How I manage/cope with my depression (that's wrapped up with anxiety inside a ball of PTSD)
Hey all,
I've often thought, especially lately, on the legacy of work that I was with by the people who brought me into this world. I'd say "parents" but you know 😅
So yeah, having unwrapped the puzzle that was and is PTSD, I've intimately come to know its main components--anxiety and depression. Pete Walker, in his book on Complex PTSD, said this (my paraphrasing) of the two:
"Anxiety is the death of feeling safe, while depression is the death of feeling alive."
Never before had I read such a succinct and accurate definition of that two-sided coin.
So, fast-forward from 2017 to the present and here's what I think I've learned for myself:
1. I will always have to manage PTSD and the associated anxiety and depression to some extent.
2. I *have* to prioritize a regular sleep pattern for myself for me to stay on top of the depression side, in particular.
3. My meds *do* help me, but the legwork is really left up to me to do the self-maintenance everyday for my continued care.
4. Surrounding myself with positivity (both in people and things) is vital.
5. I have to make time for the passions in my life (particularly people and music) for me to *feel* alive on a daily basis
6. Mindfulness keeps me aware of the waves and meditation helps me to stay on top of them.
7. I can still function and be myself, even if I don't *feel* completely at ease on the given day.
8. I *have* to give the compassion towards myself (self-compassion) that I was denied as a child, not just to survive but to thrive.
9. It's okay for me to not be okay.
10. I recognize that the best I can do on a given day is subject to change.
Not sure if I entirely meant to come up with 10 things, haha, but just off the top of my head those came to mind in the years' journey of therapy and self-discovery that I have undergone. For better and for worse, I have gotten to know myself on such a deep level, and oddly enough, I'm not sure that would have happened if I hadn't had the backstory that I did.
Anyway, for as much as this post said, I'm far from perfect in my maintenance of depression. But I'll be glad if any of you got anything out of it and my experiences.
What have you all done (or what do you do) to manage your depression?
@sereneSunset26
Thank you for sharing this. Posting this can really help someone out there. It is ironic that a lot of self discoveries begin only when we suffer or face an adversity. I'm so glad you have found these tools on your journey and apply them. Best of luck to you.
Love and light <3
@tinyDream
And thank you so much for your reply!
You're right; there absolutely is an irony in that often times it's only after the struggle that we learn what we need.
Which definitely reminds me of something a teacher once told me that has stayed with me ever since:
"Experience is something that we get usually right after we need it."
I often think back on these words, and I have to say, Mr. Zihuatanejo was right, 100%.
@sereneSunset26 Talking to people helps me
@comfortableNight4463
For real though!! Surrounding ourselves with positive people, influences, and environments I feel is so important towards our overall mental health. Both day-to-day and in the long-term as well.
@sereneSunset26
You are a very strong person and I'm so thankful that people like you are here. I know how hard depression, PTSD, and anxiety can be and I'm thankful to see that I'm not alone in feeling the way I do sometimes. I can't wait for others to read this and feel understood too.<3<3
@YourSupportiveTransDad
Thank you so much for your compliment!! Because I'll be honest, there are plenty of times where I don't feel strong. While I am not bipolar by any stretch, the peaks and valleys of PTSD can sometimes make me wonder. 😅
But yeah, as you know, you are most definitely not alone here. And I feel that knowing that (for all of us) can feel very reassuring while we navigate through our lives with our struggles.