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.
I have felt this coming on for a couple of months but have not been able to stop it. I am feeling very burned outset work. My job can be very high stress at times and the past couple of months have been VERY stressful. In addition, my son moved back in with his mom pot of state, my daughter moved in with her boyfriend, and, my wife had lost her sex drive, I don't enjoy anything that I'm doing now. I feel emotionally Rae and WAY overdressed. All of this combines to make me depressed. I need some suggestions to pull myself out off this funk. Any ideas?
How old are your children? It is one thing for a grown child to move in with the ex, but completely different when a minor child does it.
Some of those issues are within your sphere to do something about, others are not. I guess coming to terms with what you can change and what you can only accept would help.
On the other hand, diversion is always a thing to consider. How about a hobby to get you going again. Perhaps taking up hiking, volunteering somewhere, get a drone and learn how to fly it, etc.
Pepper, my son just turned 15 and my daughter just turned 18. My daughter is very intelligent and has her head square on her shoulders, but her boyfriend is several years older than her and has two young children from two separate women. I'm worried that she has bitten off way more than she can chew. I have let her know what my concerns are and have even talked to her mother about it but it seems like she will need to learn her own lessons with this one - that doesn't make it any easier on ME though.
My ex-wife has never been much for school and my son is smarter than she is. I'm worried that as he starts into high school that he will not be getting the help he may need. My ex's new husband is smart and can help although he works long hours and may not be able to be there when my son needs help. Again, I have mentioned my concerns to the ex and will be as supportive as I can be.
Futureglory ... I would love to cut back on hours and take more vacation time. I actually have quite a bit of vacation time built up. However, this has been a very busy summer at work and everyone is swamped. The project deadlines don't disappear and still need to be completed on time. Since the whole office is really busy, I don't have much in the way of help getting the projects completed unless I stay at work and push them through myself. I can take vacation time but the project remains there and things build-up while I am gone. I have often wondered what it would be like to work at a job where you don't have deadlines like that and reduced responsibility ... however, the pay for that type of job is probably 1/4 of what I am making so I know I can't pursue that LOL.
I have no problems taking medication for depression if that is what is necessary. I was extremely depressed going through my divorce (lost about 30 lbs due to the stress and depression) and I took meds to stabilize my moods back then. I also saw a therapist for several months to work through the things bothering me. I have no qualms about doing that again if that is what it takes. I am still feeling overworked, emotionally raw, and overstressed and am trying to do some things to deal with it without the expense of a therapist or the side effects of anti-depressant medications.
I developed some good skills to deal with depression the last time I went through a bout with depression, however, even though I am not nearly as depressed as I was then, I feel like I have more on my plate this time and feel a bit overwhelmed. I have been meditating and taking time to decompress after work and not taking my work home with me (I still have things buzzing around in my head regarding work but I try to compartmentalize to keep that from interfering since I can't do anything about it until the next day at work anyway). I have been trying to make my personal time at home more relaxing. Not having kids at home makes that part easier ... however, add to the mix, my wife wants to move to a new home. The move would be good for de-stressing some things in my life. The new place would be in a PUD where the yard is maintained by others (no more stress about yard care getting out of hand). The home would be smaller in footprint (less cleaning). The house is further away from major roads (less noise for a more peaceful environment). ... like I said, several GOOD things. However, moving is very stressful. Cleaning and getting our current home ready to sell, de-cluttering, getting the kids to come and get their stuff, getting the overgrown landscape into show condition. All of that takes a LOT of work ... and I am typically physically and emotionally exhausted by the end of the day. We'll see what happens with her desire to move in the next week or so.