#livingwithdepression

[aprilllflowers]

Psychiatrist Follow-Up

My psychiatrist has no idea why my depression has worsened to such an extent. I was doing well for a while and then shit just crashed and burned. He is now having me take the max of Zoloft and will see me again in one month to see if it has helped, gotten worse, or stayed the same. If worse or no change then he will add something else. The Zoloft is working because my anxiety is better. But it is not helping with depression anymore.

#selfhelp #anxiety #anxietyisreal #depressionisreal #depression #lifewithdepression #livingwithdepression #noshameingettinghelp

[blizzardbeaches]

It’d get crowded for sure. • Repost from @sunshinewhenitsraining • My new favorite meme. Drop a 🤣 if u like it Repost @socraticmethodcbt Follow @sunshinewhenitsraining for more #mentalhealthadvocate #mentalwellness #adhdmemes#bipolarmmes#mentalhealthmemes #mentalhealthadvice#innerchild #innerchildhealing #bipolardisoder #bipolar#mentalhealthtips#memesthatkeepmealive #livingwithdepression #blackmentalhealth #recoveryquotes #memesthatcuredepression #traumarecovery #adhdmemes #depressionrelief #anxietyrelief #therapy#boundaries #selfaffirmations #therapistsofinstagram #mensmentalhealth #mensmentalhealthawareness #invisibleillnesses (at Bensalem, Pennsylvania) https://www.instagram.com/p/CkEsFlhPkO1/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#mentalhealthadvocate #mentalwellness #adhdmemes #bipolarmmes #mentalhealthmemes #mentalhealthadvice #innerchild #innerchildhealing #bipolardisoder #bipolar #mentalhealthtips #memesthatkeepmealive #livingwithdepression #blackmentalhealth #recoveryquotes #memesthatcuredepression #traumarecovery #depressionrelief #anxietyrelief #therapy #boundaries #selfaffirmations #therapistsofinstagram #mensmentalhealth #mensmentalhealthawareness #invisibleillnesses

[violstonesofficial]

What Self-care Is and What It's Not

I cannot begin to explain how glad I am that the movement of self-care has swept over our communities in the last few years. The notion of looking out for ourselves in all ways has transformed how we look at our day-to-day activities. We now set out to perform mundane routines with the intention of self-love, nurturing our bodies and minds in ways we haven't thought of before. 

But what is self-care? What exactly qualifies? The technical definition is anything we do to tend to our physical, spiritual, mental, and emotional needs. So when you think about it, anything from simply brushing your teeth to planning a movie night with friends, can be considered an act of self-care. But what about all the trendy posts of luxurious baths and sunset dinners for one?

Let's break it down and talk about what is and what is not self-care. 

Self-care is not:

For show. It is not about what it looks like to anyone else or how it'll look in a photo for the Internet. 

A luxury. Sometimes, we can believe that taking care of ourselves with anything more than the bare minimum is a form of excess, but that simply isn't true. The spectrum of self-care reaches all aspects of our health-- spiritual, emotional, mental, and physical. That means that some things that may not be practical or logical in a physical sense are actually necessary for tending to our emotional needs. And that is just as valuable as ensuring that we are adequately fed and watered throughout the day. 

A lack of discipline or boundaries. That being said, spending more than we can afford on a manicure is not an act of self-care. Overextending yourself will more often than not lead to more harm than good. Also, lacking self-discipline and being unable to say no to harmful habits or make healthier decisions defeats the purpose of self-care altogether. 

A distraction. It can be easy to fall into the trap of distracting ourselves with acts of "self-care" under the pretense that we are looking after ourselves when, in fact, we are distracting ourselves from important hurt feelings that need to be healed and addressed. Don't get caught up in the trend so much that you forget to check in with how you truly feel and forgo caring for some of your most pressing needs.

A rigid set of actions. What works and is healthy for one person may not hit the mark for another. Acts of self-care are vary from person to person and will change throughout your life as you grow and evolve along your journey. Being open to new ideas and being willing to adapt is in itself part of self-care. 

In general, self-care is not always easy, and it's not just about making you “feel good.” It's about giving yourself what you need, even the hard-to-admit stuff like more boundaries or less caffeine. 

Now, let's explore what self-care is. During my most recent therapy experience, I learned that self-care was more comprehensive than I'd originally thought. I've concluded that self-care is any act or opportunity you create to witness your true self. 

