[ptangptang]

I've lived with dysthymia for most of my life (most of it without giving it a name). I've had various attempts at treating
it over the years without much effect. Perhaps i should try CBT again. I couldn't motivate myself to do diaries, journals, plans etc so we gave up. To be fair she was pretty useless imo.
It doesn't take much to trigger me into a double depression. So i stumble from feeling down to feeling really low. But i carry on. The worst things for me are decision making, procrastination and apathy.

Exercise really helps and i get a lot out of it.

What are your triggers? what non-med solutions have you found? Did CBT work for you?. What is the worst thing about it for you? Any tips?

[MickeyCheeky]

I agree abotu trying CBT. Perhaps you've just needed a better therapist

[starryprince]

Very good questions. First off, I agree that you might need to find another therapist. Sometimes our therapists aren't a good fit us and their style may not mesh well with what we need. As for your questions:

What are your triggers?: Feeling alone and (as pathetic as this may sound) seeing so many people in relationships. I have a fear of growing old and alone and, with my many identities, it's hard to meet people who can relate to me somewhat. I sometimes feel like an alien. =/ I have a terrific mother, great friends...but that companionship would be nice, you know?

What non-med solutions have you found?: If you mean holistic rememdies, then unfortunately, I haven't found any. =/ But mainly talking to people helps.

Did CBT work for you? Overall, it's working out for me.When my thoughts change for the better, I find myself feeling more confident and doing things that I would not have done before. However, I was interested in trying DBT, since my emotions can get a bit overwhelming.

What is the worst thing about it for you?: Worst thing about CBT? As I said, it doesn't take emotions into consideration, and our emotions heavily affect how we interact with the world and see ourselves. If you meant worst thing about my depression, then just that feeling of isolation and emptiness. Feeling like things won't change. Feeling stuck. But that isolation is like poison that slowly eats away at you.

Any tips?: You're already doing my main tip, which is letting out your emotions and talking to people. Also looking into a new therapist, since a therapist that's a good fit for you can REALLY make a difference. Try to be patient with yourself. You're doing the best you can, and that's really good.

[mountainstream]

[zapatoes]

What’s double depression?

[starryprince]

Originally Posted by zapatoes

What’s double depression?

Anyone here can correct me if I'm wrong but, from my understanding, double depression is when a person who has dysthymia also has a major depressive episode.

[ptangptang]

Originally Posted by starryprince

Anyone here can correct me if I'm wrong but, from my understanding, double depression is when a person who has dysthymia also has a major depressive episode.

Yeah, that's pretty much it. Day hasn't started well. Hardly any sleep and more thoughts of personal annihilation. S##t i just wanna get off this not so merry-go round.

[Fuzzybear]

Originally Posted by ptangptang

Yeah, that's pretty much it. Day hasn't started well. Hardly any sleep and more thoughts of personal annihilation. S##t i just wanna get off this not so merry-go round.

(((((ptangptang)))))

Same here, tho I tend to oversleep. My breathing problem is also giving me a hard time. Hugs.

[Skull&Crossbones]

I experience this too. I have a lot of triggers. One of the biggest is the piece of “advice” that no one will love me because I don’t love myself. Whether it’s technically true or not, it’s such an unbelievably cruel thing to say to someone who’s depressed and has no self-esteem. Might as well skip the middle part and just say I’m unlovable. It’s the same thing, but people have to add that it’s my fault and I should feel guilty about it. Another is people getting opportunities I’ve wanted my whole life but just couldn’t get them. It just reminds me my life ended years ago and there’s no hope.

What helps? Forcing myself to eat when I need to I guess...having a history of coming out of severe episodes around the first of November I guess. Nothing really helps is my point.

[ptangptang]

Originally Posted by Skull&Crossbones

I experience this too. I have a lot of triggers. One of the biggest is the piece of “advice” that no one will love me because I don’t love myself. Whether it’s technically true or not, it’s such an unbelievably cruel thing to say to someone who’s depressed and has no self-esteem. Might as well skip the middle part and just say I’m unlovable. It’s the same thing, but people have to add that it’s my fault and I should feel guilty about it. Another is people getting opportunities I’ve wanted my whole life but just couldn’t get them. It just reminds me my life ended years ago and there’s no hope.

What helps? Forcing myself to eat when I need to I guess...having a history of coming out of severe episodes around the first of November I guess. Nothing really helps is my point.

