I don't even know what to type in this box or why I am posting about it. Everything hurts and I am in the depths of depression. I am not drinking! But I wish I was feeling better.
Grab a pad of paper and a pen ... start listing the things you still have because you're sober, you know, a gratitude list .... ... ... then list all the things you'd be suffering from if you were not sober ... ... never forget, 'Depression' is a 100 times worse when drinking ... so you know the answer isn't in the bottle ...
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
I hope it's a funk - even a serious funk and not clinical depression. Either way, there is hope cuz I have had both. I have been stuck to the bed depressed and hurting and felt just like that wind up toy person in the Cymbalta commercial.
At some point, it may be worth talking to your Dr. I had a depressive episode in early sobriety but I'd had so many of them...I knew it was about all the changes happening at once and it was throwing me for loops. Things got substantially better by 6 to 7 months and then amazingly better by a little over 1 year sober.
In retrospect, I was changing everything about myself and my life pretty much. It was harsh growing pains and that threw me into a real clinical depression (cuz my brain is wired to have that). It ended though. Every dark period ends and the light comes back. Always and no matter how bad things seem.
I have to kick myself into gear and go on autopilot in those periods. It has shown to be the best way to deal repeatedly for me.
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Keep coming back. It works if you work it. So work it. You're worth it!
A slump can go on for days. We feel sluggish, unfocused, and sometimes overwhelmed with feelings we can't sort out.
We may not understand what is going on with us. Even our attempts to practice recovery behaviors may not appear to work.
We still don't feel emotionally, mentally, and spiritually as good as we would like.
In a slump, we may find ourselves reverting instinctively to old patterns of thinking, feeling, and behaving, even when we know better.
We may find ourselves obsessing, even when we know that what we're doing is obsessing and that it doesn't work.
We may find ourselves looking frantically for other people to make us feel better, the whole time knowing our happiness and well-being does not lay with others.
We may begin taking things personally that are not our issues, and reacting in ways we've learned all too well do not work.
We're in a slump. It won't last forever. These periods are normal, even necessary. These are the days to get through.
These are the days to focus on recovery behaviors, whether or not the rewards occur immediately.
These are sometimes the days to let ourselves be and love ourselves as much as we can. We don't have to be ashamed, no matter how long we've been recovering.
We don't have to unreasonably expect "more" from ourselves. We don't ever have to expect ourselves to live life perfectly.
Get through the slump. It will end. Sometimes, a slump can go on for days and then, in the course of an hour, we see ourselves pull out of it and feel better.
Sometimes it can last a little longer. Practice one recovery behavior in one small area, and begin to climb uphill. Soon, the slump will
disappear.
We can never judge where we will be tomorrow by where we are today.
Today, I will focus on practicing one recovery behavior on one of my issues, trusting that this practice will move me forward.
I definitely suffer from depression already, and have been on anti-depressants for years. There is a lot going on in my personal life right now - pressures and uncertainty - and I am just feeling unable to cope. I can't stop crying. I should maybe talk to my doctor.
It could be what you've been eating,as well. Use your search engine to locate "foods that cause depression". After that, search for "foods that boost endorphines". NEWSFLASH! Recent reports indicate that diet soda is a MAJOR cause of depression, so if you drink 'em, avoid 'em. Smoking is also a depressor. (I know this as I smoke like Godzilla...)
Also ...Alcohol is a chemical depressant...each time I drank I trained myself...my thoughts, feelings and spirit and finally my behaviors were the proof...I was completely depressed. ((((hugs))))
Bless you! Oh Ruby..bless you.....Our Bill (me too) suffered horrible depressions.....but...." Upon going to a hospital in despair, after talking with an alcoholic there, I was amazingly lifted up, and set on my feet...it is a design for living, that works in rough going." I go to a detox meeting every week...and may arrive in despair...but become happy, after 12th step work!!! Honey...it IS a "fix" for me!!! and its LEGAL in A.A. lol!!! Bill writes about his depressions....and talks about "walking" just praying to be able to go out for a walk! That is ME!! It helped Bill.... bless you!!! Love, Lady Eli
