I am going to express what's on my mind in regards to how I see a depressed life. I will present it in the form of a hypothesis/philosophy as well as a brief explanation:
I think people need their good moods/feelings (their feel-good chemical/neurotransmitter induced states of well being) to allow them to perceive (see) the good value, joy, beauty, and worth in their lives. I don't think our way of thinking, our outlooks, and our value judgments alone allow us to truly see these qualities.
i couldnt agree with you more.
Largely its a brain chemistry imbalance, and/or hormonal imbalance and it matters not how much of a 'good attitude" one has. When you are depleted you are depleted or imbalanced, and the rest is just coping with the depression. Faking it, dealing with it.
its a perception and its the brain. Same for anxiety and our hypersensitivity that our brains react to that we know to be irrational, but we cant help it.
I have heard and im on a mission to however try to change the way i see things, and to train my brain to perceive things differently. Easier said than done
Thank you for your post.
Well said kauaiblue. I've been dealing with depression and panic disorder since my teens. I've had people say oh it's all in your mind. Yes, indeed, it is. I can't help how my brain chemicals flow -- how the neurons are or are not receiving the signals needed for me to feel happy and unafraid. They just don't know.
I spend quite a bit of time with self talk -- telling myself I can do this or get out of bed and get dressed, etc. I trying to adjust to new paths -- when my thots start to go down that negative path, I think of something plesant even if it's a bowl of ice cream.
Wishing you the best.
No ...
they just dont know.
You got that right. Noone can relate to this unless they have experienced it.
Have antidepressants/supplements / cognitive therapy helped you?
Dont lose hope, keep me posted.
kauaiblue
Hi kauaiblue:
Yes to all 3 of the treatments you mentioned. Medication, group therapy, reaching out to friends and/or family, church groups, supplements of D3, B12 and B6 (very important to have your doc check your blood for B12). Cognitive therapy did not work for me but being in a group of people all suffering from similar symptoms, was a real blessing. Plus, we phoned each other when those nasty "blue meanie" feelings came around to give each other support. Just to know there are people aware of and can talk to you about your condition.
At times, I have lost hope but something always seemed to come around to pull me back out of that mood. You have to REACH OUT to other people who have similar symptoms. We're all here for you if you need to vent.