very depressed
I am extremely depressed to the point where I have lost any enjoyment in anything. Thankfully I sleep at night which is the only time that is ok. I wake up every morning in a cold sweat with horrible anxiety and not wanting to face the day. I don't know what to get up for but I do anyway because I can't stay in bed 24hours a day. I feel anxious, afraid and desperate for most of the day and feel I have been reduced to nothing. I don't know what to do to escape it. I go for a walk most days but just want to get it over with as I always feel tired and afraid. I only do this in the hope that it will help. I am terribly worried financially and live in private rented accomodation. I project my fears into the future, fearing that I won't have a place to live. What's worse is that I have an adult child who can't seem to get himself motivated to do anything proactive, has low self-esteem and stays in his room most of the day. I worry about that constantly and wonder what will happen to us. I have been like this for three months with no improvement. I need to work but it feels impossible that I will find a job that I will be able to do. I have no safety net and I feel sick with this. I have been depressed a number of times over the years but this is just awful. What on earth can I do?
Have you spoken to a health professional about getting help? It sounds like you need some medical intervention to help guide you in the right direction. I too am facing some problems and I know how overwhelming things can be. Don’t be scared or ashamed to reach out. Life is hard. Let people help you xx
@intellectualOak6586
Hi, Yes I have been taking anti depressants for two months. There is no counselling available unless |I can pay which I can't. I don't really know what else to do. I feel awful and don't know how to help myself or my young adult. I feel trapped because I just don't know what to do about anything. It is groundhog day every day and I just keep hoping that something can change.
It might help if you write down everything that’s causing you to have fears and anxieties and write down possible solutions to each scenario.
When you start to feel overwhelmed take a step back and breathe deeply and focus on something else, be that something you can see in the room you’re in or imagine something that makes you happy, I.e a beach etc. whenever you feel like bad feelings are taking over focus on something else until the feeling subsides.
its clear you’re stuck in a cycle/rut and need to make some changes to that in order to train your brain and focus on other things. So make a deal with yourself that when you’re out on a walk you won’t focus on things worrying you, you’ll simply live in the moment. Maybe listen to music or a podcast on your walk.
I know the overwhelming feelings of anxiety and depression well as I’m going through similar feelings at the moment and at times it feels like the walls are closing in and I’ll never get out of this… but practicing mindfulness etc helps and in time it’ll pass. You can reach out privately if you wish to talk further. Xx
@intellectualOak6586
Thankyou for listening and I'm sorry too that things are difficult for you. I feel like I have given up though. Nothing seems to work and I am in the same state everyday. I haven't had an appetite for two/three months and even find it hard to just eat. I've lost probably 1 half stone in the last couple of months. I can't talk to friends anymore because I just sound like a broken record and they really just don't know what to do. They have stopped calling because the don't know what to say and they have their own lives to get on with. I am now sitting on the sofa and thinking of trying to get through another day. I just want it to be night so I can sleep. The dread of getting up to face the nothingness is overwhelming. Everything seems so futile. I am totally crushed and trapped. I literally don't know how to summon the strength. I desperately need things to change.
@Magic8 Hi Magic 8. I total get where you are coming from. With antidepressants it can take around 8 weeks or more to work before the Dr either ups your dosage or changes to another antidepressant. When I’m going through depression for me mornings are the worst. Can hardly get out of bed. I guess that’s when our cortisol levels are high, I also walk everyday but I try to throw a little jog in there also to get my heart rate up and it helps with my depression. I then kind of speed walk and slow down to a regular walk. I hate to jog but I do it for a few minutes just to get my heart rate up. I’m also reading two books. Feeling Good and The 10 Best Ever Anxiety Management Techniques. They not only discuss coping skills but talk about the brain regarding anxiety and depression. This has helped me a lot and I just wanted to let you know my experience. I’m here if you need to chat anytime.
@CDK1972
Thankyou for listening. I am in a terrible state. One where I think everything is collapsing. I feel desperate. Nothing works. I'm frightened.
Don't kikl yourself you'll go to H E double 🏒
Also whatssup cousin!!!
