Just In Time for the Holidays: Mental Health Issues

Just In Time for the Holidays:  Mental Health Issues

 

A fair number of people here on OH struggle with mental health issues, holiday season or not.  I am one of them.  Life cir****tances, tragedy, shorter days in winter, chemical imbalances in the brain, hyper-sensitive personalities, or other things may be the underlying causes of these issues.  Weight loss surgery can be a great tool to address a debilitating physical manifestation of such problems, but by itself doesn’t do anything to change those causes.  To do that we have to make fundamental changes in how we cope with the world and do so without the familiar emotional comfort of food.  For some, their emotional distress is so great that they turn to other things for solace, including alcohol.  Given some awful family history with alcohol, I have instead chosen outward irritability and selfishness as my own coping mechanisms, at least by comparison to how people perceived me in my pre-surgery days.

 

As I have noted here before, I am prone to mood swings and I am probably mildly bi-polar (but in a nice way?!) if you want to put a label on me.  For the last several weeks I have been waging my own quiet war with depression.  That ugly ***** was back and as strong as it has ever been.  For a very brief time I even contemplated my own self-destruction, something that never happened to me before.  Unlike my pre-surgery days, however, I coped with it in such a way that I didn’t gain any weight and I didn’t lose myself to despair for months on end.  I ate properly (mostly), I exercised vigorously, I meditated, I attended a support group meeting, I went to counseling, I actively sought joy (especially in the outdoors), I relished the kindness of others, I stayed semi-functional at work, and I somehow managed to survive.  Yes, I was irritable, selfish and withdrawn most of the time, including Thanksgiving Day.  The people in my life were not amused, to say the least.  Yet I find myself more proud for having dealt effectively and efficiently with a depression episode than I am about having lost 150 lbs with the help of weight loss surgery.  Perhaps that pride is a reflection of how much harder I have had to work to develop some inner strength and hope for myself, both of which are true blessings this Holiday season.

 

RP

RP...thanks for sharing this with us.

I too suffer with depression....and it is worse then it has ever been in years. Many, many famly issues...#1 being my grandson's cancer and all the issues that has brought. My grandchildren are my world and so many things are happening....I don't want to go into it any further at this time.
I am so depressed I can't even make myself get to coffee groups and be around people.

Thanks for letting me vent!!!

Hugs....connie d

Connie:

Vent away!  Though I have never met you in person, you seem to be a person with a tremendously caring heart, which is so evident in how you talk about your grandson.  You know that so many people go through life without ever having had someone like you there for them.  Love may not be able to alter the course of human events, but it can damn sure make them easier to endure.  I am certain that your grandson feels the comfort of your love and caring every single day, a real blessing in his young, difficult life.

RP

Thank you RP for understanding and caring.

I wish they didn't live in Iowa....sure would be easier for me!!

Hugs...connie d

RP - I would be proud to!  The accomplishment of dealing with your emotions is HUGE.  Many people go through their whole life never realizing they could be happier and healthier.  You didn't drink over it or eat over it.  You are meeting life head-on - and that will help you.   You're an inspiration and some to emulate.  Good going!

As far as Connie - I've never met her either, but find her to be kind, real, and loving to all.  I hate to see her struggle with depression, too.  Whether its partly situational, it is not fun at all.  Ever.  I wish you both, Connie and RP, lighter and better days. 

All the best.   Mary

RP-I too deal with depression and am on medication to help with it so I can understand some of what you are going through.  What a releif it must be to realize that you have the tools to cope/ deal with the depression and meet it head on.  Hopefully you will remember this the next time you have a depressive episode and you don't lose sight of what is really important....you. 

I think maybe one of the reasons you are proud about this is because you are the only one that can hear what's going on in your head and finally atleast you have been able to tell that annoying little voice that tells you "you're not good enough" (or whatever it says) to SHUT THE HELL UP!  

Good for you!

I, too, have a depressed personality that reared it's head about 15 years ago.  The racing mind and sleepless nights and feelings of hopelessness and inadequacy and sadness had NOTHING to do with weight because I was thin then.  The point I'd like to make here is that I do not "suffer from depression" because I take my meds.   If there truly is a chemical imbalance it is really hard to tough out some episodes on your own.  I commend you for your strength and think your pride in yourself is well deserved.   At the same time, I hope you are speaking to a professional and thinking of getting a boost to your internal chemicals.  Nobody should have to live with depression.

My best to you, Rick.

Tuna

 RP - It always amazes me how openly you can speak of this and put your finger on so many things.  You have a clarity I find interesting and honest.  I am so sorry that things get ugly.  You are proactively doing every thing you can and I am proud of you.  So many people, myself included, sometimes just take the "well, I want to ***** about it but don't really want to work to fix it" attitude   I truly admire your calling it for what it is.  I hope you pass this dark period very soon and come out in a brighter, happier, more peaceful place.

Connie - I am so sorry about your trouble.  No child should ever be sick, it's just so wrong.  I will add both you and RP to my prayers.  Cancer is hateful.  My Mom, Dad and Sister all were dx'd 3 yrs ago and it's been so many ups and downs.  Be strong but don't forget to take care of yourself.

Tess

I love your posts RP as they always get me thinking. I think as you said, many of us on here deal with some sort of mental health issue or some other type of issue. My motto has always been "your not normal unless your abnormal", everyone has a bit of something. I too struggle with depression and sometimes think I may be bipolar, however my DR says I am just Hypomatic, who knows.

You are an inspiration and you motivate me as well as make me think, thank-you for that! Be proud of yourself, you have done an awesome job!

Kristy