Feel like I am sinking - Al-Anon Family Group

Powerless · Senior Member

Feel like I am sinking

nycbt · ~*Service Worker*~

I have a problem with taking showers more than once a week because I suffer from depression and I am struggle with this. I have been struggling with this for years. I think it is a control thing, if I get upset the two things I can control are eatting and showering. For the past couple of years I have been dealing with both depression and him drinking. My other thing is being neat, because of my hyperactive I have a problem being organize, so the room we sleep in is a mess. He is a very neat person and I am the opposite. There I said the one thing he says I don't talk about. Wow tht felt good. I also am struggling with my self to do my landry. I have gotten better the past couple of weeks, which I am very proud of my self.

-- Edited by nycbt at 12:49, 2005-06-03

KathyS · Senior Member

There have been times when I've felt depression taking over and I just don't have the *umpf* to do anything at all. If not for my kids I wouldn't even get out of bed when that feeling hits. The ONLY thing I've found that makes it go away is when I force myself to do something, anything....as much as I don't want to do it. Take a shower, go for a walk, excercise (proven to produce endorphines: the feel good hormone), go shopping, cook, clean, anything at all that requires movement and thought. There are of course times when depression requires a Dr and medication, but I honestly believe 9 times out of 10 we can pull ourselves out of it by taking action. Prayer works. Reading the slogans helps. Anything positve that we take in helps to push that despairing feeling out. Make a gratitude list starting with the letter A and going all the way thru Z. No matter what little thing you come up with for each letter, when it's all done......you'll be amazed at how many things you are thankful for that you take for granted every day. If you have the one day at a time or courage to change daily reader, skip around and read page after page until you start to feel better. Sit in the sun for a few minutes. Plan something for the future. No matter how far off or how trivial the plan, it will be something to look forward to. These are some of the things I've found that helped me pull myself out of being depressed. Hope they help.

jessi · Senior Member

Powerless.

I know exactly how you feel. I have allowed my emotions/depression to take over my life more than once. Depression is a disease and I am glad you are seeking medical treatment. In addition, I find it necessary to "fake oit until I make it" sometimes just to fight the depression. Any kind of manual labor -- from gardening to dusting the house -- really helps. I need to get my body working even of my mind won't turn off for awhile.

Hope this helps and take care. You are already helping yourself just by reaching out here.

Love and hugs,
Jessi

whitie · Senior Member

Powerless,
I've so been there too. And I agree that making youself do anything other than sink into it will help you get out of it. I know how hard that is to do but it is up to you. Do something fun and don't turn down anything that might help draw you out. My doctor talked of uping my meds and that was enough to pull myself up by my bootstraps and take action. That's not always possible so I thank my hp for helping me with that.

Good luck to you, keep us posted.
Whitie

Jolert · Veteran Member

Hello Powerless, I understand the feeling of sinking. And I agree with everyone that getting yourself up and moving is the best thing. Even something extremely simple. I would sit and visualise myself doing the dishes, or putting in a load a laundry. Feel how glad I would be when it was finished. Sometimes it didn't get done for 2 days but I started myself thinking about it. Exercise really helps, a simple walk around the block was my start. But the thing that helped me most was just deciding to accept that I was depressed. Sometimes the guilt I felt over being depressed was worse than the depression itself. Just another reminder that I was human I guess. I wish you well. Jenny

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