I just wanted to reach out to anyone out there who deals with PND or any type of depression for that matter - I’m on medication, and for the most part it does pretty well. But I’m in a dark place these last few days and I don’t know why - nothing’s triggered it, everything is as it always was. I just don’t want to do life at the moment.
My question is, how have u pulled yourself through it when the medication is maybe not doing it for u some days?
Now, I was skeptical in the beginning with my diagnosis, as I don’t actually feel sad or depressed - I just don’t feel anything. That’s what’s happening again right now - I don’t feel any emotion, I have no energy - the most I can do with my 15-month-old at the moment is lay on the floor next to him while he plays. A lot of my issue is I’m very lonely - but the thing is, the thought of going out and socialising makes me exhausted. I am very introverted and it sounds silly, but I actually don’t know how to speak to people. I’m don’t feel I have anything interesting so say so I don’t want to put myself out there and be rejected.
I lost the few friends i did have of 10+ years as a result of my PND symptoms - they just assumed I was self-absorbed and not interesting enough to relate to anymore, and basically said they didn’t want my friendship anymore. They didn’t even want to hear what I had to say about it. So that was hard - but it’s a result of, and not the cause, of my issue.
It’s not good enough, and I need to do something - looking for some different other other than exercise and speaking to someone - is there maybe a natural supplement or something u can recommend?
I’m just want to be the best version of myself for my family, and any advice would be greatly appreciated.
How to do life when u don’t want to
How to do life when u don’t want to
Posted in:
Mental Health, Post Natal Depression, Anxiety & Depression
3 Replies
It is tough dealing with depression. I totally agree with you that medication helps most of the time but there are still those days where it is a battle. I'm currently having one of those days today. One of those I don't want to do this anymore days (this being life).
To be honest I don't think the overwhelming sense of feeling alone ever truly goes away even if you have lots of friends or close friends. What helps me get through the day is focusing on either being busy, so doing extra work (which I am doing now) or cleaning or just packing my day with stuff to do (like sorting through kids clothes or weeding). Also I find listening to music, exercise (especially group fitness) and watching junk on tv helps. There are also days where I almost welcome the depression, like I don't want to be depressed but I don't want to be proactive and do things to help it. Those days I just listen to depressing music or exercise listening to music (whilst feeling all alone and like the fattest person alive) or I'm super bad and have a wine whilst wallowing in my depression. I kind of feel like sometimes it's good to feel different emotions (good or bad) as the medication sometimes just makes you feel numb.
For me when I feel it slipping down, like you do now, its time to put the effort in to pulling yourself out. The effort is the everyday things that are self-care.
Do you get enough sleep? Splash out on a new candle or soap to help you feel relaxed and wind down at night.
Can you get something to make your bedroom a more relaxing place? New doona cover or a nice pillow?
Do you have friends/ down time? Someone to have a stupid laugh with?
Do you have A hobby? Spend some time doing something enjoyable or improving a skill.
Have you been outside lately? A walk, a coffee, a swim?
Is your house, admin and life organised? Spend some time tidying up loose ends and youll feel better.
Are you eating well? Plan a good healthy meal and cook or buy it. Drink water, eat fruit and take care of yourself. Splash out on the things you really like but dont usually buy.
Do you have something to look forward to? Whatever it is you enjoy, start planning it and book it so you have something.
Yes, all that effort is hard, and you might not feel like doing it, it might not feel like it's working right away, but slowly slowly, it will.
In terms of your fatigue, have you ever considered that you might have Chronic Fatigue Syndrome? It might also be worth considering if you’re nutrient deficient or have lower cortisol if you haven’t thought of this already. It can really effect you in surprising ways.
I also believe that people can feel exhausted from things or life but not actually have clinical depression. I like to look at the core things that I need are being met well enough - hydration, sleep, rest, fun things, mental stimulation, physical movement, nutrition and connection with my environment and people.
I found the book ‘The Happiness Trap’ very helpful. I also follow Project Happiness and CFS Health on Facebook.