Depression?

[SasquatchTriton]

Well, i really dont know where to start with this so here goes.

Since last april my wife and i had been struggling financially. I work a good job and i make good money but we just got really far behind on a couple things and it just snowballed from there. A couple times we were more than a paycheck in the negative. Luckily, like i said, i have a good, steady job and almost every week last summer i was voluteering to work doubles (16hrs) just to get ourselves back to "0" even working doubles on sat. But then we would need groceries, gas, etc and like i said, it snowballed. If it wasnt for our bonus checks that helped pay off all our debt finally idk what would have become of this. Now, i am NOT looking for financial advise since at this point we are caught up and more than enough ahead FINALLY that i SHOULD be able to relax and enjoy everyday knowing that everything is going to be OK! I mean, i have a vehicle, a house a beautiful wife & daughter a steady full time job that i have almost 6yrs in at.... Things right now couldnt really be better. BUT i still find myself stressed out almost everyday because of our recent past hardtimes that we encountered. I find myself asking myself " now, what are you stressing about? What is it that is SOOO wrong that you are in a worried state of mind again??" and i can tell myself everything is good and break things down, look at all the problem areas from the past and know that it is okay but i still find myself bummed out all the time. My wife notices it, guys at work notice it, i just dont know whats going on. Ive always shook my head at those who suffered from depression but i am wondering if i am scarred from what happened last year and if i am coming down with a case myself.

I am going to the docter later this afternoon to talk with them. I just cant shake this funk.

[blackram]

You suffered something that was traumatic to you. This often causes your brain to use up chemicals (I think serotonin) faster than it can produce them. I went through this. Medicine can help while you get counciling to learn how to deal with it.

Been there....prayers with you

[gcopple]

depression is a bad deal that most don't fully understand. in all of my schooling about it, depression is one of the scariest mental problems because it is like you said most just shake their head at it and act like its not there. going to the doc is a great start to recovering. good luck buddy, i hope you start feeling better soon and see the good you have done for you family by getting out of the financial hole you were in. that would be and is a mentally draining ordeal.

[Fish_4_Five]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by blackram &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">You suffered something that was traumatic to you. This often causes your brain to use up chemicals (I think serotonin) faster than it can produce them. I went through this. Medicine can help while you get counciling to learn how to deal with it.

Been there....prayers with you</td></tr></table>

Exactly. Even though it wasn't something that happened quickly it's still traumatic. It'll take time to pat yourself on the back and take a deep breath. Day to day my friend and before you know it the worrying will go away.

GREAT job doing what you had to do to get back to "0". Not everyone has the fortune, or fortitude, to do what you did!

[Bankermike]

I am going to the docter later this afternoon to talk with them. I just cant shake this funk. [/quote]

That's the FIRST step. The worst thing you can do for depression is to do nothing and ignore it. Be patient, continue to seek help and follow the Dr.'s orders and things WILL get better. I wish you the best.

[cranks]

Been there. For the first three years of running my business I always came into hard times. I was very ancious. Put on a lot of weight, didn't sleep was extremely stressed and depressed. I almost ended up in the hospital because of it.

I have finally realized that no matter what I do, what's done is done. Instead of focousing on what I didn't have, I focoused on what I did have. Last year I had to sell my boat to make ends meet when my girlfriend ended up in the hospital for the winter with a broken neck.

I still frett about my finances, but I am doing everything I can to cut costs. I cannot do much more. I have learned to smile and enjoy life (although I don't have one) instead of worrying about everything.

These grey winter days do not help either. Hopefully you will get the help you need. Keep your chin up and let everything escape from your head daily, even if it's only for 10 minutes.

[smalljawguy]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by gcopple &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">depression is a bad deal that most don't fully understand. in all of my schooling about it, depression is one of the scariest mental problems because it is like you said most just shake their head at it and act like its not there. going to the doc is a great start to recovering. good luck buddy, i hope you start feeling better soon and see the good you have done for you family by getting out of the financial hole you were in. that would be and is a mentally draining ordeal.</td></tr></table>

Amen brother. I was also one that used to think that people that said they were depressed were just weak. I learned after about 3 horrible years for me and my family that depression can bring a strong man to his knees. Hardest thing I ever did was sitting in my Drs office and asking what was wrong with me. I'm blessed. I have a great wife, 2 wonderful children, money in the bank, successful investments and careers, get to do or buy anything I want. Yet I was still the most miserable, unhappy s.o.b. that walked. Through the love of a good woman and a good dr. i was able to get help and finally pull out of a 3 year funk. I still have times that I struggle but with diet and exercise I've been able to mostly keep an even balance. Don't be the guy that is too proud!!!!! You're doing the right thing. Talk to your dr. and get some help. If you ever need to talk feel free to im me.