It is so easy to end up in that loop. Has your psychiatrist given any tips about getting into some kind of group therapy? In the meantime I would use sources here. @Magic8
Please help. I am not coping very well
Dear Magic,
What you describe sounds familiar to me. I have clinical depression and PTSD. Here are just a few thoughts to help you.
1. keep coming here, and take part in the sharing circle. It is super important to get your thoughts out and the people in the sharing circles listen.
2. Have you tried meditating? A friend once told me that she read that meditating for 40 minutes a day actually changes your brain. Even if it doesn't feel like it's working, keep doing it. It doesn't have to be following anyone's 'how to meditate' guide either. You can pray. You can sit with your thoughts. You can just listen to your own breathing. You can do all those things in the same meditation session. Go to Youtube and look up mindfulness videos. Mindfulness is really wonderful.
3. drink lots of water and shower every day. It's just the way I think, but I look at water and showering as a way to wash off or wash out the negative chemicals that have built up in my body for the past 24 hours. I could be wrong, but I think that when we are depressed and anxious, our body releases chemicals onto our skin, and in our blood. Sometimes when I shower I tell myself that I mos def need to wash this day off me. Any person that bothered me that day or mistake I made, gets the ultimate scrubbing away.
Love and blessings to you.
@purpleTree4652
Thankyou for replying. I find it very hard to do anything constructive. Today I managed a 20 minute walk. Other days it might be more and some days I just can't manage it at all. I feel like I am in pain all of the time. I mean physically this depression has impacted me but its more than that. Its like a paralysed sort of feeling. My soul hurts. I feel absolutely desperate going along with each day like this. I want to give up because this is a living ***. I won't do anything to myself because I care about how this would impact other people and in truth I would be too scared. So I feel trapped. Oh God I want to feel better. I send out love and prayers for your health too. I pray for health and happiness
Sending lots of strength to you right now. Keep up with the walking. It can really help. It is all really tiring at points but it does get better. @Magic8
How were things today? Thinking of you. @Magic8
Hi magic, sorry to hear what you’re going through. You should be proud for reaching out and talking to us. Have you been on here before? This community is good for all support what you need or help with. You might know everyone but your know someone and they can help. Theres always someone to. Day or night. Do you think going back to the doctor will help you get another opinion. Another person? Have you asked if they got counselling around. Where are you from? Most counselling you pay for. Private you do but not always exspensive or there’s counselling what help those who need a free listener ear and there are places like that around. Depends what you find? I think going back to doctor and seeing them is best thing and get them to review your meds. Say you’re still not coping and need more and don’t get them to ignore you. Make them listen. Assertive. Also keep doing walks. I like walking to. Just going somewhere for a stroll or to shop helps. Do you like to buy anything when you shop? Your son maybe struggling to and both of you need to get right support for yourself. You can ask doctor to give you something to take away for your son to read. Anything what might help and get out. It’s important you both get out. He needs to as this is what’s causing it. Motivation can improve over time but you need the energy whatever that is to do it. Positivity here or a chat. Maybe you can ask your son to come here. Hope that helps
Also it’s definitely the depression causing it and maybe loneliness. I suffer with it and understand how can pull you down but please don’t suffer alone. You’re not alone. You got others who can be someone you like and maybe friend. I wanna ask, do you know what started this? Was it always like this? When did it start? How about son to
@Magic8
i don’t mean to minimize your pain whatsoever but I have found that having a routine helps. Things like going to school, having a job. I have found that unstructured time gets me depressed really quickly even though I typically rebel against routine anyway but I know it’s good for me. I think it is a very positive step that you have reached out to people on here who can understand what you are going through. Well meaning friends with no experience of this kind of thing just don’t understand and I know it can be so exhausting even being around them. I would so to take it one day, one hour at a time. Try not to dwell on things that are going wrong. Think about writing down a few things every day you did right - even though it may sound pathetic at first - things like making coffee, having a shower, going on your walks, can be truly heroic feats when you are not well. Finances can be a barrier but there are other resources out there. I think the fact that you reached out online here shows that you have a strong will to get well. Give yourself the credit for your strength, you’re up against a big heavy wave so be kind to yourself.
