How can I help myself

[whatshoukdido]

I'm feeling so flat, low and miserable all of the time. I've started back on fluoxetine. Not working yet. Im trying to do all the things to help myself - I've joined a sports club at work one eve a week and am taking lessons in that sport another eve. I've joined a beginners running club another night. I've started taking a neighbour's dog for walks. These things help briefly afterwards but then the misery comes back. There is nothing I want to do and nothing interests me. This might have stemmed from me having to be very frugal at the moment to pay for some building work so im trying to spend as little as possible but that means I don't really want to do anything and maybe that is making me down. My partner is working away a lot over the next few months. I need a break but im behind at work and can't really afford to take time off. I downloaded meditation and journaling apps and set daily reminders but im not doing it.

What else can I do?

Sorry you're feeling like this.
Is there an underlying reason. cause for your feeling miserable.
Is it to do with your situation or relationship?
I wonder if therapy like cbt would help. You can apply through your gp.
I know how you feel actually, I'm on
Sertraline for the same reason. Hope you feel happier soon op
Liz

Thank you for taking the time to reply. I am sorry you're also feeling bad. Is the sertraline helping for you?

I think this feeling has stemmed from a few negative things over the last few months, partner risking redundancy and having to take a less than ideal role with lots of work away to avoid it, having to cancel a holiday and our plans (TTC and moving location) being put on hold because of that.

I did have an assessment for CBT through the NHS but my scores weren't bad enough for me to qualify. Can't afford private therapy at the moment due to building expenses.

Hi
tha is. The Sertraline is helping my mood lift.
I think if you you don’t qualify for cbt, you might qualify for counselling through the docs. You can always exaggerate your symptoms a bit, because you deserve free counselling like anyone else x

How long have you been back on fluoxetine? I think all antidepressants can take time to start having an effect, but if it's been more than a few weeks you might need the dosage tweaking. Is your Gp reviewing it regularly? In my experience the sort of proactive things you're doing can all be great but you might need the help of the antidepressants to get you to place where you can both feel able to do them, and get the more lasting lift from them.
Hooe you start to feel better soon.

Thank you for your response. It's only been a couple of weeks so fingers crossed I start to see an improvement soon.

Diet can help a lot, sleep and getting natural light early in the day. Watching a nice movie.

I relate to this a lot. I think after a period of stress it can also feel strange when things go flat again.

I also think it's important not to do too much in recovery. Potter a bit. Find some simple pleasures.

Having said the above I booked a small quiet holiday for December. It can feel a little bit of a stretch at this time of year but planning out a few things (that importantly can be moved if you don't feel up to it).

Thank you. Your message felt very comforting