Does your depression feel like a heavy weight draining your energy?

Just cry when you have to & try to stay busy. Having a routine has helped me some. Also found reading takes me somewhere else.
I suggest to the person who stopped reading to try it again......maybe different topics=fiction? And yes to exercise as another suggested. Keep a journal & see
how you have dealt with things or not= thoughts from your mind on to the paper, from writer to yourself as a reader. Kayr

misssuezq,
You made me cry and be grateful to you for caring and reminded me how intense and supportive everyone in this forum is Thanx ShelleyW

I think a help with depression is to be very careful about assigning blame. Especially whether or not you are the one to blame. If you find yourself saying things like, "Oh, I should have done that different" or "Oh, I'm so silly," etc. please increase your awareness of those simple words and quit it as soon as you can. Replace those negatives with something much better about you (which other people are probably thinking about you anyway). It might seem amazing right now, but you can get really good at it!

Kayraymat,
Your idea of keeping a journal is a great idea and tool. It really helps you advocate for yourself and show your doctors, in real time mode, what is happening. Of, course you have to hope your doctor will even take a peek at it. But it can be a double edged sword too.
I have kept a medical journal for 16 years, 3 years after my two recreational accidents turned my life upside down, inside out. I was desperately hoping to find a connection between all the pains. I recently needed to find dates of occurrences for a new specialist..it was utterly overwhelming to see how bad and how long I have been a member of the walking dead. But, I did find my answers. ShelleyW

Since I do not see that you have been been medically tested for depression, I presume you are talking about Symptoms such as sadness and disinterest in things like connecting with people and leaving the bed.

Now apparently you did Not have these symptoms before, they have crept up. Can you not sit With You and see when and why it might have started this way?
In other wards we all are born Interested and Curious in life around us: of people -- mother, and other folks, of objects, of noises and tastes, the list is long -- and keeps increasing as we become more able to get up and out.

Of course for many of us just getting the food and shelter takes up a lot of our time and may often leave us exhausted to sleep well and start anew next day. And hopefully a little time for self-made entertainment.

But what if I did not have to use my time for basic Needs? Am I doomed to feel lost and empty and what you allude to, "depressed"?

I believe whoever made us, has done a good enough job to have us Still able to live a life of PURPOSE & JOY.

It seems to have worked -- and works -- for me as I want to spend my time that will yield the most where I'd like to be (and not have to look back and ask: "but why did you not claim MORE out of Life when you could?"

I'll leave you here ... because often there is more Enjoyment to Figuring things out For Ourselves than having had read somewhere or told by someone.

Onboard my friend ... even as it shows me glimpses of dementia, reduced physical strength, and pains and aches to remind me my time is fleeting, all as an Octogenarian!

Shelly,
Thanks for the reply.
Yesterday I almost got rammed in the driver's seat by a
large white truck going 80 at least but it missed me by
a fraction, & made me think maybe I still have something
to do on this earth. I am laughing at myself for looking for "signs" but somehow it made a small dent in my depression
as did your kind reply. Look for signs 🙂

kayraymat,
😱🥵😱 HOW AWFUL!!
👍😳🥰‼️HOW WONDERFUL!!
I'm so glad you are safe and am in no way making light of your OMG! moment. I am glad you are looking for "signs ", that is your 😇's way of saying, maybe a bit too bluntly, with the truck, that you do have unfinished business in your life. Be sure you write about this, in detail, in your journal. Write in a neon color I SAW A SIGN‼️‼️Anything that makes even a teeny tiny dent or pause in depression is so precious. Thanx for letting my reply get listed on your "signs " list. A big truck vs you in a car is horrifying...25 years ago, I made a turn, I got the notion to look into the rear view mirror and a semi-truck took the turn wayyy too fast, my 😇 told me to drive up on the right shoulder and do it now. I had my mom with me, preparing for one of my daughters wedding. After we both stopped shaking, we kept going. The fun part was that my mom told everyone staying at our place about what happened and how I did such a great job. So, silly that still wanting my mom's approval , meant so much.
I think there is a song about "that's your sign", a country song, I think.
Your reply is on my "signs" list. My depression has gotten worse; hopefully due to a Hyperparathyroidism, which I finally just had my surgery and I'm recovering ok. So, your post made me smile and then cry. You had no way of knowing I had a truck moment too and that I needed kind words . I really do appreciate your time to help me get my small dent.🥰 ShelleyW

I wish i had the answer too! The emptiness is undescribable.. feeling nothing at all ... i did recognize ghat i hsd been over-eatingjust to feel something... but talking with my doctor about it would just lead to another prescription... i take Effexor right now, have tried going off several times, but did get to a lower dose. Yay. The medical establishment needs to change how they treat their patients, stop with the Bandaids and get to the causes so we can live fuller lives! I wish you the best on getting what you need!

misssuezq,
I just wanted to let you know that I am keeping your post, to me, you told me to give myself compassion that I have replied to others.
Each time I read it, I hope that your spirited positive words will somehow find a crack in my hard head, that will help me feel/heal even a tiny bit. I truly appreciate your strong words of encouragement. If there's times when you are not feeling good, you will know that YOU made a difference in my situation, and allow this to give you a bit of comfort. Thanx, ShelleyW

Shelley,
I’m so glad my words got through to you even if only a little. If you keep telling yourself you are worthwhile and make a difference in the lives of others maybe one day you will believe it. 😊