Vulnerable - but here goes

[bsmcneil]

I am in the worst flare of depression I think I've ever been. And I don't know what to do from here. Ideas welcomed (some I may have already tried) - but good thoughts and well wishes and prayers also welcomed.

 

[tetera]

Just an idea for in the moment- do you know about the 54321 grounding technique?

Observe:

5 Things you can see
4 Things you can feel
3 Things you can hear
2 Things you can smell or taste
1 Good thing about yourself

And this may sound silly but when things are really tough I often think about Frozen 2…and to just…”Do the next right thing….”

 

[Moonspinner]

It may sound too simple but watch Pollyanna. And take her advice.

Also coffee and exercise. Both are antidepressants. Cut back on sugar to almost zero. No alcohol. Both sugar and alcohol are depressants.

 

[kuhltiffany]

Reaching out for help is a great step! I’ll remind you to take care of yourself. Make sure to get enough sleep, try and eat well, go outside for some Vitamin D, fresh air and movement, take care of physical health and emotional needs too.

 

[DL1WDW2]

My sister went thru this very severely and we are too old to fly cross country anymore. She has not been out of her house in many years but her husband always buys her paper & coloring pencils or,markers and she started drawing Hearts to send to me every night on her phone and eventually started calling me at night to ask how my day was .
The different designs she has created over many years is amazing…I always let her know which one is my favorite every day .
I mentioned I thought I saw she had created a small Mickey Mouse hidden and now she always tries to trick me to see if I found the hidden design
Sometimes it is a cross and sometimes a star for example !
Anyway I have been stuck at home with some medical issues for about a month and she cheers me up as much as I cheer her up with my simple daily trip to grocery or whatever!
You just need one person to care and one person to need your love .

I will ask her to include you when she is drawing for me .
We also look out window to see the moon or the stars and rainstorms .
Her weather on West Coast in comparison to mine on the East Coast!

I hope you can tell I care about you now

 

[mommasita]

I messaged you @bsmcneil

 

[Dust2]

Reach out to friends and make an effort to see them.

Find somewhere to volunteer, helping someone else is the best form of self care.

Walk in the sunshine several times a week.

Go somewhere you’ve never been before, even if it’s in your own town.

Try to visit somewhere vast like an ocean, desert, or mountain. It helps you feel small which also helps your problems feel small.

Read a book, any book. The connection with the characters helps.

Know that you are loved, even if you can’t feel it right now. Never consider a permanent solution to a temporary problem. Counseling is available online these days. Talking with a professional really helps. They have excellent insight and advice. I know all of this from finding myself in a situation similar to yours. Don’t lose hope

 

[Dive Bar Casanova]

Think of the things you love and hold those thoughts.

 

[Grand Koalafornian]

I'm late to the game, sorry. I hope you're doing better now. Some things that sometimes help me when my depression is awful:

• little bits of sunlight and exercise that slowly work up over time - e.g. 10 min/day for a few days, 15 min/day for the next few (I usually have to already be on the way up for sunlight and exercise to help)
• accomplishing small, easy goals (SMART goals are best - Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Time-bound, e.g. "walking for 20 min/day starting Monday" is better than "get more steps")
• getting at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables per day, at least 5 days per week, for at least two weeks
• time in nature with a friend (just one or two other people for me, but not alone) - a hike, a picnic, going for a swim, etc.
• silly feel-good movies or tv, especially with a good laugh. Phineas and Ferb was very helpful for me a few years ago
• daily affirmations - this depends on what, if anything, is fueling my depression
• small gratitude habits, like thinking of 3 things I'm thankful for before I fall asleep every night
• daily stretches
• meditation

None of these things are perfect, ofc. Some of them, I have to be consistent over a few weeks to see improvement, like the fruits and vegetables one. Unfortunately for me, the key to depression is consistency which is difficult with depression and ADHD.

I really hope you are in a better place now. A lot of us on the DIS boards know how terrible depression can be. Wishing you the best!

 

[LoveToDisney]

I don’t know if this will help or not but if you are tortured by “loop” thinking, I found doing math tables, or any type of math actually, helps me break away from those repetitive thoughts. If the same thought returns I just dive back into equations or counting by 7s or something else depending on how much distraction I need.
Best wishes for an improved spirit. Sending a virtual hug.

 

[Dan Murphy]

good thoughts and well wishes and prayers also welcomed.

bsmcneil, all three are with you. Hope you are feeling better. 's

 

[LuvOrlando]

Hoping your today has been an ok sort of day and that your tomorrow will be better

 

[Sparrow'sLady]

I am sorry you are struggling. You probably already have, but perhaps walks outside or even in a mall. Exercise and stimulation for the brain can help. Also, as hard as it may be, try getting out more. Even if you sit in a park.
I am praying for you. Jesus can heal all.

 

[bsmcneil]

Thank you all. I cannot pretend that my depression has abated. It has, in fact, gotten worse. However, I'm feeling a bit joyous right this moment because I have a tiny bit of energy (which I haven't for a while - I keep meaning to come over and post). After 2 years (something happened August 12, 2023) of intense physical pain and symptoms, I finally have some progress. My spinal cord has been softening due to a lack of blood (called mylomalacia). There may be other problems and this was only discovered once my legs lost feeling and my right side has lost feeling most of the time. They would like to do surgery though I genuinely don't think I can (I don't have extended family, community, or health insurance - and this would take me out of work for a while). But, to have a diagnosis and have the dr sit beside me and say, "You weren't making it up - you've been in a lot of pain and it's real and it's right here" and can point to it - I bawled.

So, on behalf of the synergistic The Walt Disney Company, I'm going to bring you a Simpsons reference:

 

[Dan Murphy]

Thank you all. I cannot pretend that my depression has abated. It has, in fact, gotten worse. However, I'm feeling a bit joyous right this moment because I have a tiny bit of energy (which I haven't for a while - I keep meaning to come over and post). After 2 years (something happened August 12, 2023) of intense physical pain and symptoms, I finally have some progress. My spinal cord has been softening due to a lack of blood (called mylomalacia). There may be other problems and this was only discovered once my legs lost feeling and my right side has lost feeling most of the time. They would like to do surgery though I genuinely don't think I can (I don't have extended family, community, or health insurance - and this would take me out of work for a while). But, to have a diagnosis and have the dr sit beside me and say, "You weren't making it up - you've been in a lot of pain and it's real and it's right here" and can point to it - I bawled.

So, on behalf of the synergistic The Walt Disney Company, I'm going to bring you a Simpsons reference:

View attachment 998782

Well, that's a beginning. You have to start somewhere. Continued prayers, @bsmcneil. 's