depression/mental health

thatTOPSlady
thatTOPSlady Posts: 199
edited September 21 in Health and Weight Loss
It is 1:25 and I am already 100 cals over. I (obviously) haven't been trying. All I have been doing that is positive is journaling what I eat. I am so BLAH and have a major case of "I really don't care about anything". Yeah, sounds like depression, doesn't it? I KNOW that in order to get out of this, I am going to have to TAKE CARE OF ME and that includes exercising, drinking my water and eating foods that my body can actually get some nutrition out of. I know that. I know. But I don't know why I'm not doing it. I feel like I am in a haze. Like there is some sort of invisible wall that keeps me from doing what I need to do. *sigh* I need to get over this! Any suggestions on how to bust through that invisible wall of indifference/depression/blah? I need a jump start. To help me TO DO what I already KNOW I need to do!

Btw, about 2 years ago, I did take a 6 month round of antidepressants. I didn't tell much of a difference, really. I would consider going back on them, but I can't go back to the doctor for almost a month, so that's not going to help me today.

thanks!

Replies

  • brattyworm
    brattyworm Posts: 2,137 Member
    I am totally with you on this today. Although, i have never had depression, mine was anxiety and i wont go on those pills again.. they messed up to many other things.

    but i'm kinda blah on this eating thing today. I think i'm gonna just eehhh and start fresh tomorrow. part of mine is i'm tired and its hot and humid outside. lol.

    sorry i know its not motivational.. but you're not alone. but you know you can do it and the end result is for you and i think its worth sticking to even if you do have a blah day now and then
  • red01angel
    red01angel Posts: 806 Member
    The best thing you can do to get over that feeling and make it so you can handle it if/when it comes again is see a therapist. A lot of people benefit from antidepressants and such, but usually there's a reason BESIDES solely a chemical imbalance that makes the person depressed whether they can pinpoint it or not. I'm a firm believer that no one should be put on antidepressants without accompanying visits to a therapist.
    In the meantime, try taking some fish oil and St. John's Wort (be sure to check webmd.com or another resource for any negative drug interactions before you start taking them...ESPECIALLY with the SJW). Both supplements have been shown to have mood enhancing effects.
  • tesha30
    tesha30 Posts: 72 Member
    You should really figure out what is making you feel this way and fix it! you dont need pills to change your life. If you really think about what is going on.. you will figure it out on your own. Pills, in my opinion, just help put a bandaid on the problem itself. Helps your cope better.. or ignore whats going on. I have been on them myself when i was a teenager and I never saw a difference either. I was still depressed over my life as it was and I was still angry about things that went on. When I went off of them.. is when I started dealing with the issues at hand. 15 + years later... I dont have to deal with those issues anymore.

    You have your bad days and your good days. You have to fix you before you can really change your life. Your here to help yourself.. so use the resources.. reach out to people. I have become friends with complete strangers on here because of the huge support we all give each other. Were all here for the same reasons, so your not alone at all.

    If you need to vent.. vent on here. Dont sabotage your goals cause your only hurting yourself and none of us would want to see you go downhill!

    If you need to chat.. I have been told I can listen pretty well! Hang in there. Hopefully nothing I have said if offensive.. I didnt mean to be if it came across that way. I have been in your shoes alot....sometimes just reaching for support will help you out of this rut your in.
  • Holton
    Holton Posts: 1,018
    It does sound like depression as I deal with it also. I understand you saying you cannot go to the doctor until next month and that is a shame. I have found that if I just start doing something (Whether it being cleaning the bathroom, organizing the pantry, or washing dishes) it becomes easier, but it is the starting that is the hardest! Glad you are journaling your foods even if you feel like you aren't staying on target, as it will help you to see what you are putting in your body everyday. Keep it up!!! Do know that you are not alone in feeling this way, but I do encourage you to seek medications and/or counseling to ensure that you don't sink too low. Good luck to you!
  • Mindful_Trent
    Mindful_Trent Posts: 3,954 Member
    I second seeing a therapist - I had a rought time last year, and while I wasn't clinically depressed I wasn't happy with my how my life was going. It really helped having someone outside my "bubble" that I could talk to honestly and who could give me another perspective.

