Welcome to the group. I'm sorry you are in pain. I've had severe depression for 10 years, numerous hospitalizations, meditation, even had ect. I'm at a pretty food point now.

If you are new to ds, you can start a journal on here. That's how I started.

Are you in any kind of treatment right now?

*good point

Thank you. I figured it was worth a try.
And its in a sense comforting to know there are others out here that experience the same things. Not that depression is something that's good to have.
What has seemed to work the best for you when dealing with it?
Mine is effecting almost every aspect of my life.
And I've tried a few medications, but they make me feel like I'm in a coma, lack of emotion, and like a robot.

And I actually wrote my first journal entry on here today. But I have a hand written journal that I've been writing in for years now. Writing has always been an outlet for me. But sometimes its not enough to pull me out of my emotions. I also wonder if I have minor pdsd because of my traumatizing childhood. IDK..

so unsure of what to do....

thank you for your comment btw.,
means more then you know

-C

I think the right combination of medication, in addition to ect, and getting back to work helped me the most. I know a lot of people who have had that experience with medicine. I haven't though. They either worked or didn't, or only helped minimally, but never felt like a zombie.

I have also used tapping. You can check it out at tapping.com. It's an alternative idea but I find it very helpful.

I recently started meditation. I also use art therapy. Bought a few books on it and started an art journal.

Walking my dog clears my head and the activity gets the endorphins going.

I had a good therapist but unfortunately she moved so I'm looking for a new one. My psychiatrist is very good. He's the one that got me on my current meds which seem to be working well.

When I couldn't work, i did volunteer work at a no kill animal shelter. It helped me get back to work sooner. I was on a part time work schedule recently because I have back pain and needed to give a certain treatment time to work. Having the down time helped physically but mentally it hurt me. I need to work. I'm worse when I don't.

I also made a few new friends in the last year, some that have become close. One has depression as well but not nearly as bad as I was. It helps to have the support network of others in your boat. At least knowing you aren't alone.

I will try and check out what my resources are to getting myself help , maybe i can find the right combo of meds to level me out.
Counseling probably would do me some good also.

I will have to check out tapping, once I get done with this message.

I use to work, and it was good for me . Recently I became a stay at home mom, and I really started to spiral into my depression more. from a lack of many things. I just ideally dont have someone to watch my son to be able to work, so thats where i have the problem. And daycare, i wont do anymore due to my son being abused at one. So i have issues with that ,

an art journal I never thought of that.. Im going to do some research into that . I love art.

I guess I need to just take a leap of faith and try some new things, and hope for a good out come . some may work, some might not work. Trial and error kind of thing.
I just know my current living situation isnt ideal for bettering myself. So i have some hard thinking to do .

and yes its so great to have a support group. I already am feeling a bit better at least being able to talk to someone. I dont have anyone to talk to.

- C

also sorry to hear about your back pain, I know body pains can be really hard to manage and deal with. I have a friend who has to have surgeries very regularly due to a bad car accident and hes in constant pain.

Feel free to send me a friend request.

Yes it's definitely trial and error. And somethings work often, some not.

I find the right combination of things working often enough works, if that made sense lol.

I'm sorry about your son. That's terrible. Maybe you can find a meetup for moms and kids. I go to the singles and active ones when I can. GN for now. I'm on my last leg. :)

You have a great attitude and tremendous willingness to help yourself get better. Those things will serve you well. I would suggest trying medication again to see if you can find one that works well for you. And therapy for the ptsd is probably a good idea too. And keep posting and letting us know how you're doing. We're here for you.

@soulsearcher83 -
I sent you a request.

& that makes perfect sense.
& thank you. Its def been an problem to over come. Just thankful its over. & that hes home with me safe.
I really appreciate the chat! Thank you for the book recommendations and different methods for dealing with depression!

Thanks
-C

@heidiclark

Thank you for that. Yes i definitely want to better myself, Not only so that I can live a more fulfilled life. But also so that my son gets the best of me always. He deserves that.
I am going to most certainly get into some counseling and with the medication they put me on, Hopefully I can get back into the swing of life feeling good. I know it wont always be good, but if I can start having more good days instead of bad. then thats an improvement for me. & I will keep you guys posted. Thank you for the words of kindness!

-C

Hi befree123,
Welcome and nice to meet you. I want to say that you are not alone as this is great place to share with others that have similar experiences, which can be therapeutic in itself. And I know how it feels to be hopeless as I went through a huge hopeless period that I was stuck in for a while. Even now I find it hard sometimes but I know now in retrospect that no matter what I've made it through and everything turned out alright as I'm here today through my worst moments and so are you. Just know that there is always hope as good things can always happen no matter what and they do. Things can only get better from here. And it's okay to not be the superhuman you may try to be or want too, were human it's okay to get tired and want to take a break as we can only do so much. How ever much you can do is enough because it's your best. What else can you do? I am sometimes hard on myself due to my perfectionist tendencies so I know it's hard to lower your standards but it's very necessary. When we give ourselves a break it allows us to helps others and ourselves, more at our best, which is what we want to do. You can't help others if you can't help yourself first. I am often hard on myself like such and it helps to recognize your limits and be more understanding to yourself. And try to be grateful of all the little things in life we often take for granted such as things we have and even nature. Try to see the beauty in life that is all around us. :) If you need someone to talk to or advice you can pm me.

Torrance

@torrancelj

Yes I'm really benefiting from just taking about it .,& believe it or not it is helping .so greatful for this site already . && thank you so much for you kindness and encouragement . Means a lot , truly . Sorry to hear about your hard times , but it's great that your moving forward in life , and are aware of it . That's fantastic :)
And your right in so many ways , there Are a lot of things that may seem simple but in itself they are positive and powerful . Such as the sun , & the stars, breathing another day in , list could go on . & taking pleasure in the simple things in life . Sometimes I need a reminder to focus on what's going righ and not what's going wrong . I tend to get stuck in my head a little to much . As I am flawed .
I to also struggle with perfectionism ,which can be a great trait but can also bite you in the ass . Because like you said we set sometimes impossible standards for ourselves . I also am a people pleaser which can be a bad thing also. My goal for myself this year is to focus more on myself. And to try and focus on m strengths . And slowly build on my flaws and weaknesses . &&& to remember sometimes I need a small break ( like you said) .& to not be so hard o on myself when I fail.
There's a great quote that I had forgotten about until just now and it's . For every failure is a new attempt to try.
Thank you again for your comment and your reminder to enjoy the beauty in life. I will def take you up on the pm.

-C

New oppertunity to try **^^