New Year

Gravity · ‎01-01-2016

Hi,

My thoughts are all over the place at the moment due to how flat and depressed I feel about the new year, well it's really the whole Festive period in general, which also contains my birthday smack bang in the middle, so needless to say it's a pretty stressful and depressive time.

So New Year's Eve came and went, I'd been feeling particularly down all day, withdrawn and just generally feeling worthless. No one had asked me to go out or do anything with them and I'm not overly fond of my own company because I'm not the biggest fan of myself and I'm generally by myself the majority of the time. long story short, I spent the evening watching tv, midnight came and went, about 10 minutes after midnight, I felt an incredible sadness hit me like a bus, as if the disappointments, frustrations and depression from the past 12 months had finally caught up with me. I'm worried that I'm now going to carry this feeling into 2016 and this year will turn out as badly as last year did for me mentally. I've been taken off my AD's mid last year as they weren't really working, I was still attending psychologist appointments, which were helping.

Any advice anyone can offer up on how to beat this thinking would be greatly appreciated

MisterM · ‎01-01-2016

Hi Gravity,

Sorry you feel this way.
This year is always hard, reflecting and not knowing what lies ahead.
Has your GP/Psychiatrist recommended trying a different AD drug?
I am stuck in a similar thinking pattern to you, I just looked at what went right last year and thought to myself "hey it wasn't all bad".

All the best. M

Jacko777 · ‎01-01-2016

Hi Gravity,

I think a lot of us would know how you feel, me included! There is a lot of pressure on us at this time of year and it is a real yardstick for how we are going. I have felt a bit the same over the past few days, I had a big lead up to Christmas and now, nothing to do, I should be happy! But there feels like there is a void as I look towards another year.

What we need is a plan for 2016. We can take our lessons from last year but not bring history into the present moment. We have grown and now is a good time to go over our dreams and ambitions for this year and long term. Our plans can change to suit our circumstances, 'plans in sand, goals in concrete.' I am about to do a fresh copy of my 'circles.' On paper I put 'me' in a circle in the middle then spokes out to other circles that contain the important parts of my life, so things like family, friends, career, health, music, nature, volunteering, camping/touring, etc. Now on paper I can have a good look at these circles and think about my goals in each area, no rush, set some firm long term goals and work it back to what small step i can take today. And a part of that is mental health, if nothing is changing what will I do different this year?? With my circles in front of me I have somewhere positive to spend my time, these are the things that I have decided are important to me and if I am at least trying to achieve my goals I can take satisfaction from knowing that I am on track and giving it my best shot.

So stay on track with your mental health appointments, keep persisting until you find solutions that work, all good things take time. I am sure you will find support and advice here, talk any time.

Jack

White_Rose · ‎01-01-2016

Dear Gravity

Welcome to Beyond Blue.

Reflecting on the year just ended is a pastime we all indulge in. Why is it we always remember the sad stuff? I had a shocking year and I really want 2016 to be much better. But there were things that went quite well amidst all the pain and sadness. I have very little energy so I have decided to let others help me as much as possible.

Maybe it's time to have a thorough review of your treatment. I have some experience with ADs. Some did not work, some had horrendous side effects, not a good outcome among them. So i have decided to manage without them. But I do need help and support so I am going to see a new psychologist shortly and see what a fresh look will do. I have also vowed not to fight the process so much. Though having said that I'm not sure if I can keep it up.

But this is me trying to start again. Accept the rotten 2015 and look ahead with as positive an attitude as you can. 2015 will not change unfortunately and you need your energy and resilience for what lies ahead. Am I preaching? I hope not. Both of us will carry some aspects of 2015 unto the new year. The trick is to use them as a springboard to better things.

I hope my comments help you to look forward with some positivity.

Cheers

Mary

Timtam494 · ‎01-01-2016

Thank you for your post Gravity, I too am feeling depressed and anxious about the new year and while I don't wish this feeling on anyone it is helpful to know that others are feeling the same.

I think that society sets this expectation that with the new year comes new beginnings and a 'better' life but as someone living with depression I see the new year as anouther struggle to work through. There is no celebration for me, just anxiety and fear. This year I am going to try something new, you decorate a jar/box and through out the year put little notes in it of the positive/good things that happen and then on next new years eve open it up and reflect on all the good things.

MisterM · ‎02-01-2016

Hi Timtam,
Yes! that is a brilliant idea!
I will do the same but just write it down on a piece of paper.
I often forget things so this will help.