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[psychdiva]

The most recent depression thread I could find was from 2007 so I thought it made sense to start a new one.

I'm pretty deep into a depressive funk. It's been with me for the past 3-4 months, despite therapy, meds, some CAM. Mr. P was just last week laid off from his job of many, many years, and although I want to be strong for him, I've been crying a lot or sleeping for most of the day. I feel overwhelmed and am having a hard time doing simple things like returning phone calls or making decisions. Support, suggestions, encouragement would be appreciated.

[inthelab]

You know it's time to see someone.  You may need different meds, meditation/yoga, talking to a pastor/clergy/someone who can share the burden, so to speak.
Eat right and try to get a regular amount of sleep (exercise can help).

[biomancer]

Psychdiva, I'm sorry.  I've had a bunch of (adult) students in the same fix this year, and it's hard to have as spouse lose a job no matter where you are in life.  Heck, I remember when Mr.B lost his job when we were just dating - that was pretty upsetting.  Even though it was a low-paying retail job, it was still a job.  I can imagine it hits a lot harder now.

Is he eligible for unemployment benefits?  This might help you tide along until he can find a new job.

Beyond that, I don't have much advice other than to say that I hope you will remember to take care of yourself.

I'm thinking of you.  <hug>

[kedves]

I am really sorry to hear about this.  That's very hard about Mr. P. 

Are there any bright spots that help a little--funny movies, time with pet, being outdoors?  Exercise takes awhile to pay off and the rewards are moderate, but it helps.  It sounds as if something that might be working, is not.  Keep with it.  I have been there in various ways and I know how impossibly heavy each moment can seem.  There is another side of it waiting for you.  Wishing you extra strength.

[zarathustra]

Sorry to hear about your funk and the lay-off troubles.  Have you gotten all the possible physical possibilities checked out with your MD, too?  (did you recently post on the sinus thread about fogginess and sleep? or am I mixed up?) I know money is tight now but indulge in the small things that usually brighten your day, like a square of some dark chocolate or something.  Maybe you're about to turn that corner...

<<hugs>>

[dr_evil]

So sorry about Mr. P and your funk.  Having a spouse laid off is A LOT of stress, so don't feel bad about getting some help to deal with it.  Will insurance cover a few visits with a therapist to help you get through it?  It might be a good idea.

Some small things that tend to cheer you up are good - whether that be a favorite book/movie, hobby, or a nice bubble bath.  Treat yourself to a little something special.  And know that there are people who care about you.

I don't have any great secrets for getting out of a mood, but I wish you luck and send you good wishes.  *HUGS*

[bread_pirate_naan]

Commune with nature.   Find the most beautiful spot you can with the least amount of development and get comfortable.*  Notice things, watch change: animals, insects, birds, plant life, light, smells and sounds.  Do not think about anything else.  Just let your attention expand and flow over that place.  Merge with it. 

Really, works wonders. 

*Garden or park is adequate, but a nature walk or sit is best.

[psychdiva]

Thanks, everyone, for all of the great suggestions and the support. We're heading out in a few minutes for a walk with the dogs and I've made some notes about chocolate, finding a nearby nature preserve, renting some comedies.

Zara, I do need to see my internist, and yup, I was posting on the sinus thread - this summer has been a bad one for allergies. Dr. E, I'm doing the therapy thang and am trying to do more 'living healthy' stuff - getting enough sleep, not stressing over work, etc.

Mr. P is taking the news with his characteristic optimism and energy. I'm leaning on friends when I get particularly scared or upset because it doesn't feel fair to impose that on him right now. Has anyone done a 'gratitude journal'? I'm thinking of giving that a try.

[zarathustra]

I've been told, and I'm beginning to see a correlation myself, that sinusitis (and any physical illness) can feed/cause/feel like (?) depression.  Sinusitis is soooooo systemic. But you know that...

I don't know why, but I'm always a little "happier" when I'm feeling down because I'm temporarily "sick" vs. "depressed."  Maybe because I know sickness goes away while depression makes me wonder "will it ever get better?" 

Maybe focusing on the sinusitis will help?  Just a brainstorming kind of suggestion...

[seeweed]

Sorry you're feeling down, pscyhdiva. I have tried a gratitude journal, which really does seem to help in my case. I use gratitudelog.com because it will send me annoying reminders when I don't update. Do you have a group of girlfriends in the area? I find that girls' night out (or in) can be helpful as well. I will sometimes put out a call for a potluck and game night at my house - Balderdash, Pictionary, Taboo, etc often leave us in tears from laughter. A night spent thinking about other things and eating tasty homecooked food every now and then may cheer you up, although it's clearly not a permanent solution :). Wishing the best for you and Mr. P.