The true self is a term used in “Internal Family Systems” or IFS Therapy to refer to the part of us that is complete and embodies eight key characteristics (Compassion, Creativity, Curiosity, Confidence, Courage, Calm, Connectedness, Clarity). The term is also used in the meditation and metaphysics realms, more often referred to as the higher self. For me, these two understandings are pretty united in that the true self is the essence of who we are in the purest and most whole sense. But in IFS, the idea is that this true self is hidden by "parts" that develop to protect us as the result of trauma we face in our lives. So if we approach self-care as a way to connect with our higher self and rediscover the purest version of who we are, we create the chance for self-care to be much more rewarding. 

In the simplest sense, self-care is anything that allows us to connect with and experience those eight key attributes of the self. So if bubble baths and manicures make you feel confident and compassionate, then go for it. But remember, the intention behind any self-care act is to connect to who you really are, not to distract you from feelings or thoughts. Actually, those activities would be considered coping mechanisms rather than self-care (more information on that in another post). 

Self-care is: 

A way to recharge and recenter. 

A preventive action that boosts resiliency when hard feelings come about. 

Hard work. Sometimes it's choosing new healthy habits over old comfortable but unhealthy ones. It's learning to say no to others and even yourself sometimes.

About healing and growing more than anything else. Consistent self-care is working to bring you closer to your highest self.

Intentional. Self-care that is the most nourishing to our bodies and spirits is intentional about what actions to take and how they make us feel during and after. "After" being the key word here. Feeling good in the moment has its value, but what about after? How activities make us feel when we reflect on them is very important for creating a healthy mind space and building self-trust.

Here are some ideas for self-care that I've recognized as ways to elevate you to your higher self/connect you with your true self:

meditation/mindfulness

Spiritual practice/prayer

Exercises like yoga or dance

Art creation/art observation

Volunteering

Time in nature

Preparing a meal for yourself

Time with a hobby

These are just a few that help me connect with my true self. What about you? How do you take care of yourself? How do you feel afterward? Let me know in the comments below!

Til next time,

Take Care!

#healing #healingisalifestyle #mentalhealthawareness #self care #mindset #recovery #livingwithdepression #depressionawareness #mental health #self compassion #self love #mindfulawareness #living mindfully #selfcareadvocate

[metromedi-2022]

Why We Should Take Depression Seriously?

Depression is one of the most common mental health issues, yet it often goes overlooked and underestimated. According to the World Health Organization, depression affects over 300 million people globally. It is the leading cause of disability worldwide and contributes significantly to the burden of suicide and heart disease.

Despite its prevalence and serious implications, depression is surrounded by stigma and misconceptions. Many people view it merely as temporary sadness or weakness, but this simplistic understanding can prevent people from seeking help and receiving adequate care. Challenging the myths and misunderstandings around depression is crucial to improving awareness and support.

#DepressionSupport #MentalHealthAwareness #EndTheStigma #MentalHealthMatters #DepressionHelp #MentalHealthSupport #DepressionRecovery #YouAreNotAlone #WellnessJourney #OvercomingDepression #SeekHelp #MentalHealthResources #DepressionTreatment #TherapyForDepression #MentalHealthEducation #DepressionCommunity #LivingWithDepression #MindfulnessForMentalHealth #CopingWithDepression #DepressionRelief #SelfCareForMentalHealth #EndDepression #DepressionRecoveryJourney #DepressionAwareness #PositiveMentalHealth #BreakTheSilence #DepressionSupportNetwork #MentalHealthWellness #DepressionAdvocacy #EmotionalWellness

[ravensandramune]

recovery be like: i'm crying rn cause i realised how things really did get better? i'm so happy? everything did turn out okay? woah

#recovery #livingwithdepression #self care #self love #mental health #healing #postivitiy #growth

[cenothecrocodile]

Even little things can feel too much sometimes. I just gotta remind myself it’ll be okay and try and move forward, even if it’s just babysteps. #webcomic #doodle #crocodile #reptile #livingwithdepression #itwillbeokay https://www.instagram.com/p/CSPYD5xr34w/?utm_medium=tumblr

#webcomic #doodle #crocodile #reptile #livingwithdepression #itwillbeokay

[incurableoptimistest1994]

