Here I am again.....blogging in an effort to make myself feel better. Have you ever noticed that you have good ideas and advice for depressed friends and relatives but can't seem to help yourself? Well, maybe it's time we take our own advice.
I usually have good suggestions for those who are having a hard time with depression, stress or anxiety. my ideas range from seeking professional help to taking a walk outside to patting yourself on the back. I guess I'm weighing my options right now and am trying to decide what idea would be most helpful to me this time. I've done all of the "advised" things at one time or another in my life. Are we supposed to keep doing them forever?
I have hopes that my spirits will improve dramatically when the weather finally does. This has been one of the longest and dreariest Winters and early Springs that I've ever experienced here in Southwest Missouri. Sunshine has been scarce and we've had way too much rain and snow.
When the weather is decent I will need to figure out where to put the perennials I brought here from our old house. I feel like I don't know where to start, even though this yard is very small compared to what we had. Have I lost my confidence? Yes, I think so. It's easy to do when someone else gripes about your abilities and choices and shows no interest in what you want to do.
I bought two six packs of happy looking pansies the other day and they are waiting for me on the front porch. Maybe soon I can get out there to put them in a pot in the sunshine. Maybe......
Archive for the ‘Professional Help’ Category
Take Your Own Advice
Wednesday, March 30th, 2011Baby Boomers and Depression
Sunday, October 12th, 2008by Susan
I was interviewed by phone not long ago by Darlene Dunn of Newsnet5.com out of Ohio for an article she wrote about Baby Boomers and their life changes that can trigger depression. Before I give you the link to that interview I'd like to let you know that I am a Baby Boomer who has suffered with depression since my early 30's. I sought professional help, tried a number of anti-depressants and each one worked for me for a period of time. Psychotherapy was the most effective for me.
My brother, David, has received a great deal of help from both anti-depressants and Psychotherapy. In my opinion, senior citizens and people in all age groups need to seek professional help when they suffer from depression for more than a few weeks. The professional will help you decide what will be of most help for you.
I do believe that life changes during Baby Boomer years or anytime in our lives can trigger depression. Problems in your relationships can trigger depression as easily as major changes such as loss of a loved one or loss of a job.
On a personal note, my husband and I have been married for 42 years and we've shared a lot of good times as well as some problems. My children are all gone from home now and all are loving and successful adults. It was difficult for me to be a stay at home mom and even though I wasn't always the best mom, I did a good job. The loss of each of my parents was devastating to me and caused me a great deal of depression. I think a lot of Baby Boomers find themselves dealing with this same kind of loss.
My husband retired in 2005, at which time we needed to cut our expenses and I stopped seeing my psychologist on a regular basis and took up blogging. Blogging is definitely cheaper although it isn't nearly as effective as seeing a professional on a regular basis. I prefaced the interview with this article because I am a firm believer in seeking professional help if you suffer from depression and I don't think that point is made in the article. You can read the interview by Darlene Dunn at Newsnet5.com. It is titled, Boomer's Life Changes Can Start Depression.
What Do You Get From Blogging?…….by Susan
Tuesday, June 3rd, 2008
Someone asked me recently, "what do you get from blogging and how has it helped you?" I had to give that one a lot of thought before arriving at my answer. I had to evaluate my reasons for blogging about depression first. There are a lot of reasons why I blog. One very important reasons goes back to the years of professional help I received from my Psychologist. He suggested writing as a form of expression in an effort to understand and express my feelings. For quite some time I wrote poetry or letters and then I graduated to the Internet and blogging.
Another reason I blog about my mental health, namely depression, is to let my readers know they aren't alone. I'm very aware of how so very many people suffer from depression, anxiety and relationship problems. I always found it helpful to know I wasn't the only one and I'm betting you feel the same way. Somehow, having this knowledge helps us all to stop feeling like an oddity of some kind.
My final answer to the question, "what do you get from blogging and how has it helped you?" is this: I get empathy and encouragement from my readers through their comments on the blog and their other contacts with me either by email, in person or at various websites that I visit on a regular basis. Empathy, or understanding of what another is feeling, is an important thing for all of us to receive. Encouragement is sometimes vital to a persons survival and recovery of an acute episode of depression or anxiety. I appreciate immensely how you have all helped me and my brother with your support.
I had to add this statement to my answer "what do you get from blogging and how has it helped you?". In addition to getting something from blogging at "His and Hers", David and I hope we are also giving something to you, our readers. We hope we are helping you in some small way to realize you are not alone in your battle with being Bipolar and you are not alone in your struggle against depression.
Please visit:
my homepage at http://ozzieblackcat.com
My blackcat, Ozzie
Another reason I blog about my mental health, namely depression, is to let my readers know they aren't alone. I'm very aware of how so very many people suffer from depression, anxiety and relationship problems. I always found it helpful to know I wasn't the only one and I'm betting you feel the same way. Somehow, having this knowledge helps us all to stop feeling like an oddity of some kind.
My final answer to the question, "what do you get from blogging and how has it helped you?" is this: I get empathy and encouragement from my readers through their comments on the blog and their other contacts with me either by email, in person or at various websites that I visit on a regular basis. Empathy, or understanding of what another is feeling, is an important thing for all of us to receive. Encouragement is sometimes vital to a persons survival and recovery of an acute episode of depression or anxiety. I appreciate immensely how you have all helped me and my brother with your support.
I had to add this statement to my answer "what do you get from blogging and how has it helped you?". In addition to getting something from blogging at "His and Hers", David and I hope we are also giving something to you, our readers. We hope we are helping you in some small way to realize you are not alone in your battle with being Bipolar and you are not alone in your struggle against depression.
Please visit:
my homepage at http://ozzieblackcat.com
My blackcat, Ozzie
All Alone With Depression……….by David
Thursday, April 3rd, 2008
It is sometimes easy to feel all alone when I am depressed. My kids don't really understand and you can't mention depression around strangers. I mean, it is taboo! I get very strange looks if I am asked why I am on disability. People can be very ignorant about disability due to mental health problems.
In addition to my caseworker and my doctor, I have my sister, Susan, who helps me very much. We talk on the phone and we go out to eat. I think everyone needs someone like her to talk to.....someone who understands what depression is like. If you don't have someone, get someone.
You can't depend on changing someone's mind about depression. If someone says things to you such as, "I make myself do a lot of things I don't want to do", they probably don't understand depression. This is someone you can't talk to because they will argue with you and you'll end up feeling worse.
If your spouse argues with you then you both need help together. If you don't get that help, you don't need that person around because it will be too hard to pat yourself on the back for your accomplishments when faced with their negativity. Sometimes our only accomplishment may be simply washing the dishes. Don't let someone else be negative about that.
Please find someone to talk to. Each of us needs all the help we can get.
Avon Website
In addition to my caseworker and my doctor, I have my sister, Susan, who helps me very much. We talk on the phone and we go out to eat. I think everyone needs someone like her to talk to.....someone who understands what depression is like. If you don't have someone, get someone.
You can't depend on changing someone's mind about depression. If someone says things to you such as, "I make myself do a lot of things I don't want to do", they probably don't understand depression. This is someone you can't talk to because they will argue with you and you'll end up feeling worse.
If your spouse argues with you then you both need help together. If you don't get that help, you don't need that person around because it will be too hard to pat yourself on the back for your accomplishments when faced with their negativity. Sometimes our only accomplishment may be simply washing the dishes. Don't let someone else be negative about that.
Please find someone to talk to. Each of us needs all the help we can get.
Avon Website