Couch 187: Dry Cheerios

Sounds like depression. Exhaustion was often my primary symptom. At one time, that would have been a sign I needed a med adjustment. I haven't been on meds in a long time, and my level of depression doesn't get nearly as severe as it used to so meds aren't needed anymore, but I still have those days . . . . Now, it's a sign I need to get off my butt and walk. I need to get myself back into my routine of self-care.

In fact, that's what I had to do for myself in just the last couple weeks. My husband's surgery and all it entailed combined with moving Dad into assisted living combined with 11 Christmas concerts in 10 days wiped my personal resources out. I sat down and prioritized. I eliminated a couple of "obligations" that weren't absolutely vital. I started walking again a bit more. I started doing my Bible reading again each day (not saying that's for anyone else, but for me it is grounding) because I had neglected it for a good month or so. I started paying attention to my food intake again instead of just eating whatever. I'm starting to feel more like myself again. It took a couple weeks to find that equilibrium again.

What do you need to do for your own self-care? What works best to keep you grounded and feeling more in control? Is a med adjustment (or addition) needed? That's what you need to figure out.

Def depression, I've had it most my life.... I am usually good at self care but with everything going to hell in the last week.... I'm just too exhausted to try or care anymore. I'm not on meds of any kind.

Which is why you have to deliberately work at it. I understand exactly how difficult that is, but (as my therapist always said and dang it if he wasn't right), when I'm depressed, I basically have to do opposite of what my brain is telling me to do:

Brain: I want to lay in bed and eat myself into a stupor.
What I need to do: Get my butt out of bed and walk, even if it is just to the next house and back. Add a bit each day.

Brain: I don't want to be around people.
What I need to do: Get out of the house. Maybe not socially, that might be impossible right now. But, how about just going to the book store or Target to change my environment for an hour?

Brain: I want to end it all.
What I need to do: Stop. Ask for help. DO SOMETHING to stop that cycle of thinking.

AW

Makes tons of sense and I have been doing things like eating and taking my dog out etc but right now I'm also in intense pain from my medical issue and it's hard to walk very far so I'm stuck inside all weekend. I'm bored outta my mind.

I just wish I had things to look forward to. I wish I could hug my T. I wish I had a family who would visit me when I'm ill etc.

Literally the only thing keeping me alive is my dog and he's 15 so it's not like he's got tons of life left

Please call a crisis line.

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Crisis lines don't help me. I don't trust the people enough to share anything. I get frustrated and hang up.

I'll be ok. Keep on moving through my boring life. No real point of it but I wont leave my dog so as long as he's around, I will be

There are always inpatient programs.

Like moths to a flame.

Nope, wont do therapy anymore. Not inpatient, group or individual. I believe it's a scam and I can't put myself through that again. I'll suffer alone like I have most my life

Your choice.

Do you see any irony?

No irony. People aren't to be trusted, my T proved that again in the end. I was better off before therapy. When I kept people distant

Pop that sucker. Do you ever watch dr pimple popper on you tube? Talk about trust.

^No thanks, I'd vomit

And I wont trust anyone again except a dog. Realizing T was fake and lied for 20 months was too much. IF HE CAN screw me like that, why should I believe others wont? It's been my lifelong experience.

Keeping distant is best.

No sense of it at all.

I'm watching a documentary on Netflix about prohibition, you guys might like it , it's by Ken Burns.

That's your opinion. Makes perfect sense to me

Why would it be more sensible to trust and get close to people so they can leave and screw you over? THAT makes no sense

I’m currently watching so stupid movie with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore. I’m usually a fan of Adam Sandler.

love them together, which is it? They've done a few

Woop way to go! Do you have any plans for your money-are you saving up for something special?

Does it have like a bunch of kids one with red hair and the opening scene is at a Hooters bar?

If so it's the holiday one- but I can't remember the name.

xD