I have nothing to offer darlin.. Just sending a hug and letting you know that I care.. Good luck sweetie.. I hate the black hole....

Thank you. I am trying. Having been through therapy, you'd think I'd know this. Bah! Depression can do one, in the nicest possible sense.

I think you are doing a huge thing by keeping the social aspect of your life going. Withdrawing from life is a side effect of depression that fuels the depression more!

Are there more social aspects of your life that you can continue? That helps me.

I do everything I can. I see family, go out to friends, even walk the dog but rather than making me feel like Im winning, I feel like Im wasting my time. I know that is only a perception thing.

How hard is it to decide to be in a good mood and then be in a good mood? Harder than I ever think.

i understand how u feel.

i think its just about continually trying to tell yourself that all the bad thoughts and lack of motivation ect. are down to depression and that you dont and wont let it win. i think ita about noticing when you are about to slip into a depression action and purposely go out the way to do the opposite of it. like if u just want to slip into bed, then maybe go out for a walk. or if your heads trying to tell u something bad about urself then try to stop and think no this is just depression and try to give one positive about urself instead.

ok i know im talking bll shit and im a total hyprocrite cos i can never win against depression but i think it about continualy saying to depression, " NO YOU WONT WIN" and i know that can get tiring some days but its worth trying to beat depression if it just means one less day of depression having such effect.

sorry for talking shite. just hope u feel better soon.x

The fact that you are maintaining the social life is actually rather impressive. It's so easy not to when youre feeling poorly. Give yourself credit for that, its a big deal.

You'll get through this. As far as tips go, I've little to offer beyond suggesting that you keep up with band practice and such. As far as the sleeping thing goes, perhaps tomorrow try to fully exert yourself physically. Maybe then you'd feel ready to sleep earlier in the night.

Good luck my friend. I hug you.

I know that feeling. Especially the social part. I will often hang out with friends but feel so alone even when I'm with them. I feel like I have no real human connections. That makes it really hard not to withdrawal from people. Why be around them if you aren't connected to them? But I try to be social anyway.

Sometimes for me it helps to try something new when I get really down like that. Especially something new and physical. It sort of force restarts my brain. I see you said walking your dog. Maybe you could go to a new park or hiking trail that you haven't been to before? Being in nature always helps me too. You could maybe join a new exercise class at a gym. If you aren't into physical activity you could try a new hobby. Even something simple. Go to a craft store and just walk around until you find something interesting. Just don't be too hard on yourself when doing it. It is NOT going to look like the picture =)

I hope you find something that works.

you (the original poster) said,

"What I need is good tips to stop the slide into full misery and lack of motivation. "

it seems to me that you really are on a slide... and youre looking down it. the first thing you need to do is turn around and look up the slide. the top of that slide is your goal, not the bottom.

when you were young you had lots of help getting up to the top of that slide... (the steps leading up to it) and then you got to the top and started sliding down the slide.

well, turn around, look back up to the top, and start to crawl back up there.

i know its hard, youre on the slide part now, not the steps... but you can do it

look how much work youre doing to keep your social life active and the other things youre doing... you still have a lot of strength in you.... youre still near the top of the slide

if you keep looking down the slide, then you'll have to hit bottom before you can turn around and start the long, hard road back to the top.

turn around now, start looking at the top... that is the very first step

i hope this helps

Thank you all.
I like that analogy hopefullyanon, it makes sense to me.
Part of it is fear because it has happend before. I tell myself it's different this time because I am noticing, I already sent in my referal for my counselling, so I have put steps in place to help lessen the impact.

Part of me is aware that the last month has naturally taken its toll on me mentally. I am having trouble coming to terms with my Grandads death and there has been a heap of other stuff added that just makes me nervous. Panicked is a more apt word.

Just need to find that equilibrium I had.

more Cowbell


I'm sure many of masterpieces were created in the blahish mindset. just need. spark.

its hard I have no advice. just do it -nike

That made me smile.
Life really could be improved with a little more cowbell, on the off-beat, of course.

that might be how you'll find your equilibrium

not only are you noticing how nice the cowbell is, but youre filling in the offbeats

yes, that could help lots... find the little holes where things suck the most and fill them with...

say it with me now...

MORE COWBELL!!!

I prefer claps over cowbell, personally :P

I am quite partial to a wood-block.

But a timpani does nothing for me.

well as long as its not a piccalo im fine with it

stupid flute wannabe's...............

(just kidding, they're actually kinda neat!)