Sudden increase in depression NOT related to surgery
Ok, as a counselor I know intellectually that it is not uncommon for people who suffer from depression (especially when, as in my case, it is combined with PTSD (or some other anxiety disorder)) to experience rather sudden increases in depression levels, but I had never experienced it myself... until now... and I just need to touch base with others who have experienced it.
It has been the week from hell (a change in job responsibilities at my full-time job that just increased the stress level significantly; a stupid argument with the Chow breeder's husband; finding out that a former client who moved out of state a couple of years ago tried to commit suicide; finding out that the last pregnant Chow did not have any red males in her litter (so I will have to wait, and keep my fingers crossed, for a puppy from a mid to late September litter, which means not getting a puppy until sometime in November); a couple of friends my age constantly talking abotu how wonderful their new grandchildren are (which painfully reminds me that i did not have a choice about having kids (hysterectomy when i was fairly young) and that my life would likely be very different now if my partner had not been killed by a drunk driver a number of years ago; a large unexpected house maintenance bill) and my depression level has skyrocketed in just the last 48 hours. I spent most of yesterday afternoon fighting tears at work, cried through my entire counseling session after work, and then cried off and on all evening.
As I said, this is a new experience for me, so that makes it even more disconcerting. I hope it passes quickly. Because this just plain sucks.
Lora
It has been the week from hell (a change in job responsibilities at my full-time job that just increased the stress level significantly; a stupid argument with the Chow breeder's husband; finding out that a former client who moved out of state a couple of years ago tried to commit suicide; finding out that the last pregnant Chow did not have any red males in her litter (so I will have to wait, and keep my fingers crossed, for a puppy from a mid to late September litter, which means not getting a puppy until sometime in November); a couple of friends my age constantly talking abotu how wonderful their new grandchildren are (which painfully reminds me that i did not have a choice about having kids (hysterectomy when i was fairly young) and that my life would likely be very different now if my partner had not been killed by a drunk driver a number of years ago; a large unexpected house maintenance bill) and my depression level has skyrocketed in just the last 48 hours. I spent most of yesterday afternoon fighting tears at work, cried through my entire counseling session after work, and then cried off and on all evening.
As I said, this is a new experience for me, so that makes it even more disconcerting. I hope it passes quickly. Because this just plain sucks.
Lora
14 years out; 190 pounds lost, 165 pound loss maintained
You don't drown by falling in the water. You drown by staying there.
I'm sorry you're going through this. It sucks when everything happens all at once like that. I've definitely been there, done that, and for me, I have to just cry. Just to get out all that frustration and pain. I usually feel better, even if things are still looming. Soaking in a nice bath or getting a massage also helps me.
Hugs!
Hugs!
Lora, that really does suck. It's a lot of bad stuff to have hit you at once and it's entirely understandable that you've had a big wave of depression. It's not chemical...it's cir****tantial. There's reason for it.
As you said, it will pass, but knowing that doesn't make it easier to bear while the cloud hangs over you. I also suffer from depression (long-time Prozac user) though not PTSD. Two things that help me when I get completely bummed out....totally unscientific, probably unique to me and possibly sheer quackery...but I offer them up in the hope that they may help.
1) I watch An Affair to Remember...the old Cary Grant/Deborah Kerr movie. It's a guaranteed tear jerker and somehow I find that if I'm sobbing about something that's outside my life, when the sobbing is over, I really do feel better and it relieves some of the tension about my life.
And I try to find a treat that will make me feel better. In times past, that might have been food (which would usually only lead me into feeling worse, eventually.) But even before surgery, I had found that a pedicure, a new pair of earrings, taking the time to look up and old friend and reconnect, or just being totally indulgent and spending an evening reading a totally trashy novel, could help break the mood. If I could work up the energy, it also worked well to undertake some project around the house that could be completed in no more than a few hours (nothing that would drag on, making me more depressed) and preferably involved some major transformation I could really SEE afterwards. Cleaning out closets, organizing basement, painting a room, something like that. When I'm done I really feel like I've accomplished something and it cheers me.
Keeping you in my thoughts, Melissa
As you said, it will pass, but knowing that doesn't make it easier to bear while the cloud hangs over you. I also suffer from depression (long-time Prozac user) though not PTSD. Two things that help me when I get completely bummed out....totally unscientific, probably unique to me and possibly sheer quackery...but I offer them up in the hope that they may help.
1) I watch An Affair to Remember...the old Cary Grant/Deborah Kerr movie. It's a guaranteed tear jerker and somehow I find that if I'm sobbing about something that's outside my life, when the sobbing is over, I really do feel better and it relieves some of the tension about my life.
And I try to find a treat that will make me feel better. In times past, that might have been food (which would usually only lead me into feeling worse, eventually.) But even before surgery, I had found that a pedicure, a new pair of earrings, taking the time to look up and old friend and reconnect, or just being totally indulgent and spending an evening reading a totally trashy novel, could help break the mood. If I could work up the energy, it also worked well to undertake some project around the house that could be completed in no more than a few hours (nothing that would drag on, making me more depressed) and preferably involved some major transformation I could really SEE afterwards. Cleaning out closets, organizing basement, painting a room, something like that. When I'm done I really feel like I've accomplished something and it cheers me.
Keeping you in my thoughts, Melissa
Oh, I'm sorry. You're right; it's very discontering. Like having a rug yanked out from under your feet.
It seems especially awful when you are on an established medicine/therapy regimen that seems to work well.
Unfortunately I have no advice other than to watch yourself closely. I have gone through several of these bouts, one just recently. Do what you need to do to take care of yourself first and foremost, and vent here as often as necessary.
Here's wishing you peace and a red puppy in your very near future.
It seems especially awful when you are on an established medicine/therapy regimen that seems to work well.
Unfortunately I have no advice other than to watch yourself closely. I have gone through several of these bouts, one just recently. Do what you need to do to take care of yourself first and foremost, and vent here as often as necessary.
Here's wishing you peace and a red puppy in your very near future.
Most Active
Will I need to attend any pre-operative counseling or support groups?
DodgerDivaDiet · 4 replies · 68 views
DodgerDivaDiet · 4 replies · 68 views
Have you found it challenging to stick to your diet during the holidays?
DodgerDivaDiet · 1 replies · 38 views
DodgerDivaDiet · 1 replies · 38 views
Recent Topics
Have you found it challenging to stick to your diet during the holidays?
DodgerDivaDiet · 1 replies · 38 views
DodgerDivaDiet · 1 replies · 38 views
Will I need to attend any pre-operative counseling or support groups?
DodgerDivaDiet · 4 replies · 68 views
DodgerDivaDiet · 4 replies · 68 views