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.
For about as long as I can remember I've been keeping the physical/physiological pains that come with depression hidden (except to those I've reached out to for help) and bottled up. Partly because I've learned from experience that most people don't seem to care and will dismiss how I'm feeling if I reach out to them, but mainly because of the catch-22 situation I've been talking about in my journal entries. (I know that somewhere out there must be at least some people who care though.)
What I would like to know is how others here have learned to cope with the physical/physiological pains that come with depression when they aren't able to or have trouble getting meaningful support from people around them.
Personally, I have had the generic inexplicable mild aches and pain around my body that are caused by the chemical imbalances inherent in depression. But the worst pains have been the ones in my head. The pain I'm talking about here is one that usually feels like pressure on my head/brain/eyes when I'm feeling depressed, but when I'm going through a particularly rough/stressful moment of depression the pain changes. In these instances it can feel like my brain is being slapped with a bolt of electricity, or like electricity is bouncing around inside my skull. This in itself hurts a little (about as much as a headache in the areas I feel the electricity sensation passing through), but it also causes brief feelings of minor disorientation while the electricity feeling lasts. (It may be worth noting that this latter problem only became noticeable after a bad emotional breakdown a little over a year ago caused my depression to finally go into a massive downward spiral.)
What I would like to know is how others here have learned to cope with the physical/physiological pains that come with depression when they aren't able to or have trouble getting meaningful support from people around them.
Personally, I have had the generic inexplicable mild aches and pain around my body that are caused by the chemical imbalances inherent in depression. But the worst pains have been the ones in my head. The pain I'm talking about here is one that usually feels like pressure on my head/brain/eyes when I'm feeling depressed, but when I'm going through a particularly rough/stressful moment of depression the pain changes. In these instances it can feel like my brain is being slapped with a bolt of electricity, or like electricity is bouncing around inside my skull. This in itself hurts a little (about as much as a headache in the areas I feel the electricity sensation passing through), but it also causes brief feelings of minor disorientation while the electricity feeling lasts. (It may be worth noting that this latter problem only became noticeable after a bad emotional breakdown a little over a year ago caused my depression to finally go into a massive downward spiral.)
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Everyday I feel more and more sick. Being in pain every day, I've learned to disguise it. So well that others don't believe my pain when I speak of it. Needing help but only receiving negative responses, I find my way but pay for it later. I absolutely need the rest but there's pressing things to be done.
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Ugh my depression is really being triggered by the grief of losing my mom. Ugh it sucks. I wish this pain would leave me already.
As for the letter. I think I may have seen it mentioned by folks here before, but I haven't actually read it myself. If it's something meant for showing family then I don't think it will do me much good given my circumstances. As I've been detailing in my journal I'm in a bit of a catch-22 situation where it is not safe or wise for me to even let my family know about my conditions or problems. I even have to be wary of which friends I reach out to just to make sure nothing gets leaked and makes its way back to my family. (I haven't even finished detailing how messed up and sensitive the situation is in my journal).
@Tom77: I would love to be able to see a therapist and get help from them. Unfortunately my circumstances do not currently allow for that due partly to safety reasons and also due to financial reasons (but mostly due to safety reasons). As soon as circumstances allow for it I want to find a decent therapist and get myself into a treatment program of some kind though.
I too get ZERO help when I'm depressed. Even if people did care, they simply wouldn't know what to do about it. I had to kinda sorta figure out how to deal with it myself.
I am seeing a pain management doctor for the physical issues. I also take Zoloft for depression.
Pain meds can be tricky though....some meds can actually cause depression. So you need a doctor who is aware of your disease.
Just a suggestion but I have found a book, A New Earth by Eckhart Toole, that has helped my depression a great deal. Oprah has his workbook online and there are also work books that you can buy.
Mr. Toole talks about being present in the moment. The past is gone and future is not here yet. He teaches you how to you how to be in the moment. I am talking about this very minute.
I have found that I can chose to be happy this very minute. The way I see it, is minutes turn into hours and hours turn into days.
I still have some anxiety about the future but I am able to shift my focus a lot easier now then ever before.
Best Wishes.
For the time being whatever help I get must remain completely under their radar.
Remember that each individual may react differently to any medication. Prozac has certainly given me respite and enabled me to cope. Ask your Psychiatrist for advice. All the best.