Fast Hitting Depression - What Helps?

[Justmehere]

My PTSD symptoms usually involve lots of variations of anxiety and dissociation.

I have had s few rounds of depression that lasted 2-3 months.

I seem to be sliding pretty fast into another depression.

I wake up early and can't fall back asleep, I don't want to get out of bed, I get teary easily, I have loss of appetite, I don't want to excercise or do anything. I seriously am struggling keeping up with minimal work, school, and self care tasks.

Two weeks ago, I didn't feel this way at all.

But 3-4 weeks ago I did feel this way, and things were even worse then.

My therapist knows I'm struggling with this and told me to get moving, be active. I know a ton of general coping skills and many for anxiety.

I'm not so sure about depression. If it wasn't for my dog dragging me out the door at 6am, I dont know if I would have done anything today.

Does this strong of depression ever hit anyone else this fast? Or where they go in and out of a deep depressed funk?

Any tips to pull through the lack of motivation? I especially could use ideas to excercise again. I'm doing PT for an injury and my physical therapist noticed that for the first time I just wasn't doing my excercises. Usually she is trying to help me slow down. Not keep me motivated.

Options for supplements other than meds? (Last antidepressant I tried caused serotonin syndrome and it was almost fatal and traumatic. I wish I had the courage to try them again right now, but I don't.)

 

[hodge]

My depression is pretty constant and has been for more than 10 years. I have a hard time doing anything. I make a list for every day of things I want or have to get accomplished. I allow myself at least an hour after I wake up to drink tea and shake the sleep out of my system. Then I look at my list and literally have to throw myself out of my chair to go do something. I tell myself I would feel worse if I just kept sitting here and not doing anything. That usually helps me throw myself out of my chair. Especially when it's a caretaking thing, like changing the cats' water, scooping the litterboxes or feeding the rabbits and birds, watering the plants. I kind of guilt myself into doing it. Like, self, are you going to just sit here and neglect the animals and plants just because you feel like crap? Self says, uh uh, no, I'm not, I can't let this stop me from taking care of them. Maybe not the best way to go about it, but it works for me.

I hope this helps.

 

[Justmehere]

That's really helpful to read – my therapist told me to actually push into "caretaker" a bit to try to pull myself out of this a little.

It did really help to take care of my dog today, and to take care of a business client.

Thanks for the great suggestion!

 

[EveHarrington]

:hug:

Is there any possibility that the lower light levels are affecting you? Vitamin D supplements and sun light lamps can help.

 

[Deleted member 541]

@Justmehere Depression sucks the bottom of the well. Hate it. When I'm hit with it, I slide into the pit so fast and hard that I usually can't drag myself back to the top.

I do know that pushing yourself does help. Keeping yourself accountable for the things that you need to do on a daily basis does help. The depression will lift slowly, but keeping up with the things you have to do will become easier with time. My job helps me to stay a little above the depression, because I have to work now to support myself.

 

[Gs172003]

This sounds cliché but..exercise. Especially outside. The woods is a great way to get fresh air and feel better

 

[Justmehere]

Thanks all! You all helped me find some hope and courage, and some great things to try. I am dragging my butt out the door to go hike very soon. Gonna make it up this mountain...

I will write more when I get back home! Thank you again.