Experiencing a Relapse

[DisplayName5742]

Hello All,

Recently started feeling like I had gotten over my depression, and it was great. However, in recent weeks I've felt my mood dip again. My sleep pattern has gone out the window because I want to sleep all the time. Eating habits have changed and I'm struggling to find any motivation.

I've thought about what could have caused this. All I can put it down to is being overworked. In the span of a month I moved house, had my Uni workload increase (studying part-time) and work started dumping a bunch of hours on me. The move is all done and I'm settled in, I spoke to my scheduler about cutting my hours, which they did. My next focus was Uni, now I only have one more assignment left. It wasn't until I got on top of my Uni work (about two weeks ago) that the warning signs started. Don't get why it's started up now.

Although I have dealt with his before, it's knocked my feet out from underneath me. A little background information, my last lot of depression was severe and lasted years. This is due to domestic abuse, that I have started recovering from finally. I feel I shouldn't be surprised about the relapse, but I am. I hate feeling like this again. I just want it to go away...

Earlier today I tried calling my counselor and left a message. Hoping to have an appointment soon to get this sorted. In the meantime, I wanted to get everything off my chest. Here seemed like the perfect place to do that.

Thank you in advance for taking the time to read this.

Regards,
DisplayName5742

[Emmen]

Hello DisplayName5742,

I'm glad you've shared your story here.

Relapses are common with mental health problems and they sometimes happen for reasons we don't know, and times we don't expect. I can see that you are aware of the things that trigger your depression and that self-awareness is a good thing. Based on what you say, I wonder if changes trigger your depression too? Before, you were overworked and had things piled on. Now you've got pretty much nothing left with time to spare and that may seem different.

I'm glad you're seeing a counsellor. I hope things get better for you soon. If you feel like sharing more with us, this space is all yours.

Take care,
M

[CB81]

I am experiencing something similar. Even during covid and mega work stress earlier in year I managed to function. Recently I’ve increased my exercise to four times a week and yet I feel teary on most days and just feel empty and hopeless. I’m 39 and single and have had a long line of disappointing relationships. I now just feel winded and I’m dreading Christmas. I do have a spa weekend I’ve booked in a few weeks to look forward to but I don’t know why it’s relapsed. I want to try different medication but the GP I saw just wants to go to a psychiatrist and also I can’t see my counsellor for a few weeks as she’s fully booked. I do wonder what the point is sometimes as I feel I’ve lost that more youthful capacity for optimism.