Depression symptoms are too much

[Browny71]

I’ve been dealing with this new depression episode since May 2023 and I am tired of feeling sad and depressed all the time. It’s not a quality of life. I’m hopeful for a change in my mood. I’m on 3 different psyche meds. The last one I was put on “rexulti” made me gain like 13 lbs in less than 2 months. Now I’m fat and depressed. Anyway I don’t mind the fat I just wish these feelings would just vanish.

[blackcat64013]

Hi Browny 71,

You are person after my own heart. I too hated my brand of depression and fought against the idea of treatment resistant depression, especially the concept that this might be as good as it gets.

My psychologist has pointed out that accepting depression as an illness is a crucial step toward me and my mental health professionals managing it effectively. When you recognize that depression is a part of your life, it allows you to navigate through its challenges more skillfully.

Here are some practical strategies that help me live better with chronic depression:

1. Stop Resisting and Start Accepting: Acknowledge that my depression may be a permanent aspect of my life. While it’s natural to want uncomfortable feelings to vanish, sometimes factors beyond my control contribute to my mood. Denying my emotions can intensify them. Instead, practice accepting that my depression is present and that I have survived it before. Remind myself that it’s okay to feel this way and that there’s no need to panic or stress.

2. Rebrand My Depression: Rather than seeing my depression as an enemy, consider it a periodic visitor to my life. By shifting my perspective, I can learn how to co-exist with it. Understand that it doesn’t define my entire existence. Just like any other illness, it has its moments of intensity and remission.

3. Focus on My Emotional Endurance: While enduring depression is essential, it’s not enough for a fulfilling life. Cultivate my patience and resilience in therapy. Recognize that waiting for the depression storm to pass is a strength. Look ways to live well during those dark times.

4. Remember, acceptance doesn’t mean I love being depressed: It means interrupting the cycle of resistance and listening to my body. The symptoms have a powerful message for me and my doctor.

5. Treat myself with compassion, as I would listen to a loved one in need.

6. Seek professional help and support, recognizing that depression is a genuine illness and not my fault. Ask about a change of medication to one that has less weight gain as side effect. I work on increasing exercise and monitoring my diet as important elements of my treatment plan.

I didn't understand these important things until I wrote them down so that I could see what I was going to work on with my therapist over next 6 sessions.

You’re not alone in this forum and there are online resources available to help you navigate this current journey with depression.

[Browny71 in reply to blackcat64013]

Thanks Black Cat I read everything you mentioned and it really made a lot of sense to me. I appreciate the input

[Hutonthesea in reply to blackcat64013]

These are very wise words. I wake up anxious every morning since my husband left 2 years ago. I realise I ve been handling someone eles stuff for 50 years. Living alone for the first time isn't the relief it should be and I'm struggling to fing meaning. I'm trying to hold that scared child within, reassuring her that I'll never ignore her again for the sake of someone eles. Feeling anxious is okay, normal in my circumstances, I can acknowlege the feelings and move forward with my day as best i can according to my values. I have found ACT , The Liberated Mind, by Stephen Hayes, very helplful.

[Sunrisetabby]

Hi Browny71, I am also fat and depressed. It has been a long road for me the past three years, but I am finally starting to feel a bit better and slowly starting to lose some of the over 50 lbs I gained after entering the darkness. Two main things: 1) how is your sleep and can you do anything to improve it? Specifically, morning sunlight and zone 2 cardio is really helpful for sleep. Unfortunately, with weight gain sleep quality usually declines, so often losing weight will also help you sleep better. 2) I didn't have much benefit from any of the dozen medications I was on, and saw zero benefit from three months of TMS. I reluctantly started the FDA approved Spravaton esketamibe treatment and for the first three months also nothing but darkness. But, now after 5 months I am finally starting to see some improvements. The darkness hasn't finished but finally for me there is at least a bit of light.

[Browny71 in reply to Sunrisetabby]

Yeah TMS was a a waste of money and time for me as well. About $1,000.00 deductible.

[Browny71]

thanks for replying to my post I’ve been feeling better yesterday and today. I had my son come visit me that brought up my mood.