• employment review especially going from full time to a part time job or two part time jobs
• remove toxic people from your life
• regular changes of environment eg camping
• spiritual healing of your choice

Many of those you’ve likely tried but listed anyway for others reading this.

Review by a GP every so often. I did that once and I revealed I was regularly sad. Turned out I had dysthymia a low mood constant depression as well as depression and bipolar!

Positive thinking has its limits, great for when you come out of a bad stint of depression but not effective during. It can be counter productive as you’ll be disappointed not getting results

Others are unlikely to know how you feel, that’s the benefit of this forum.

please place these topic in the search bar above and read the first post of each-

the timing of motivation

depression, a ship on the high seas

he helped me for 25 years- Maharaji

mid sll else fails be radical

they just won’t understand- why?

Reply anytime, I’m here most evenings

TonyWK

[naralle]

Thank you White Knight your post was interesting and helpful. Take care and thank you again

[M99]

Hi Narelle,

I think what you're saying is absolutely fine and definitely nothing about it is weird. In fact, I think given your current condition of depression and physical health conditions, it increases your susceptibility to experiencing anhedonia and the lack of pleasure in daily activities. I'm glad you have taken the time and effort to come forth and talk about your experience. The current climate of COVID-19 can definitely make situations much more stressful and I'm sorry one of your current hobbies has being dampened because of it. In saying that, I hope that perhaps during this time you are able to also develop further hobbies and do something that makes you feel good and mentally engaged! There's nothing better than exploring activities that we enjoy. I think this is very important in providing us with a sense of autonomy and fulfilment, it will provide a greater sense of relief as well as boost our self confidence. So I definitely think maintaining pre-existing hobbies as well as exploring other activities is essential, especially during times like these. I think what you are currently doing is great, I'm glad you have taken the initiative to seek professional help. I want to remind you that you are a strong and beautiful soul, you have gone thus far and overcame all your past adversities and for that I want to applaud you but also make sure you know that you are a lot stronger than you may perceive yourself to be. I believe with this strength of yours, you will overcome your current struggles.

[naralle]

M99 thank you for your post and thank you for your comments, I don't have much confidence in myself and for you to say that to me feels great. As you said I have the strength and the power to control and to take over but I don't feel like I'm quiet to their yet. I don't know. Thank you again.

[M99]

Hi naralle,

You are most welcomed :). Sometimes it can be hard to find confidence within ourselves, especially when we find ourselves in the lows of life. I have certainly experienced that and even now when I'm at my lows, my confidence feels as though it is in shambles. Even if we may not have the confidence now, the prospect of having it one day or even building it day by day keeps our faith in happiness and survival.

I hope things have gotten better since you last posted. How are you feeling now and is your physical and mental well-being feeling more stable?

Some things I like to recommend and what I personally find helpful when I go through difficult periods is writing. Writing allows me to process my emotions and thoughts and in processing it better allows clearer vision to resolve them. I hope this can also help you in a similar way. The second thing I find personally helpful as well is reading self-help books, I find them very encouraging but also quite practical at the same time. It offers a different perspective and resolution to certain aspects of life.

Hope this helps!

Best wishes.