Overwhelmed with depression

[Tacomatoy68]

Hi. This is my first post here. I am battling severe depression and looking to connect with others that are in the same situation. I have ALL of the classic symptoms, and I'm on meds for it. I'm in it deep. Has anyone had success with something other than therapists and psychiatrists? Don't get me wrong, I get a lot from those 2 but I'm also looking for anyone that can share "life lessons" in addition to the therapy. Thanks

[GinkgoLeaf]

Sorry you're going through this. My diagnosis is more anxiety related than depression, but a couple things that have helped me:

1. Journaling - just write down what you're feeling, just let it flow

2. Self-care: do some things you like, try to shut your brain off for a bit. I love playing the guitar and it helps me turn off the negative messages in my brain.

3. Change the routine: doing the same thing everyday creates really negative thought patterns for me. I've tried to make a better attempt at changing things each day, i.e. a new workout class, going down a new street on my walk, listening to a new podcast, etc. Something that helps reshuffle the mind and get me out of my routine.

4. Meditation: really really helpful for me. Tons of stuff on youtube for free. Game changer for me.

5. Call a friend or family member. Social time is so important for treating anxiety/depression.

6. Self Compassion by Kristin Neff is a really good book for managing negative self talk.

Good luck and I'm sorry you're suffering.

[Tacomatoy68 in reply to GinkgoLeaf]

Thanks for your thoughts and ideas, they are definitely something I will try. Thanks again, and be well

[BlueStroganoff]

Hello! I’m glad you’re getting help, hang in there! I’m speaking from maybe postpartum depression here- on my worst days I would pick 1 or 2 things to accomplish. So, 1. Brush my teeth, and 2. Put pants on. I’m a “list” person, so this boosted my sense of “accomplishments.” And this still helps today when I am stuck in the feeling of overwhelm. I give myself 1 task to do. And I make it super achievable. And sometimes that is enough to get me going on a few other things.

Another thing for me in terms of lifting my mood, is I love looking at the night sky and seeing all the celestial bodies. It makes me feel like I’m a part of something big and beautiful. It also makes my sense of overwhelm and makes my problems feel very small. Idk if that might apply to you. I know for some people looking or thinking about the universe has the opposite effect.

[Tacomatoy68 in reply to BlueStroganoff]

Thanks Blue. Those sound like great ideas. I'm definitely down in the dumps big time so I'll try some of your suggestions

[ALLSTAR44]

Hello Tacomatoy68! Hi ! I have major depressive disorder! I currently don't take anything! Been off anti depression meds 2 years! I have had depression almost probably 20 years. I have been in the hospital 2 because I was sucidial those 2 times literally saved my life. But for the longest time I didnt know I had until I had an experience I won't share but glad I learned abt it. It prepared me to be in the hospital my silver lining blessing i learned I had a drawing ability and if I didnt go I would never had discovered it. When I was in. The hospital i had a nice sweet guy cna told me to draw his dream house i did and colored it then when i left i left it for him. Im just barely breathing but must do ok i have a full time job at a slaughter house for cows jbs for 2 and a half years ! You matter i matter we can do this dang this life. I was going to use profanity but I don't know if it would offend you! Write to me 2 things your grateful for everyday if you want I'll report to you too thankful that my daughter and I stayed up last night and this morning laughing 😃 and thats awesome! My family is asleep! They are sick now lucky I'm not that sick! Thank my lucky stars! Hang in there person !

