Ask Anything Monday!

Happy Monday to everyone!

A big thanks to @PeppiPatty @BamBam and @Peter_Pan78 for your insightful responses last week.

This week's question:

I'm educated and employed, I like my job and have a significant other who I adore. Most days I'm perfectly okay and content.

On the other hand, sometimes I am overcome with this feeling that this life of general contentment is pointless. I feel numb inside, like I'm going through the motions until I unavoidably start to deteriorate and ultimately pass away of old age. I'm not suicidal, but I often think 'what is the point?'

And then, the feeling goes away for a while. Until it comes back. Is this even depression? Is it just part of the human condition?

hI Welcome to the forum

Hi @Rosie, your comment is so true , I find mine goes around in cycles , but not sure how long in between , I think doing a mood diary is a good idea -- i am going to start one today to see what time frame

Hey @Shaz51 and @Rosie

How are you both? Good to see you, I like your answers. Because I feel Im pretty much where this person is too.

I have a feeling, Im dealing with a lot of repression in my life...I need to be free from it....

I love the mood diary idea that both @Rosie and @Shaz51 write about. It's such a.....clear thing to do in my eyes. When my son was very very ill, I had a mood diary and...It really really helpd me keep on track. One for him, one for me.........

Freud writes; the meaning of life is to love your work and love the people you hang out with (my words)

I go through stages like this lovely person who has written in. I LOVe my partner (everyone knows here) I love my work too.....

it's past memories of my life, something that I remembered happened over 15 years ago and I'm feeling very sad.

It is somthing I had no control over, I needed support and I didnt know how to get it....The feelings come in waves....sometimes Im good other times, I can barely get out of bed. Im reading something tomorrow, Ille see what I can bring up .....

Thank you so much for asking this question.....

That is such a great question! Im not sure but the first thing i thought of is I wonder if there is something 'missing'? But then I thought.. That sounds kind of normal to have the ups and downs of life being 'exciting/boring/otherwise!'... so i'm a bit conflicted!

My first thought though - Is there anything that helps during those times that you feel things are pointless? Do you think socialising helps more or is that just more of the same.... Or could you join a volunteer group like soroptimists, lions, take on a disabled person/child once a month for a few hours on the weekend as respite for a family... I know I really see more 'goodness' in the world when I'm involved in projects that have a purpose other than myself, and feel good (does that sound selfish!??)

But if those feelings are really lasting for a while each time they come and nothing helps, it would be great to see your gp to have a talk about it too.

LJ

Hi their,

Thank you for the great question, i grapple with this question every day, is this it? things are always going to get worse for me? is their any point going on if their is only a few fleeting moments of happyness? who will care if i was not here anymore? who will know i even exist in 20,50,100 years time?

These are some of the extended questions i add to your original question. it depends what your outlook on life is , are you a glass half full, glass half empty, or glass fully empty?

i suppose life is what we make it, you sounds like you have a good life, but their is something missing for you to be having these thoughts, @Former-Member is right maybe vollenteering might be helpful, or maybe sit and write a list of all the good in your life and stick it next to your bed, to remind you why you keep going.

Thank you so much for bringing this up, i have often wondered if i was the only person thinking these things.

Jacques

Happy Monday everyone!

A big thank you to @Rosie , @Shaz51 , @PeppiPatty , @Former-Member and @Jacques for responding to the question last week.

We have 2 questions this week! When you are responding, please include the number corresponding to the question you're responding to.

Q1.

18 months ago I was diagnosed with GAD and severe depression. Ive spent that time working towards coming off the antidepressants and going back to work and living a normal life again, which felt so close!

But now Ive been diagnosed Bipolar II and prescribed more new drugs. I don’t understand how one Psychiatrist can be sure its Bipolar and another can be sure its not.

Receiving conflicting information is SO confusing and while I know a diagnosis shouldn’t define us, Im finding it difficult to deal with this. Would really appreciate any advice.

Q2.

I feel embarrassed that some of my posts on facebook have had me relating to depression. eg.having a bad day etc and feel self conscious that I've put it 'out there' so to speak. I guess I don't know what to say when I see friends that would have seen my posts? I guess that sounds stupid.

I just wondered if others have felt the same. Anyway. Thank you for reading this. Not sure if you could give me any advice?

Q1 -- Hello, welcome to the forum ,

yes @500bluebirds, we are going through a similar thing too , My husband has had depreesion all his life , been to so many doctors that don`t know what he really has -, he has been tested for so many different things -he was lately diagnosed with GAD and Clinical Depression .

As a wife I am finding to keep records of what is happening , our psychiatrist/treating drs laughed at me for asking so many questions but i still write down any questions i want to ask

we are still learning how to manage my Husband`s health and doing my own research as well,

all the best, and if i think of something else, i will let you know