When I woke up this morning I didn’t feel well; that’s happening a lot in the mornings at the moment. But I felt good in myself; happy. When the pain eased enough, I got up, I went running, and even went to the park on the swings! I enjoyed myself. I felt light and free. But this afternoon I really struggled with my depression. It’s like carrying weights around in your stomach. There’s A Lot going on in life right now, a lot of which isn’t shared on social media. And today it all felt like life was just… too much. My psychologist says I have reactive depression… reactive sounds about right. It sounds like a nuclear distaste, a bomb going off, a collapsing building. And I’m left to pick up the broken pieces of what’s left behind. One of the things I hate about feeling this way is that often I really want and need a good cry, but I can’t. Apparently it’s a trauma response. One of the hardest things to learn about living with depression is that it cannot be loved away. My life is overflowing with so much love, and so much joy. But even all that love cannot stop the heavy feeling in the pit of my stomach on bad days. Love may not cure my depression, but it certainly helps. A healthy dose of love really is the best medicine! This evening I feel better. My parents and auntie were amazing. Some lovely people on Twitter said some lovely things. My friends, who didn’t even know today was a Bad Day, cheered me up. I’m looking forward to so many things; bowling with my cousins, getting to hug Lucy for the first time in nearly two years next week, brunch with Bampi. I remind myself that “the yucky feeling in my tummy” (the official Davies Clan terminology for depression) is temporary. This too shall pass; this was one of the mantras my psychologist taught me to say to myself during panic attacks. This too shall pass. This evening I feel better. This is a ramble, but I feel it’s important to share the difficult bits of my life sometimes, as well as all the good stuff. #livingwithdepression #palliativecarewarrior #stillaliveandkicking https://www.instagram.com/p/CSfQW2XNZ2c/?utm_medium=tumblr

#livingwithdepression #palliativecarewarrior #stillaliveandkicking

[thegreatsweety]

Intrusive thoughts are thoughts that seem to become stuck in your mind. They can cause distress, since the nature of the thought might be upsetting. They may also reoccur frequently, which can make the concern worse. Intrusive thoughts may be violent or disturbing. Follow us @healthy_calm_perfect for more healthy tips and fitness advice #lifesucks #anxietydepression #anxiety #livingwithdepression #mentalhealth #anxietytreatment #anxietyreducer #mentalhealthawareness #ehlersdanlossyndrome #reflexsympatheticdystrophy #posturalorthostatictachycardiasyndrome #vogmask #vocalcorddysfunction #ambulatorywheelchairuser #chronicfatiguesyndrome #gastroparesis #hashimotosthyroiditis #reflexneurovasculardystrophy #anxietystruggles #autonomicdysreflexia #dysautonomia #mastcellactivationsyndrome #anxietyanddepression #anxietysufferer #anxietyhelper #anxietyaid #walkingwiththeblackdog #lwd #anxietyprobs #anxiety https://www.instagram.com/p/CMO5UL_DfCa/?igshid=1cxjf1y0noylm

#lifesucks #anxietydepression #anxiety #livingwithdepression #mentalhealth #anxietytreatment #anxietyreducer #mentalhealthawareness #ehlersdanlossyndrome #reflexsympatheticdystrophy #posturalorthostatictachycardiasyndrome #vogmask #vocalcorddysfunction #ambulatorywheelchairuser #chronicfatiguesyndrome #gastroparesis #hashimotosthyroiditis #reflexneurovasculardystrophy #anxietystruggles #autonomicdysreflexia #dysautonomia #mastcellactivationsyndrome #anxietyanddepression #anxietysufferer #anxietyhelper #anxietyaid #walkingwiththeblackdog #lwd #anxietyprobs

[monriatitans]

Wed, December 2, 2020 Listen to the people who love you. Believe that they are worth living for even when you don't believe it. Seek out the memories depression takes away and project them into the future. Be brave; be strong; take your pills. Exercise because it's good for you even if every step weighs a thousand pounds. Eat when food itself disgusts you. Reason with yourself when you have lost your reason. - Andrew Solomon, The Noonday Demon: An Atlas of Depression #andrewsolomon #quoteoftheday #andrewsolomonquotes #andrewsolomonthenoondaydemon #depression #depressionquotes #livingwithdepression #quotesaboutdepression #quotesaboutlivingwithdepression #learnsomethingneweveryday #becomempowered #quotescreatorapp @quotescreatorapp https://www.instagram.com/p/CIUZTjVnRWx/?igshid=19f0y95yzom3o

#andrewsolomon #quoteoftheday #andrewsolomonquotes #andrewsolomonthenoondaydemon #depression #depressionquotes #livingwithdepression #quotesaboutdepression #quotesaboutlivingwithdepression #learnsomethingneweveryday #becomempowered #quotescreatorapp

[aprilllflowers]

I want to feel normal again.

