Depression

[britjojo]

Have you dealt with depression? I am bipolar and currently having some issues, whilst going through divorce and so on. I have a young child and find it hard to cope with her at times. How have you managed?

[quietstrm27]

I've dealt with depression as a teen and sought out counseling which I didn't feel helped me. Finally I got on some meds and all is well.

[kitsch_k]

i've never been to a therapist so ive never been officially diagnosed as depressed but i admit ive had those really down times..i guess i got by with the help of really a supportive family and friends..and a little meds! just a little!!

[britjojo]

I cannot take any meds a the moment and in truth have always been against them in the past. I tried counselling too and it did actually help, but only as long as I was going. Pretty much as soon as it was over, things were just as bad.

[etali]

I was depressed for a while when my last long term relationship ended, but I got through it by just getting out as much as possible and doing stuff - I couldn't bear to be at home, so I made sure that I was out every night, either working or socialising. I was still depressed when I met my now husband, but he got me to face it instead of just hiding out every night.

[britjojo]

Being a single mother, getting out and about is not easy. I do not drive and hence rely on others for a ride. I work from home, so am home a LOT. It gets really very trying at times.

[kitsch_k]

yeah i also try my best to get out of the house everytime i feel kinda low..i guess its best to surround urself with supportive friends...

[Calypso]

Britjojo, I feel for you. I am also bipolar, though I don't have the added strain of a young child at home. I have to tell you honestly that if it weren't for medications, I wouldn't be alive today.

If your depression is so severe it's interfering with your parenting, you need to take some sort of action. If you're dead set against meds, consider going back into counseling. Or perhaps you could consult an herbalist for a more natural remedy. Frankly, I wasn't thrilled with meds in the beginning, either, but my doctor convinced me to try them for three months, and they made SUCH a huge difference I've stayed on them.

Whatever you do, I hope it helps and I hope you feel better soon. My thoughts are with you and your little one.

[elaine130]

Calypso - glad to hear you found a remedy that worked for you and your condition. Britjojo - i can relate to the stress of raising a child and working from home. A close relative of mine went thru talk therapy for awhile and began uncovering issues that she never knew affected her entire life: she discovered she had a chronic form of depression called dysthymia since she was a child - from my understanding, your mood stays at a lower level than what's considered "normal" and when the blues hit (as it does with everyone) a person with dysthymia tends to take longer to recover and stays depressed for awhile. well, she also was against meds until she saw how her mood was affecting her young son (who may have felt her sadness was his fault) and decided to try meds. her life has turned around and she's a different person! she still feels a wide range of emotions on this med, cymbalta (?), and is always telling me how good it feels to not feel bad all of the time.

Originally Posted by Calypso

Britjojo, I feel for you. I am also bipolar, though I don't have the added strain of a young child at home. I have to tell you honestly that if it weren't for medications, I wouldn't be alive today.

If your depression is so severe it's interfering with your parenting, you need to take some sort of action. If you're dead set against meds, consider going back into counseling. Or perhaps you could consult an herbalist for a more natural remedy. Frankly, I wasn't thrilled with meds in the beginning, either, but my doctor convinced me to try them for three months, and they made SUCH a huge difference I've stayed on them.

Whatever you do, I hope it helps and I hope you feel better soon. My thoughts are with you and your little one.