Lost

I was diagnosed with depression when i was 16, i was too young for antidepressants so i was sent to Map. I left after a couple session and later on had cbt for my anxiety which helped a bit. But recently my depression has flared up again and is making it hard to go to work, don't really know what to do.

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Too young for anti-depressants? I haven't heard that, I take citalopram all be it at a low dose and it helps you to cope and be more resilient, I'd certainly advise you to go on them or equivalent medication if your doctor oks it.

It is something specific that is afflicting you to make to depressed or is it a general malaise about life in general?

The thing I'd start with is let your endurance/resilience increase, work on this part of your character. Almost start to grind your way through the days - discomfort or low level pain can be endured for quite long periods and you'll surprise yourself how much you can take, you are after all going to work and coping. Be a coper for now. In football terms its like living just above the relgation zone, and it can be a long time.

Can you mentally prepare your self to struggle for a number of years and accept that? If you can be content in that , which is not easy, that is what you should aim for There will be times when you will just be hanging on I know, but in my view many do this and it will be vauable to you to practice.

Endurance does become exhausting though because I think you expend more mental energy to keep going, so set aside times for rest - on bad days maybe an hour doing useful things then an hour rest and so on on a repeated cycle. Doing the shopping, housework, cooking are excellent in these situations, even going for a 20m walk.

cheers

Rich