    As far as things you could do *right now* I'd recommend exercising (even if you dont' feel like it) or spending time outside in the sun. Exercising stimulates chemicals in your body that can help with mood, and I think I've heard that sunshine can do the same thing (plus I just personally always feel better after spending time outside).

    Try not to get overwhelmed - it's okay to take the first week or so that you are on here and just track your food. It's good to build that habit. After awhile, you can look at your food diary and pick something to improve - ex. eating more veggies or eating fewer processed foods. Take it one step at a time - no need to try and be perfect immediately - that's a recipe for failure in my experience.

    Good luck! Lots of people on this site are here to support you.
  • ashlee954
    ashlee954 Posts: 1,112 Member
    Well, while I am not against taking antidepressants if you need them I have to say MAKE SURE YOU NEED THEM before taking them. There is a difference between being depressed about a situation and actually being clinically depressed. The medication will not have a positive effect if you don't have a neurotransmitter depletion. I come from a family of manic depressants and have been on every med possible. They did a test to see if I was deficient in dopamine, norepinephrine, and seretonin.

    On the diet aspect- I have found that I really really love to eat. Like, actually engage in the act of eating. Because of this if I eat something high in calories in one sitting then I am sure to go over my calories for the day because I eat all day long. My advice is to eat throughout the day but eat low cal stuff. That way you don't necessarily feel deprived because you are constently eating. I enjoy fruits, veggies, string cheese, flavored rice cakes (cheese and ranch are my fav!), individual popcorn bags (light butter versions), low cal nutrition bars (fiber one makes a yummy cocoa one), almonds, any nuts really, kashi crackers, baked chips (to meet those salty cravings if I just gotta), and so on.

    Don't give up. Remember that this isn't a diet. Diets do not work because as soon as you stop the weight comes back. Change your view on food, You eat to live not live to eat. It is terribly hard but the best things n life are worth fighting for. Gook luck hun!
  • suziblues2000
    suziblues2000 Posts: 515 Member
    Have you ever tried art? Try getting some pencils, or if you can afford it, some water colors and brushes and just paint away. Sometimes it helps elevate your mood. For me it does anyway, so does music. But of course it has to be up beat music, not sad music!

    Also, and I know somebody already mentioned this, but exercise really helps! I know, I know....who feels like exercising when you're in a "who cares" mood. But just try. Go out side and walk around or something. Ride a bike, walk to the store. Just try to move for 15 minutes or so.

    Good luck to you,
    sue
  • 100 cals over isn't bad, it won't kill you or blow your diet. Think more about in vs. out. If you can use more than you consume over a week then you will lose weight.

    It sounds like you are very strict on yourself. This can lead to complete meltdown. Allow yourself some latitude in your diet, take a walk if you feel you are losing the battle. Your profile pic shows you holding a child. Take your child to the park and play with him/her.

    If you really must eat, eat something with little or no calories. Lettuce, cabbage etc. Use a little bit of dressing and dip (sprays are getting popular) the lettuce rather than pour it. Cooked cabbage is good and if you cook it without fat or oil it is virtually calorie free.

    Most of all don't give up on yourself. Right now you're only 100 over. That's not bad and you can make that up tomorrow and/or the next day. You're not perfect... don't try to be. You WILL make mistakes but you can learn from them and plan for them. Tomorrow plan to mess up so you won't blow it. Include your favorite "diet-buster" in your count and plan to account for it by eating low cal the rest of the day or exercising more.

    You can do it... don't give up.
  • aippolito1
    aippolito1 Posts: 4,894 Member
    I agree, 100 calories isn't bad at all. Go for a 20 minute walk and you'll be under in no time. I was in a "haze" for the last two weeks. I would do well during the day, get home, and just SNACK. Over the weekend, I let myself eat 7 crazy bread sticks and 4 slices of pizza with marinara sauce and Dr Pepper. But on Monday, I started over. It's Tuesday now and I intend on being back on track for awhile. We all have those times...

