Challenging unhelpful thoughts

[Doolhof]

Who comes up with these terms and phrases like "Unhelpful thoughts" and "sometimes foods" . Why can't we just say it as it is!

I feel so damned depressed and down right now I don't want to be here any more. My mood is telling me that I need a truck load of Some times food...all the chocolate, mud cake, Tim Tams, Mars Bars, Bounties and Hedgehog slices I can find. That is just for today.

I'm trying to fight this depression. I really am. It has such a hold on me right now it is like wrestling a tiger.

I've just had two weeks in a local hospital where unfortunately the only thing they had to offer for mental health issues was little pills and a glass of water to calm me down, a 5 minute chat with a nurse if she had time, advise to look in a magazine, think happy thoughts, go for a walk out on the locked verandah area, have a cup of tea and see if there is something nice to watch on t.v.

All very helpful ideas if you are mildly depressed, but when you are beyond the unhelpful thoughts and feelings, it was like trying to put a cork in a volcano.

Now I am home and trying not to go crazy. I have been using the phone help lines. One lady recognises me now as soon as she answers and hears my voice!

All I want to do all day is to cry, to scream, to sleep, to take more pills to make the pain and the hours in the day disappear.

This is a horrid way to try to live.

I'm trying to get some fresh air, do a bit of gardening, eat mostly healthy food, plan something pleasant to do each day and all those good things.

This darn depression, the sadness, the dark clouds of misery, the sense of no hope and no point keep hanging around. I wish they would take off and let me have some peace for a while.

I feel like I am running out of energy to keep fighting this. But fight I must. I can't give up. That feels like an option, but I know it is not the way to go.

Next Friday I am seeing a psychologist. An appointment I made way back in November. Hope she has some ideas on how to beat this.

"Unhelpful Thoughts" just doesn't express it enough.

I doubt the moderators would publish the words I would like to use right now to express my depression!

[Elizabeth CP]

You have some good ideas Dools. I like the way you plan to list the simple tasks which will be easily achieved & likely to help you feel better. No point in planning a 20 mile hike or a big home renovation because they won't happen. When you go back to your list at the end of the day perhaps add in the other things you did so you've got lots to tick off. This includes really important things like lay down for an hour to rest (This would come under very productive tasks as you need rest to recover so don't let the other thoughts tell you otherwise. ) Whatever gives you a chance to relax & recover or helps take your mind to a better place is good. Anything you don't tick off just remind yourself it was more important to rest or relax than do whatever didn't get done.

Good luck & keep up that plucky spirit to help you through this time.

[Doolhof]

Hi Elizabeth,

Thanks for your thoughts. Today I made a mental list only and not a physical one as I sometimes to. You are right, it is beneficial to add all those little extra things you have managed to do as well through the day.

I sorted a couple of extra folders, mended a hole in my husband's shorts and a few other small jobs. Adding up even the smallest of achievements can make you feel like tomorrow you can tackle something else.

I did listen to my body and mind as well. As I am still going through the withdrawal of the medications, (under Drs. instructions) I became rather exhausted this afternoon, so I grabbed the cat and went to bed for a much needed snooze and a cry as well. Healing, cleansing tears.

I'm rested, feel like I have achieved a few things I now no longer need to consider tomorrow and am looking forward to an evening out with my husband and friends.

Sunday is Church for me in the morning. It is in another town, so I might drive there earlier, take my walking shoes and have an early walk in the park before Church. That sounds like a good idea to me. I will go and get my walking shoes ready now and set my alarm clock to go off a bit earlier.

A change in routine can certainly help as well.

Lovely chatting with you Elizabeth, and All who are reading.

Cheers from Dools

[Elizabeth CP]

You sound like you had a very successful day today so give yourself a pat on the back. You deserve a medal for being so productive. Getting some rest so you feel a bit better is a very worthy achievement. I hope you do well tomorrow. Keep listening to your body & get some rest when you need it.

[Doolhof]

Hi Elizabeth and All,

You are right Elizabeth, we all need to listen to our bodies. Due to a back injury decades ago, I learnt about pacing myself with what I could do years ago.

My activities during the day vary regarding how I am feeling and how my body is coping.

This morning I am off for a walk before Church, then will have an hour or so to sit, relax and allow the mind and spirit to be cared for while at Church than after as I chat and share time with others over a cuppa.

I'm planning to look in a new store as well at my own pace, then return home to make us lunch.

It depends what the weather is doing this afternoon as to wether I get in the garden or not. I'm actually hoping for rain though as everything is so very dry.

This afternoon is open right now so plenty of opportunities to do what ever I think of.

Cheers all from Mrs. Dools