How Do You Help Yourself

[vtap]

For me, mindfulness and going for a run help to break the negative thought patterns that then lead to depression. I have also been trying positive affirmations at various times of the day to create positive thinking mental habits. Safe place generation is another technique I sometimes use but I need to practice more to experience its full benefits. The root of the problem is the negative beliefs/thinking programmed into us. So some work with the subconscious is important.

 

[GreenFrog2]

This thread has been such a relief for me - I have been feeling like I am the only one who feels these things. It is really comforting for me to read that so many of us have the same reactions, and understand the difficulties in doing anything when we get totally depressed.

My therapist said to me on Tuesday that if I stop making it to appointments with him ......... he will know that hospital is a must for me and will make that happen.

I wish that my doc understood that when I don;t make appointments to see her it means that everything is far from OK.

The root of the problem is the negative beliefs/thinking programmed into us.

This is so true, and I also use mindfulness to help me and the positive affirmations. But for now it is all to hard, which is scaring me so much.

I've had to "baby-sit" myself all day.

Yes! This is exactly what it feels like. But I'm to tired to do it effectively. There are so many "things" we can do to help ourselves, but what happens when I can;t do any of them anymore.

I just have nothing to give. Even when I come home, making a meal or turning on the TV requires more effort than I have. I am still going to work, but to make it through the day seems to take everything I have. What I can't figure out is how to get past that.

I also feel like this - just working takes everything. Really everything. I have to cook on days when I am not working so that I have things to microwave - otherwise I would only ever have toast. It can take me up to 3 hours to be able to heat up a meal and eat it. Sometimes when I get home all that I can do it lie on the couch / bed - I am not even thinking or anything.

The exhaustion is intense that I am to tired to think at all.

 

[SweetPeaandSunBird]

It can take me up to 3 hours to be able to heat up a meal and eat it. Sometimes when I get home all that I can do it lie on the couch / bed - I am not even thinking or anything.

The exhaustion is intense that I am to tired to think at all.

Yep. I too have that problem. Sometimes it seems ridiculous how getting myself to simply prepare something and eat it is such a huge task.

I try to choose instant foods (or low prep items) that at least have as many nutrients as possible: oatmeal, protein bars, etc. Here in the U.S. there are some good organic microwave dinners. I have to budget them in, though. During the warmer months I do better because I'm more apt to eat cold foods -- fruits, veggies, salads, etc. But the winter chill makes me avoid those, which means more food prep.

Come on warmer weather!

(((hugs and perserverance for all of us)))

 

[GreenFrog2]

Sweet Pea - isn't it crazy! I never imagined that it would be possible to be so exhausted and I know that I can only keep going because the alternative is to be homeless and I hate to think what I would do if that was to happen. It's crazy and I keep expecting that one day I quite simply won't be able to keep going....which terrifies me beyond belief.

As for pre-fab meals - I steam veggies as they keep OK for several days in the fridge, and I also do this with rice. Then I can just heat them in the microwave. But sometimes it can take me a couple of hours to be able to move to do this!

 

[piratelady]

I have to cook on days when I am not working so that I have things to microwave

I did manage to make it to the grocery store this week. I tried to buy healthy foods that don't require work to prepare. I got some mandarin oranges and some pre-washed/chopped lettuce. Then maybe I will be able to eat healthy foods without much work.

I did tell a friend of mine about my depression. She texts me to check on me. She doesn't know how bad it is though. It is almost surreal - like I can see myself plummeting into depression, I want to stop it, but can't seem to be able. Last week, I was desperate to see my therapist to help me. Now, I am questioning if therapy can help at all.

 

[InHell11]

I have this difficulty as well, knowing of things I could potentially do to feel a bit better and not being able to them. However, I try not to be too hard on myself about it. I consider what I 'have' done such as getting out of bed, having a cup of tea, going outside for some fresh air and realize even if it wasn't much it was what I was capable of that day.

Other then that there can be the issue of things that might help just depressing me more, like much of the time listening to music to get something else on my mind is helpful. However, sometimes I can't bear to listen to music because all I can feel is the lack of enjoyment I should be feeling. It can be a motivation killer when the things that would help just make you feel worse because you are well aware of the feelings you should have but aren't experiencing.

 

[Only 1 of me]

I have found that in my case motivation follows action. If I wait until I feel like doing something, I probably won't. If I do just a little , then it's usually easier for me to keep going. However, there is a time and a place for this, and a time for resting and gentleness. My psychiatrist has a theory that I have driven myself into depressive illness by overusing my will power, and it's temporarily absent as I recover.

What helps: mindfulness medititation, music, texting with friends, creativity, painting by numbers, distraction with mindless tv, forum!, gentle exercise, cuddles with my doggie, church, talking when it feels right, duvet days, nature, paddling in the sea, hot cups of tea. Also I have a giant pillow I can wrap up in, and I'm experimenting with weighted objects to soothe anxiety with some success.