Beating the Black Dog

joanlawson

Hi

I've had the Black Dog of Depression for the past couple of days, and I'm trying to send it packing.

Coming on here helps a lot because you lot all make me laugh. It has also been suggested to me that I could watch the Jeremy Kyle Show, or drink a bottle of wine. I could even do both at once, I suppose.

As it is, I took to my bed for most of today, and tried to sleep it away.

Any other suggestions for beating it gratefully received.

Joan

joanlawson

Hi Jan

Thank you for finding the time for me when you have so much on your mind at the moment, waiting for that baby to appear :!:

The idea of watching Jereny Kyle is to make yourself feel normal when you see all those dysfunctional people :!: I must say I've never tried it.

I don't get severe depression, so don't take any medication. The black dog doesn't visit me too often, thank goodness, but today it was enough to make me pretty fed up. Hence going to bed.

Music often helps, so I will play some of my favourite songs.

Thanks for the offer of Sawyer, but ( I hardly dare say this to you) he isn't my cup of tea, really.

Jude Law I like, but he's gone back to Sienna Miller now :!: Still, she might loan him to me.

mistywillow

Hi Joan
Sorry the big D has got to you. I find music lifts my mood, I used to go play the piano for hours but listening to it is just as good really.
I doubt that this big freeze is helping you because I guess you are stuck indoors too.
Sending you big cyber hugs and hope you manage to lift yourself out of it soon.
Gillx

joanlawson

rehab44 wrote:

Hi Joan
I don't know if this will help coz it is based on military treatment for depression, it was just one raft of therapiess that were used to treat servicemen after active service.
Depression can make you feel disconnected from others. You may be tempted to withdraw from social activities and your loved ones. But it’s important to stay connected to life and the people who care about you, so ask your close friends and family members for their help during this tough time.

I am aware that you do have an active social life and it is important that you maintain those contacts and even talk to those that you feel close too. You have lots of friends on here and I know that they and I will be here for you, like you have for them.

The fog will lift

Thank you, Rehab.

valval

hi joan they r right it will lift when weather better get out and get some sun that always helps me and a walk near water. but we r here for u any time u need us please come on and talk to us u matter to us we love having u here

page35

hi joan
sorry you dont feel your normal self, do you have a garden maybe just getting out for few mins or feed the birds and watch them from the warm.
hope you feel brighter soon

annie_mial

Joan, acupuncture is used for depression, too. If you've had one successful set of treatments - doesn't matter what for - it might be worth considering it in this case.

Love
Annie

jackie1955

Hi Joan,

Just you tell that black dog to shoo!

I'm sure you will soon pick yourself up, your disposition comes across as a lively, positive, capable lady - I don't think the black dog will be with you for long hun!

Jackie x

skezier

Hi Joan,

I really am sorry to read your thread. First a ((((( ))))) and a promise it will pass.

I got in a hole years back now, I was still a kid, and for me it was a cell and no door and I really flt I was in it so my Nan gave me a flower. Its was yellow and she said every time your in there see the flower and know I love you....... It helped so much. By the time my partner died the cell had a table and a stereo and a door.

Anyway I don't go in it anymore, sometimes I feel like I am drowning if things get really horrible, last time I rang the helpline after a lot of support on here and between that support and the poor woman on the end of the phone I got a ladder and could climb out. I use a lot of visualization, maybe as a painter you do to? So really all I am trying to say s keep talking and I am giving you the flower. Luv Cris x

trisher

Joan

We are all here for you. You know that. Is it because Christmas has gone, and all the worrying and shopping is now over and there is not a lot to do at the moment.

We all need to get out in the air as soon as spring comes.

Could it also be the lack of sunlight can make you feel down?

Trish xx

joanlawson

jackie1955 wrote:

Hi Joan,

Just you tell that black dog to shoo!

I'm sure you will soon pick yourself up, your disposition comes across as a lively, positive, capable lady - I don't think the black dog will be with you for long hun!

Jackie x

Hi Jackie

It's two sides of a coin, and this is the side which I try to hide a lot of the time.

Lively, yes. Positive and capable are a bit more unreliable.

joanlawson

skezier wrote:

Hi Joan,

I really am sorry to read your thread. First a ((((( ))))) and a promise it will pass.

I got in a hole years back now, I was still a kid, and for me it was a cell and no door and I really flt I was in it so my Nan gave me a flower. Its was yellow and she said every time your in there see the flower and know I love you....... It helped so much. By the time my partner died the cell had a table and a stereo and a door.

Anyway I don't go in it anymore, sometimes I feel like I am drowning if things get really horrible, last time I rang the helpline after a lot of support on here and between that support and the poor woman on the end of the phone I got a ladder and could climb out. I use a lot of visualization, maybe as a painter you do to? So really all I am trying to say s keep talking and I am giving you the flower. Luv Cris x

That is very sweet of you Cris. I have a good imagination, so visualisation is a technique I could try.

My head has felt like a block of wood for a couple of days now, so I will try to visualise something pleasant and enjoyable.

joanlawson

Thank you all for your kindness and support. It means a lot to me.

skezier

Hi Joan,

This may not make sense but its a bit like trying to distract a child. I have a switch, well a hole wall of them, in my head and sometime just being able to visualize pulling a lever to off can help. Its also very important you talk with someone, either here of in the 3d world.

