Any tips for bouncing back after relapse?

[gracezephyr]

Hey guys,

this is my first forum post, I think it will be useful to talk to people that have an understanding of what mental health struggles feel like. I have struggled with anxiety and depression for about 10 years, and had periods of doing really well and then sliding back into it. At the moment I have fallen back down hard. Aside from getting myself to work Mon-Fri, and attending uni classes when I have to, I have stopped exercising, socialising, doing yoga, and pretty much spend all my free time in bed watching Netflix these last few weeks. I am now behind in Uni, feeling really isolated and lonely, really tired, and I know that if I don't pick myself back up again soon it will just get even worse.

What do others use as strategies to start getting themselves back on track to feeling better? And what do you do when you feel total despair, when everything seems really bleak, not your run of the mill stuff but the real crippling, choking, loneliness and sadness? It's overwhelming, and sometimes feels like it is too much to keep going. I know that I have to, but it's hard to think that the battle has to continue, and I don't feel like I have the energy to fight.

[Ggrand]

Hello Gracezephyr,

Welcome to the BBForums..This is a caring, supportive and friendly community.I hope that writing down your story has helped in some way. Writing your first post is a first step in reaching out to others. Which is very hard to do,..Well done for achieving this.

Firstly I would like to apologise for the length in time it has taken for you to get a response..

Depression can come back, but as you know from before, you can beat this again like before.. You are stronger then you think..

I can relate to your staying in bed and also lack of motivation. Depression does this to us.. isolalating us, making us feel sadness. I struggled so hard with these feeling you are feeling..

I decided that enough was enough and made a long appointment with my gp then explained what I was feeling, as well as my fears, lack of motivation etc..My gp prescribed some meds, referred to me for some councilling, and now I'm starting to feel better...Mabe you could speak to your gp or uni councillor, i tried to fix myself for a long while, but it really is to hard to do it by ourselves..Please Gracezephyr could you consider this..

As hard as it is to do, we really need to get out of bed daily, then make our bed then start our day, even if you need distractions to do it....Music with ear plugs, internet games, jigsaw, mind challenging games to get your mind, off your depressive thoughts and onto something you like doing..

Im pleased to hear that you still get up for work and you do your uni classes..well done for doing those..Hard as sometimes and your doing them..

There are a lot of different threads on these forums, maybe you would like to look around or join in the conversation as well. It's up to you and whatever you feel like doing. There is no pressure.. looking forward to finding out how you get on..

Warm and caring thoughts,

Grandy..

[TheSteve]

Hi Grace,

Thanks for reaching out. You have a fighter's spirit, and that is a good thing. The best way to think about "relapse" into a state of depression, is that relapse itself is an absolutely critical step to full recovery. Actually, nobody fully recovers without relapsing more than once.

Think of a relapse as your body communicating with you - what habits (of mind, activity, diet, social activity, lifestyle etc.) are "common" to this relapse and your prior period of depression? Your body is telling you it is time for a full "stock-take" on your personal self and situation:

- Am I seeing the right GP, and the right mental health expert? Am I seeing them regularly, or am I stopping once I see initial progress?

- What am I eating day to day? Am I pursuing a healthy, anti-inflammatory diet? Am I eliminating common allergens (ie: gluten, processed foods, sugars)? Am I eating enough healthy fats, Omega oils, amino acids?

- Am I exercising?

- Do I like my job? If not, why have I not changed?

- Am I smiling and laughing? Am I socializing? If not, why not and can I force myself to do so until I feel the physical and mental effects of doing so?

- What medications am I taking? What vitamins am I taking? What vitamins should I be taking?

- Am I taking care of my financial and living situation to a satisfactory degree?

- Where are my key stressors coming from? What is bothering me? Am I discussing these issues with my mental health professional?

Depression itself, as well as recovery, are journeys of self discovery. You are NOT broken. The human body and mind has an amazing capacity to heal, but we must give it the fuel, the energy, and the attention to do so. It is a process of trial and error. Two terrific books I would recommend you purchase:

The Power of Now (by Eckhart Tolle)

The Ultramind Solution (Dr. Mark Hyman)

Do yourself a solid and invest in these. I hope the above is helpful, let us know how you are doing.

Steve

[quirkywords]

Hi Grace !

I too wish to welcome you to the forums.

Grandy and Steve have given you supportive and helpful replies .

I think it is a big achievement that you manage to get to work and go to uni classes as I know it can be a struggle just to get ot of bed.

Do you feel that energy and effort you need to go to work and attend uni classes drains you for your other activities.

It is so disappointing when you have been doing well and then you relapse but remember you have done this before and although it feel so bad now hopefully you will bounce back.

I agree that seeing your doctor and maybe a counsellor may help.

You have made a first step in writing down your thoughts here and you recognise you need help.

Feel free to keep,posting, ask questions and read other threads and the website for ideas.

Your are not alone. THere is a much support and understanding here.

Quirky