Not sure how to proceed...

[olly1]

Hi everyone,

3 years ago I had a bad depressive episode. I quit my job and was hospitalized. Since then I've crawled my way back out of the hole. I got another better job, joined a gym- became able to cope with life again.

Lately I've been apathetic. I've been avoiding social situations again (social phobia) and although I'm not what I call sad. I don't care about anything. Life is pointless. I really feel like I'm just waiting for my life to end. I've tried to get a hobby. Find an interest to give me some purpose in life but I don't enjoy anything and not only that I am too tired to put the effort in.

I'm terrified I might relapse. Should I go back to my gp?

[white knight]

Hi,

You have been doing lot right.

Other ideas are- attending a motivation lecture, revisit your relationship status and seek friends.

Please google these...

"Topic: be radical- beyondblue"

And yes,you need to maintain a close relationship with your GP

Tony WK

[PatT]

Hi Olly,

It's really easy to fall back into a slump so don't beat yourself up over it. You've reached out here and that's a great first step to make. You sound like you're aware of the things you can do to make yourself feel better but it's just the apathy that comes with depression that makes everything so hard to resume. I think it's wise that you go and speak to your GP about how you're feeling, but you should also try getting back into the things that make you mentally healthy.

You can go about it slowly, that's fine. Just try and force yourself into the gym one day. See how you feel afterwards. Make plans to get coffee with a friend. Do it another day. Take it slowly. But exercise and socialising are typically the first things to go in a depressive state yet the most destructive. You've done it before though (turning yourself around) and you can surely do it again. It just takes willpower.

[olly1]

Thank you both. I forget ( especially on Mondays!) to keep pushing. The motivation lecture sounds helpful and I will look into that. I just have to jump in and see my friends again. They're probably wondering where I am and I do miss them.

I can do it this

[Neil_1]

Hi there Olly,

You’ve received some great replies and the one that I really enjoyed reading even more was your latest and your last response, which I think read: I can do this.

But as Pat suggested, do take things a little slowly – just so you don’t over-exert yourself or become overwhelmed in getting out there and getting in touch again with your friends, etc.

This is a good response from you Olly – and if you feel like coming here and posting more, please please do so.

Kind regards

Neil