What‘s the point?

[helloworld111]

I just joined this community. Been sick mentally for most of my life. I’m 24. Been in therapy for years and been struggling for years. I’m better now and off medication and feeling like I’m going the right path. But now I feel the anxiety and depression I have is probably chronic in addition to everything else.

I see so many people here trying to support each other which is amazing. Sharing their tips and tricks like Zumba class at the gym?

I know how it feels. I did it for so many years. Trying to get better. And I did. Found many tips and tricks. Read countless books to learn how to get better.

But is it enough?

Anybody here feels happy? Does it ever actually get better? I feel like it doesn’t. It’s like living a lie that it gets better but eventually it’s not actually enough to live a full and happy life. I feel it’s like chasing after something that doesn’t exist.

Any thoughts?

[tommy2toes]

Hi There:

Welcome to the community. Please take your time to explore what is on offer, and to share only as much as you feel comfortable.

Personally, I feel that happiness is like the tide. Sometimes, it can rush in and immerse you to the point of euphoria. At others, it goes out and is almost like a mirage on the horizon. No matter how hard you try to pursue it, it remains out of reach.

As to whether or not things ever get better, who am I to tell? For years I used to compare my own situation with the countless smiling faces that surrounded me, but recently I realized that mentality only feed into my own feelings of negativity. I also posited that perhaps behind those smiling faces, were many vulnerable individuals who were simply more skilled at putting on a facade (or mask) of happiness…..

Thus, now I am trying to develop a sense of it just being okay to me, and to live as somebody who feels comfortable in their own skin. Perhaps that is most important…..

t2t (tommy2toes)

[CLB1125 in reply to tommy2toes]

You have a valid point. Some people have just learned to mask the pain. Like the commercial that the people who are depressed carry a smiley face mask they put in front of their faces.

[CLB1125]

I feel the same way. Like watching a dog chase a hotdog while running on a treadmill. It’s always just out of reach. I have accepted the fact that it might get better for a while but it’s always going to be there to rear it’s ugly head, without warning. I know that’s a defeating way to feel but that’s my honest opinion.

[Dolphin14]

Welcome to the site

What types of therapy have you done? There is do much more out there than traditional talk therapy.

You must have started very young. I'm so sorry you have been through so much

There is a light and there is hope, if you lose hope you can't beat it.

It's a chronic illness that we can over come

Don't give up hope

🐬

[LoveforAll41]

Hi helloworld. I am so sorry that you are struggling to feel happy. I am sorry that you have worked for so many years. Your past success in feeling better doesn't give you hope that you can feel even better than you do now? I am glad that you have had some success.

"now I feel the anxiety and depression I have is probably chronic in addition to everything else."

I personally feel the only way to cure depression/anxiety is to change the way we think. I, for my whole life, tied my worth to "success". I could never rest or relax because completing the next task was the only way to feel good about myself. I finally destroyed that thought and now I feel f****** free. I do stuff for fun! Can you believe that? I go to work because I want to provide for my family and help my company be successful, not because I have to or I will be a worthless poop. There is hope out there and much more to try. I wish you peace in your journey.☮️