Healing from depression

[hopealwayz]

While recovering from depression:

Take it one day at a time.
Don't expect too much too soon.
Set realistic, doable daily goals.
Take part in activities that make you feel better.
Do not underestimate the power of laughter. It's hard to feel depressed when you're laughing.
Seek out people who are supportive and helpful.
Stick to your treatment plan; for example, take your medication as prescribed and keep your psychotherapy appointments.

[tiptoe]

thats some great advice especaly do not underestimate the power of laughter, its hard to feel depressed when youre laughing..... i will definetly remember that

[runningfree]

Take it one day at a time.
This is a great thought and it is helpful except for the times when your mind and body race for thoughts of what will be tomorrow and on ward
Don't expect too much too soon.
Set realistic, doable daily goals. These are also great words of wisdom to live by these would mean that one is receiving success in this process.
Take part in activities that make you feel better.
Do not underestimate the power of laughter. It's hard to feel depressed when you're laughing. This is the most beneficial but it still needs to come from within and laughing and taking part in activities can happen and I do make them happen, but they are not necessarily felt. Really felt and that is what I struggle with.
Seek out people who are supportive and helpful. This is the most difficult because there are not many available and how do you go about finding them. I mean the ones that are truly supportive and truly caring of a situation. HELP WANTED: Friend who really will care and not leave or be selfish. Needs to be able to deal with a person with negative, self destructive thoughts and feelings. Please callSomehow I don't think that an ad would do it, but how else do you put your self on the line and need someone?
Stick to your treatment plan; for example, take your medication as prescribed and keep your psychotherapy appointments.This is the plan that is the easiest to go with. It just doesn't seem to do it all the way. I am so worried that this is as good as it gets and this would not be very good.

Thanks for the advice...I think I have much more to do, but it is not looking very rosy.

[Evanna]

I am with your there Runningfree. There was a time when i felt totally incapacitated by depression. I can apply the above in my life today but for a long time it would have felt like someone was asking the impossible for me if they said set goals, be with people and laugh. When you are totally overwhelmed just getting out of your bed can be an ordeal.

I dont really know to this day what changed but it is easier now. No pearls of wisdom from me....I just wanted to let you know that i heard you and know to some extent where you are coming from.

Hope, thanks for posting this. Even though i find it much better today i need those reminders to look after myself. The lowness can grab hold so easily if i am not vigilant. Lately i have isolated a bit and not done the things i enjoy. Tonight some people from a hobby-related club are meeting. I wasnt going to bother going but thanks to your post i am going to make the effort now.

[Wolfstarr]

I have some questions, and looking for help with my AD.


I am glad to have seen this post. It does answer a lot of questions about a major depressive episode that my AD is going through right now.
She relapsed 4 days ago.
She has been clean since, but she is extremely depressed.
She went to an NA meeting the very next day and seemed to have pulled herself together, but now she seems even worse...sleeping all day and night, gets up for just the necessities.
What to do?
I went in an hour ago to tell her to get up and get some sunshine. It is gorgeous outside at about 80 degrees. She said she had a bad headache,and I looked over on the other side of the bed and found a note written to:
"Dear Family"
Scared the pants right off of me...I took it and read it, and, she states in it she is very depressed and wants to drink and take drugs to relieve her depression and the way she feels in this life. She says she can't be clean and wants to ease the pain of life by self medicating with narcotics and alcohol.
I don't know how to handle this. It did not outright say she was killing herself or wanted to die, although the words seem to be there between the lines.
I strongly feel she needs mental health intervention...although I don't know exactly what to do.
Do I take her to the hospital? This is really getting to me and the lives of others who live here with my husband and I. (My Mom and Dad--elderly folk with gentle hearts, and my granddaughter who is five years old)
I have a strong desire to get her out of here and away from my home--I have tried to help but it seems nothing works.
Does anyone have any suggestions?
I just don't know what to do anymore--am I rushing it for her to be better? I see it does take time to get over a depressive episode. Should I just lay low and let her get over it? How long is a long enough time?
Please, any thoughts or comments would be so very welcomed.
I am so weary...
Wolfstarr

She is 4 days clean.

[pedagogue]

I think she needs to see a professional ASAP. She obviously has a few things she needs to address, but first and foremost is whether or not she is a danger to herself. The note is a BIG red flag, especially when coupled with her wanting to ease the pain. I would not be suprised if she said she felt helpless, which is another tell tale sign that she might be thinking about suicide.

I think the letter could serve one of two real purposes:

1. Sometimes people write letters as a way to try and 'explain' what is going on. They are actually a selfish act, even though it will be framed as trying to help you understand. (You can use it as a discussion point...to find out what is going on.)

2. A cry for help. <--I think it is this one...especially since it was just the heading, and didn't have anything written.

Please help her help herself.

Please let us know the outcome.

-pedagogue

ps. I am not a licensed professional, so take my post as purely a lay-person's suggestions.