Yeah it's just another trite, meaningless phrase that people automatically come out with. You could be the biggest, narcissistic twat and people would hate you for it. There are quite a few phrases that sound profound but actually mean very little.
Hope you are feeling a bit better.

[Skull&Crossbones]

It may be ultimately meaningless, but it means a lot of negative things to me. Why would anyone think it's a good idea to tell someone with depression/low self-esteem and probably a lot of worthlessness/hopelessness something that sounds so hopeless?! Anyway...that's probably meant more for another thread. At least I have a smart *** response if I feel up to it next time I hear it.

Anyway...yes double depression is a thing (although I don't know what psychiatrists/psychologists call it if anything) and I'm sorry you deal with it too.

[ptangptang]

Originally Posted by Skull&Crossbones

It may be ultimately meaningless, but it means a lot of negative things to me. Why would anyone think it's a good idea to tell someone with depression/low self-esteem and probably a lot of worthlessness/hopelessness something that sounds so hopeless?! Anyway...that's probably meant more for another thread. At least I have a smart *** response if I feel up to it next time I hear it.

Anyway...yes double depression is a thing (although I don't know what psychiatrists/psychologists call it if anything) and I'm sorry you deal with it too.

Sorry i didn't mean to trivialise the meaning for you. I agree it is a tactless thing to say to someone who is already in the slough of despair. It's one of those pat phrases that people say like 'what have you got to be depressed about' or' think positive' or 'snap out of it'. maybe they don't know what else to say. In that case say nothing.
I'm still pretty depressed and had a long chat with ' the samaritans' last night. 1hr 11m. Does it help. Yeah i guess , a bit. Ok best wishes with your struggle.

[starryprince]

Originally Posted by Skull&Crossbones

I experience this too. I have a lot of triggers. One of the biggest is the piece of “advice” that no one will love me because I don’t love myself. Whether it’s technically true or not, it’s such an unbelievably cruel thing to say to someone who’s depressed and has no self-esteem. Might as well skip the middle part and just say I’m unlovable. It’s the same thing, but people have to add that it’s my fault and I should feel guilty about it.

These are big triggers for me, too. I hate that whole "you can't love yourself if you don't love yourself first" statement. It sounds very victim blaming, if that makes sense. It just makes people who have depression feel guilty, you're right. I've always felt like it was my fault that I haven't been able to find someone who loves me in the way I would like. I also get upset when people get things way easier than I (and others I care about) have (or am still trying to get). I think, "I fight so hard so how come I don't get the same results?" I hear you. I really do.

Originally Posted by ptangptang

Sorry i didn't mean to trivialise the meaning for you. I agree it is a tactless thing to say to someone who is already in the slough of despair. It's one of those pat phrases that people say like 'what have you got to be depressed about' or' think positive' or 'snap out of it'. maybe they don't know what else to say In that case say nothing.
I'm still pretty depressed and had a long chat with ' the samaritans' last night. 1hr 11m. Does it help. Yeah i guess , a bit. Ok best wishes with your struggle.

I agree with that 100%. Many people just say the first thing that comes out of their mouth, and usually it's something that's stereotypical, something that everyone says. I think this comes from a lack of empathy and/or emotional capacity. I think the same thing. If you don't know what to say, don't say anything at all or just straight up say, "I don't know what to say but I genuinely am here for you". I wish you all the best.

[unaluna]

Why dont you knock me up sometime?

[Fuzzybear]

Originally Posted by starryprince

These are big triggers for me, too. I hate that whole "you can't love yourself if you don't love yourself first" statement. It sounds very victim blaming, if that makes sense. It just makes people who have depression feel guilty, you're right. I've always felt like it was my fault that I haven't been able to find someone who loves me in the way I would like. I also get upset when people get things way easier than I (and others I care about) have (or am still trying to get). I think, "I fight so hard so how come I don't get the same results?" I hear you. I really do.


I agree with that 100%. Many people just say the first thing that comes out of their mouth, and usually it's something that's stereotypical, something that everyone says. I think this comes from a lack of empathy and/or emotional capacity. I think the same thing. If you don't know what to say, don't say
anything at all or just straight up say, "I don't know what to say but I genuinely am here for you". I wish you all the best.

^ I completely agree with this. I do think it comes from a lack of empathy ... on the rare occasions I’ve commented on an unhelpful reply.. well.. the lack of empathy has been confirmed, ouch .. .....

I much prefer it if someone is genuinely there for me even if they don’t know what to say

This is why I often just send hugs

Wishing everyone in this thread the best