Long-term depression

@parus I'm very sorry to hear that.
Does it have something to do with Christmas time?

@parus

Yes, I believe you once said to "befriend" depression - we can learn from both the good and not-so-good days. Praying that your mood lifts and that you feel better.

Teresa

The mood thing comes and goes-the infinite see-saw called adaptation mixed with mostly resilience as the body does keep score. Mind and body are connected.
@theotherone Christmas is one of my favorite times of the year. Endeavoring to replace the distortions of others with my own new and pleasant memories. Money never has purchased happiness and may provide some with a temporary sense of thus.

I'm so sorry for your loss @french.I hope you continue getting the support that helps you.Im so glad we have Connect for our support to.

Before I got on the right medication (MAOI) I tried the helping others will make you feel better program. It made my symptoms worse. Getting on the right meds and maybe home health coming to your house until your meds kick in may help. My motivation each day is that I can't quit until I empty my four storage units, donate what I'm not keeping, then finally decorating my apartment like I see it in my head. I can't leave it to my cousin to go through the storage units. That,s asking too much so I have to get it done. I pay a local mover to bring me boxes to go through and to take away the donations. They give me a greatly reduced rate because I suggested they use my job as filler when they have a couple hours between other jobs. It will take longer to empty the storage units but keeps me from feeling overwhelmed by a bunch of boxes to get my wheelchair around. If your environment is causing you stress getting help to fix that will help you feel better too. I hope something I've said helps a little.

@anniep
I agree. Sometimes you have to say no to protect yourself and your health. It's hard to do. I struggled with it for many years. I wish you the ability to not let yourself be taken advantage of. I also wish you a strong support system to take up where you aren't getting the backing.

Hello, @pearlbaby7 - welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. I agree that not letting yourself be taken advantage of is important.

It sounds from your posts like you may have had some experiences with needing to say no to protect yourself and your health, however hard to do. Wondering if you would share more about those, if you feel comfortable?

@theotherone - wanted to see how you are doing these days? Did you end up finding a new psychiatrist?

@lisalucier
I've always been the responsible type. If I see something that needs to be done I do it. People would ask me to do things because they knew I'd get it done.
I think I always said yes because I wanted people to like me. Also, embarrassing as it is to admit, there were times I thought I could do a better job than anyone else.
Before I found an antidepressant that gave me some relief I was on a rollercoaster that was going deeper and deeper and staying down there longer and longer.
Always saying yes resulted in being overcommitted and overwhelmed. I wasn't doing a good job with my commitments and was missing timeframes I'd agreed to. The guilt this created weighed me down even more.
Getting on meds that gave me some relief also gave me the opportunity to realize I had to pick and choose what I said yes to. I had taken an assertiveness class where I was told I didn't have to give a reason for saying no and if I got push back just keep repeating myself.
As I started saying, "I can't right now but thank you for thinking of me", I did get some unhappy people pushing back. It was hard for me to not cave and say yes but I knew I'd be in bad shape if I did. So I would repeat myself. There were a few times I had to follow up with, "Have a good day!" and hang up. The more often I did it the easier it got. If I was leaning toward saying yes when I didn't really want to (we all have those days we aren't as strong) I would tell them I'd call them back after I looked at what was on my plate. That gave me time to talk to myself and get some conviction back.
This didn't happen overnight. It was a battle I fought and sometimes still do. I've learned that I have to protect myself because no one can do that better.

Thank you for sharing Lisa!
I have allowed myself to be taken advantage of as long as I can remember.
I've been trying to change this for the last few months. I have noticed that most of those test me and are upset with me.
It does feel good at the end of the day tho. My dad ysed ti tell me, "No" is a complete sentence.
I've been told to practice, practice and practice some more.
I'd live to hear more from you regarding your feelings and successes.
Thanks again, Kelli

@lisalucier Thanks for remembering me although I haven't posted anything for long time.
I don't have new psychiatrist yet. I don't know how to explain that by words but I somehow I have a problem to look for a new one. I feel disappointed by attitude of this one and somehow it is hard for me to approach any. I haven't visited my current psychiatrist since February. I just asked her to send me prescription by post. It is always ok with her, she never even asks of how I'm doing. I really feel disappointed, I don't see any real interest there and I don't have strength to look for a new one.
Actually, I'm out of Fevarin (Fluvoxamine) for more that one week already. I'm taking it since 2009. I think I experience withdrawal symptoms. I feel nervous, agitated, my sleep is very bad and even when I manage to sleep I have bad dreams, very vivid and total nonsense. I also experience dizziness and feeling like I'm losing the balance. My doctor is on holiday so I will call her on Monday to send me the prescription.