[Dolphin14 in reply to ALLSTAR44]

There is always something to be grateful for. Great idea to share these things

🐬

[Tacomatoy68 in reply to ALLSTAR44]

Hi there. Thanks for reaching out. I'm normally a pretty private person and don't sign up for these types of things. Im better at the one on one but I figured I would give this a try because I'm in it deep, and in a downward spiral. I too spent some time in a hospital because I hit rock bottom...or so I thought. It turns out rock bottom has a basement. I am currently on meds but I'm not sure how well they are working. I see a therapist which is a help but most days I just can't seem to get out of my own way. I'm always very tired, lack interest in things that I used to love, no appetite...and the list goes on and on. I'm a career chef and have almost anything food wise available to me, but I just can't seem to get any type of appetite going. I feel like a train wreck most of the time. I have also lost a few jobs recently because of this damn thing (and by the way, feel free to use profanity, it takes a LOT to offend me). I just wanna be happy again but I can't seem to get to the top of this hole that I'm in. I try to stay positive when I can, but let's face it, this world seems to be going crazy...and to hell quickly. So much violence and killing, and just turmoil everywhere you turn. Sorry to hear that your family is sick. I just got over being sick myself. It also sounds like you are close to your daughter. That's very awesome!! I'm sure that helps you. Hmmm...2 things I'm thankful for? My wife for starters. She is my rock but I fear that she's gonna get tired of this. I went through a VERY nasty divorce about 7 years ago. Lost it all...my wife at the time, my home, and my business. I had to live out of my truck for a while. That's a whole story in itself, but it left me very bitter, damaged, and untrusting of anyone. My wife now fills in a lot of the gaps left in my life from that divorce. #2...I am fortunate, I live in a beautiful state with plenty to do in the outdoors which I love. I live 10 minutes from the ocean and a good long walk on the beach is very therapeutic. So...yes...please write back. I would love to hear more. It sure helps to connect with someone that "gets it". You hang in there too!! Hope to talk more real soon 😊

[Tacomatoy68 in reply to Tacomatoy68]

Sorry, my response was meant for allstar44

[ALLSTAR44 in reply to Tacomatoy68]

Did you get my reply if not it's not meant to be every time I try it don't work I wrote along reply

[Tacomatoy68 in reply to ALLSTAR44]

I didn't get a reply other then the one above. I'm gonna be on here for a while if you wanna talk?

[ALLSTAR44 in reply to Tacomatoy68]

Crazy im just having a fucking hard ass days with my devil 😈 child. Guess I'm not supposed to send you sense we both are married .

[Tacomatoy68 in reply to ALLSTAR44]

Sorry to hear that. I'm not sure that I understood what you meant when you said we both are married?

[ALLSTAR44 in reply to Tacomatoy68]

I wrote you a lot a big message but it wouldn't send maybe just cuz

[ALLSTAR44 in reply to ALLSTAR44]

We are married

[ALLSTAR44 in reply to Tacomatoy68]

Well it's pretty awesome you can walk on beach. I'm outside on a couch with my daughter outside I don't have a good relationship with her she's a bully to mom..in fact all my kids are . Good you have a wife that makes.a.diffrence.!

[Tacomatoy68 in reply to ALLSTAR44]

And you as well...glad you have someone in your life that loves and cares about you. That's huge. It's really good to have support in place when you are dealing with something as debilitating as anxiety and depression. My wife is my rock and if I didn't have her, my life would have turned out much differently. Sorry to hear about your daughter/kids. Not sure their ages but they will come around, trust me on that. I do have to admit that walking on the beach this time of year is hard. We just got rid of the last of our snow. Warmer weather is coming 😊. As I mentioned, I'm a pretty private person. Other then my wife, I really only have 1 close friend, and I'm ok with that. It's very comforting talking to someone that suffers like I do. I think sometimes spouses and friends have a hard time understanding what we are going through, simply because they aren't living it. I really appreciate having someone to talk to. I know it's really helped me today. It's really gray and gloomy here so outside activities are tough...and it doesn't help with the depression

[ALLSTAR44 in reply to Tacomatoy68]

I dont have anyone actually only god.

[ALLSTAR44 in reply to Tacomatoy68]

Glad I could help you have a lifeless marriage but we do what we can we almost divorced but married 13 years

[Tacomatoy68 in reply to ALLSTAR44]

Been married 5 years now. Was married to my ex for 23 years when she decided to mess around with a guy she worked with. I had been suffering with depression well before the divorce but it was manageable. The divorce hit me really hard, especially because I lost my business along with most of my life. That's what started this deep depression. I have been diagnosed with severe and debilitating depression and it really sucks. It just drains the life out of you. Like I said, I'm lucky to live so close to the ocean because most of the time it helps refocus me. I'm lucky where I live because in addition to the ocean, the mountains are only an hour away too, so I have the best of both worlds. Those 2 places are my church and sanctuary.

