Just some advice

[RedHeadNorm]

Hi guys. I am going through a bit of a rough time at the moment, personal life and work life are both very difficult, and are making me feel increasingly unhappy and isolated. It's affecting my relationship and my friendships and I just want to cry all the time.

I've had counselling on 2 occasions over the last 2 years due to bouts of severe depression, and in the short term have found it helpful. Now I am faced with the options of trying again, but I feel like there's no point as clearly if it worked I wouldn't be feeling so hopeless again.

Obviously there is the option of trying medication, however I don't feel like I'll be taken seriously by my GP (as I never get to see the same person twice at my surgery) and I feel like I will just get dismissed and they will just tell me to have counselling again.

I just don't know what to do, I feel so unhappy and I'm desperate to not feel this way anymore.

Any advice would be great, as I don't feel like I have anyone to talk to at the moment who remotely understands how it feels to be in this awful limbo.

Thanks

[MAS_Nurse]

Hello and welcome RedheadNorm. This is a very supportive community and perhaps some of our other members would like to respond to your recent post . I am sorry to hear that you are going through a difficult time both at work and home life, it can seem that way on times. Some of the other members call it their 'Black dog' however venting your feelings enables you to get it out of your system for a while. You mentioned not seeing the same Doctor, perhaps if you were able to pick a supportive GP and book an appointment in advance to see them you would begin to achieve continuity with your health professional. Also perhaps think about a course of CBT or mindfulness maybe worth discussing with them too. The 'pinned posts' on the right of the screen could give you some helpful tips too. Please remember you are not alone, we are thinking of you and are here for you.

Are there any of our members that could provide useful info please?

[20Voices]

Sometimes we have set backs when things get difficult in our life and it is okay to go back to counselling. When you were in counselling before were you given any exercises that made you feel better, but that you have stopped doing. I was given various things to try from thought analysis records to journaling to mindfulness. After finishing with my therapist I continued to do the exercises and I have found more techniques like relaxation and meditation and sleep hygiene as well.

I also learned that we can be too tough on ourselves and it is okay to not be happy all the time and admit to ourselves we are struggling when things go wrong. I found being less tough on myself and asking for help made such a difference. I also found that recognising that life is like a journey it can lead us off on various side roads we were not expecting but we can navigate ourselves back to the path we want to be on. Having a vision or a goal helps. I have created a vision board which I have where I can see it in the morning and at night before I go to bed. I take time to look at it and say to myself this is what I am aiming for and this is the person I want to be. I have changed it a couple of times to ensure that it is still giving me that eagerness for improvement and life.

I am going through a horrible divorce right now and I am struggling to get a job, but I am following my routine and keeping myself focused on getting better. I have my down days as well as my up days, but learning to adapt and accept them and allowing yourself to restart after a bad day rather than berate yourself also helps.

Hope you get something useful from this reply.

You can do this, go over what you've done before and go back to counseling you just need a little help and reminder of what you have done in the past to help you feel better. Keep doing the techniques and exercises that help you.

Take care.

[alfredox]

If your job is stressing you out would it be possible to move to another company or different role within your existing one?

Sometimes change is the catalyst we need to inspire and motivate us to a more positive mindset.

[Sel123]

I feel your pain I am in a depression at the moment I was off work and now have been put back on phased return to work and today my boss decided to have a chat with me which has just made me feel guilty for being ill.. the tablets arnt working for me but hopefully they start to soon. Cbt seems to be good so I've been told I'm thinking of doing this myself . I think you can contact minds matter for some help. Hope that you are feeling brighter soon