Feeling really down

[happyduck1979]

I fairly recently suffered from a nervous breakdown.  It has taken a heck of a lot of work, but a year and a half later I find myself being able to smile, laugh, and be a productive member of my community again.  The pain is always in the background, but I have worked hard to learn to live with it and try to continue to reach to be a better person

Comments

[hourglasscreate]

This is going to sound stupid as hell, but whistle while you work. Literally. Find a happy tune (or several) and sing or hum or whistle it as you go about your daily tasks.

You can listen to music too, but active participation in the music is better. Your negative thoughts can't drown it out if you are the one making it.

[happyduck1979]

Actually I do. That was when I realized I was on the road to recovery the first time- when I found myself singing again. I do not think it is stupid at all.

[ellinht]

I see a psychologist and a psychiatrist, but this may not be reasonable given money is tight.
I plan my week and give myself something enjoyable to look forward to - I might cook something special, do some drawings, play music, take an hour out of my day to have a nap, or read a book. I plan 'fun time' and write it down on my schedule.
I also focus on the things that keep me here- for me, that's my cats. I think about how they would realistically fare without me and essentially talk myself out of it.
I write down every strong emotion I'm having and I analyse it.

[happyduck1979]

I have an excellent therapist and a good (but insanely expensive) shrink. I focus on my daughter and my husband as much as I can, but sometimes it just feels like there is an invisible barrier between me and the rest of the world you know?

[ellinht]

I feel disassociated a whole lot of the time, that's where I have found writing helps. Also focusing on other sensations- what can I smell/touch/taste/hear that gets me to feel a bit more here.

[happyduck1979]

I am a goldsmith for a living and love what I do. It is job and hobby all in one. I also teach and play piano so thankfully I do have things I enjoy.

Photography I only do when I need pictures of new pieces. I am really not very good bad at it.

[69love_songs]

Walking. It's free and healthy and I find it easier to sort through my thoughts when I'm moving. ALSO if you walksomewhere really beautiful you can remind yourself that actually, life is pretty good.

[wherearethebees]

Yup. Cover ground. Forces the perspective you're otherwise losing.

I usually drive but walking works really well, too. Make a loose plan so it's not aimless. Like, 'I've never seen the waterfront, I'll walk there' or 'Walking tour of all the new things in town I keep telling myself I'll check out later.'

[happyduck1979]

lol! Your walk to the waterfront made me literally laugh out loud! I live in the mountain and the waterfront is- well lets just say a looooooooooooong walk from here! But I understand what you meant.

[hashishinahooka]

*nod* Walking helps me out of funks. It calms me down. It allows me to grapple with things.

[onion94]

I could have written this post. You sound like me! All I can say is lets hold each other's hand and make sure we don't fall down. Be good and stay safe.

[happyduck1979]

I would love to. Depression is a hard road made easier with other people.

[onion94]

I have tried to respond three times! Depression is really hard to explain to people. Please PM me if I can help. Just know the great thing about the internet is we do reach out and help each other when we can.