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.

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Working while depressed

Justlenmom4
Justlenmom4

Hi everyone,


I am struggling with a pretty major depressive episode but I cannot afford to be off work much longer. I am wondering how many of you are managing to work while depressed and if you can share any advice on how you keep it together. I am a speech therapist so I need to interact with people all day and at least appear to be upbeat. That is a pretty tall order right now as I am very low, have trouble concentrating, and pretty much just feel like sleeping all the time.


I am reading Louise Hay's book Heal Your Life and journaling, saying affirmations, and taking as good of care of myself as I possibly can. But my husband is out of work and I have children to feed. Ideally I would like to take more time off or work part time until I feel better but I don't have that luxury right now. 


I am also on 10mg of Lexapro which has helped somewhat, but I am still functioning at about 60% of normal. Lots of negative thoughts, brain fog, etc.


Thanks in advance

imiru
imiru
I'm going through something similar. I work in laundry and house keeping for a retirement home and since we've been losing people I've had to help pick up shifts left and right. The only time I can get any alone time is when I'm home but even that gets cut short. I've made it a habit to meditate once in the morning and once before bed to help my mind take a break. Also I've been going for more walks to get the stale air out of my lungs and eating healthier.
I know being an adult is already difficult and I know keeping a smile plastered on your face when you dont want to is even harder. The only advice I can offer is try to make time for yourself however and whenever you can. Also keep in touch with at least one trustworthy person you know you can vent to so you dont bottle it up.
djchurn
djchurn
Build your confidence is being able of deceive everyone as to how you actually feel. This will provide a little bit of an ego boost while at work. I faked it for many years in different professions, but unlike you I could let the mornings have less people contact. this helped keep me together. I do feel for you in your situation though and wish you and your husband the best.
Tired
Tired
Maybe the doctor could increase your dosage of meds.
Justlenmom4
Justlenmom4
The exhaustion and inability to focus are the worst part, wish I could make that better.
liz123
liz123
Hello. This post caught my attention because I am a slp graduate student who just got diagnosed with MDD (caused primarily by the stresses of grad school). I just want to say you are brave for seeing your clients/students and pressing on. It is a battle, trying to be the person that you need to be to be a good SLP, (I have 5 clinical placements and classes), and manage self-care enough that you can stay alive. I can't imagine trying to also take care of a family. Positive energy your way and prayers.
kjim2646
kjim2646
I took antidepressants for the first month. Now I just do it without. Sometimes you have a bad thought or a sad moment, and you just run to the bathroom to cry it out and just bring Kleenex and a compact and mascara so you can refix yourself up when you are done. Just don't let anyone know you are depressed because then you will give yourself a label and your job will suck. just know that depression many only last 6 months to a year on and off depending on the situation, and also you can take a mental health day if the depression is really bad. but with time depression goes away or heals itself. usually something triggered the depression, and that just needs to heal
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