Situational Depression

When things are going relatively well, I feel pretty good. I may run into some minor bumps and bruises but I jump back pretty quickly. However, if I'm severely hurt or stressed, I crash. And I crash hard. I stay in bed most of the day, I get irritated with my cats, I don't want to take my meds, I neglect my house and myself, etc. It's really hard. I lose interest in things that normally help me have fun. I don't want to talk to people. And I think my life is pretty much down the tubes.

I don't know why I react so harshly to things that most people would easily over look or brush off with ease. I'm very sensitive. I tend to overgeneralize and make things out to be worse than they actually are. And it's difficult for me to pull out of it. The depression can last for hours. Sometimes days. I don't like it. I wish it wasn't this way.

I struggle to be positive. I have an inner voice that chatters negativity when I'm depressed. I can't stop it. That's why I sleep so much. Less noise in my head. Or sometimes I can paint and it's a distraction. That's what I need right now... is a distraction. That's what this post is about. Trying to get some comfort from extreme pain. Thanks for listening.

Could you be suffering from abandonment depression?

Pete Walker, M.A. Psychotherapy

Part of a complex PTSD, watch to see if you are giving up on yourself. I have also heard the term reactionary depression. Something happens to trigger you then you give up on yourself because you feel you cannot cope.

The article made me think of the way my mother handled me when I was emotional. She wasn't very kind. She pretty much neglected me. So yea, could be. I do want to give up on myself. Like quit my normal routine, sleep all day, stop going to appointments, hide in my house and stay away from people.

I'm feeling a little better this morning. I did art all night. It just took my mind off of things. So much so that I was able to take my meds today and do my chores.

Thanks for the response!

Lot of our present problems ,how we think,how we handle life situations have long deep rooted reasons which can be linked to how we were treated as children.In my opinion most of the MI s arise from childhood abuse or maltreatment.I am so sorry you are suffering so much.You can't change the past or others behaviours towards you.You can work on yourself though.You are already doing it through art.Find more distractions that appeal to you. Yoga,meditation work for some people.

I feel that I have depression due to circumstances myself. The paragraph that I had quoted from you above sounds like me exactly, which is why I singled that one out. The rest sounds like me, also, except for a couple of things; such as the medications and sleeping a lot.

I can feel very happy when things are going well, and they are for me right now. However, I do get feelings of upcoming doom and gloom even when there's nothing coming up to dread. And then I feel like something's wrong with me for feeling great and having things work out well for me. There had been lots of times when I would feel so wonderful and then one little thing goes wrong and I go into an emotional "nosedive". All it would take is someone saying something to me that critical or corrective (even if it was meant well for me). I am very sensitive myself.

Interesting that those who had replied to you mentioned abandonment; and then you had replied back saying you were not treated well as a child. It sounds like those who had replied were referring to CEN. I had been reading articles about CEN and thought I never had it. After I had read the articles, it sounded just like me. Yes, my parents were not emotionally there for me and very critical.

Was reading thru postings looking to see if anything for what was going on with me. I could have written your post..almost. Something was revealed in therapy & I just fell into the mood you exactly described. But I really don't have the urge to correct it. Did you just wait it out? So glad you are doing better. Gives me hope.

Critical (to the extreme) parental units.. check
Not emotionally present (to the extreme) parental units.. check
“Abandonment depression” - probably
I will not use mean words against fuzzy bear
Hugs to all

I COMPLETELY agree with what ALL the other wise, wonderful posters have already WISELY and WONDERFULLY SAID BETTER THAN I EVER COULD, @Deilla! Yes, please keep finding distractions for yourself as much as you possibly can. Art is good. Yoga and Meditation are also WONDERFUL suggestions like Mendingmysoul has already WISELY and WONDERFULLY SAID! KEEP FIGHTING AND KEEP ROCKING! PLEASE DO KEEP FIGHTING AND KEEP ROCKING! The way our parents treated us when we were children DEFINITELY has an impact on our future Adult Life. Please NEVER blame yourself for it. You were just a child! You were a victim of circumstance. You can't change the Past but you CAN Change and Build a Better Future. I'd suggest to focus on that AS MUCH AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN! It's not easy but IT CAN BE DONE! Please be kind to yourself! Please ALWAY feel free to PM me ANYTIME AT ALL when you need Advice and Support! I am SURE plenty of others will ALSO GLADLY AND WONDERFULLY HELP YOU OUT AS WELL IF YOU JUST ASK! Sending many safe, warm hugs to BOTH You, @Deilla, Your Family, Your Friends And ALL Of Your Loved Ones! KEEP FIGHTING AND KEEP ROCKING AS MUCH AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN LIKE YOU'RE ALREADY WONDERFULLY DOING ALL AND ENTIRELY BY YOURSELF AND ALL AND ENTIRELY ON YOUR OWN! PLEASE DO KEEP FIGHTING AND PLEASE DO KEEP ROCKING AS MUCH AS YOU POSSIBLY CAN LIKE YOU'RE ALREADY WONDERFULLY DOING ALL AND ENTIRELY BY YOURSELF AND ALL AND ENTIRELY ON YOUR OWN! The EXACT SAME THINGS GOES FOR ALL OF YOU AND EVERYONE AS WELL! KEEP FIGHTING AND KEEP ROCKING ALL OF YOU! .grouphug:

