How do you do it?

[Slava]

Originally Posted by Locke

This is actually a really good point, because a lack of hobbies is basically driving face-first into a rut.

I experience this a lot, largely professionally.

So many of us have been conditioned to just 'Work' that we've entirely forgotten that there is more to life than that.

I think its a large reason why you see so many people dying rather quickly after retiring. 'The thing' that motivated people was gone and there were no other 'things.'

My dad was a professional driver for 40+ years and had to retire because he aged-out, but he had spent so many years on the move that he'd never accumulated the hobbies or the friend-groups and it was really hard on him.

I see this constantly, and I think it wreaks havoc on people. They retire and initially they're just happy to have a break from the grind. That makes sense. But it was also the thing that defined them for years, and depending on the type of job and what they thought of that, this in itself can be an issue.

But socially, everything was at work for these people. They end up without a lot of close friends to just hang out with, and if they spent a lot of hours working, their spouses aren't used to them being around 24/7 either.

I speak to clients and ask what they plan to do in retirement, because I just think it's so critical. You need a reason to get rolling each day, and you suddenly have a lot of extra time on your hands.

[Ozy_Flame]

One thing many of us do is routine our life into the ground. Work, kids, exercise, etc. Keeping up with the Joneses and the rat race is such an easy trap to fall into.

A significant pivot in routine can do wonders, including taking a few months off to recharge and find new interests. A "step back" or a "breather", if you will.

I find that you don't necessarily need hobbies, but things that can pre-occupy your mind and let you focus on accomplishing things. For example, building or repairing something, learning a new skill, or positively impacting other people's lives.

You might even find that those things can point you in new directions permanently, including professionally - what you do and how you do it. Your work style might change.

I recently took up meditating. It sounds like new age crap at first, but after the first few sessions, you start to get better at it. And you start to be able to clear your mind much easier, and focus away from this reality. Then I began to realize that it helps me organize my brain and feel good about it the same way when you organize your room and feel better when it's cleaned up. Sessions will go up to about 45 minutes now, assuming I have time.

I find I'm less irritable, have more patience, and clear out negative thoughts. My consciousness is given a break for a while. I suppose video games and reading also accomplish the same thing.

Anyways, that's my little story. I suggest breaking routine is good for the soul.

[peter12]

Blah blah change your routine, go for a run. That #### is absolutely useless unless you are receiving proper medical care. See a doctor, get on some medication, and see a counselor.

Calgary Counselling Centre will scale your sessions to your income.

I was finally diagnosed with legit OCD after years of suffering from intrusive thoughts and ritualized obsessions. I'm on a massive dose of Prozac and doing much better. For years I tried the "take the dog for a walk, read a happy book, or get some sunshine," and guess what, none of it worked.

[Matata]

Originally Posted by SportsJunky

Was it the psychedelics that turned you into a conspiracy theorist? I'm a supporter of psilocybin therapy but now I'm afraid it will result in my supporting of Alex Jones.

edit - hang in there CMPunk.

Not really, I got into conspiracy theories as a teenager, quickly realized I couldn't tell up from down and then spent ~15 years developing my knowledge of engineering, power hierarchies, human nature and the business world. It wasn't until I was satisfied that I had developed the skills required to navigate the world of conspiracy that I got back into it. Now I think of my interest in conspiracies as strip-mining insanity in order to come across amazing facts that you can't really find anywhere else. It's been ~6 years since I've done a psychedelic and I'm jonesing pretty hard to ride that dragon again.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by peter12

Blah blah change your routine, go for a run. That #### is absolutely useless unless you are receiving proper medical care. See a doctor, get on some medication, and see a counselor.

Calgary Counselling Centre will scale your sessions to your income.

I was finally diagnosed with legit OCD after years of suffering from intrusive thoughts and ritualized obsessions. I'm on a massive dose of Prozac and doing much better. For years I tried the "take the dog for a walk, read a happy book, or get some sunshine," and guess what, none of it worked.

So....Drugs and Burning Man.

