Finding strength!
For years now I have not been feeling myself but it hasn't been until these last couple of years that I have been feeling even more low not sleeping properly and even when I do can't get out of bed even taking a shower is so difficult and last year has really been bad with no one to turn to just feel so alone and just wondered if there was anyone to share any tips on how to focus on getting better and stronger.
@adventurousLemon3933- welcome to 7 cups looking for support in dealing with depression. There are self-help guides listed under "my path" then self-help guides. There is one for depression. Also have you considered reaching out to a listener for a 1:1 chat. You are able to specify depression as the area seeking support. I wish you the best in your journey. You took an important step in reaching out for help.
@adventurousLemon3933
Welcome! I'm really sorry to hear you've been going through this but wanted to say I'm glad you decided to come here and open up; it's not easy sharing ever and it takes a lot of courage and strength. There are self-help guides under the my path tab for different topics such as lonliness and depression and many others) as was already mentioned that might be something you could take a look at if you want to. Also you might consider doing some one on one chats with listeners here. If you don't want to ask Noni, you can select the option to view listeners and select one that you feel comfortable with to send a chat request. I'm a listener and would welcome your request if you want to reach out. But if not that's ok too. Please know that you're not alone and even if you feel that you are, you can reach out anytime to a listener here and have someone to talk to about what's going on.
It's difficult to give tips from the specifics of my own experience. Coping mechanisms can be individualised and mine might be unhelpful, but I wanted to respond to you because I am also dealing with insomnia and hygiene as a result of my own depression. I've had to turn to medication to restabilize my sleep cycle. I've had to ask people to message with gentle reminders to shower. I've had to do video calls to prove that I'm eating, or I've just had silent calls or tearful calls. Walking aimlessly through the park or along the sidewalks to nowhere. Essentially forcing myself and it is quite painful. The most helpful thing was turning to therapy, because although I've had two persons who would check in via phone to get me to do these things, therapy has been the place where I can reveal some things I would never have said aloud. It's ongoing . Sometimes it feels like it's not working. Most days are still painful, unproductive and I'm absent-minded, but there has to be something after all this.