I am glad you are feeling a bit better

I don't think we choose to abandon ourselves, we just become overwhelmed and naturally disconnect.

Re-connecting with yourself and taking care of yourself is a good idea.

I did some journaling about it. And it really helped to post here. Also, I read some of my inspirational books to try to put me in a better mood. I just took it slowly. And kept up with my art. Mainly time helped. I hope you can find something to help you and that you feel better soon.

Hi @deilla!

Quote:

Situational depression This is a short-term form of depression that occurs as the result of a traumatic event or change in a person's life. Adjustment disorder with depressed mood is another name for this emotional state. Triggers can include: divorce loss of a job the death of a close friend a serious accident other major life changes, such as retirement Situational depression stems from a struggle to come to terms with dramatic life changes. Recovery is possible once an individual comes to terms with a new situation. For instance, following the death of a parent, it may take a while before a person can accept that a family member is no longer alive. Until acceptance, they may feel unable to move on with their life. Symptoms can include: listlessness feelings of hopelessness and sadness sleeping difficulties frequent episodes of crying unfocused anxiety and worry loss of concentration withdrawal from normal activities as well as from family and friends suicidal thoughts Most people who experience situational depression begin to have symptoms within 90 days of the triggering event. What are the signs of mild depression? What are the signs of mild depression? Learn how to recognize depression before it becomes severe by clicking here.: READ NOW Clinical depression Man in therapy or counseling session with psychiatrist A doctor or psychiatrist can diagnose clinical depression. Clinical depression is more severe than situational depression. It is also known as major depression or major depressive disorder. It is severe enough to interfere with daily function. The Diagnostic and Statistic Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition (DSM-V) classifies clinical depression as a mood disorder. Disturbances in levels of certain chemicals — known as neurotransmitters — may be to blame. However, other factors are likely to play a role, for example: genetic factors may influence an individual's response to an experience or event major life events can trigger negative emotions, such as anger, disappointment, or frustration alcohol and drug dependence also have links to depression Depression can also alter a person's thought processes and bodily functions. Diagnosing depression For a formal diagnosis of clinical depression, a person must meet the criteria outlined in the DSM. A person must show five or more symptoms from a specific list of criteria, over a 2-week period, for most of nearly every day. The symptoms should be severe enough that they substantially reduce the person's ability to perform regular duties and routines. At least one of the symptoms must be a depressed mood or a loss of interest or pleasure. Other signs and symptoms include: depressed mood or constant irritability significantly reduced interest or feeling no pleasure in activities significant weight loss or weight gain a decrease or increase in appetite insomnia or an increased desire to sleep restlessness or slowed behavior tiredness or loss of energy feelings of worthlessness or inappropriate guilt trouble making decisions or concentrating recurrent thoughts of death or suicide or a suicide attempt Some people with clinical depression experience delusions, hallucinations, and other psychotic disturbances. These do not generally occur in people with situational depression.

Situational depression vs clinical depression: Difference and diagnosis

Are you still doing online gaming, Deilla?

I don't play games as much as I used to. Maybe a couple of hours a week. I mainly focus on my art. I'm doing digital art, acrylic paints, watercolor and drawing.

That sounds really exciting. I keep wanting to get more into art and design using my computer but have done very little so far. The capabilities of the computer in this regard are unlimited, after all.

Did you do the image that is your avatar? And if so, how?

Thirty shades - thanks for the link. It was eye opening for me and described me down to a T (I do flight and freeze). I’m going to research this further and bring it up in therapy.

Deilla - I’m glad you started feeling better.

Thanks, Jennifer. This week has gone well for me. I've been working with my online T about it. Hope things go well with your therapy too. (((Hugs)))

My avatar I found while searching the internet. It looked peaceful so I picked it. With my art, I do daily art challenges, assignments from a drawing book, I keep an art journal, I doodle/color for fun and I take a variety of online art classes. All day long I'm doing all kinds of art. I share it on DeviantArt and Instagram. I also upload my illustrations to stock image sites. I'm hoping to make some sales. I'm up to 30 good images so far. I need at least 100.

If you get into some digital art, you'll have lots of fun. It's really enjoyable.