advice needed

[exhxw]

i’ve struggled with severe depression since i was 11 or 12 years old. i’ve had generalized anxiety for about 2. i also have pmdd which makes both of those worse around that time of the month. have any of you found good ways to keep the negative thoughts at bay? especially for anxiety...

[eharvey8]

Distraction is key when it's really bad (tv, podcasts, my therapist said reading is better because you are mentally fully engaged). the main thing is keeping busy with things I love and make me feel connected to "my life's purpose" (which in my mind is a variety of things like my values, career, friends and family, etc). Coming on here and answering other people's questions can help too (but it can also be triggering at times, so be aware). Also detail-oriented arts and crafts are really good for me and they give me a beautiful sense of instant gratification once I've made something. Good luck!

[dom410]

I agree trying to keep busy is great for the mind. I have also been visualizing the things I'm scared of or things that give me anxiety. tring to remind myself that in the situation I'm safe.

[Hidden]

I really sympathize with you here as I too have very similar issues. For me, what has helped with my anxiety is to simply do the things that scare me. I'm not saying you have to do it because I realize it's very different for some. The severity for each person will be different and not all depression/anxiety is exactly the same. So please don't push yourself to do anything that further makes you uncomfortable. I realize it's not easy to make changes or do the things we want to do at times.

However, I'll give you an example; I used to get very nervous at gathers and feel overwhelmed by being there for whatever reason. Now, I go to gatherings and while I sometimes still feel the same way, it's easier to cope with because I make the effort to do it even when I don't want to. This has helped condition me to better reason with myself along with experience things I may otherwise not have the opportunity to do if I always said no. Anxiety is often likened to the fear of what we think may happen despite it usually never happening. For me, it's just discomfort (at least that's what I feel it is).

I like the suggestions others have made here, so I think it's worth a shot to give things a try. But as I said, don't feel you have to do anything that pushes what you're dealing with to a level that you can not handle. You know your limits, so remind yourself that all things take time and that's OK!