I'm not having a bad day.. yet

[Tuna011]

Does anybody else have that sinking feeling where you know you're about to be thrown head first into a crappy day? Happens to me all the time. More and more, lately.

Sometimes it'll be something I wake up with. I'll wake up in the morning feeling sad. Or worried. It's not a feeling you can put your finger on. It's not something that has a definition, I think. It's just a bad feeling, in the pit of your stomach. And I'll think "Oh crap. Not again." And I don't feel like doing ANYTHING. You know when we were kids and we wanted to skip school and stay home to watch TV? Yeah, I don't even want to watch TV. Or eat. Or talk. Or think. But I have to get up and go to work.

And some other days it'll creep up on me slowly. I'll feel it coming when I'm in the middle of a meeting or on the way home from work. I've often described this to friends before as a spiral. And the worst part is, you can feel yourself spiralling. You feel that iron fisted grip closing in on your stomach. Sometimes it chokes you, and you can't breathe. Sometimes you go into a full blown panic attack. And other times, its the same feeling of just not wanting to do anything.

Then comes the horror of explaining to people why I'm muted. I'm usually a very cheerful, social person so people IMMEDIATELY notice when I'm not myself. "What happened? Are you sick?", they ask. Yes. But its not fever, or a cold, or the flu. "I'm just not feeling good today." I respond. "Oh but something must have happened for you to feel this way. Was it a fight? Is it an issue at work?" No. No. No.

How do you tell people that some days are just bad for no reason?

But I didn't write this post to describe bad days. I wrote it to discuss how we can get out of them. I'm curious as to how people deal with it, I'm sure everyone has their own ways. A friend of mine who has crippling depression just stays in bed when its a bad day. As for me, I try to distract myself. If I have friends who are going out, I go with them. If I'm at work, I try to leave early and go get coffee or go on a drive. Once I went to the animal shelter and cuddled with kittens. (6 days later I adopted one, but thats a different story)

How do you guys deal with it?

(Also, hi, I'm new to the forum and this is my first post. I'd love to make friends on here. I'm also a very empathetic person so I'd love to talk to you if you're going through a rough time and try to help you. My ears are always open! )

[Knickchick]

I feel like I was reading my own story just now. I can’t tell you how to get through a bad day, I haven’t figured it out yet. I, like your friend just stay in bed a lot. I wish I didn’t but I do. I’m also new and I’m here for you.

[Tellmeaboutit]

When I feel that way, if I can't stay in bed, I like to read Calvin and Hobbes cartoons.

Google "Calvin and Hobbes nothing helps a bad mood like spreading it around."

[fauxartist]

For me I used to have that feeling of dread or that the other shoe was going to fall a lot because I lived such a chaotic childhood....but it's also anxiety and depression for me. I found when I started finally getting help and taking my SSRI....it calmed that feeling down which used to drive me nuts cause there was no reason for it other than my chemical imbalance......I know there are lots of alternative methods from other members here that may help you....

[LadyO4]

How to get out of a bad day? It can go in one of two ways for me - sometimes I have to make decisions to break the heaviness by engaging in something deeply meaningful, and other times I pray and ask God to draw me closer to him during the difficult moments. I need to be reminded of his promises to me, so I read Bible verses and pray. Talking to God is the best medicine for me.

Only those who love you the most need to know any details - the others will have to accept what you tell them.

Feeling low is a part of life, but if you suspect your sadness is reaching a point where it consumes you and you obsess over it, I would suggest seeking out a Christian counselor who can walk you through all the compartments of your life, and uncover the root cause for feeling this way. I hope and pray you can make some phone calls, ask questions, and get connected to someone who can love you for who you are.