What do you do?

Its funny how depression and anxiety go so hand and hand sometimes. Not sure where I should put this cause its about anxiety about depression returning. So if this is the wrong place, I am sorry.

With that said, lately I have been seeing warning signs for me. My sleep is getting trashed, spotty and erratic. Also it seems like I am getting upset about small things that a few weeks ago didnt bug me. That ultra sensitive "everyones picking on me" type of thing. Then of course my next therapy appointment was canceled haha, of course it was. So this is making me really nervous(to say the least). I dont think I can handle another bout of big depression. Which leaves me feeling helpless and more depressed.

So my questions are, what do you do when you feel yourself slipping down into the darkness? I try to tell myself positive things like a few things similar doesnt mean it will be a repeat of last time. Is there other things you do when you notice the well before you fall in?

I told my counsellor once that I was afraid of a relapse of depression, and she said that nobody can guarantee it won't happen. The difference is, if it does, the second time around you're prepared. All the support systems are already in place, and you have a better idea of what to expect. Try to keep track of how you're feeling and report it to your doctor. If you're on medication, it could simply be that you need an adjustment, which has been the case for me in the past. And, most of all, remember: YOU KNOW IT'S NOT PERMANENT. The depression has lifted once. If it hits again, it can lift again. I tell myself that all the time, and it helps alleviate some of those fears.

When I feel my mood start to dip, the best thing for me is to take a step back. My depression is largely triggered by stress, so I force myself to slow down, take a break, even if I think I can't afford it. I'd rather lose a day or two to handling it, than a week or even a month to my depression. I try to find things to do that'll help release some of the stress, anxiety or sadness that I'm feeling. For me, it helps to write it all down, just go and go until it feels like my head has been emptied and I have no words left. Reading and tv help too, something light and preferably comical. Mostly what I've found is that being good to yourself, taking a bath, exercising, having a favourite food, going for a walk or taking a drive goes a long way towards alleviating depression.

I think you doing a good thing being aware of the signs. Think about what self help strategies you could tap into, to make you feel stronger. In other words be good to yourself - eating well, exercising, sleeping, having some fun and peaceful quiet time as well. Try not to be hard on yourself and be mindful through out the day. Take it day by day and be forgiving of yourself - don't take things too seriously.

Shaymus

I work on my thoughts as well as I know they start to alter and trick me into thinking negatively and worrying uneccessarily about things that are not actually relevant or miniscule. Eating, exercise, a regular sleep pattern. I also do yoga and that helps a lot, it relieves a lot of physical tension building up in my system due to the anxiety of the negative thoughts. Talking to those close to you is really important and it is quite common for people to start to withdraw from social settings, if this is the case I have emergency friends who I can count on for a listening ear when I am dipping low. Dont beat yourself with that imaginary stick either.

Paddy

I know that feeling of anxiety that depression is going to take a strong hold again. I flip rapidly. That is to say I can have a run of good days and then wham I am hit with a bad day that can become a series of bad days. The anxiety causes insomnia because I never know what kind of mood I will wake up to.

Recently I have learned to face the bad days and the potential for bad days head on. I will cut the night time anxiety with pre-bed meditations that include building the self confidence that I can overcome anything that comes at me, even depression days. If I wake feeling badly then I dwell on affirmations until I pull myself out of bed. I keep going one step at a time with a record in my head telling me I will be okay. If I wake feeling good then I dwell on gratitudes until I jump out of bed. I embrass the peace and promise myself I will remember the good feeling.

Being aware is our best defense I think. Aware that we are vulnerable and aware that we are powerful. Be not afraid. Use the worry and the fear to remind yourself how important self care is and how important it is to take the extra care when you need it. Take the care and claim your wellness.