How to manage MDD and get out of Survival Mode?

[Derpy_716]

I deal with MDD, and other stuff, but MDD is the main thing I am solving right now. I am trying to get out of survival mode. Like a ton of other people I lost my job due to COVID. I will be financially okay for a few months, maybe more with unemployment. I do not like where I live and feel unsafe. I don't have as many friends I used to due to people moving away from this expensive area. I exercise, sleep well, eat moderately well, make an effort to be healthy, reach out to people when I don't sound incomprehensibly depressed, stay busy, take supplements and medication (Wellbutrin, Omega 3 Fish Oil pills, Skull Cap, Probiotics), am maintaining a proactive and responsible job search. The desire to walk into traffic never goes away. How do I get out of "survival mode", which for me means being alive and doing all of the things that will / should help and checks all of the boxes everyone has thought of including me, but who gives a s***, really? I don't want to take a medication which will make me gain a bunch of weight as there is a history of eating disorder tied into the other stuff. Any suggestions? This is a pretty annoying hamster wheel and I don't see any treats here.

[penneylane]

Hi...

Just wanted to mention EmSam patches as an antidepressant option. It’s not something commonly recommended or used anymore. There are some dietary restrictions only on the higher doses. I take the lowest dose and don’t have any restrictions. I don’t have any weight gain issues or tiredness and seem to experience a better quality of positive mood and increased energy as well. My doctor at the time immediately agreed to prescribe after I mentioned wanting to try it since I’d tried others with less-than-great results. Look it up, mention to your doc if it seems like an option you’d like to try! Good luck.

[Derpy_716 in reply to penneylane]

Thank you.