Situational depression

I'm taking my medication. That part is fine.
But what do you do when situations around you feed depression? My pdoc was worried that I was slipping over a month ago, just from the seasonal changes and the fact that I'm not thrilled with my job. her idea at that point was to increase my Cymbalta for a few months to get me over the hump. I respectfully declined. Cymbalta gives me NASTY discontinuation symptoms and I don't want to take more because I don't want to have to stop taking it later. She was OK with that.

Now life has piled on. My cat died on Tuesday, and now my Grandmother is dying. I'm OK with my grandma passing on - she was 94 and she'd told me several times that she was ready to go home to Jesus. It's sad, but not unexpected. My Twinkie was a horrible shock and I'm really feeling bad. As if things weren't rough enough as it is. This is the first Christmas without my Daddy, for real. I mean, he was in the nursing home, so he wasn't there, but now that he's dead, he's really gone.

(Yes, I've already posted in the Grief board)

I just find myself wanting to sleep all the time, or not able to sleep much at all. The same goes for eating. I'm either really hungry or not hungry whatsoever. I don't want to do anything, and I haven't for months. No fishing, no target shooting, no shopping, no cooking (beyond what's needed for meals), no reading. I've even skipped a couple of AA meetings, and that scares the heck out of me. I don't want to call anyone to talk because I don't want to cry anymore. I need to get out of myself, but how can I be there for anyone else if I can't be there for me?

What are some of the thing you do to deal with situational depression? I mean, you've got treatment and for the most part it works, but then life slings you a couple rocks and knocks you down for a while. How do you get through it?

First - HUGS to you.

Sorry for all your struggles. I am not sure if you are *up* for my attempt to try to raise your spirits.....

I am Christian - so if you are not or you are not religious - feel free to ignore my post.... (and that does not mean I am "righteous" - in fact, it is my failures that makes me run to Christ).

I believe in the bible and I believe God when He said he will not give you more than you can handle.

That being said - I think God is actually giving you some praise - He says - I know you can handle this.

So - HOW do you handle it? One breathe at a time. A lot of kleenexes. A lot of tears and prayers. Maybe some time viewing old photographs. Or listening to music. And with the knowledge that THIS world is not the end. You will see them (both) again.

*hugs and I hope you find some comfort soon.

Hi, I'm agnostic and I know what you mean. I think a lot of people think of it as "silly" to become depressed over certain things such as these. I am easily triggered and brought down by my situations. It is just what happens.

I comepletely disagree with Useless Me. If God exists, which is unknowable for mankind, and if he intervienes in our lives, then he does give us more than we can handle/bear. Just look at all the people dying. They couldn't "handle/bear" that, they died. Why do people commit suicide if they were given something that they could handle/bear?

Sorry, I don't mean to turn this into a religious debate. But that is what happens when you bring up such things.

Anways, everything that has happened up until this very moment in our lives has made us into who we are. That is all.

I think that life just IS...I do believe in God and I've seen some small miracles in my life. I've been given strength before to get through rough time, and so far my "getting through" score is 100%...But sometimes it just gets so hard. Life just happens, life keeps going and everything doesn't stop just because I've had enough. "What is is what must be" and all that jazz...The spiritual angle can help me sometimes, but when the depression creeps in God feels so very far away. When I'm doing alright, I can (and do) get through anything. Depression just puts blinders on my soul. It helps me to focus on helping other people. No matter what I'm going through there is always someone who needs help. That usually makes me feel better. But it's hard when I don't feel I have anything left to give.

I'm sorry to know what you're going through... usually what i found out it works wonders on me is doing exercise...because it makes me focus on the moment and all the adrenaline rush that i got makes me move on...

As the others have told you take one step at time... take deep breathes and feel free to PM if you need someone that listens you...

Sadley,

What "brings debate" into it is someone questioning and dismissing another's beliefs. Just because you do not believe God is knowable doesn't mean someone else can't or at least gain solace from the notion.

John 3:16
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Therein lies the hope to withstand all life can throw at us, even death. Whether we believe it or not, it is unarguably a grand and comforting idea.

All well said. I believe in God and yet I am deeply depressed. I am in pain All the time and it is wearing me out. It is more than I can handle, but my faith is separate from my circumstances. It does comfort me, even if it doesn't change what I am going through.
I do my best to distract myself, which is what you can do too Kendyll.

Grief is hard, so I really feel for you. It takes time to heal and remember the good stuff, not our loneliness.

I hope you are able to do some of the suggestions from others here, even take a walk to get out for a little while.

I play games on here or watch a movie while I work on a project. It's all we can do, help ourselves. No one can do it for us.

I like your term 'situational'. I use that word too! My doc put it in quotes in my chart, "patients' term" for the depression I was explaining was due to a situation. Seems logical! Hope you can find some cheer in our mutual support