Having a very hard time with depression.

[Browny71]

I haven't written in a while. I am struggling so much lately and I remember we have this wonderful group. I get tired of the way I feel. I cry and then i cry some more. I am afraid to cry in presence of complete strangers but it's happening. I am seeking all the help i can get, I haven't tried to call 988 yet. but i learnt the number already. I am doing TMS, i'm on medication. therapy and the latest thing is I signed up for IOP (intensive outpatient program). what other things do you guys do to help you ease the pain of depression?

[Hidden]

past or future hurting you. Sometimes concentrating on now present moment can help you. Just cope with now and don’t think of past or future

[Hidden]

what’s making you sad perhaps therapist can help you through???

[Browny71 in reply to Hidden]

I broke up with my partner, but I feel this feelings are irrational since I don’t want to be in the relationship I’m the one who broke it off.

[Whippedcream40]

I’ve been there, brother. Keep

The faith. “This too shall pass”. Have you tried any coping techniques? - meditation, exercise, breathing, music, prayer?

[Browny71 in reply to Whippedcream40]

Thanks. I am hanging in there still. I’m so bright it scares me to be so down and gloomy. But yes I have tried those things and need to just continue doing them.

[Ellamaye]

So sorry to hear that it sounds like your doing everything you can do to help yourself which is good.Being on medication stopped my crying. I don't know if you've tried different ones but if you haven’t maybe your doctor could prescribe something different?

[rubyrhythm]

Sometimes when I am overwhelmed by my feelings I will write down what I'm feeling. Just the name of the feeling that I notice each moment, like "sad, sad, sad, angry, sad, sad, tired, tired, angry, angry, angry". I just keep writing until the intensity of the feelings goes down and I start to notice how the feelings change. At some point an emotion like "happy" might sneak in. Even if it's just one word out of many, it reminds me that my feelings change and that I won't always feel so sad/tired/angry/scared.

[catsrock]

I think it's great how many steps you are taking to address your depression. The things that help me are tapping meditations, exercise, meds, a good therapist, playing with my pets, and doing my best to focus on the moment (not good at that, but working on it). I hope you get some relief soon.

[Frankiefocus]

I go in and out of bout of depression, I have tested 4 or 5 different depression medications and the side effects on all of them were really bad with no mental health help at all.

Then I tried out exercise with a gluten free diet. First thing in the morning I will go for a walk or if its raining go on my exercise bike. This takes me out of my low zone.

If I have a maelstrom of bad thoughts through the day I will start back on the bike or walk while listening to my favourite music. This for me helps and a gluten free diet helps me a lot too.

I find if you go out of your way and do stuff like exercise you distract yourself from the low mood thoughts for a while but actually your being more positive therefore overcoming this problem. I also quit all alcohol as this is one of the WORST things for depression. I hope this helps.