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Terra Alta

(5,158 posts)
Fri Jan 10, 2014, 07:30 PM Jan 2014

Been a while since I've posted here, but I've just been so down lately

And hoping y'all can help me.

I've been having really bad bouts of depression off and on for the past two months. I thought it was just the holiday blues(and working retail doesn't help with that) but it's still going on and today has been a really rough day.. came home from work and all I wanted to do is sleep. The biggest thing on my mind right now is my best friend, who is nearly twice my age an having some health issues right now.. just been so worried about her today.

Also, my family isn't very supportive of my illness(just telling me to snap out of it, as if that's possible) and I just don't know where to turn. Sometimes I'll cry myself to sleep thinking people just don't care. I'm not as bad now as I was in 2007(when I had to be hospitalized twice) but I am pretty down. I could use any advice or encouragement y'all can give now.. thank you!

17 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Been a while since I've posted here, but I've just been so down lately (Original Post) Terra Alta Jan 2014 OP
See a doctor is my best advice Tobin S. Jan 2014 #1
Thanks for the advice. Terra Alta Jan 2014 #2
For you TexasBushwhacker Jan 2014 #3
That cartoon is awesome LiberalEsto Jan 2014 #5
I wish they wouldn't tell you to "snap out of it" LiberalEsto Jan 2014 #4
I agree with everything you said...depression can be because of various factors angstlessk Jan 2014 #7
I've been using a Sun Box for a number of years, and it's great LiberalEsto Jan 2014 #8
families get frustrated. mopinko Jan 2014 #6
When I was in the bathroom cutting my wrists when 13... angstlessk Jan 2014 #9
yes, needing attention is not bad. Whisp Jan 2014 #14
Not having family support is so devistating...my mother was a very hard woman angstlessk Jan 2014 #10
You are right. They just don't know how. TexasBushwhacker Jan 2014 #11
Sorry to hear where you are Tera... Locut0s Jan 2014 #12
I'm so sorry, Terra. Whisp Jan 2014 #13
thanks and an update Terra Alta Mar 2014 #15
glad to hear fizzgig Mar 2014 #16
Well, today has not really been a good day. Terra Alta Mar 2014 #17

Terra Alta

(5,158 posts)
2. Thanks for the advice.
Fri Jan 10, 2014, 07:39 PM
Jan 2014

I may be going to my primary care doctor next week.. maybe he can adjust my meds or something. Thing is, I'm not suicidal, or even thinking about harming myself, I just feel very sad.

TexasBushwhacker

(20,711 posts)
3. For you
Fri Jan 10, 2014, 08:28 PM
Jan 2014


I also have family who can be quite critical at times. Oddly enough, one of them is a counselor and has depression herself. They say they want to help, but they do more harm than good.
 

LiberalEsto

(22,845 posts)
4. I wish they wouldn't tell you to "snap out of it"
Fri Jan 10, 2014, 08:28 PM
Jan 2014

because depressed people can't just do that. We don't choose to be depressed, just like people don't choose to get a broken leg or a case of bronchitis.

Until you can get to the doctor, can you get some more sunlight, go outside at break time, turn on an extra light or two at home? The lack of sunlight at this time of year definitely affects moods, hitting some people harder than others.

And if you work retail, you probably work under fluorescent lights, which aren't that great. I always used to get headaches and feel lousy when I worked at places lit by fluorescents.
Maybe you can get a natural daylight light bulb and put in a lamp next to where you spent most of your time at home.

You've got us, and we DO care. Keep us posted on how you are doing.


angstlessk

(11,862 posts)
7. I agree with everything you said...depression can be because of various factors
Fri Jan 10, 2014, 09:37 PM
Jan 2014

I have this lamp..and I will tell you sometimes I am really happy to the point of being excited...

Not sure if it is the lamp.....but not sure it ain't...I have no interest in the lamp....other than I use it

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003DRBOJ8/ref=oh_details_o06_s01_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

LiberalEsto

(22,845 posts)
8. I've been using a Sun Box for a number of years, and it's great
Fri Jan 10, 2014, 09:46 PM
Jan 2014

but it's kind of expensive, over $200. There are other, much less expensive products advertised online that claim to provide 10,000 lux of light, but I have no idea how well they work.

mopinko

(71,911 posts)
6. families get frustrated.
Fri Jan 10, 2014, 09:27 PM
Jan 2014

i suspect that the truth of the matter is that they care very much, and wish they had a clue what to do.
they just want you back.

i have to echo tobin re docs. you don't have to be desperate to take meds. you deserve better care than you are getting now (none). try to give it to yourself.

((((((((hugs)))))))))

angstlessk

(11,862 posts)
9. When I was in the bathroom cutting my wrists when 13...
Fri Jan 10, 2014, 09:55 PM
Jan 2014

My mother said...leave her alone..she just wants ATTENTION...

Why is wanting ATTENTION BAD?????? Why does one have to cut ones wrist to get ATTENTION????

