Quote:
Originally Posted by Andraste
I usually find that when my depression (along with my anxiety) is getting 'worse' or more 'aggressive' (so to speak) is when writing helps me the most.
I don't call hotlines, phones make me much more anxious (especially if I have to talk/speak in other language than my mother-tongue)... but I'm glad hotlines and mindful exercises have helped you cope, it's good you've found solace through the worst moments.
Maybe journaling isn't for you at this point since you already write a lot and have a clear idea of what is making your situation difficult.
Money is such a big source of distress for many of us, I feel you on that area too (heck, same in the isolation part...), I'm sorry you're going through this bad time... good news is that this shall pass eventually; keep going your way, I really hope things get better soon.
Maybe what could help now is extending mindfulness to acceptance, as they do in the Buddhist practices. Do whatever is in your hands to make your situation better, and accept the things you can't change as they are. This is not giving up, it's realizing our truth and our limits, while at the same time recognizing our strengths (in other words, it's not about seeing the glass half-empty or half-full, it's about thanking for the water and drinking it when we are thirsty, intelligently enough to not gulp it all in one go if it's scarce, but to divide it and make it last).
It also seems to me that you're aching for connection, you've been isolated for too long or too harshly. One thing is to write on a screen, another is to talk face to face (can be very healing with the right people...). Do you have any friends you can (re)connect with? Maybe a room-mate or a family member? Perhaps an opportunity to meet new people somehow? Even if they don't get you or your mental illness, they may be able to connect with you in a different ambit, offer you some human-human time?
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Once again thank you for you thoughtful comments. Because I slipped into a very bad depression I lost many contacts. Recently I contacted an old friend via email. I was hoping to arrange a face-to-face meeting but they didn't offer it. I wrote them another email and somehow that did the trick. So we are having lunch this coming Sunday, weather permitting as in no snowstorms, as the friend lives an hour from me. This is the first "social contact" I have initiated in 2 years, so I guess it is a big event. I chose someone who is very sensitive and gentle. They have known severe depression. It is only one event but I think a small step in the right direction.
I don't have family nearby so everything is about emails, facebooks, and texts. People don't even bother to use the phone anymore.
My new job is affording a lot of contact with other people, but my life outside of work is still pretty empty.