[dr_evil]

I'm glad you have some friends to lean on.  The people on the forum are great, but it also helps to have people in RL.

I have a thread started for random things to help cheer us up: http://chronicle.com/forums/index.php/topic,61697.0.html.  So far there are some nice contributions - it shows how great people can be.  I invite everyone to take a look, maybe add something that helps you cheer up when you need it.

I've not heard of a gratitude journal before.  I have to look into that.  I use a regular journal and find that sometimes writing things down gives me a new perspective.

[mountainguy]

Sorry to hear you're experiencing this, Psychdiva. I'm thinking of you.

Have you looked into the possibility of changing your medication or therapy type? I've experienced depression in the past, and didn't respond well to the first medication my psychiatrist prescribed. But within two weeks of going on another med, things improved.

[psychdiva]

Have you looked into the possibility of changing your medication or therapy type? I've experienced depression in the past, and didn't respond well to the first medication my psychiatrist prescribed. But within two weeks of going on another med, things improved.

MG, thanks so much. I talked with my psychiatrist last week about changing the meds. Over the years, I've been on just about every antidepressant out there. The one that worked best for me, raised my blood pressure to scary levels. Some of the others left me feeling numb and zombified even with dosage adjustments, while others pooped out after a while. I'm at the max dose of the current medication (Cymbalta) and that's augmented with Provigil to help me stay awake. He thinks that for now, I should stick with these meds. I've had a number of really stressful things happen in the past 8-12 months, so he and I suspect that medication will only take me so far, and it might have taken me as far as it can. Maybe I'm doing as well as someone can, under the circumstances. Philosophically, I believe that it's unreasonable for me to expect to feel fine amidst all the crap...but I'm so tired of feeling miserable. I'm trying a mindfulness therapy approach and am hoping that shifts things, but I'm also scared it won't make a difference. Ugh.

[riptide]

Hey - sorry about your current battle with depression.  I can totally relate.  I have Bipolar 1 disorder (and some other crappy labels) and usually end up severely depressed after an outstanding manic phase.  For lack of a better statement, depression sucks.  

I am not a shrink, but have you tried any mood stabilizers?  They use them for hard-to-treat depression, not just Bipolar disorder.  I am thinking along the lines of Lamictal, which is used to treat Bipolar 2 (the depressive type).  I also know someone with depression that tried Neurontin and had success.  There are several other mood stabilizers that are not like Lithium or Depakote (which require regular monitoring, etc) and may be effective.

I am going to rattle off some random things that help me or that I learned in hospitals, etc.  Take them as you like.  I know it is hard to do anything, but sometimes making one "assignment" and doing it, helps start elevating the mood.  They may seem simple or stupid, but when you are so depressed, even simple things are hard....so.....

1) Volunteer with animals or at a litter clean-up.  Something that is not "overly people involved" but still gets you out and feeling positive
2) Exercise daily and eat healthy
3) Take fish oil
4) Journal or color
5) Accept yourself for where you are right now
6) Decorate plates with paint and throw them at trees
7) Watch fish swim
8) Watch a funny movie
9) Avoid lots of sugar and carbs
10) Call a friend and go to a movie
11) Join a class (like painting or pottery or metal work or something that is about you and the medium but still surrounded by people)
12) Join a depression support group (or bipolar or PTSD or...)
13) Cry and let it out
14) Get up every morning and congratulate yourself for getting up
15) Avoid negative people and don't feel bad about it
16) Be kind to yourself

I don't know what type of therapy you are in or how long you have been in therapy.  Some methods of therapy are better for treating depression in a "quick and effective manner" than others.  You might know all this if you are in psych (as your name implies) but I just threw it out there.

As a last resort, hospitals or partial hospitals can actually help, if you are seriously not able to function.  And most people in the hospital are experiencing depression or depression from a related disorder.  The shrinks can medicate quicker and make changes much quicker if you are under 24-hour care compared to outpatient care.  Plus they get you doing "activities" and "therapy" that starts to work with the med changes in an intensive environment to produce overall changes.

Anyway, I hope you are feeling better.  People don't realize how debilitating depression can be.  I hope that the "situational" things get better and that your mood can start to improve.  Be kind to yourself and take care.


  

[conjugate]

Another suggestion: Do you get a reasonable amount of sunlight?  I mean, yes, it's summer, but if you spend a lot of time indoors (asleep or not), you might feel better if you get more light.  This is kind of off-the-wall, but it can't hurt to try.  A little time spent outdoors could combine exercise and more light, and if you garden or work on the lawn it might make you feel better to see progress being made there as well.

Best wishes.