Sad

[lifted]

I'm really down at the moment, even though I'm on anti depressants and lithium, I joined this site last year and made some great friends now I feel so guilty coming back because when I'm well I am so grateful I get up in the mornings and try so hard to appreciate my life , but for 4 days I have just been in bed and crying it's such a cruel illness and it makes me so sad I'm in tears

[Hidden]

Hi.

I’m so sorry for how you feel. It is an awful illness. It does tend to make us feel guilty about things too.

Please don’t feel guilty about coming back here. That’s what it’s for. To support when you need it.

I’m glad you have come back. Sometimes it helps even to write things down.

I hope you feel much better soon, in the meantime, we are here.

Best wishes 🌺🌼🌺🌼

[lifted in reply to Hidden]

Thank-you for replying xx

[Hidden in reply to lifted]

You are welcome. I hope you feel a little better. It’s awful when we feel so sad ..

You are not alone..xx

[MAS_Nurse]

Hello lifted, welcome back!

Don't feel guilty about needing to come back and ask for support. Depression has peaks and troughs, and from the sounds of it you've been coping brilliantly. But it is a cruel condition, and can ( if you don't mind me saying) turn around and bite you on the bum when you're least expecting it. Often with long term conditions, when things are going well we forget to do the things that helped us stabilise. We let our guard down a little too much, and then we're caught off guard. But write down the things that really helped pull you out of it last time, and then take baby steps. If you have overcome this before, you can again. I think if we are aware and accept that setbacks happen, but that each time they do, they will last a little shorter and won't have the same impact, and that we get a little bit wiser and stronger, you will get back on track quicker. You are not back at square one, just having a small setback. Maybe it's worth thinking about having a referral to psychotherapy for a few sessions to help you move forward. It is ok to feel how you are feeling, you are allowed to feel sad. Remember we are here for you, you are not alone.

Keep in touch, take care.

Best wishes,

MAS Nurse

[lifted in reply to MAS_Nurse]

Thank-you for your reply

[Patient0]

Hey, how are you feeling now? I hope things are getting better. It is hard but you have got through it before and you will again. I don't know what your experience was like when you came out of the depression before but I am betting that something great came out of it? From my own experience of depression, it is a cycle and at it's lowest points it seems unbearable but when you find that immense amount of energy to push through it, something great happens. Like Mas-nurse said, every time it happens you will grow stronger and wiser.

I strongly believe that depression is an evolutionary mechanism which helps us to survive and do better. If we can push through it we become a better version of ourselves. If you can embrace it and see that it will end well, keep that small glimmer of hope in your mind always, you will have a better relationship with your illness.

I have only learned this recently when evaluating the last 30 years of my life. I hope it helps you. xx