yes it makes me more depressed, sad when I think about my youngest sister and what she is going thru now.
feel better huggums beastie !

thanks guys... and having you here helps alot.. dont ever think that it doesnt...

Hugs honey,, I try to get out and walk off as much of the anxiety as I can.

Wow Beastie. I just got back from my therapy session today, and we talked about your question.

When I am at my worst, I DO think more of others and their problems, etc. Or, I become sort of obsessed with something online, like this group for instance.

I do that to distract myself from the pain I am feeling. So, in today's session, I had to figure out what it was I was distracting myself from feeling, and then I'm supposed to let myself feel it.

I wonder if you are doing the same thing?

PS
I'm not supposed to be online, as I promised my therapist I would stay away.

Sneaks off...... XO

PS
Re: your question, does it make me worse...Yes, absolutely.

I've learned that reading too many depressing posts ALWAYS makes me worse, so I am not supposed to come here anymore, because I can relate to what others are saying, but because it is the computer, instead of a real life group, for me, it makes me spiral.

I don't know if that makes sense.

XO

If my children or my family is having problems, I certainly get more and more depressed.

My mom died with cancer. She could not eat weeks before she died. I gained about 10 lbs because the doctor said in my mind I was eating for her too.

So, yes, yes, yes. Hang in there you old bear!!!!

Hi and yes when I'm down I take in everyones problems big time. I try as hard as I can to put myself in there shoes, and then I get more down feeling like what there going through is so bad that I should suck it up and all that. I hope this is making sense sorry if it's not. I'm trying I'm just not good with putting things in writing.

I hope things get better for you soon. Take care
(((((hugs)))))

I'd have to say I'm not consistent on this. Sometimes I just wallow in my own problems, and other times I can hear some sad story in the news or from someone I know and that can set me off. I think you are a very compassionate person and that's why you can feel so much for others. It totally makes sense. I think depression causes us not to be able to filter negative feelings and we get overwhelmed with them. I hope this passes soon and you're feeling better.

It's called 'empathy' Beastie, and there aren't enough people in this world with it.

I don't know that it makes my depression worse.... mostly it drives me to want to make a difference. And by that, I mean something even as insignificant (but not really) as a smile on a bad day. It makes me feel better about my own problems if I can accomplish that, which if you think about it, is selfish in its own little way :P

I send you so much love, good vibes and well wishes, dancingbear. I hope you feel better soon. hugs x

I am quite sensitive to what others are going through, too. I have to remind myself that I am not responsible for the lives and feelings of others and do what I can NOT to worry about others, as that only exacerbates my own feelings when I am down.

no peoples problems distract me from my own, keep fighting little bear x

Beastie, I do the ruminating and catastrophising, also I can't watch the news or read papers and can't watch violent TV shows when I'm depressed.

you make sense but life does not make sense and i just hate it since i am in pain physically every day. hell yeah i am getting more pissed livin in a world full of cold auras and arrogance

Yes! When I'm down on myself, I focus on the effect I have on others. I'm mad at myself for being down and I worry about making family/friends feel down too. It's a constant struggle for me: should I keep my feelings to myself to protect my family/friends, or should I share my feelings and risk upsetting my family/friends. My tendency is to stay quiet and cope with it on my own. But this approach often results in me cutting myself or having suicidal thoughts, so I'm not sure it is the best approach.