When you've let yourself become so depressed that you have a hard time getting back out

[frogthroat]

Hello all:
I was recently hospitalized for a week at the beginning of September after I was overwhelmed by doing trauma therapy. I was put on Cymbalta but I weened off of it after I was realeased because it made me feel angry and restless. I'm still doing trauma therapy but I recently quit drinking and now I feel like I'm back to square one.
As an example, I took my curtains down to put weather plastic over them and one doesn't want to go back up and now I'm crying. How stupid is that? Literally everything is that frustrating to me right now.
I'm in a fragile place. I was wondering how some of you managed through it and maintained positivity. I feel completely incompetent. I don't plan on ever taking meds.
I made myself pluck my eyebrows, do my hair, do my nails, and put makeup on for the first time in a few months and I feel a little better but like I said the slightest stress makes me crumple like a paper bag.

 

[somerandomguy]

So first of all, you didn't "let" yourself get depressed. You ARE depressed. Depression is kind of a logical response by your brain to everything you've been going through lately, don't you think?

One sign of depression is being easily frustrated. When I was depressed, having a curtain that wouldn't go back up would have sent me into a screaming rage. It made you cry. Not so different responses.

It's pretty positive that you're aware that you're depressed and that your responses are a result of being depressed. It's also extremely positive that you're still doing nice things for yourself like put on makeup. That's really great!

Can you keep doing nice things for yourself? You are in a fragile place right now, especially as you try to get a handle on your drinking. Can you do a couple of nice things for yourself every day? Just because you can. No pressure, just something nice.

I should have mentioned how I got out of my own depression - trauma work with my therapist. That's all. Not antidepressants or any other drugs. Just a ton of therapy, CBT and CPT, and work around my trauma. My depression was a reaction to my trauma, so once I started really working on it, I got better. I can't say if it will be the same for you or not, but keep at it. It may help.

 

[frogthroat]

Can you do a couple of nice things for yourself every day? Just because you can. No pressure, just something nice.

Yeah, I can. I'm really focused on getting better. I'm actually finally aware of how deeply depressed I am and it scares me. To get to a point where you don't even know what you like to do anymore and being demoralized by the slightest everyday occurrence is a frightening place to be especially when you're trying to compartmentalize and let go of the past at the same time.

I should have mentioned how I got out of my own depression - trauma work with my therapist. That's all. Not antidepressants or any other drugs. Just a ton of therapy, CBT and CPT, and work around my trauma.

That made me so much better reading that. It's so easy to get for me to get hopeless right now. I feel so relieved that I have your experience as a frame of reference. I'm glad you were able to get through it without meds. I get impatient with myself. I might actually be doing better then I think.

 

[KimmyO]

Oh wow! Congrats to you, quitting the drinking! It is tough but you will be so much better for it! Stay strong! I agree w you on the meds! I use the natural means if possible. I found taking magnesium (magnesium malate is best) and ginseng helped me a lot w both, they calm the mind body and spirit and get rid of sticky negative thoughts the loop around in the mind. Also, getting outside, laying on the grass to get grounded and breathe in fresh air, looking at stars, these things help a lot too. Our environment helps or hurts our mental health and physical health. Speak aloud positive truths to counteract the negative thoughts. Also, Volunteering helps us get our of our own misery to help others, which helps us. Call those negatives a lie and correct them to yourself. Protect yourself from those who put that added stress on you and go out and do new challenging things. You are obviously an overcomer, hang in there, step by step, it will get easier if you continue to make the right choices. I am proud of you!

 

[EveHarrington]

(magnesium malate is best)

Actually ionic magnesium is the best because it’s the exact form that’s in our bodies and doesn’t need to be broken down. Any magnesium compound needs to be broken down and as such isn’t as effective.

 

[frogthroat]

Our environment helps or hurts our mental health and physical health. Speak aloud positive truths to counteract the negative thoughts. Also, Volunteering helps us get our of our own misery to help others, which helps us. Call those negatives a lie and correct them to yourself. Protect yourself from those who put that added stress on you and go out and do new challenging things.

I totally agree with all of this. I'm not quite to the point where I'm ready to volunteer or really challenge myself yet but I'm getting there. It will be 3 weeks Sunday since I've had a drink and I'm already noticing that as time passes it's easier for me to emotionally regulate. I never want to go through that withdrawal despair again so just thinking of that will keep me sober for sure.