    I don't think it's necessarily depression. I think it's just apathy. You just have to push yourself and remind yourself of ALL the reasons why you want this and push forward. Work out to work off those 100 calories and keep going.
  • tesha30
    tesha30 Posts: 72 Member
    I would also like to agree with talking to a licensed therapist. It helps to talk to someone who is unbias of your life and just wants to help you figure things out.
  • nisijam5
    nisijam5 Posts: 9,964 Member
    Take B stress complex and 1-2mg of folate...I read a 2nd article how the two help with depression and mood
    Exercise
    Keep logging your foods...maybe you will see a pattern
    See a qualified therapist...they can recognize if you need a psychiatrist...don't let a general practioner put you on meds...see a specialist
    Be proactive, be aggressive and stick up for yourself
  • amy1612
    amy1612 Posts: 1,356 Member
    I have genuinely found that the only thing that comes close to anti depressants for me is exercise,it helps me reglulate my mood very well,and even if Im tired,and I dont want to go,I do it,beause I know Im going to feel good afterwards.
  • Chrissun
    Chrissun Posts: 148
    I suffered from undiagnosed and untreated postpartum depression and anxiety for 7 1/2 years. I talked to the dr about it, finally, after 6 1/2 years and he recommended a book. After another year a female dr prescribed Floxitine (sp?). It made a big difference for me, took the edge off and gave me a clearer head. Does that make sense? After a year I was ready to be off of the med. Medication is not a cure all but it would still be good to talk to your dr. In the meantime, try to look at the positive in yourself and your life. I agree with Trenton to keep logging but start slow. Make small changes. You can do this!
    Exercise, sunshine, liquid vitamin D and a B multivitamin are great places to start.

    I still have sad, I'm nothing days but it's important to focus on positive. I'm here for you...remember you are trying, you've taken the first step and you care.
  • My problems were definitely medical (thyroid and diabetes) which basically left me with a case of the blahs before being diagnosed. I woke one day at 4 a.m. and decided to pull on a pair of shorts and my sneakers, grabbed the iTouch and the earphones and went out walking. One lap around the neighborhood was 2 miles. I did 2 that first morning and watched the sun come up...and it's muggy as hell in the South... even at that time. But, I felt good in doing it.

    Grab any inspired moment you stumble upon and run with it. One step at a time.
  • Around 2 p.m. yesterday, I sat down and wrote a note TO MYSELF. I pretended someone else was having the issues and they were asking MY advice. Then I followed my advice :) I broke huge tasks into small steps, declared that the computer will be OFF by 10 p.m. so that I could get plenty of sleep (I think being sleep deprived is a lot of the problem) and I FORCED myself to go on a 20 minute walk. I feel a tiny bit better. I got 10 hours of sleep. I needed it. I had only been getting around 5-6. Today I plan to write myself another note. :) I know it sounds silly, but hey, if it works, I'll do it! One day at a time.
  • Mindful_Trent
    Mindful_Trent Posts: 3,954 Member
    Around 2 p.m. yesterday, I sat down and wrote a note TO MYSELF. I pretended someone else was having the issues and they were asking MY advice. Then I followed my advice :) I broke huge tasks into small steps, declared that the computer will be OFF by 10 p.m. so that I could get plenty of sleep (I think being sleep deprived is a lot of the problem) and I FORCED myself to go on a 20 minute walk. I feel a tiny bit better. I got 10 hours of sleep. I needed it. I had only been getting around 5-6. Today I plan to write myself another note. :) I know it sounds silly, but hey, if it works, I'll do it! One day at a time.

    Wow! Great job - these were good steps to help things start moving in the right direction. Keep it up! :smile: You've got it right - one day at a time.
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