Depression

[fliptheswitch]

Wasn't sure whether to post this or not... but here goes.

I'm feeling seriously down at the moment. Nothing in particular, lots of things. Just life, really.
I've been feeling stressed recently, I'd say the past week. I just can't seem to shake it, and seem to be losing motivation to do anything or see anyone.

I haven't really spoken to anyone in the past couple of days, and feel a bit like I'm slowly shutting myself off.
My parents have just been to pick the kids up, and although I was supposed to be seeing friends, I just can't face anyone with this miserable face.
I can't find anything to feel even remotely happy about at the moment. There's the impending Christmas, which I am seriously worried about, my sister (obviously) and I'm also supposed to be moving house soon, but I haven't even started to pack. I start a new job at the end of this month, so that's one positive, but the way I feel right now, I could just go to bed and hibernate for a few months.
Does anyone else get like this, this time of year? :-(

[boxtops]

Well done, flip - and please don't fret about the title of your thread - it brought some good ABers to rally round you, we do understand. I hope you've enjoyed your walk!

[sherrardk]

Hi Flip, sorry to hear that you are feeling so down. I am feeling very similar and was thinking of posting on here about it. (I've got a terrible sense of doom and gloom at the moment.)

Hope your walk has cheered you up some (always on here or FB in the evenings if you want a chat - FB doesn't show me as being on line because I use an ipad, x).

[The Builder]

Flippers, I'm only sticking my oar in here because all that you say is only too familiar to me. I've lived with clinical depression for most of my adult life. You wouldn't know it, as I'm largely a jolly, outgoing person, but from time to time, I do find myself in a black hole, groping around looking for the light switch!
In my case, I'm stuck with it. It's diagnosed, but I've learnt many ways to work around it. Now, having said all that, there is nothing to say that you have the same. The other posters have come up with some wonderful, and very helpful suggestions for you. The chances are that they're right. Reactive depression is quite possibly what you're feeling now. Reaction to a whole number of things blighting your life. In the great majority of cases it passes almost as quickly as it arrives.

To get to the real reason for my post; clinical depression is often defined (very roughly) as a state of mind that persists for a period of two weeks of more. The very big danger here, is that IF you still feel the same after a few weeks, then what happens is, guilt sets in. You then feel "obliged" to "pull yourself together".
I'm sure that, with exercise, involvement with others, socialising etc etc you'll turn around. I'm certainly being no prophet of doom here, Flippers. I just want to flag up that IF this does persist .......... then you'll know not to fall into the "guilt" trap, but to have a simple chat with your GP.
Good luck.

[cathfromsaron]

ditto above answers.

have you been to your GP because it may be a physical thing that medication can help; obviously you have a lot on and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy can help how you plan to cope with your workload and emotions.

many health authorities run Expert Patient Programmes and these include information on when and how depression can occur and offer a range of possible solutions.

first of all, though, look after yourself and rest whilst you can!

[what..the?]

i've been feeling llke you feel for months now so I wish I had only had it for a week like you :) I have so many problems on my plate sometimes you just can't see a way out and it piles onto you, and suffocates you. I have to say I'm not the crying type but things at the moment have caused the odd out break. I have not found a solution but to plod on and hope things get better. Sorry I can't offer advice or a solution but wanted you to know your not alone.

[boxtops]

I still don't think you're depressed - but you know you are down, and the advice about keeping an eye on it, and doing positive stuff, is hugely sensible. You have every reason to have the blues with all that's happening - but certainly, making sure you have a balanced nourishing diet will help. I know, it's the last thing you can be bothered with - but if you can't muster interest in cooking, buy a few ready dinners, pasta's good stuff for stamina. It does make a difference.

[pastafreak]

I have to disagree with boxy about pasta(the food)...in spite of having named myself after it. ;-0
I used to live on pasta,white rice and rubbish bread....again-I have to say that giving it up has had a positive effect on my overall mood. We are talking about months here.
But-preaching aside...I really think you have to be good to yourself...whether with good fresh food,some girlie treats...or anything that will make you smile.

And I hope you really are not on 500cal a day,like red said......

