Severe Depression

Hi @Squidly Sorry to hear you are going through this, I can understand and feel your pain. I have been diagnosed with major anxiety, panic attacks and depression for a long time, I can relate to what you are going through.

One important factor for me was to distract myself from my thoughts, the longer I stayed still without doing anything, the worse it got. I kept myself busy, and as soon as I woke up, I started thinking positively about things that make me happy, things I want to do, and the things that excite me! I jumped out of bed in the morning, I said to myself" Let's go, today I am going to be happy and do something that brings me joy" I constantly kept myself and my mind busy with things, like going to the coffee shop, going for a walk in the park/nature, listening to the birds, reading a book, or just sitting outside under the sun, greatly helped me.

Be patient with yourself, take small steps each day and most importantly please be kind to yourself. Believe in yourself that you can do this! I believe in you that you can! Love to hear about your progress, wishing you nothing but happiness, take care.

@Hope2Recovery

Thanks for getting back to me. I appreciate your helpful response.

My problem is that my thoughts are racing during the night, causing sleep deprivation.

I've tried meditation and mindfulness exercises, focusing on my breathing.

I've only recently seen my psych to get my meds updated, which is frustrating.

The uncertainty of not knowing if and when I will recover from this is creating more anxiety.

Last Saturday, I just began to start crying for no reason.

I did write down some daily goals, like going for a 10-minute walk, which I accomplished over the past two days. I also managed to read a book in the sun, which has helped.

I'm trying to manage at home instead of going back into MH rehabilitation.

That's amazing that you accomplished a 10 minute walk for two days running @Squidly and reading a book in the sun sounds good too. How are you doing today?

Hi @Squidly Your welcome 🙂 It's great to see you have taken those small steps, good on you! that is an excellent achievement, well done 👏 Sitting outside under the sun has a very calming effect. Sometimes crying is Ok, it allows us to release our emotions. I used to do the same, all of a sudden I would burst out crying for no reason, afterwards I felt a bit better, like I released a big emotional pressure out of my body. If you ever need to talk to someone we are all here to help each other. Celebrate your small achievements by rewarding yourself with an activity you enjoy or something nice you like to eat 🙂 Think positive and concentrate on the good, believe in yourself that you can do it! Keep going! Most importantly please always remember to treat yourself with kindness, and take care 🙂

Thanks for your support, @Ainjoule @Hope2Recovery

I've been so tired and suffering burnout from Insomnia over the past two months that I think it's taking a toll on my depression and anxiety.

I'm stuck in a hostile and repetitive cycle that I can't break.

I'm not sure what brought on this Insomnia in the first place, and I have tried two different sleep-assisting medications, and none of them worked.

It still seems like I'm in a constant battle with my mental health and my health at the moment, and I can't see my psych for another month as he is on leave.

Argghhhhh @Squidly ... insomnia... bringing back so many memories. I'm totally hearing you. It's not a pleasant experience at all. And yes, my insomnia exacerbated my depression and anxiety to the next level.

Have you found any helpful strategies that you may be able to utilise?

@tyme I do have racing thoughts when I lie in bed, so before I go to bed, I write down anything that worries me and get it all out on paper, which seems to help a little.

I also drink less water before bed to prevent myself from waking up and going to the bathroom in the early hours of the morning.

I take magnesium tablets before bed with my medication.

I set my phone alarm and place it on the other side of my bedroom, which helps me wake up in the morning. I put it to 'do not disturb.'

I still seem to wake up four or five times at night and go back to sleep, but it's light sleep, which is not complete rest.

No blues screens one or two hours before bed.

A cooler room temperature helps at night.

This is what my psychotherapist suggested.

I've heard exercising four hours before bed can also help, but the problem is I don't have the energy from the sleep deprivation.

Do you have any tips that may help me?

Hey @Squidly

I generally sleep ok, but I use to have trouble getting to sleep. One thing that did help me was to get up for a brief period of time when I was having trouble sleeping, do something for a few minutes and then go back to bed. And try again. I would do this in cycles of around half an hour. i.e. if I can't sleep for half an hour I get up and do something. It may not work for you but I thought I would mention it in case. It can just help circuit break the thoughts that maybe keeping me awake. Hopefully @tyme or someone else might have a few more tips.