[hatcreek]

I in no way mean to diminish what our a lot of our vets and some others have been through, but your situation sounds similar to PTSD. You've been through something very traumatic... it probably scared the hell out of you at times. It's perfectly natural that you would worry that something could happen to put you right back in that position.

I'm certainly no expert here, but Derek you are WAY too young to let this keep hold of you...

Whatever it takes, I hope you can find some relief and resolution. My thoughts and prayers will be with you and your family.

[R.D.]

Xanax it will help

And yes..................Depression SUX

[jml]

Financial strain puts a lot of stress on people. If you still like to go out and fish , that would be a good sign. Either way I hope things work out for you!

[dryhorn2]

See a doctor and get yourself into a good church. A good Christian support group could do you some good.

[TNT]

you know you lived with such a burden over your head for a while, it's hard NOT to live that way after a while. since you've been able to catch up, you mentally may be waiting for the proverbial "other shoe" to drop ..

[hunt22-250]

Sure, most of us feel sad, lonely, or depressed at times. And feeling depressed is a normal reaction to loss, life's struggles, or an injured self-esteem. But when these feelings become overwhelming and last for long periods of time, they can keep you from leading a normal, active life. That's when it's time to seek medical help

[jc2bg]

You haven't mentioned your health situation. Is everything okay there? Are you sleeping okay, getting exercise, getting the right vitamins etc.?

I'm no expert, but this time of year, especially up north, it's not uncommon to have the post-holiday blahs, midwinter funk, and general grey day malaise. If you're having a good diet and exercise, keep it up. And if not, it might be especially helpful to get outside for 30 to 60 minutes a day. Even on a cold day, fresh air and sunshine are good for the body and the soul.

Hope you find relief. The responsibility of a family can be overwhelming.

[Bsktball55]

You are doing the right thing and getting help. My dad suffered from it for a while and I remember as a kid it put a huge strain on my parents marriage. He took some medicine for a while and came out of his depression. Like others said, you went through a very trying time and are gun shy that the same thing will happen again. Hold your head up and be proud of the fact that you worked your way out of a problem.
Keep in mind that it is not your fault and there is help for it. As time goes on and you continue to be successful, you will not worry as much about what you went through. Until that time do not be ashamed to take the medications or seek professional help.

[kickinastro]

&lt;--- I agree! I didn't realize I was suffering from depression. I talked to a Dr. and he was on point with how I was feeling. Loss of appetite, loss of sleep, wanting to stay home etc. Pills work wonders and I never thought I would be saying it. I never thought there was such thing as depression or anxiety but there is. Good luck and I hope you get well soon.

[BassTaurus]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by jc2bg &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">You haven't mentioned your health situation. Is everything okay there? Are you sleeping okay, getting exercise, getting the right vitamins etc.?

I'm no expert, but this time of year, especially up north, it's not uncommon to have the post-holiday blahs, midwinter funk, and general grey day malaise. If you're having a good diet and exercise, keep it up. And if not, it might be especially helpful to get outside for 30 to 60 minutes a day. Even on a cold day, fresh air and sunshine are good for the body and the soul.

Hope you find relief. The responsibility of a family can be overwhelming.

</td></tr></table>

I think you are describing Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), which is caused by decreased light during the winter months-it is a very real disease. One treatment used was a light box of a certain number of lux units. Do some reading- it might be an endocrine based problem.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/S...order

[mattmann7]

Your 24 and this is obviously new to you. It wont be the last time you go through it though. Its a daily grind to face up to it which is what you have to do. Your on the right track. Check out how my buddy Rodney dealt with "heaviness" and enjoy a good laugh.

[Blazer1]

What we continually practice, as far as thoughts, eventually become conditioned and automatic. You had a long period where that worry was a constant.

You need to now reprogram your thoughts by practicing better ones (change the loop that plays in your head). You have to make a conscious effort to do that because it has now become conditioned. Garbage in - garbage out theory.


I am not saying that you shouldn't look for medical help. Just understand that even then, you will still need to change the perception. We are what we perceive and even if you choose not to decide, you have still made a choice (again that looping thing).

Oh.....and I've struggled with depression too, it sucks but it is manageable. If you ever want to talk send me an IM. You're young, so I suggest that if medicine is prescribed, that you look at it as a temporary fix. Lexapro did wonders for me for a short period of time.

[kmsnowman12]

Good luck Derek , going to the doctor seems to be the right plan.