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pylon · 09-21-2022, 02:20 PM

I am certainly no guru in this field, but I am pretty weathered from life, namely a couple traumatic family tragedies that put me in episodes of depression.

First and foremost, you need to invest the time and effort into talking to a professional to determine if you suffer clinical or situational depression. In both my episodes, it was situational, which is similar to short term PTSD. For example: You see or experienced something tragic, and that event on it's own triggered the episode. Where as clinical is more akin to a chemical imbalance which is generally chronic, and usually requires anti depressants.

The bottom line is this, for me to snap out of it, I needed help working through the steps. Both related to young premature deaths in my family of siblings. I managed to tough my way out of the first one. The second one, I couldn't snap out of it as there was un addressed scars from the first, and after a year of suffering in silence, I finally sought out help.

I took a 6 month sabbatical from work, read a lot of books, did a lot of mindless stuff I enjoy, and came out on the other side stronger and wiser than I've ever been. If you are suffering from and are diagnosed with clinical depression, your benefits should afford you the ability to take time away from work, and get the help you need.

I know this isn't always solace for everyone, but when I hit little ruts along the way, I always try to remind myself, that no matter how bad things are for me, living where I do, and enjoying the freedoms I have, places me amongst the wealthiest and most fortunate people on the planet. And the same can be said for you, or any Canadian that has a job, a roof over their head and a hundred bucks in their bank account. I understand that's not necessarily a magic mechanism to downplay what you are going through and feeling, as your problems and feeling are as real to you, as someone being shelled in a Village in Ukraine. However, I do find it helps put in perspective, that the situation could certainly be worse, and a reminder of what I DO have.

I also find it incredibly fulfilling to do little things. Help a senior load their groceries in the car, shovel the neighbors driveway... We have been volunteering space in our home from time to time for adults who have recently been released from an addiction treatment program that's very important to us. Basically a clean 60 day halfway house for them. None of these things cost anything, but all of them greatly add to our emotional wealth.

I've felt these feelings of hopelessness, and I can assure you, there is some sort of pathway to happiness. But you absolutely have to open up and allow a professional to help you chart that path. Because there might be something in the equation you haven't even considered, that could hold the key to that happiness.

PM me if you want to chat, as I know sometimes these things can be tough to discuss with those close to you.

09-21-2022, 02:20 PM	#57
pylon Lifetime Suspension Join Date: Jul 2007 Exp:	I am certainly no guru in this field, but I am pretty weathered from life, namely a couple traumatic family tragedies that put me in episodes of depression. First and foremost, you need to invest the time and effort into talking to a professional to determine if you suffer clinical or situational depression. In both my episodes, it was situational, which is similar to short term PTSD. For example: You see or experienced something tragic, and that event on it's own triggered the episode. Where as clinical is more akin to a chemical imbalance which is generally chronic, and usually requires anti depressants. The bottom line is this, for me to snap out of it, I needed help working through the steps. Both related to young premature deaths in my family of siblings. I managed to tough my way out of the first one. The second one, I couldn't snap out of it as there was un addressed scars from the first, and after a year of suffering in silence, I finally sought out help. I took a 6 month sabbatical from work, read a lot of books, did a lot of mindless stuff I enjoy, and came out on the other side stronger and wiser than I've ever been. If you are suffering from and are diagnosed with clinical depression, your benefits should afford you the ability to take time away from work, and get the help you need. I know this isn't always solace for everyone, but when I hit little ruts along the way, I always try to remind myself, that no matter how bad things are for me, living where I do, and enjoying the freedoms I have, places me amongst the wealthiest and most fortunate people on the planet. And the same can be said for you, or any Canadian that has a job, a roof over their head and a hundred bucks in their bank account. I understand that's not necessarily a magic mechanism to downplay what you are going through and feeling, as your problems and feeling are as real to you, as someone being shelled in a Village in Ukraine. However, I do find it helps put in perspective, that the situation could certainly be worse, and a reminder of what I DO have. I also find it incredibly fulfilling to do little things. Help a senior load their groceries in the car, shovel the neighbors driveway... We have been volunteering space in our home from time to time for adults who have recently been released from an addiction treatment program that's very important to us. Basically a clean 60 day halfway house for them. None of these things cost anything, but all of them greatly add to our emotional wealth. I've felt these feelings of hopelessness, and I can assure you, there is some sort of pathway to happiness. But you absolutely have to open up and allow a professional to help you chart that path. Because there might be something in the equation you haven't even considered, that could hold the key to that happiness. PM me if you want to chat, as I know sometimes these things can be tough to discuss with those close to you.