[peter12]

Also for people recommending psychedelics. I am not a stranger to LSD or psilocybin, but please do not self-administer them to treat your own mental illness. Their effects are basically unproven at this point, and taken improperly could actually exacerbate your undiagnosed and untreated condition.

[Ozy_Flame]

"Get on some medication?"

That is absolutely terrible advice if your physician didn't diagnose you with something that needs medication. You don't go on medication unless you actually medically need it and a certified professional who can prescribe prescriptions actually prescribes it.

"Get on some medication" is a dangerous and irresponsible blanket statement.

[peter12]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

"Get on some medication?"

That is absolutely terrible advice if your physician didn't diagnose you with something that needs medication. You don't go on medication unless you actually medically need it and a certified professional who can prescribe prescriptions actually prescribes it.

"Get on some medication" is a dangerous and irresponsible blanket statement.

Yeah, man, that's the only way you will medicated? Where did I ever recommend the OP to look for an off-market source of Zoloft?

[Ozy_Flame]

Unless you are a certified physician, "get on some medication" is not up to you.

To say it like it's some universally easy out to your problems is irresponsible.

End of story.

[photon]

Just don't fall into the "I'm not a real man if I use medication" trap. Medication is a tool just like seeing a professional, cognitive behavioural therapy, etc.

A tool can be used properly, irrationally avoided, or abused. Try to to avoid two of those.

[8sPOT]

Also wanted to mention, CMPunk, its awesome that you're willing to talk about this and not bury it down. Thats actually pretty brave of you. I do like that talking about mental health is more common now, doesn't mean it's easy to do though.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

Also, if I may add, many of the common medications to treat depression are SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). New comprehensive literature (an umbrella review, basically a systematic review of a collection of systematic reviews) has come out in recent months that indicates that serotonin (or lack thereof) is not associated with depression.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-022-01661-0

If this is true, that means that most anti-depressants aren't doing what they're intended to do. Medication may not be the answer either.

In speaking with many of my psychology colleagues, they argue for CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy). It requires regular work, but leads to long lasting benefits if done properly.

[Sr. Mints]

Anyone who's actually qualified to dispense medical advice in this thread literally can't - I think that needs to be stated.

Good luck CMP, I don't really have anything concrete to offer except moral support. Been there, currently there to some degree.

As touched on in the thread, a huge part of my social life was tied into work. And I've been off for the better part of 5 years for medical reasons, only working part-time, maybe 10 hours a week.

I've found some hobbies--I'm currently tearing apart my mom's house on Sr Mints Standard Time so it can be put back together to my liking. I also got a puppy. He came with the name Silver, but that sounded too much like Silver so I changed it. He brings much joy and happiness.

Leaning on family helps. It might start to piss them off, but they'll bend and be there for you. And those feelings of guilt that you're a burden can just compound all your problems, so you'll have to suppress that.

I also recommend speaking to a psychologist. It'll take you eons to get into a psychiatrist. They can help you see things from a whole different perspective. If anything, reach out to your family doctor - they can help set you up.

[Ozy_Flame]

Originally Posted by photon

Medication is a tool just like seeing a professional, cognitive behavioural therapy, etc.

A tool can be used properly, irrationally avoided, or abused. Try to to avoid two of those.

This is true. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is a very effective tool when applied correctly for psychological or psychiatric patients. There are different approaches in this method, but for some situations you don't even need a physician to get started. And I say that as someone who has used CBT personally and married to a physician who specializes in mental health.

[Locke]

Originally Posted by photon

Just don't fall into the "I'm not a real man if I use medication" trap. Medication is a tool just like seeing a professional, cognitive behavioural therapy, etc.

A tool can be used properly, irrationally avoided, or abused. Try to to avoid two of those.

Yeah....I'm going to chime in on this.

There is nothing wrong with not feeling well and recognizing that takes courage, so take heart there.

Further, medication is a tool. Tools are tools, they are meant to be used, and sometimes you have a try a few times to get the appropriate tool for the required job.

And sometimes it might not be the right tool.

The trick is: 'Even Keel.'

