Lighten up

I just had a thought as I ponder my recent struggle with depression and anxiety. 2019 has been a rough year. Good news is I’m seeing flickers of my old happier self. I’m humming along to the radio, looking forward to doing things again, all I think good signs. I am sad when I read so many posts here that people express their hopelessness and consider suicide. I thought of a lifesaving fire on a cold night. If the kindling is wet, the fire isn’t going to start unless you have an accelerant. Depression isn’t going to go away unless you prepare yourself to be receptive to the treatment, whatever that it. Maybe drugs, talk therapy, excercise, sunshine, good nutrition, etc. So if your fire isn’t starting yet, don’t quit. You just don’t have the right combination. Maybe you need an accelerant, lol. I don’t know exactly why I feel better. We switched around some meds, been seeing a therapist, prayer, lots of time with our animals. I’m thankful that I’m feeling good feelings again. If nothing else, I guess I’m trying to say to the hopeless, don’t quit.

Another thought, those of us who’s fire is out, once we get it back, I would dare to say we would look at life deeper, with more appreciation. Maybe those of us who know what the cold and darkness feel like, appreciate the fire even deeper?💜

[Agora1]

Great analogy Hoski.. Embrace the feeling xx

[Hidden]

Oh wow..as I am struggling big time, this just spoke to me. Thank you...

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Glad to hear that as I was hoping someone really low would not find it offensive.💜

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Well I saw your post as a ray of hope. I am suffering big time with depression and anxiety. Thinking of adding a mood stabilizer or anti psychotic. Do you have any experience with those?

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

No, just was on Zoloft, which was fine but I felt like a lethargic zombie, so switched to wellbutrin which I loved but was making me have heart palpitations( I have a fib) so went back to zoloft. Let me know how it goes for you.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

I at one time was on Zoloft also. Now take Prozac but because I have ocd and manic depression due to trauma, it’s just not cutting it. Going to look into the mood stabilizer but am petrified....

My neighbor took Wellbutrin and he also had heart palpitations...

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

A mood stabilizer sounds like it is worth a try. I do believe it is finding the right combination, so give it a chance. Hope it works well for you.

[Celtic27]

Hi hoski I love your outlook and I will try your ideas of coping with depression! I think it's a failure of mental health services in a lot of suicides no one notices the signs educating people on the signs to look out for would be a life saver! God bless everyone suffering from depression david

[Hidden in reply to Celtic27]

Yes, it is disturbing. I live in rural mid- Missouri. Luckily I got in to a great Mental Wellness Clinic That is hospital based and I have insurance. I was on cancellation list so lucked out and got my first 4 appointments in a timely manner. Without the cancellations, I would have to have waited 6 weeks from first to second appt. I probably would have said forget it at that time. This whole experience has taught me so much. I’m much more empathetic towards fellow people with mental illness. I believe our society here in the US is in an epidemic, I think there is a lot of undiagnosed folks struggling and don’t know why.

[kenster1]

fires are amazing you can stare into them for ages and go through your whole life just about.

[Hidden in reply to kenster1]

Yes, nothing like sitting around a crackling fire at night. I believe our Creator knew we needed these things in our lives, not just for practical reasons but for balance. The ocean is another thing I love and it mesmerized me.

[Starrlight]

You sound like me yesterday when I took on the world and now I’m in the darkest pit that seems too much. Tired of this. I’m glad you seem to be discovering what works for you. Best to ya!

[Hidden in reply to Starrlight]

Thankyou 💜. Hang in there please.

[CatIsMyCopilot]

Aww, this is a beautiful post. Thank you!

Reminded me of a funny time I got stuck in a cabin with the power out in a storm. We only had damp wood to light a fire. It took forever, feeding kindling to it for half an hour, but when it finally dried out and lit up, we were so elated.

[Hidden in reply to CatIsMyCopilot]

Thats kind of how I feel with my depression. I was shocked to hear myself humming along to music. I knew something good was happening.