Hi, I'm actually new on the site. I've been battling depression for 3 years taking pills, but more time undiagnosed. It actually gets really hard cause I have a resistant depression and meds so wonders for me but then they stop working and I have relapses. I was doing fine this last 5 months but now I'm relapsing again. I find it so hard to cope, because my family doesn't actually get depression, so I'm most of the time on my own battling the disease. I try so hard getting by on a daily basis. When I have crisis I don't know what to do, so I just go to bed an cry sometimes. What do you guys do to cope?
Also I'd love all the support I can get
Hi PG22,
I guess I can speak for most of us in the group that we've all been there. For 20 something years I battled depression. Although I was just recently diagnosed with Bipolar II, I still have depression symptoms, just not as bad. I can't imagine what its like to be on a med that works one day and not the next. So what can you do? My first suggestion, therapy, if you are not already going. Find someone you click with and can trust. It's very difficult when the meds stop working, but try writing in a journal or drawing in a pad. I would draw something that would reflect how I was feeling no matter how bad it came out. Once I felt a little better, I would rip the picture up into pieces. Walking is still a good tool, I am able to get some focus back and feel calm. Just taking in nature and sounds and the quiet time. Exercising is always a plus. If you can't get to a gym, maybe buy a cheap dvd and pop it in when you feel down. Family and friends are always helpful if they are willing to have an open mind and not judge, but try to understand the depression. My mom is horrible to me and she has depression, but I have a couple of sisters that are ok. My counselors are my best support - I have 2 in case of emergency and one isn't available. Hope this helps, I would love to chat some more if you want.
ssgiggler
Dear ssgiggler
Thank you so much for the support. I didn't feel alone there for a second. I can't imagine what it's like to battle it for that many years. The tips actually made a lot a sense. I would love to chat sometime.
You are not alone, I can't always be logged in, but I check once or twice a day and love to talk to people who know what its like. Its almost like having our own special place that's ours and only ours if you know what I mean. After 20 years of ups/downs/sideways/angles, you name it, I've felt it. I found that there will never be a cure and its up to us to make our lives as fulfilling as possible. People without bipolar or similar disorders will never truly know how hard it is to get through some days. We can't seem to explain it or truly express how hard it can be. I think this makes us stronger and more capable to adapt to they way we need to live. And I'm always open to new suggestions on how to cope. Music is also a big one for me. I have playlists setup on my computer sorted by feelings so I can pick a list that won't have music that will make me feel worse.
That's great. I do find it difficult to do certain things. Like taking meds I don't even know if they're working. Getting through certain days that seem impossible. Going to work on bad days. Social situations when you just want to cry. I do find it a struggle and I know it's my job to keep going. But there are times when I do ask myself why me? I will find ways to cope but I find it really hard specially in crisis. When crisis hit me I just don't know what to do. What do you do then?