Meditation is a good one as well if you can do it. I use so much visualization and very loud banging music and don't forget it will pass, I hope soon. (((( )))) Luv Cris x

joanlawson

annie_mial wrote:

Joan, acupuncture is used for depression, too. If you've had one successful set of treatments - doesn't matter what for - it might be worth considering it in this case.

Love
Annie

Thanks Annie. Hopefully, it will pass fairly soon, but I will remember that.

gickygawky

Hi there Joan,

I am sorry to hear things have been a bit off over the past couple of days. I do not suffer severe depression however I have had a few issues in the past couple of months.

One practical thing that I have found helps cooking. I know it sounds silly but I cook loads of stuff that I then give to my friends and neighbours. It keeps me busy and then I have to get out of the house to distribute everything and then I start to feel good again.

I am sure half of them think I am some sort of bored housewife or can't use a measuring spoon properly but it does the trick for me.

I hope you feel better soon.x

A x

trisher

Joan

We are all here for you. Any time you need us just call. You won't wait long for an answer.

Depression is not a nice experience to have to go through, you feel as if you have to climb a mountain to get out, there are very dark sides to it as well.

Joan, we know what it is like. Hang on to us, we won't let you drop too far into.

A big ((((((hug)))))) to you

Trisher xx

tkachev

Hi Joan,
He has been snapping at my heels too but with the children home from school I had plenty to keep me occupied.Theyve all gone back today but I am doing what everybody advises....look at the beauty around you,nature,feeding the birds....just taking time to look at the good things.
After Christmas everything is an anti-climax.We have been rushed off our feet and suddenly there is just cold,bills and grey skies.
I was planning to curl up away from the snow but of course ended up having to go out to the hospital with my son and,you know,it really wasnt that bad after all.
Take care Joan,
Elizabeth X

valval

hi just wondering how u r today hope u feeling less down the sun here is lovely and bright (not warm) looks so nice shinning off the snow (8inches) . take care look after your self and u r aloud to feel down there is nothing wrong with it we all do from time to time it just a matter of making sure it does not take over your life (((hug))) just incase

ninakang

Hi Joan

Sorry, just catching up with everybody. I'm sorry you still feel down, but there's some sound advice on here for trying to lift it. I'm sure your hubby is being there for you too.

If all else fails, give me a shout and I'll send my girls in, they never fail to lift my mood, even if it is to tell them off about something.

Nx

joanlawson

delboy wrote:

[quote="skezier"...
Meditation is a good one as well if you can do it.

I can heartily recommend meditation but you do need to find a Buddhist teacher to get the technique right and if you feel the need to get away from your problems they run retreats too where you can practice and talk to some very caring people.[/quote]

Thank you, Delboy.

Amazingly, we have a Buddhist centre about 10 minutes away, and they run courses in meditation. I have met one of the monks, and I am thinking of going on a course.

joanlawson

ninakang wrote:

Hi Joan

Sorry, just catching up with everybody. I'm sorry you still feel down, but there's some sound advice on here for trying to lift it. I'm sure your hubby is being there for you too.

If all else fails, give me a shout and I'll send my girls in, they never fail to lift my mood, even if it is to tell them off about something.

Nx

Hi Nina

Thank you for your concern. Your girls would certainly cheer anyone up after only a few minutes of their company :!: :!: As would you too :!:

I have just been lout for a walk in the snow, and the sunshine. It has lifted my mood tremendously, and I feel much better now.

Love from Joanxx

barbara12

Hi Joan,
I have only just seen this thread, I went through this a few weeks ago and you were there for me .
I agree with rehab, dont cut off from people, sometimes you do this without thinking, any distractions, like you say music can help, it will go, talk to anybody that will listen. I know this is not easy but you find that poeple like to help, it gives them a lift sometimes.
You take care
Love barbara xx

joanlawson

A BIG THANK YOU to everyone who has taken the time to help me, on both the public forum, and by PMs. It is very kind of you all, and very much appreciated.

Luckily, the black dog is well on his way now, and hopefully he will not return for a while. As I said to Nina, a walk in the sunshine has helped a lot.

I do suffer from these bouts of depression from time to time, and I've just had a particularly bad one. I am lucky in that they do usually pass, and I have never needed medication for them.

However, they don't get any easier to live through, and it is good to know that nice people like you are there to support me.

Depression is still not widely understood, and I extend my sympathy to any fellow-sufferers among you, as I know there are quite a few.

Thank you again

Joan

elnafinn

Dear Joan

I am sorry to hear you are on a bit of a downer at the mo. Often happens after all the festivities and being ultra busy etc. Everything can fall a little flat afterwards, if you know what I mean.

You are normally such a bubbly person. What about wrapping up warmly and going for a short walk if your knees will allow and the snow is ok to walk on? Perhaps that does not appeal......
Think of someone you could help to brighten up their day - a phone call, drop them a card in the post, pop over to see them if weather permits. It does make one feel useful and happy to be able to bring a little ray of sunshine into someone else's life and you may find that you forget all about yourself and how you are feeling. Try it!

Love
Elna x

ps just read that you are beginning to feel much better - good news!

margaretschild

joanlawson wrote:

Thank you all for your kindness and support. It means a lot to me.

Hi Joan,

Sorry I've not been on, how are you feeling today? a bit more cheerful I hope, I too go down with this thing now and then and the only thing I can say is talking helps me, even if it is on a key board.

Keep warm

Linda