I feel like I am going crazy. I havent felt like myself in a while. I do not think my medication is working anymore. (I have contacted my psychiatrist) I don’t care about a lot of stuff that I used to. I don’t want to do the things I enjoy doing. All I want to do is lay in bed and watch random stuff on tv (which I also do not really watch anymore.) It’s effecting my work, and everyday life. I first thought that it was just the seasonal depression (can affect you when it gets darker or is gloomy) but then it kept getting worse and worse and I realized that its just all of the time now. I love doing art but now I just feel lost. I just want to feel normal again! I have tried to get therapy appointments but I cannot get into one for months. I looked into Better Help but there is no way to add insurance anymore and they want to charge $300. I just cant do it. Getting the help you need for your mental health is not easy.

#depression #livingwithdepression #lifewithdepression #majordepression #depressionisreal

[rainingcloudposts]

Depression

I have been struggling with depression for 9 years as far as I know. I don’t know when and how it struck me. I guess it's just little things in life that somehow affect us and leave their shadow on us in the form of depression.  Life with depression is like having a dark cloud on you everytime. They are the clouds that can rain even on a sunny day. For half of the period in depression I kept telling myself that I was just sad over nothing, that my brain is just overthinking everything and I started distracting myself by scrolling social media and binge watching Netflix. It was after a few years I got sick and was admitted in hospital. My body couldn’t keep in food and I started throwing up whatever I ate.  I stopped having a bath and just stayed in bed in my bedroom. I stopped talking to my parents and avoided talking to any friends and started isolating myself. Amidst all this I still didn’t know what was going on. My parents frankly thought I was just being lazy and making excuses to avoid work. I stopped going to the office and started avoiding their phone calls.  When I was in the hospital, my family doctor used to visit me every night asking me how I was doing. He was informed by the night care nurses that I don't sleep at night. One day he called in his cabin and asked me if I knew what was wrong with me, was there anything that was bothering me. I said I don't know, I just don't feel like doing anything and am tired all the time. That when he told me I had depression, I must have been 21 of age that time. This was also informed to my parents, no one still had any kind of discussion with me about this. Instead I was taken to shopping to lift up my mood, it did lift my mood but just for that moment. Depression is so less known to indian parents, I was able to go into therapy and start the treatment after 9 years of struggling with it. And my parents still don’t get it. For them it's just lethargy or me over exaggerating things to prove myself right! I wonder when this state of ignorance for mental health will be changed in India.

#depression #livingwithdepression #indianparents

[dazedandc0nfusedlife]

Anyone else randomly delete their posts due to a dramatic mood swing and then regret it later because it actually got likes? No? Oh okay.

#overthinking #polyamory #depression #livingwithdepression #body positive #anxiety #delete

[violstonesofficial]

Your Needs Matter: How to Check-in With Yourself and Why It Matters

Do you ever have days when you just go through the motions and feel unfulfilled with anything you do? Or you're unsure of what you should do next if anything at all? Sometimes, my depression will cloud my mind so much that I can't see my next moves, leaving me feeling disoriented and unsettled. If you can relate, then let me share what I've found to help me in those moments. Periodically checking in with myself to address my needs and wants throughout the day has been my lifeline on days when I feel completely numb or disconnected. 

When we talk about our needs and wants, what exactly do we mean? Discomforts such as pain, anger, and agitation often indicate that a need is not being met. To determine the underlying reason, it's best to tune in nonjudgmentally to these sensations. It's helpful to get into the habit of asking yourself questions like:

Is there anything making me physically uncomfortable that I can fix right now? 

Are there any pressing issues that can resolved in 5 or 10 minutes?

Do I need a spiritual moment to ease my soul right now?

Is there anything I can do to make this moment easier for myself?

I've found that by asking myself these questions when I feel suddenly overwhelmed, anxious, or depressed, I connect with my true self for a moment and allow myself to take care of me. Also, phrasing the questions as time-sensitive and more immediate forces me to focus on the present rather than letting my mind run wild with worries and fear. 

