Clean and depressed

Hi

I am finally on a regimen again, diet, trying for sleep, some exercise, no smoking, drinking, drugs, etc... Trying to be more organized, scheduled, have better boundaries about work, etc...

I feel clean and clear, but I am SOOO depressed. With the highs brought on by alcohol and other substances, and eating a low sugar, carb, fat diet, I just feel flat and lifeless. It's getting hard, and it's lasting kind of a long time.

Can anyone relate?n Any suggestions?

Let me know
Sam

Have you made all of these changes at once?
bizi

Congratulations on all the positive changes you are making! You should feel very proud. It sounds like you have probably eliminated several coping mechanisms. That is bound to be rough and will probably take some time to adjust. Have you picked up any healthier coping mechanisms to replace the unhealthy ones? That is the only suggestion I have. I wonder the same as Bizi. Did you make all these changes at once? If so, it's no wonder you are feeling so down. In time, it will get easier...especially if you add in some healthy coping mechanisms which bring you joy. (((Hugs)))

I experience the same. Whenever I take some of my unhealthy coping mechanisms away from me I become depressed. I have been thinking a lot about why that is and was wondering if actually I am depressed almost all the time but avoid seeing it by clinging to my coping mechanisms (does that make sense?). For example, I might not be happy, but drinking, smoking, drugging myself at least I lead some kind of rock'n'roll life. And when I don't do that - what do I have left? I try to fill my life with healthy coping mechanisms now, but don't tell me it's not hard.

I can relate to your post. I have been feeling very flat and lifeless for a while now. I think it has something to do with being back home with my parents. I don't feel sad but I have low interest and pleasure in activities. I can relate to the uneasiness with depression that seems to be lasting. Not sure if this is helpful, but you are definitely not alone.

Thanks to everyone for your posts. It's been like another week and I'm actually worse.
I feel like this may be the longest time I've been depressed, I'm rapid cycling.
I'm unmedicated, and I'm thinking of getting on meds. I've been prescribed lithium but never took it.
I think that I have DEFINITELY been using alcohol and drugs to disguise my symptoms of bipolar. It is unusual for me to have the dominant feature of my bipolar be depression, I normally have brief periods of depression and long hypo/mania periods. This is really hitting me hard. It's effecting my home and work life and creative life.
I dunno what to do, what are some healthy coping mechanisms?

I like to go for a brisk walk. Or listen to my favorite music. Or actually perform music. Or call a friend. The other day, I pictured a train going by as my problem and when it had gone all the way by, my problem was not a big deal anymore.

I do think being on meds consistently and the right doses and types is important. It can take a bit to figure that out between you and your pdoc but they really do help.

Healthy coping mechanisms are things which bring you peace and joy but do not impact you negatively. It's personalized. For some it's physical activity but a quadriplegic would obviously not benefit from this suggestion.

For me some healthy coping mechanisms are talking to someone I trust, writing out my feelings, listening to audio books, taking a hot bath with candles and soothing smelling aromatherapy, watching documentaries about history, politics, and social and cultural documentaries, spending time with my family, dogs, treating myself to something inexpensive which brings me joy.

What kinds of things do you enjoy and find distraction from? Finding effective, personalized distractions is the real key, for me at least. If you cannot find joy in anything, it's a symptom of depression and healthy coping might require therapy and medications. (((Hugs)))

Sam: I am unclear why you are on a low fat diet. Try adding fat back into your diet and you might feel fine again. Where are you getting advice on diet?

I'm not on a low fat diet, I'm on a low sugar diet
I'm not eating fried foods though, and I'm only consuming good oils like coconut, or the oils from bone broth or what have you

Thanks again guys
I am still totally clean
And I just feel so flat
It's so BORING!
But it's not just that, my energy level is just way down
I'm having a fine time getting through work and everything, but when I don't have a distraction in front of me, I just feel bored and flat and sad
I am rapid cycling, and this has been going on for like 2 weeks and it's really bizarre
I've had short periods of dark black depression, extreme repetitive suicidal ideations that I cant turn off, or imagining doing extreme violence to myself
This is not that, it's just this low key mate finish to everything
When will it go away, I miss being hypomanic!
LOL
/(

How long have you been on a low carb diet?
bizi

1 month...

Woke up in a foul mood today and laid a trip on my family all morning
Feeling better now
Still clean as a whistle
Trying to stay up