Low level depression

[Tulipgold898]

Has anyone overcome low level depression without medication/therapy?

I think mine is linked to changes in life- coming to terms with motherhood, changes at work, losing my faith & community, pandemic loneliness, loss of friendships. All of these things have occurred at different points over the last five years and at the time they happened I was fine but for the last month I’ve been feeling low and they are playing on my mind. I keep wondering whether it’s just a matter off time and getting used to things or whether this is something different. I know I’ve felt low at different points in life and overcome those feelings but I can’t remember how long it lasted and whether it is more serious this time.

Bump

Well I’m trying, sometimes I feel like I’m winning, other times not so much….

Mine started 5 years ago when I had a mastectomy for breast cancer, as a result I gave up my career (had been a nurse for 26 years). Had a few other bumps in the road since then, but have retrained for a new job. Menopause has been quite unpleasant.

So, things I do to fight it.
•Keeping in touch with friends.
• Going out for coffees
• Reading (I’m in an online book club)
• swimming
• walking my dog

There are times when I just struggle though. So I remind myself that it’s not forever and soon I will feel more positive.

Have you told anyone in real life how you feel? I never have, but I suspect it would help.

Sorry you’ve had such a tough time

I speak to my husband about it and although he’s great I’m not sure he really understands. He’s trying to get me to do things I used to enjoy eg going out for walks, reading books, booking holidays but none of those things make me feel the way I used to. I feel like this feeling is constantly there and distractions don’t help. I also don’t know whether I’m ready to see my GP yet as it might just be a phase and I wonder whether I might be able to deal with it without medical intervention.

I have been through similar experiences, very similar. I did resort to medication and therapy twice which helped but I think that every person is different.

It's great that you are recognising how you are feeling and rest assured that there is lots of help out there should you need it. The first steps are always the hardest.

I have been medication free for 3 months now and I finally feel in a good place 🤞🏻 wishing you all the luck!

You will get through this! X

I seem to be a bit low for no good reason. One thing that oddly helps is remembering that no one promised that life is a bed of roses.
I think its Scott Peck's The Road Less Travelled that points out that life is difficult.
I've found that quite useful when I'm fretting about whether I'm happy/fulfilled/making enough of a difference etc.
(My depression takes the form of 'what is the point of me')

I also do the same things as @MissyB1

I forgot to talk about food. Good nutrition and the feeling that I’m nurturing my body with what it needs is a positive feeling. So I look at cook books and try new meals, which can be a helpful distraction. Although when I’m low it can be extremely difficult to get motivated.

@momofone18 Thanks it’s good to know I’m not alone.

It feels like early days still and I’m kind off hoping it will resolve by itself but I don’t know if that’s naive. I have a great life and so much to be grateful for - health, a wonderful family including husband, children, parents, in a good place in terms of my career and I wish those things could help me snap out off this. I guess I’m a little unsettled by recent changes in life and quite lonely as so many people have come and gone, but that’s just life isn’t it? I don’t enjoy anything and feel like there isn’t much to look forward to anymore.

[quote Tulipgold898]@momofone18 Thanks it’s good to know I’m not alone.

It feels like early days still and I’m kind off hoping it will resolve by itself but I don’t know if that’s naive. I have a great life and so much to be grateful for - health, a wonderful family including husband, children, parents, in a good place in terms of my career and I wish those things could help me snap out off this. I guess I’m a little unsettled by recent changes in life and quite lonely as so many people have come and gone, but that’s just life isn’t it? I don’t enjoy anything and feel like there isn’t much to look forward to anymore.[/quote]
It was really hard for people around me to understand how I was feeling as everything looked so right from the outside, but I just felt like I was drowning, on my own, like no one could understand how I felt.

I would kick myself about it, I couldn't work out why I felt like that. I was referred to a healthy mind team by my GP (you should have one in your local area) you pop your details online and don't need a GP referral.

I had my sessions over the phone and I talked through a lot of issues that I didn't even realise had bothered me as much as it had.

It's just a case of sometimes talking to a person that is impartial and you may find you are more honest.

My waves of feeling like it come and go but it got more frequent hence why I sought help.

Hope you feel better soon x

Yes.
I was diagnosed with severe depression at the end of lockdown.
I did CBT and although going back to work was hard little by little my general mood lifted.
What helps me
Eating healthily
Having a structure
Same bedtime
Waking at the same time
Going for walks
Music
Social media

@momofone18 Yes it’s the same here. Outwardly there is nothing wrong with my life but despite that I feel low. Do you feel that talking helped or was it the medication? I feel like I have someone I can talk to openly (my DH) so not sure if talking will help. How long were you on medication and how did you decide to come off them? x

[quote Tulipgold898]@momofone18 Yes it’s the same here. Outwardly there is nothing wrong with my life but despite that I feel low. Do you feel that talking helped or was it the medication? I feel like I have someone I can talk to openly (my DH) so not sure if talking will help. How long were you on medication and how did you decide to come off them? x[/quote]
I cried for a week solid. I got to work, cried in the bathroom, cried on the way there, on the way home and I just knew at that point I was just surviving. I called my GP as I didn’t want this to impact DD and DP because they both just looked at a loss of how to help.

GP said that it was a breakdown and signed me off work but because of the financial situation it wasn’t something I could do so opted for what I felt was the quicker route to make me feel better (medication). The reality is I should have took the time and took stock. Instead I ended up taking them for over two years.

I don’t know if I had taken the time to slow down if I would have needed the medication, but the meds certainly helped. I felt after two years remembering to take medication every day was just getting to me and felt like I needed to make a change.

I had a chat with my GP who helped me to effectively wean myself off them and I do feel in a good place now. A lot of it is just me not trying to be a people pleaser now. Understanding my triggers and talking about them so if my DP thinks I am going down the same route, we stop and reassess.

You will come out the other side of this! It’s great to get other people’s opinions, but you will know what is best for you. Seeking help isn’t a bad thing, managing it yourself isn’t a bad thing- it’s what works for you ❤️

Depression =/= feeling low. Do an actual diagnostic test and keep a mood diary.