[karenmac60]

Flip, get out for a good windswept walk - near the sea or in the countryside. Walk someone's dog for an hour or two. Blow all the cobwebs away. Then get yourself a hearty meal - some homemade soup or something tasty and filling, maybe something your mum used to make you. After that, have a bath and relax. Spend time with friends too, try and switch off and forget your problems for a few hours. None of this will make your problems go away, but it may make you feel a bit better and strong enough to face them head on. I always find that doing something like painting a wall is therapeutic too - I put on some feel good music and stop thinking for a while. It's not that you need to hide from your problems, but you do need to take a break from them every so often. And talk on here whenever you feel the need. Take care of yourself, don't be scared to ask for help and stop worrying about everyone else all the time - you'll be no good to them if you fall apart, so take some time out for yourself and keep strong x

[fliptheswitch]

Thanks for all the lovely replies. I have just got back from a nice long walk... which turned into a bit of a run when it started raining.
I think today everything's just come to a head, and got on top of me. I guess I've been bottling things up these past few weeks, and today just felt like I was going into meltdown.

It's really nice to read through all these though, and know that I'm not alone.
Sometimes you feel like the only person with problems, and that the world is against you... but that's obviously not the case.
Thanks to all. It really is appreciated :-)

Oh, and Erin... that made me laugh! :D xx

[sherrardk]

That was one long walk! Hope you are feeling a bit better now, x.

[boxtops]

well done flip - one step at a time - keep coming back here if you feel the need ♥

[anneasquith]

well, get into the pj^s, i suggest chocolate and maybe wine,turn the phone off, have a bubble, maybe a nice long bath ( dont forget the candles ) some nice music, have a wee dance around the lounge, you are not alone, reactive depression is very common and our brains get tired just as our bodies do. take care anne ,

[fliptheswitch]

Lol Sherr :-) I didn't walk that whole time. I've been in the bath! :D
Thanks for the offer of chatting on FB... that was really nice of you. x

Box, Thankyou :-)

Anne, the pj's are on and I'm cosied up in bed. I decided not to go anywhere tonight, as I don't think I'd be much company. Also, it's cold and wet and all I want is my bed. Not sure about having a little dance around the lounge... I've got two left feet. lol.
Thankyou though, that did make me chuckle.. :-)

[granny grump]

Oh flip I know exactly how you feel - and my heart goes out to you. The feeling of not wanting to do anything is so debilitating. One of my ways out was to give myself a task each day - no matter how small like posting a letter or tidying a draw perhaps in you case packing a drawer and once that is done you can stop or carry on depending how you feel. You set the task and you get a sense of acheivement when it is completed. That good feeling grows - it helped me.

Take care yourself - you are among friends - no answer bank in my day
xx :)

[Jade1986]

This is some info I gave to someone else on another site.

How often are you depressed? Have you seen a psycologist? Depending on how often you're depressed and how severe it is, there's certain steps to take to help alleviate you problem.

If you're depressed only sometimes because you're having a bad day, or something happened to you, the best thing to do is focus on the positive aspects of life, maybe go out, volunteer and help the less fortunate, do things that you enjoy doing, or call a friend or family member that you can trust.

If it's constant severe depression that you have, I would say try to do the things I mentioned above and seek out a psychiatrist/psychologist as well. Some people have constant depression due to a chemical imbalance or a traumatic or traumatic events that have happened over the years in their life. When depression becomes too much for you to bare and it tends to affect your life, it's time to get professional help. Good luck

Here's a forum that may possibly help with the situation.

http://www.depressionforums.org/

[anneasquith]

i think its an orthopaedic surgeon you need flip, to get those feet sorted !

[sherrardk]

Hi Flip - I don't work so I only see people at school pickup (himself works Monday to Saturday, often till 8 or 9 at night). I love my children to bits but I do miss grown up company as I only see people at playgroup on a Friday. Sometimes it seems like the walls are closing in. Driving to town today I was looking at the people walking by and I was thinking 'is she/he happy?'. Hope you feel more positive soon, x

[DTCwordfan]

If I was 100 miles closer to where you are Flip, I would volunteer to come around and make sure you were properly fed....... Mid Cornwall to your base is just a tad too far...

[fliptheswitch]

Ah, granny. That was a lovely reply :-) I have done absolutely nothing for the majority of the week, whilst the kids have been at school. Just no motivation whatsoever. I've started writing a list, of all the things I need to get done before I start my new job... just need a kick up the bottom to get moving. Thanks very much.. xx

Thanks Jade, that was really helpful and I will be sure to take a look at the link. It definitely isn't an every day thing, just on and off really. Like I said, I just think these past few weeks have got on top of me. Need to get a grip really.

Anne... LOL!! :D