Introduction - Mountain Boy, Denver, CO

[MountainBoy]

Hi everyone, I have Dysthymia, which is chronic depression. It's not as severe as many other forms of depression, but it's long lasting and difficult to overcome. It feels like I cannot really enjoy anything, nothing satisfies me, and I'm constantly in a negative mood.

[MountainBoy]

Yes, I have to work on the socializing aspect in particular. It's difficult to meet people when I'm gloomy most of the time.

[Hopeful-Tinkerbell]

Hi! “Every day may not be a good day but there is something good in every day!” The keys is learning to recognize the good. Depression as I well know causes us to have blinders toward the positive and focus on the negative. You said you are a mountain boy. I can only imagine the fresh air and beautiful views or trees you must see! Positive! Or good! You woke up! Positive! A kind gesture. Positive! A roof over your head, electricity, a nice walk, a warm bed... positive. I know all too well what you are going through and it is easier said than done but I promise you there is good everywhere. As depression sufferers we just focus on the negative. Try a journal. Every day list 5 good things. The beautiful sky, a phone call from a friend, the view, family, Home etc. however big or small it is. You can have a journal just to get things out and all but the more you list good things the easier it will come! Don’t limit yourself! I’ve been told I would never walk IF I lived twice in my life. I lived and I’m walking! Without assistance. So don’t accept that you will always be depressed! If I accepted everything a doctor has told me I’d be in terrible shape! Worse than I am. It’s all a matter of retraining your brain and your way of looking at things. I can look at someone and say wow they are ugly or wow they have beautiful hair. Focus on the negative instead of the positive. It’s a choice. Easier said than done to choose to see the positive or the negative and be thankful for what you do have. I don’t know you or your situation so I can’t give you better advice. I hope you are talking to a therapist. You can start with November although almost over and list one thing a day you are thankful for. It will get easier and you can eventually increase the number of things you list. It’s like exercise to retrain your body. When you come across a situation or see something and think that’s awful, stop and try to think of something positive. It takes time but you can do it. Hopefully coming here has helped or will help. It helps me. Best of luck!

[MountainBoy in reply to Hopeful-Tinkerbell]

Thanks for your encouragement, you're a good soul!

[Hopeful-Tinkerbell in reply to Hopeful-Tinkerbell]

Thank you sweetheart. A good thing about depression or anxiety is that it means usually we care a lot! We are usually very caring and empathetic. Anyone that suffers would usually love to help someone else because it is horrible! I personally would love to learn better coping skills but I don’t think I would change it. I could not be cold and not care about others. To me that would depress me to know how mean or uncaring I was. I know people like that. I usually see them on the news commuting horrible acts of evil. Depression does not mean we don’t care. We just can’t get the motivation we need to react often times. I would love to see the area you live. I think Colorado is such a beautiful place. I am a total country girl and one of my bucket list items is moving to a cabin in the mountains. Now I do live on a lake though and it is beautiful as well. I love water and fishing, canoeing or kayaking etc. Being out in nature or Gods beauty as I call it is so relaxing in itself! Please find a therapist as it truly helps so much. Meds help but getting to the root of what’s causing it and finding coping mechanisms are great. It sounds like you have a good handle on that already by going outside and staying active. I do not enjoy loud crowded social scenes so I don’t attend if at all possible. That’s the main way I cope. I’m more of a loner or at times small intimate setting. That’s not a bad thing! Energy is contagious. When there is a lot of busy loud people in small spaces it can be very negative energy and personally they can keep it out of my personal space. I have enough! I don’t need theirs! I’m happy at home with my dogs sleeping on my lap. I feed off the calming energy. Not liking a lot of people and enjoying the outside and wide open spaces is a positive attribute in my book! Own it! I was raised on a huge dairy farm at the base of mountains and my childhood was amazing!

[gogogirl]

I have had dysthimia also. Feel better when outside and busy . Do you have a support person or persons around you?

[gogogirl in reply to gogogirl]

Also, remember you (we) are not a label.

[MountainBoy in reply to gogogirl]

I don't usually talk much about my mental issues, but started going to a support group. I think that will be helpful in the long run.

[gogogirl in reply to MountainBoy]

I went to one once and I liked it. Unfortunately, it is too far for me to drive now. That is great though that you found something.

[gogogirl in reply to MountainBoy]

I wanted to add that ramped up dysthimia seems to come from some regrets from the past- can't change life and I know now this is what is present.

[MountainBoy in reply to gogogirl]

How did you overcome Dysthymia?

[Hopeful-Tinkerbell in reply to MountainBoy]

Focusing on the positive instead of the negative! Period. I still have it I just cope better. Not great, but better!

[gogogirl]

I did not overcome it, but I am working on one day at a time. Still have a lot of anxiety but I try to hang in there.

[MommyBro]

I keep thinking I should re-start an e-book I started and then didn't continue, called "You Are Not Your Brain". Even though we have real health problems and challenges, it probably could aid a lot of us.