Living with clinical depression

[krayzie]

[ame="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpA2XB1r6B4"]Wham! Blue (Armed with Love) Live in China 1984 Remastered - YouTube[/ame]

[weederr33]

At the peak of my depression, I nearly jumped off my barracks. Luckily my friend's mom called my battalion and had someone stop me. It's hard to say it will get better, but I think it does. Finding coping mechanisms helps. I fully understand it get's worse during times of joy and celebration, not feeling wanted and all, but that isn't always the case. There's nothing wrong with asking for help. Even if it's as simple as being around someone.

[finch1750]

I hope you all are able to find some peace. I have not experienced this personally nor am I trained in the field but I did work in mental health for a few years as a patient advocate. Spent a lot of my time just listening to people. I personally struggled with being unable to do anything to help a lot of the time. I developed relationships with people and it hurts to see them struggle. Just know that you matter. To your families and your friends, and that most definitely includes us here on the forum.

[vintagemxer]

I've felt this before, and today was tuff due to situational struggles. I decided to go to the canyons, and drive my BRZ like never before. I was so focused on the driving, when I got home I realized all my sadness was replaced with happiness ")...

[JD001]

Originally Posted by vintagemxer

I've felt this before, and today was tuff due to situational struggles. I decided to go to the canyons, and drive my BRZ like never before. I was so focused on the driving, when I got home I realized all my sadness was replaced with happiness ")...

Keeping busy mind and body is the recipe that unlocks bad thoughts so that they escape!

A RWD coupe certainly keeps brain and body engaged when driven with conviction.

[Burrcold]

It's encouraging to see all of you open up like this. The stigma behind mental illness is precisely why people don't reach out for help, whether it be on a anonymous board like this or to family and doctors, please keep up speaking out.

[wbradley]

There is no shame in seeking help. It might be an excercise in humility, but there is nothing wrong with reaching out. It is part of recognizing there is an issue.

Just another reason I believe health care needs to be readily accessible to everyone in a developed country.

To combat feelings of isolation, try to get involved in group activities. Even if you dont previously know anybody in the group.

All good advice for myself as well as others.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by wbradley

There is no shame in seeking help. It might be an excercise in humility, but there is nothing wrong with reaching out. It is part of recognizing there is an issue.

Just another reason I believe health care needs to be readily accessible to everyone in a developed country.

To combat feelings of isolation, try to get involved in group activities. Even if you dont previously know anybody in the group.

All good advice for myself as well as others.

A very good point.


humfrz

[humfrz]

Hello to:

@Spacemane969 and @UFO.

I would suggest you join a "depression support group".

The closest I've come to "insanity" was being an alcoholic.

Now, I'm still an alcoholic, and always will be, but, I haven't drank or done drugs for over 20 years.

The main thing that has helped me in my recovery from alcoholism is AA.

Yes, AA, a "support group" ....... I suggest you give a support group a try.


humfrz

[Ultramaroon]

Originally Posted by wbradley

To combat feelings of isolation, try to get involved in group activities. Even if you dont previously know anybody in the group.

I'll also quote for emphasis. OP, this fits with my previous suggestion that doing for the sake of doing is helpful. Even the exercise of trying different new dumb things is a worthy struggle. It really is combat.

[Spacemane969]

Originally Posted by Ultramaroon

I'll also quote for emphasis. OP, this fits with my previous suggestion that doing for the sake of doing is helpful. Even the exercise of trying different new dumb things is a worthy struggle. It really is combat.

Thanks guys. Very rarely have I had an urge to socialize. I'm pretty sure social anxiety is playing a huge role. With that said I've been wanting to go to 86 meets/cars and coffee but 1.5 years later and I still haven't been able to get myself to go.

This disease sure does kick you in the ass. Everyone I've talked to about it has said the same thing about just getting up and doing, but maintaining that energy throughout the day seems impossible. Like this morning i got up and did some pretty decent cardio. Had a couple goals after that and because they didn't play out perfectly things just went all the way back down hill and I've been in bed for 5 hours or so now.

[humfrz]

Originally Posted by Spacemane969

.............I've been in bed for 5 hours or so now.

So, you took a "humfrz nap" ...... I do that every day ....... that is not a sign of depression ....... I don't think..??......is it .. ??

(just trying to lighten up a bit)

Maybe get into an argument with @Tcoat ...... that should take up a bunch of your time .......


humfrz

[Spacemane969]

Originally Posted by Burrcold

It's encouraging to see all of you open up like this. The stigma behind mental illness is precisely why people don't reach out for help, whether it be on a anonymous board like this or to family and doctors, please keep up speaking out.

I'm also really floored at the response here. It helps that this is such a great community but everyone has so much intelligent input as well. And above all there is no judgment. I've recently been fully comfortable with opening up about the disease but even then it's so hard to convey just how serious it is to those who have been fortunate enough to have never dealt with it. My mom and I are extremely close,and even speaking with her for days on end about it she still really struggles to understand it even years later.

[wbradley]

If you havent seen a professional recently maybe consider it. Considering how common clinical depression is, I am sure there are a lot of good treatments now. It is basically a mood/affect disorder. Sometimes meds help too, after all depression without a clear root cause or specific reason is pretty much neurochemical. I self medicate as mentioned earlier. This year has been disasterous for me at work and home is also tough. After abstaining for 2.5 years I have been back on the chronic every day. Somehow I have had successful years like this too, but for sure I am not the best I can be. I am functional, but a lot more introverted in the office, possibly out of fear someone will realize I'm half blitzed most of the time. And I'm not the only one like this at my office. Started vaping recently to not have to smoke and not have to worry regards to odour.
Anyway, sometimes people who feel isolated are best to do group therapy (think Bob Newhart show if youre old enough). The group will all have issues of their own, making you realize you're not alone in your struggles.
Tried a lot of stuff when I was younger. Still open to it now, though I have resisted marriage councelling.