Please help me with practical ideas to help me

[Toclearmyhead]

I have anxiety and depression. I've just been put on citalopram (again!) but have spent a day feeling terrible and my poor dc's have been stuck inside.

Are there practical things I can do to help improve things as well as the drugs?

Am sure I read an article once that said turkey was good to eat if you were depressed?

First time all day I've been able to summon any energy so need to have a plan for tomorrow...

I have always thought that taking every bit of the day as you go helps. Literally break it into 15 minute sections and just plan to get through the next 15 minutes.

I HATE going out when I am feeling low but even if its a walk round the block I always feel better. This could be your last resort.

Hope you have a better day tomorrow.

Thank you

Am going to make a list with five things that I need to do on it

1. Go for a walk (even if it's raining!)

Will add others when I think of them or get more suggestions.

If I feel a bit more proactice I hope it will help.

At the moment am just consumed with feelings of helplessness so need to have a list of what I've done by this time tomorrow.

Agree totally re. the 15 minute sections. Ive written that so many times as advice for people. It just helps to make the day less daunting.

I would also look at things as a/ short term (to get through the initial period of being on the ad's. Side effects / not kicked in yet etc etc. and then b/ longer term self help.

For the short term I think thats basically whatever gets you through the day. And often that can be the bare minimum. So as long as the children are safe and looked after dont really worry about anything else. If you cant face clearing up buy some paper plates and throw them out. Have easy meals. Let them watch more tv etc etc. Its only short term and wont do them any harm.

For longer term - good idea to look at idea. (turkey is supposed to be good. It contains Trytophan which converts to serotonin.) If you just do a google search on diet and depression loads will come up - but its basically : reduce sugar and white items, reduce caffeine, eat plenty of fresh food, nuts seeds etc good, eat a healthy snack every three hours or so to keep blood sugar levels even, oily fish.

Gentle exercise supposed to be good - so walks etc.

Find a way of relaxing. Breathing exercises, yoga etc.

Hope thats useful x

sorry good idea to look at 'diet'

Diet is important, but especially as the days draw in, the thing I would place most importance on is going outside whilst it is daylight. A regular walk, even only 15 minutes, somewhere green if possible. And add any other form of exercise if there are things you like or have liked previously.