[MsNiteOwl]

My 2 visitors. The weekend and depression.

[ECHOES]

I'm sorry you are feeling sad

Is there some way you can bring to your weekend the things that make the week not feel sad? Invite someone in for coffee, invite someone out for coffee, visit the library, something like that?

Sending you many hugs, so sorry you're feeling sad. I agree with ECHOES, is there anything you can do this weekend so you won't feel sad? I find going out to meet others at a restaurant cheers me up. I also enjoy playing video games. Hopefully you can find something to do that you enjoy!

[Rohag]

I'm sorry, MsNiteOwl...

Just out of pure silly curiosity, I Googled "weekend affective disorder" and actually got a handful of results, including a couple from PsychCentral's posting archives.

Do I need to increase my dose? [Archive]
I don't know how to deal with rejection [Archive]

[lonegael]

(((((((MsNiteOwl)))))))) Hope the sun will break through this weekend. HUGGGS and warm thoguhts

[MsNiteOwl]

Thank you everyone so much for your hugs and suggestions.

I guess a bit more explanation is in order.

The weekends are bad for me, not because I have to work, but because when I went through the months before my divorce, my ex would leave every weekend. He always had an excuse of helping friends, and for a long time I believed him. I, at that time, had to work alternate weekends, so I couldn't go with him and I think he planned it that way. So once I started wondering what he was doing, I would go into major panic and depression, not knowing what was coming next. Then he would be back Monday morning acting like everything was just fine. And this went on for nearly 6 months. And I think it drove me mad.

On top of this, I've always had Social Anxiety Disorder from childhood. It is so bad at times that I can't even go into a grocery store or similar place where I've shopped for 20 years. The idea of speaking face-to-face with a stranger gives me cold chills. And 99% of the friends/family I have had in this town are my ex's, not mine.

I think that some of the reason weekdays aren't so bad is that I have a focus. There is a schedule, a routine, work to do, plans. But none of this continues through the weekend, and I don't really have the strength or energy to do that 24/7/365. If I can find an idea for a hobby project of mine that I can start or continue on the weekend, sometimes that helps. It all depends on whether the depression has become too strong for me to focus on anything else.

I think that what also makes my issues worse is that I have fibromyalgia and have had spinal arthritis since childhood, so I am in almost constant physical pain. And I don't know which makes me more depressed, the pain or the meds I can take for it.

I try little things to help myself. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don't. But it seems as though when the depression is least on my mind is when it hits me the worst, if that makes any sense.

[IAMMEZ]

I can semi relate to your weekend blues, but mine are a little different. My daughter goes to her dad's every other weekend and sometimes my boyfriend has to work the weekends. When they are both gone I have no motivation or desire. I will just sleep all day until he gets home. There's just no drive in me on the weekends.

During the week there are things that I want to do around the house. But I don't have time because I'm constantly at work. (I work at home with no way to do house work and my job.) By the time I get off of work I don't feel like doing chores, I just wanna spend time with my family.

So when the weekend comes, like you said there is no structure, no schedule, no consistency, etc. Even when they are both home I will still take naps. Not, as long when I'm home alone though. IDK I just don't really feel like the same me I do during the week. During the week I feel like I have this drive, like a force of motivation and once I wake up on Sat. it's gone.

I too have social anxiety. But there are certain places I'm okay with. But it's like pulling teeth to get me to wanna get outta the house. I just don't wanna do much. We go out to eat and grocery shop, that's about it. My boyfriend tries to get me out, but ugggg I just don't wanna.

My Dr. wants to do a med change so I may try that out. IDK I feel better than I did a year ago but still not where I wanna be.

One thing I do enjoy about the weekends is all the football games!!! They keep me pretty busy. IDK if that would work for you or not but I find having something to look forward to helps. (Like today I only took a nap until shortly before the game started.)

I guess I just wanted to let you know, I can relate, and sympathize with what you are going through. I hope you can find something to look forward to on the weekends. It really helps me.

::

[Rhiannonsmoon]

((((((((MsNightOwl))))))))

Depression soooo sucks! Sending you support to help you through the weekend and hoping that the little black dog doesn't stay around too long

[Lilleth]

My two visitors are with me all the time like they have taken up residency this last year. I have to forcus on work during the week and keep going but on w/ends when I am glad not to be going to work they overwelm me. I have to force myself to get up and get as far as the local shop and back. Then I mostly give in to the crying and feeling awful. I try to do stuff in the house but its hard. I would like my visiters to go away and not come back. But when I can contol them and keep them in then I get an awful feeling inside my stomach and my heart feels like its broken and Icant fix it. There just seem no escape.

[MsNiteOwl]

Thank you so much everyone for responding. I'm glad to know I'm not alone, even though I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy.

It's just a matter of hoping I can wait it out. I just can't understand why I'm forced to be so miserable. Seems that the world hates me.

Then wonder why I think about taking a long nap on a busy train track. Sheesh!