How to make the climb out of bed when you're battling the demon of depression

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SarahSunshine
Posts: 4
Joined: Thu Sep 15, 2016 6:40 pm

How to make the climb out of bed when you're battling the demon of depression

Postby SarahSunshine » Thu Sep 15, 2016 6:47 pm

At some point in our lives we all experience highs and lows, be it as a child, or an adult. Feeling 'low' is something we can all relate to. Hitting rock bottom never seemed so hard to escape. But some how, we find a way to keep on going. There is always a light at the end of the tunnel, no matter how bad your life may seem, there is ALWAYS a way out.

I myself have suffered from depression since I was a teenager of seventeen. That's when I really started to notice I had little interest in doing anything. Socialising was exhausting, and staying in bed doing absolutely nothing always seemed like the better option. Life was passing me by. My A levels were slipping, my relationships were suffering with friends, lovers and family, and I lost passion and interest in doing the things I loved. Sound familiar?

Until one day I laid in bed and said I don't want to be depressed anymore. That was the first step to climbing out of my dark hole that was depression.

Now, I know it's not as easy as clicking your fingers, or springing out of bed and saying 'I don't want to be depressed anymore', however it is always good to recognise your own emotions. After all, you know yourself better than anyone! Accepting the possibility that you could be depressed is a good starting point.

Step one:
I'm guessing you're on your mobile or laptop while reading this? Are you familiar with your 'Notes' in your phone? Or perhaps word on your computer. Now is the time to start writing.

There are many things in life to be grateful for, although at this moment in time it may not seem that way, but here's a start. Write a list of five things you are grateful for right now in your notes.

Got nothing? How about the fact you have a phone in your hand, with access to Internet. Or that you are probably laying in your nice comfy bed, with a roof over your head. Or perhaps that you don't go to sleep hungry because you can afford to eat each day? There are just a few examples.

Start your day each morning with writing down five things you are grateful for. Showing gratitude in life has no costs, and creates more gratitude, and positive energy.

Today I am grateful for:

Having a healthy body, I can walk, I am fit, and my body works the way it should do.
I am grateful for my eye sight, and all the beautiful things I am able to see with my eyes. Some people aren't fortunate enough to have the gift of vision.
I am grateful for my family. My family are always there when I need them, and although we argue, we all still love each other unconditionally.
I am grateful for my pets. My pets bring love and affection into my life when I am happy and sad.
I am grateful for my clothes. I am lucky enough to be able to afford clothes to wear every day. Some people in the world don't even have that luxury which we don't think twice about.

Feeling better? That's just the start. Give this a go every morning and see how you feel when you wake up. Starting the day feeling good about yourself and your surroundings is the key to a positive day!

MarcyK
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Sep 23, 2016 12:37 am

Re: How to make the climb out of bed when you're battling the demon of depression

Postby MarcyK » Fri Sep 23, 2016 12:56 am

Sounds like this could be a little helpful. Thanks for sharing. :)

callalily
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri Sep 02, 2016 3:29 pm

Re: How to make the climb out of bed when you're battling the demon of depression

Postby callalily » Fri Sep 23, 2016 8:21 am

I did all that grateful stuff. It's hanging on my wall. If that was all it took to get out of a depression, we would all be SarahSunshine. I'm receiving a Fisher Wallace Stimulator in the mail today for depression. Has anyone ever heard of it?

Callalily

ianad
Posts: 3
Joined: Sat Sep 24, 2016 7:34 am

Re: How to make the climb out of bed when you're battling the demon of depression

Postby ianad » Sat Sep 24, 2016 7:57 am

Hello people, I'm new here. I am not sure if I suffer from depression or if it is kind of a moderate one, because I have never experienced something like not being able to get out of bed. But I am unhappy with my self many years now and that's a thought I haven't been able to get rid of, whatever I did. I tried pretending that life is ok, I tried thinking that I am happy to have what I have and so on... The result was that nothing changed and my feelings of worthlessness would come back anyway. I recently thought that maybe the best thing to do is be true to myself and let my inside world manifest itself to the outside. . It's been 12 years now and nothing changed for the better however hard I pretended to be ok and however hard I tried to persuade my self that there's nothing wrong with me. Maybe just letting loose and thinking that there is no MUST and SHOULD can help someone find their way. All those efforts to save the day, save the relationship, appear nice and healthy to others may just be obstacles. If someone is depressed, they are. Period. Be true, accept the fact that you suck and make some room in the outside world to pour your ugliness and dispair to until you drain out of it. That's my idea of redemption. What do you think?

Vicfran
Posts: 5
Joined: Wed Sep 28, 2016 9:52 pm

Re: How to make the climb out of bed when you're battling the demon of depression

Postby Vicfran » Sun Oct 02, 2016 9:23 pm

Hi ianad,

Thanks for sharing your symptoms and concerns.
"Be true, accept the fact that you suck and make some room in the outside world to pour your ugliness and dispair to until you drain out of it".
If I may say, you down sound a little down on yourself.

I had chronic depression (persistent depressive disorder, or dysthymia) for over 20 years and while it is possible to get out of bed and hold down a job or do what you need to do, these activities get very, very difficult. I found it hard to motivate myself or get the energy to do anything much.

But thankfully I am now living symptom-free.

Your post reminded me of something I used to do when depressed and that is to ruminate. Have you heard about that? It's one of the most debilitating symptoms of depression. I spent hours going around and around in my mind about whether I was depressed, what was depression, why I felt so bad, why I couldn't snap out of it, what was wrong with me, what I should do about it, that I was a loser...on and on and on.

The best strategy for rumination that I found was being aware of these negative thoughts. Just thinking, 'Oh wow, there I go again! Negative thoughts, helloo!! Thanks for dropping by. Now you can leave!' and then I'd focus very strongly on something in the room or the place where i was, like a chair, an object, whatever. Just look at it as if you're seeing it for the first time. Be curious, wonder about it. Finally, Just take action. Do something even if it's just as simple as putting on the kettle or moving something from one place to another.

All of these strategies should take less than 5 minutes.

Would you give it a try? I'd be interested to know how this works for you.
Of course, if you do have some kind of mild depression you'll probably need to do other things as well to deal with the symptoms, but for me, I spent hours every day ruminating and it was just the worst thing.

Keep going!
Vicfran

Reiner
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu Nov 10, 2016 12:56 pm

Re: How to make the climb out of bed when you're battling the demon of depression

Postby Reiner » Fri Nov 25, 2016 12:50 pm

i can actually relate to this very much , thanks for the share


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