Help me...Fighting depression

[alvaa]

First and foremost, I am not suicidal, but I am fighting depression. My mom was put in the hospital about 3 weeks ago and then she had to go to rehab. So, our yearly Thanksgiving lunch with our huge family was put on hold this year. I am back to work today and I have been so depressed for the past 4 days that I don't feel like doing anything that I normally enjoy doing. Being here at work is making my depression cause anxiety. It is gloomy and cold outside and I don't want to be around people, yet I don't want to be alone. I live with my mother and take care of her. She is 76. I am a divorced dad of my wonderful 5 year old daughter. I am on Cymbalta and by the most part it works. My doctor tried to add Abilify but the side effects were just too much.

Any ideas on how to make things better? What are some good techniques to help with my depression.

[IcanWithChrist]

Also get some sunshine everyday because they have done studies that found that people that were not getting enough sun were more depressed.  Maybe eat outside during lunch while you are at work.  It will do wonders for you.  I hope you feel better.  God bless you and your daughter!

[alvaa]

Thank you. That is a good idea. It is true that I have withdrawn from the things that I enjoy doing. I have replaced it with working all of the time. I work from 8-5 and then I work on computers from about 6 until I go to bed. I need to cut that out.

[evergreen19]

I once went to therapy when I was feeling depressed. The therapist told me that when someone feels depressed, they withdraw from all the things they like to do (which it seems you are doing). He told me to try to do 5 things a day that I enjoy. This could be as simple as listening to a song that always makes you happy (and you probably don't listen to it now because you can't stand to think about listening to happy music), eating a certain food, trying to participate in a certain activity, working out.. Whatever it is that used to make you happy. You're probably feeling worse because you're not doing any of those things anymore, and trying this out may help.

I tried this a few years ago and it managed to bring me around enough to keep me off anti depressants. Even if you can't find time to do 5 things a day, try one or two. I this helps.

[alvaa]

I know. I can't seem to help it. I am in therapy now and I hope my therapist can help me through this.

[ManWolf]

I saw your post on thr relationship forum.  With all do respect, stop looking for things to make you sad if at all possible.  Good luck.

[alvaa]

I will give that a shot. I have so many things to be thankful for but I have it buried in my head that it's just brain chemicals and it feels hopeless. I just need to know that there is something that I myself can do.

[ManWolf]

Use the Silva Method.  For example, say cancel cancel when you start feeling bad and quickly think of something happy like your little girl's smile.  I like saying the Lord's prayer.  You need to train your mind to say cancel cancel.  This erases the bad thoughts and you quickly suppliment it with good ones.