artsy6013, thank you for the compliment. It did and still does take some changes in my life to do all these things. I also have to budget my time. To add more things, something had to give ( I really don't watch TV anymore). I will also admit, I was a little nervous at first...putting myself out there to meet strangers. What I found was there a lot of people out there who feel the same.
I was not always like this (a phrase many of us have probably said). I used to be a workaholic. Throughout my life I realized that it was the one thing I was good at doing. If I did a good job, I would get praise and promoted. It was like a hamster pressing a lever to get a food pellet. The more I worked, the more rewards I received.
Actually one of the hardest things during this time, was building a work/life balance. Part of me misses the workaholic side of my life. It is as if I am no longer carrying my load at work. On occasion, I have pick and choose what I have time for.
Going back to the bigger question, why am I doing all this? I feel better, but I need to find my passion and purpose which will take a lot of thought and effort.
i think my depression is just normal. my MS depresses me, and can also cause depression. my early binge/purge dysmorphic attitude towards my life, cutting, like that, were all mixed together. thank goodness i got older & stopped doing things like that. no more illegal drugs, coming down was extremely depressing.
any antidepressants i was ever given all made my MS symptoms worse, so stopped them all, slowly weaned myself off.
best cure for depression? coffee, walking or scooting (as i can't really walk safely outside anymore) in fresh air, reading or rereading a book you love, watching a movie or tv show you love, dancing if you can, get your blood going... just moving around might help. don't forget the coffee. a legal drug. with milk, you can taste the coffee better with some milk. best of luck & a happy, healthy new year, oh, ice cream. eat some ice cream, your favorite flavor.
Hi Shelia, it's an interesting question. My form of depression is supposedly temporary in nature. However, no one has ever used the word "cure" in relation to my treatment. At worst, my PHQ-9 was in the twenties and now down under 5. I am monitored by a social worker with monthly check-ins.
I would have to disagree with those who say medications are not helpful. They are, but reactions vary. I had some bad experiences when I was on two anti-depressants at the same...overmedicated.
For me, talking to a therapist has been so helpful. She is phenomenal.
Also, journaling helps. I started to do that before I just broke down in July, 2022. I look back on those notes and have been amazed where my mind was and how I felt.
I exercise a lot. I do go to a lot of social activities. There are group hikes in my area, top-rope climbing, book clubs, volleyball. Next for me is tai chi. What I don't do is sit still.
Are there moments where I am depressed? Yes, I get very sad at times. Usually a triggering event. The last time was Christmas morning at 2:00 a.m. I went downstairs and wrote about it. The theme was love. I missed love in my life. I realized I did not love myself. I realized I will never truly come out of my depression until I address this. All along I have let others own my feelings (how I should feel about others and myself), but this was not good for me.
I would say it was a breakthrough because I finally expressed it. My next venture is to find love for myself and a love that will sustain my purpose in life. I am not necessarily talking romance as much as just finding a passion to embrace. A tall order but I think I am up for it.
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artsy6013, thank you for the compliment. It did and still does take some changes in my life to do all these things. I also have to budget my time. To add more things, something had to give ( I really don't watch TV anymore). I will also admit, I was a little nervous at first...putting myself out there to meet strangers. What I found was there a lot of people out there who feel the same.
I was not always like this (a phrase many of us have probably said). I used to be a workaholic. Throughout my life I realized that it was the one thing I was good at doing. If I did a good job, I would get praise and promoted. It was like a hamster pressing a lever to get a food pellet. The more I worked, the more rewards I received.
Actually one of the hardest things during this time, was building a work/life balance. Part of me misses the workaholic side of my life. It is as if I am no longer carrying my load at work. On occasion, I have pick and choose what I have time for.
Going back to the bigger question, why am I doing all this? I feel better, but I need to find my passion and purpose which will take a lot of thought and effort.
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1 ReactionSo true about the coffee with milk. I tried it, and love the flavor enhancement!
Thanks!
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1 ReactionGood luck, Mike!
🙂 yes, exactly