And why does a mother allow her child to bleed in a bathroom and not give said child ATTENTION?

I did the wrong thing... cutting across the wrist rather than down my arm...so I lived...but had I died...it would have been for the want of ATTENTION

 

Whisp

(24,096 posts)
14. yes, needing attention is not bad.
Tue Jan 21, 2014, 09:53 PM
Jan 2014

I don't know who comes up with these old timey stupid sayings, but they are stupid.

Just like you are going to spoil that baby if you hug/carry/hold him/her too much.

what utter nonsense. that baby needs to know the world is kind and safe as much as it can, that is not 'spoiling'.

I could tear my hair out and eat it in frustration at some of these ideas.

angstlessk

(11,862 posts)
10. Not having family support is so devistating...my mother was a very hard woman
Fri Jan 10, 2014, 10:05 PM
Jan 2014

but I know it is because of the way she was brought up...and she knew no better...

People care..and your family cares..they just don't know how to...

I once drove to the psychiatric clinic (cause I was paranoid)...and two men got out of a car and started walking toward my car as I sat outside the clinic..and before they got beside my car...I quickly drove away...THANK GOD they were not in front of my car...cause I swear I would have driven over them....

I look back and laugh..but it was not funny at the time.....it was very scary.

TexasBushwhacker

(20,711 posts)
11. You are right. They just don't know how.
Sat Jan 11, 2014, 12:42 PM
Jan 2014

The thing is, I just have to ask them, when they are so insensitive, "how does this help?". Many times people will use the defense of "Well it's the truth". But my question is, "How did it help?". Telling someone, "Get your lazy ass out of bed" is a lot different from "How can I help you to get up and get going?". When I was staying with my brother and SIL temporarily, I knew that if I wasn't up and downstairs making my breakfast by 6:30, he would come and get me up. That was helpful. There were several things that I had to do, instead of staying in bed in the fetal position, and that was a good thing. Unfortunately, they didn't like having me around, ill, well or anything in between. Basically, it pissed them off that I was so ill. I had to move out and I've relapsed.

Locut0s

(6,154 posts)
12. Sorry to hear where you are Tera...
Sun Jan 12, 2014, 01:45 AM
Jan 2014

I agree with Tobin see your Dr and see what they can do. I'd also highly recommend seeing a counsellor or psychologist. These are ultimately complex long standing issues that usually have deep roots and take years to fully come to terms with.

As to your family I'm sorry to hear that. That can indeed make things so much harder. But let me give my own 2 cents of the mater. Family usually can only be so helpful in these matters even at the best of times. The reason is ironically they are too close to the issue and have their own emotional vested interests. They can't step back from the issue even if they wanted to and give you the kind of support you may truly need. My own family is very supportive, kind, and well meaning. So you would think that in my case things would be easier. Not necessarily. In my case, as in many, the family is too closely tied up with my emotional issues. As supportive and loving as they are they are also unwittingly a large source of my problems. I don't know if this is true for you, it may not be the case at all, but I think the idea that family is "too close to the issue to help" rings true for many of us here.

Sorry I can't offer anything specific. I've been going through so much horrible shit myself these past few months I'm not in a good place myself.

The community is always here for you though!

 

Whisp

(24,096 posts)
13. I'm so sorry, Terra.
Tue Jan 21, 2014, 09:48 PM
Jan 2014

you are not alone, but I know it does feel like that sometimes.

What I found is people do want to reach out and help, but confronting other's deep sadness is a risk to them because people would rather be like water spiders and run across the surface and not look any deeper, it's safer that way, or so we've been told and trained. We are trained actors most of our lives because we think no one will like the real us. And that is not true, but it sure feels like it sometime.

Terra Alta

(5,158 posts)
15. thanks and an update
Tue Mar 18, 2014, 06:43 PM
Mar 2014

Just want to thank everyone for their kind words.. I really appreciate it!

I am doing much better now. I think with the time changing and it staying daylight later is helping a lot. Also, my best friend went in for her stress test last week, and everything came back normal, I am so relieved. I'm not crying myself to sleep as much anymore but I do still have my moments. I think as the days get longer and the weather improves I will get better, it's just been a really rough winter and it has really affected my mood.

fizzgig

(24,146 posts)
16. glad to hear
Wed Mar 19, 2014, 02:08 AM
Mar 2014

this winter has been awful, the coming of spring is making a big difference for me.

i hope your mood continues to improve

Terra Alta

(5,158 posts)
17. Well, today has not really been a good day.
Sat Mar 22, 2014, 07:40 PM
Mar 2014

Started out alright, but went downhill once I got back from lunch. It isn't good when you have anxiety issues and have to work with the public. Add an unsympathetic supervisor and it's hell on earth. I'm so glad I'm off tomorrow.

Also, they're calling for more wintry weather next week. I was hoping that was over. This bad weather is going to kill my mood; I'm ready for nice, warm weather I can relax in, not this "wintry mix" crap.

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