[ALLSTAR44 in reply to Tacomatoy68]

So awesome you live by the ocean we live out in the middle of nowhere Mountains are gorgeous

[ALLSTAR44 in reply to Tacomatoy68]

Glad i could help you not my day

[Tacomatoy68 in reply to ALLSTAR44]

Well, you have listened to me quite a bit. We can talk about what you're struggling with? Sorry your bigger message didn't send. Would have been good to read it

[ALLSTAR44 in reply to Tacomatoy68]

Just last week I didn't want to be alive I wanted to run and get hit by a car. This week I'm doing better and my washer may go out thope it doesn't. It is hard for me because I feel like im a failure at everything looking kids work everything. I work at a slaughter house for fucking cows and it seems like whatever I do im damed if I dont. that's how it is with my life just I do nothing right. Most of the time I can't even cook right. Im grateful my devil daughter did write me a note and say sorry . She's only 10 or 11 think she's 11. Been off of depression meds for two years have had depression years but I learned that I can draw. When I was in hospital I drew a dream.house for a nice boy cna and then when I left I left it for him.. I have been in hospital 2 and it saved my life

[ALLSTAR44 in reply to ALLSTAR44]

Let me know you get the big message

[Tacomatoy68 in reply to ALLSTAR44]

I did get it. I'm sorry you're struggling so bad. Given how we are both in the shit, do you want to stay in touch? I feel better after our talk today, and I hope you do too. I'm just looking to have some support in my life (in addition to my wife), preferably from someone that understands. Maybe a friendship will form

[ALLSTAR44 in reply to Tacomatoy68]

I definitely will too whenever it's rough just message me . Damn our washer didn't break and I vomited least it's working and I can wash my clothes and I vomited least I didn't vomit all over the bathroom

[Tacomatoy68 in reply to ALLSTAR44]

Ugh, hang in there. Better times are ahead

[ALLSTAR44 in reply to Tacomatoy68]

Im happy I got the kids cannned pears to eat and they were not rude. Least she apoligizes to me and wrote me.a note

[Tacomatoy68 in reply to ALLSTAR44]

Nice. Things are looking up 😊. I sent you a chat message

[ALLSTAR44 in reply to Tacomatoy68]

Not now and now I want to drive my car in the canal and be dead

[Tacomatoy68 in reply to ALLSTAR44]

Dont say that. Are you ok?

[ALLSTAR44 in reply to Tacomatoy68]

Im ok just my daughter triggers me im ok now thank you

[ALLSTAR44 in reply to Tacomatoy68]

Hi Tacomatoy68! How are you today hope you just see this and not everybody else How are things for you?,I just woke up for it's 708 am morning. Tell me what's going on with you today thank you for responding we all need support.

[Blue_81]

I get alot from walking and being at the park. Feel so calm when I do those activities. Its probably different from everyone but that has been my biggest helpers. At times I bring soccer ball or frisbees to pass time and I just make up challenges. It helps me forget all my health problems and i find relief.

[Dolphin14]

Hi

You have gotten many of the same recommendations I would have written.

I'm not sure if this one is here already.... make a daily list. I used to put three things on it. In the beginning I was lucky to get one done but that one was an accomplishment I was proud of. Eventually I as able to complete the list.

I also made myself get up dressed and make that bed.

It's a tough road but you will get there

❤️🐬

[desktop]

HelloYou are not alone..i am also goinh through a severe bout of anxiety..dizzy daily..unsteady walkinh..crying a lot..sadness fearful ..weakness in legs..

I try to pray and stay strong..

Sorry that you are going through this

Stay strong stay positive we will overcome this anxiety.