How do I shake myself out of functioning depression?

[TiredOfLife16]

I just don’t know what to do anymore. I can get myself out of bed, I come to work and put a smile on my face and all the rest, but I genuinely feel so empty inside. I haven’t showered this week, which I know is disgusting but I just don’t have any energy. I get home and want to just rot in bed all night. I don’t want to eat, I don’t meal prep or cook good food for myself. I just have no motivation for life at the moment. I don’t know where to turn or what to do

Anyone, please? I’m at my wits end

As someone who has suffered from similar for a looong time, I don't want you to go unanswered.

I don't know if you self-medicate with alcohol but if you do, my main advice would be to stop. I am coming to the end of a year of sobriety and I can't begin to describe what a positive impact it has had on my mental health.

Do you take medication? If not I’d book in to see gp and say exactly what you have put.

I very rarely drink, only for big occasions

I feel the same - mainly in the winter for me. I've stopped drinking in the past couple of months and still feel shit. I've just bought some magnesium and vit d supplements and in considering some sort of sad lamp glasses. Got the kids to school and I'm on my way to work but I haven't managed to wash or brush my teeth, so you're not the only gross one.

You are in full stage depression and you really need to help yourself by going to see the GP as soon as humanely possible. This is not your fault but only you can fix it. Please go and see someone. Have you ever or do you take SSRIs? I’ve taken them for years for anxiety and they are life changing.

Anti depressants can be very effective

this time of year - a SAD lamp
getting an hour of real daylight - preferably morning / midday
exercise - increases endorphins
nutrition - eat crap / feel crap and all that

One step at a time.

Make yourself a list of small achievements. e.g.:

• take a shower.
• have an apple
• go for a 15 minute walk whilst listening to music
• brush your hair.

Put the list somewhere visible then see if you can manage to do a couple of them.

Small steps lead to bigger things.

See GP for blood tests first get checked out for illness

HRT if that time of life

Things that work for me
Get up have a shower get dressed put your shoes on
Collagen, iron tablets , vit D
Cold showers, or cold plunging at gym
Walk in nature
Journal writing
Creative hobby
Yoga
Meditate in silence ten mins a day morning and night
Put music on
Therapy
ChatGPT for working through feelings it's actually really good at calming depressing anxious thoughts

It's all a massive pain the ass when depressed and exhausted but make yourself do one thing, just one thing (get up have a shower and turn it ice cold at the end it's honestly a good shock that shocks you awake )

You deserve to look after yourself

How long have you been feeling like this @TiredOfLife16 ? Has it been longer than a few weeks? Would you consider trying anti-depressants? Sometimes we need them in order to give us enough of a boost that we have the motivation to try to do some of the things that we know will help (like eating well and looking after ourselves).

I'm sorry to hear you're feeling like this, that sounds really tough to be dealing with.

It may help to go see your GP. Often these things benefit hugely from additional support, medication and therapy. I don't believe we can shake ourselves out of depression necessarily - a funk, yes, but this sounds more difficult and tough than a funk.

Well, the only thing that works for me in this situation is prescription medicine. There’s no reason to keep trying to ‘shake yourself out of it’ if that’s not happening. I find I need the medicine in order to be well enough to make any other changes.

Agree with trying anti-depressants, they were life changing for me. No amount of bubble baths and colouring in would have “fixed” me when I was unwell, I could barely leave the house.

I just feel really stupid going to the GP. On the face of it my life is fine and I have no reason to feel like this

You need treatment for depression from the appropriate channels. GP, private counsellor or psychiatrist.

Just go !!
if you had a physical illness but your ‘life was just fine’ id bet u go !!!
if u have clinical depression the most effective evidence based treatment is medication
like PP said, we can do lots to help our mood but no amount of baths and colouring will treat a clinical depression-
just do it, get checked out, if they don’t think u need them, they won’t prescribe !

It’s the same for a lot of people and it is a huge thing to ask for help. But there doesn’t have to be a reason for mental ill-health, it just happens. Think of it this way - nobody would put off going to the GP if they had consistent back pain or gut issues just because life was otherwise fine.

That's the whole thing with depression though, there's often no real reason. Please go to your gp. Anti depressants will help lift you out of the worse of it so you can start working on other things like eating well and getting some exercise (just a walk will make a big difference).

Do you think people with depression need a 'good reason' to suffer from depression? It's a mental illness.

Start small. Vitamin D makes a huge difference. A walk, too though I appreciate that feels hard. Even 10 mins. Eating something with fresh fruit and veggies - buy it to start with, don't make it! And if you need a kick-start please go to your GP ...

That’s not how depression works.
The GP will understand that.
Make an appointment asap.

Baby steps suggestions were good.
Some people do benefit from taking happy drugs for a while until their own levels of contentment rise.
Talk to your GP.
Walk in nature every day.

That's an untrue thought
It's not stupid to go
You deserve to see the doctor
It can be fixed and pain alleviated
There may be a medical reason, low in something, or you may need a course of antidepressants
They are miracle workers !

Please don't compare your life to anyone else's and think you don't deserve support because things are "fine". You wouldn't expect to be sent home untreated for a broken leg as the hospital is treating cancer patients.

Depression doesn't need a "big" event to trigger it, it may just be right now you need a bit of extra care. Go to your GP, describe how you are feeling, get your bloods done and check for low iron and vitamin D, low vitamin D can leave you feeling completely exhausted and like it's almost painful to move. Take whatever support the GP feels you need and take care of yourself.

This is exactly what I said to a doctor the first time I came to see them long time ago. On paper my life was better than fine - while I felt exactly like you. Felt stupid and a bit ashamed.

I have lived with my depression on and off of many years now, and accepted that this is part of how my mind works. I also learned that sometimes I can manage it on my own - CBT'ing myself to do things I know help - exercise, sleep, friends, etc. And there are times - where I can't manage on my own - so I go to my doctor and get medication.

People have different views of antidepressants - but for me they saved my life, and pulled me out of really deep and dark places. I hope you'll consider asking for help.