As we go about our days, we can easily overlook our needs and the signals our bodies provide for us. A classic example would be hunger. Sometimes, we might work ourselves past mealtime, ignoring the onset of brain fog, irritability, or fatigue. Yet, we get frustrated with ourselves for feeling sluggish or being unable to focus. All those symptoms are classic signals from our body that our need for food is long overdue. Ignoring this need can lead to actual health problems like diabetes or acute health scares like passing out from exhaustion. 

Most of us try not to let that need go unmet and will make the time to feed ourselves and set boundaries with others to allow us the time to look after our meals. But we have a hard time doing the same for our emotional and mental health needs. The habit of ignoring the emotional signals of irritability, crying, anxiety symptoms, and despair is so common we don't even recognize that it is a signal in the first place. We assume that's just how we are, or how the day is going for us. 

But what if we reframed our mindset about those symptoms to be more compassionate toward them when they show up, accepting them as signs of a need that we should try to address? Suddenly, you gain more autonomy over how you're feeling and are less of a victim of your mental illness. 

So, how do we catch ourselves? My solution has been to set reminders on my phone to check in with myself. Depending on the severity of my mental health issues at the time, I’ll schedule check-ins as frequently as three times a day manually in my journal or planner. I've also found several apps like Finch, Kinder World, How We Feel, and the iPhone Health app, which help make checking in fun and rewarding. Also, a classic body scan meditation (my favorite app for meditation is Balance) can help ground you into your current physical state and help you notice the discomforts in your body you might be ignoring. When I get my data from a body scan, I can ask myself those questions I mentioned earlier and see if any of the sensations I noticed within myself can be remedied or helped in the moment. 

There are times when we are unable to address our needs immediately. In such situations, it can be helpful to plan ahead and create a strategy to address more complex needs later in the day or week. Breaking down the task into smaller steps can help you feel like you've made some progress toward resolving a pressing issue that cannot be solved in one go. As a bonus, generating small moments of success is a proven way to elevate your sense of well-being and reduce your stress.

A note on wants: sometimes, our wants are not the most healthy for us. If we constantly give in to our wants, that may actually backfire on us. So how do we treat ourselves and give ourselves what we need and want while still making strides forward in our healing journey? Start with evaluating the wants. Why do you want something? What is the underlying need it's addressing? Because that's what you need to focus on. The underlying need is the priority, but sometimes our wants reveal an unmet need that we are trying to satisfy ineffectively. 

If you evaluate your want and it supports the lifestyle and well-being you are working toward, then trust yourself! Your want has come about as a healthy solution to meet some need. But if it's not in line with the life you're trying to create, some self-discipline might be in order to help you determine what the want is trying to do for you in terms of your needs. 

The point is to care about yourself enough to care about your needs. Make yourself and your comfort and well-being a priority. Is this something you struggle with? Do you think about your needs or wants in this way? Let me know in the comments below!

(P.s. There are no affiliate links or sponsorships in this post. All recommendations are apps I regularly use because they help me. I hope they can help you too!)

Til next time,

Take care!

#healing #healingisalifestyle #mentalhealthawareness #recovery #self care #mental health #depressionawareness #livingwithdepression #mindset

[powerofthemindmotivation]

Best motivational video

#Powerofthemind #Mentalhealth #Livingwithdepression #Anxiety #modivationalvideos #Insperational #DerekNickerson

[ravensandramune]

tw// intrusive thoughts

me: i hope you’re doing alright!!! <3

my friend: yeah i’m fine i was just out today

me, who had a panic attack because of intrusive thoughts making me think my best friend had died and i couldn’t stop thinking of all the different ways she must be hurting: oh haha thats what i was guessing :) i hope u had a great day!! 

#intrusive thoughts #depression #adhd #actuallydepression #actuallydepressed #depressed #livingwithdepression #livingwithadhd #anxiety #actuallyanxiety #actuallyneurodivergent #anxious #justadhdthings #justdepressionthings #rsd #rejection sensitive dysphoria #rant #vent #lmaoooo that was fun #this happens too often

[troyaugustuscarpenter]

Me turning off the lights at my desk at the end of the day wondering if anything I accomplish with my life will be worth it, but also knowing I will never actually get anything done if I don’t get back to work tomorrow. #LivingWithDepression

#batman beyond #depression #never again #livingwithdepression