Depression Support Group
Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.
Do you find it to be waves of depression throughout the day? Is it all one day but not the next? Is it constant, every single day? What are your triggers? Is triggers the right word? How do you know when to say it's depression instead of just being sad? Because honestly, I have no idea how to handle this. I have so many questions that I've had to answer by myself. I'm hoping dailystrength will help me over time. Hearing about others stories reminds me I'm not alone. Even though their stories are not quite the same. Just know that we're all not alone. I think I need to tell myself that one more time.
Being depressed isn't normal but somehow feels normal. I think thats because I've been feeling it every day now. Constantly being reminded to smile and been asked why I'm so miserable. Not being able to open up because you truly trust no one. Even your own mind is against you. The only way I've been able to keep myself sane is by keeping a diary. Because I speak to absolutely no one about my problems. I'm sure many of us are the same.
Suicidal attempts and suicidal thoughts tend to come and go. And I always feel so pathetic afterwards. Because I know I'm better than that. I know I'm stronger than that. So how come it's still able to consume me? I just think we all need a friend to open up to, as most people don't keep diaries anymore. Doesn't even have to be a friend, could be a total stranger. Hence this site. I think it's an awesome thing they have going here. I'm glad I have somewhere to say all this. Somewhere where I'm not keeping it all to myself. Because it's come to the stage where I need advice, answers to questions. I'm gonne be writing in my journal on here. I hope you guys can read it and share your thoughts. Thanks
Now I am on Paxil and doing fine. Some days I have no depressive symptoms, other days I will feel like bursting into tears for no reason. Then I'll take a Paxil and feel better. But it's weird.
I don't usually get triggered but sometimes stress can send me over the edge, so I try to relax and unwind at the end of each day.
For me I'd say when I get a depressive episode I am more emotional, I think the world is bleak and hopeless, I think I have failed as a person, a mother, an employee, everything. I want to run away/die etc. But knowing that this is a depressive episode is at least half the battle. "I am hormonal" I can say. "I am coming unglued."
Wait it out, is the thing, and give yourself a few days. Don't buy into the melodrama that will begin to grow in your mind, the fears, the shame, the disappointment. Don't buy into the blame and the despair.
Distract yourself. Actually distract yourself.
I don't usually say to distract yourself. I don't usually distract myself. I prefer to go through things than around them, or than to stop and not go forward at all. But I think with depressive episodes your mind is such a mess you can't use it and hope for success. A broken mind leads to broken conclusion and broken conclusions lead to bad decisions. So I do nothing in that state but cry at home, hopefully, and journal. A counsellor would be grand but I don't have one at the moment.
suicidal thoughts are normal in depression, I have had them a lot. Doing it, however, well that's just downright dumb. It really is. You know your brain isn't working today, so why let it run the show?
When you can control yourself from doing anything stupid during a depressive episode you will have won against them. When you know they're a mirage you can never really be fooled by them again. So hold out against them. And don't do anything silly.