You can acknowledge your emotions by saying.." a feeling of _____ has come over me...a thought of _________ has come thru my mind"

Then you can choose to act opposite to your emotion. So I know you may not want to shower but you don't have to listen to that voice. You can take one anyways by acting purposely opposite to that emotion. This works with most anything. Acting opposite is a powerful skill.

Great big hug for you sweetie... Do you need to see your doctor??

I think these times require baby steps at least that's what works best for me.... Can you take a sick day if you need one?
I do small actions in small time frames and find it isn't so overwhelming..

Sometimes staying in bed for a couple of days can help me...It's what I need at that time..
Maybe start by forcing yourself to stand at the sink and wash your face and brush your teeth... You'll feel better afterwards and you will have accomplished something...

Breath and keep putting one foot in front of the other.. baby steps are steps going in the right direction....xo

I like what SunCloudJD said though for me, sometimes it's better to push through and work. If I can't finish the day, tell them I'm sick and leave. There are times where it's too bad though and I really need the mental health day.

*HUGS* to you! I hope you feel better.

Thank you all for being here for me. i pressed forward and went to work. i spent the morning in a coma. I'm feeling a bit betterbut still feel like crying. now I'm trying to coax myself into going to the gym. i really just want to go home and sleep..

Well by gosh you went to work! Wow that is a real accomplishment. I thought you just were going to get in the shower. You may need to rest now..just my opinion of course. Like Suncloud said don't want to overwhelm yourself.

I made it thru the day. i just pray that tomorrow doesn't start the way today did.

On top of feeling severely depressed, i am having family issues. i have already been estranged from my older brother for many years. now my sister has deemed me a "troublemaking bitch" my sister was in town and wouldn't take the time to see our mother...who is in bad health. so somehow that makes ME the troublemaker. and my niece. (Same sister)'s daughter had a baby on 4-30-13. They all live 8 hrs away andi can't afford to travel. i met the baby when we met halfway a few weeks ago. i am trying so hard to be in my niece and baby's life, but my niece refuses to answer my textx or calls. i texted her tonight and told her how much it hurts me that she refuses. to even acknowledge my efforts. i will probably never see any of them again. i just feel so saddened on top of already being severely depressed.iwish i were dead. i already FEEL dead...what's the difference.

thank you guys for helping. it means so much to me.

TC I don't know what to say about your family issues. It sounds like a lot to deal with. I hope your niece is just busy and isn't avoiding you. My son was born on 2-20-13 and it's hard for me to get back to people sometimes.

*HUGS*

Hi. I survived the last few days. I am still feeling very sick and plan to isolate this weekend. I am tired of my life.

I spoke to my niece. She hasn 't been calling me back because is suffering severe depression herself. I urged her to get help and she said no way. I am 8 hours from her

The best thing about DS is that we all completely get how you feel and what you're saying. I'm feeling very good currently and quite normal, but I remember these feelings all too well.

Use DS and all the people here as your voice of reason. Sometimes I lose that voice inside of myself when I'm severely depressed and that's a very scary feeling. But know that as bad as it all seems, it will get better. These are problems that will improve and you will have a completely different perspective on how to deal with them when they improve.

You're pushing through and that's incredibly admirable! You may need to talk to your doctor to see if a medication adjustment is necessary. Either way though, you will cycle and the world will make sense again. Hold on!

Hi TC, I'm just seeing this post and wanted to chime in and express how sorry I am that you are suffering so badly. I know how unbearable the feelings can get -- so much that you just want it to end; to expire. I too am struggling right now with just getting out of bed and showering because of depression. I really hear you as well as the other folks here. You are at the right place and I'm really glad you are posting. You need a ton of support and kindness right now (((hugs))). Also for real, good for you for pushing through as much as you have, as freaking excruciating as it is, as much as you want to run and hide under the covers. So, see, you aren't dead -- you are trying to live! And as someone here said, even just brushing teeth and washing your face is a step. I didn't want to post to offer you advice because I think right now you need more listeners than anything but I do think friends here have some good suggestions. Keep posting and let us know how you are feeling.

Thinking good thoughts for you and many hugs.
Lollster!

(((HUGS))) feel better.

I'm sorry you felt so bad. Depression is the pits.

It is funny, forgetting to shower is a first sign that I'm having a mental health problem. It just falls off my radar.

I'm glad you posted for support. A big hug to you today. I hope you feel better.

Depression sucks! I'm grateful you have a job and a bed
(((BIG HUG)))

I wish you peace and comfort ASAP!

I hope you are feeling better, I can understand family issues. I have a sociopath for a brother. Keep one foot in front of the other