[photon]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

If this is true, that means that most anti-depressants aren't doing what they're intended to do. Medication may not be the answer either.

Agree, medications usually aren't a magic bullet. In my case I was on Wellbutrin for a while (which I don't think is an SSRI) and I think it really helped, but it didn't fix things, it feels more like it helped me get my head above water and where things like therapy could actually help. Eventually I went off of it when I had things I could do to help myself from falling back into old thought/behaviour patterns.

For my son (ADD, Aspergers or I guess ASD now) we went through lots of different medications, and none of them were ever the "wow what a big change" that others report.. I think SSRIs only ever helped him gain weight lol. Eventually he went through the Children's Day Treatment program (https://www.albertahealthservices.ca...lityID=1102701) and that was a pretty big turnaround for him and us. Not only did they change his medication but we came out with new strategies for him and his school.

Went from the school having to lock him in an empty room to protect the teachers and students (still makes me cry thinking of how that must have been for him) to him getting the "most improved student" award in Jr High.

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

In speaking with many of my psychology colleagues, they argue for CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy). It requires regular work, but leads to long lasting benefits if done properly.

Had the same input from anyone we worked with with my son.

[you&me]

Originally Posted by peter12

Blah blah change your routine, go for a run. That #### is absolutely useless unless you are receiving proper medical care...

But aren't you fat?

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

Also, if I may add, many of the common medications to treat depression are SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors). New comprehensive literature (an umbrella review, basically a systematic review of a collection of systematic reviews) has come out in recent months that indicates that serotonin (or lack thereof) is not associated with depression.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-022-01661-0

If this is true, that means that most anti-depressants aren't doing what they're intended to do. Medication may not be the answer either.

In speaking with many of my psychology colleagues, they argue for CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy). It requires regular work, but leads to long lasting benefits if done properly.

Was going to post this as soon as I read the post... Medications and our understanding of them is ever-evolving. While it's hard to always keep up on this stuff, it's important not to fall into a trap of blindly following a Dr's direction without being sure they're fully understanding your situation and the options available for treatment. Drs are like everyone else - there are those that are excellent at what they do, and there are those that basically punch in / punch out.

[topfiverecords]

Originally Posted by Sr. Mints

Anyone who's actually qualified to dispense medical advice in this thread literally can't - I think that needs to be stated.

Good luck CMP, I don't really have anything concrete to offer except moral support. Been there, currently there to some degree.

As touched on in the thread, a huge part of my social life was tied into work. And I've been off for the better part of 5 years for medical reasons, only working part-time, maybe 10 hours a week.

I've found some hobbies--I'm currently tearing apart my mom's house on Sr Mints Standard Time so it can be put back together to my liking. I also got a puppy. He came with the name Silver, but that sounded too much like Silver so I changed it. He brings much joy and happiness.

Leaning on family helps. It might start to piss them off, but they'll bend and be there for you. And those feelings of guilt that you're a burden can just compound all your problems, so you'll have to suppress that.

I also recommend speaking to a psychologist. It'll take you eons to get into a psychiatrist. They can help you see things from a whole different perspective. If anything, reach out to your family doctor - they can help set you up.

A dog named Sliver would be the greatest thing ever.

[Scroopy Noopers]

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

"Get on some medication?"

That is absolutely terrible advice if your physician didn't diagnose you with something that needs medication. You don't go on medication unless you actually medically need it and a certified professional who can prescribe prescriptions actually prescribes it.

"Get on some medication" is a dangerous and irresponsible blanket statement.

Originally Posted by Ozy_Flame

Unless you are a certified physician, "get on some medication" is not up to you.

To say it like it's some universally easy out to your problems is irresponsible.

End of story.

The words immediately before what you are fixated on read “see a doctor”.

[jayswin]

Originally Posted by SutterBrother

Mental Health = Health

Most people go to a doctor once a year, a dentist every 6 months, but seldom see a mental health professional. Do it. It’ll help.

But our government doesn't treat it that way, hence why most people aren't able to go like they do to the doctor.