Hitting rock bottom and getting back up again

[RainbowBriteUk]

Was there a time when you hit rock bottom? There's been recent events which have brought negative feelings up from my past with my mother and i'm struggling to forgive her. That and recent emotional abuse in a relationship and it's making me very low. I'm really finding it hard to get back up again. I'm fine through the week when I have work to keep me busy, but weekends are tough. I make plans to do things then find it difficult to leave the house so i'm constantly thinking.

What made you hit the bottom and how did you get back up again?

I’ve been there, last Christmas I was quite literally at rock bottom. Couldn’t get out of bed for 3 days. Was living off microwaved meals, didn’t go outside for 10 days. Literally felt the worst. Bad mental health and depression worse than I’ve ever had before.

I really feel for you OP but it CAN and will get better.

It sounds like you need to talk to someone, could you call the Samaritans, you don’t have to be ‘suicidal’ which I think is a common misconception. Nor are you wasting their time (I felt this). You are important, your mental health is important and these resources are there for a reason. I do hope you can reach out xx

By the way, I also feel you on the ‘you’re okay at work thing’ I think there is a misconception that people with depression can’t be successful but that is absolutely not true. Xx

Realising that my kids deserve a mother who is in top form. It didn't make me snap out of it but i am slowly making my way out of things.

By the way, the Samaritans are also not religious (the name is a bit confusing admittedly) I’m personally not religious, though I understand they’re supportive to all (atheist, agnostic or of faith)

Yes. I’ve hit rock bottom. What triggered it? An unexpected loss. Ripped my heart out.

What made me get back up? My kids. Myself. I told myself I had a choice. I could either drown or I had to fight.

What did I do? Cut out booze completely (huge downer if not in a good place). Made sure I got out every day and moved (even a walk). My close friends supported me. I went into therapy. I prioritised sleep and healthy diet (sleep is so critical, if you can sleep, you can heal). I practised gratitude: what things (however small) was I grateful for that day.

Day buy day, week by week, it got easier.
I didn’t need to go to the GP’s and medicate, but if my sleep had been affected. Or the first steps didn’t help - I would have asked for proper support (medication).