Depression: When is it just feeling sorry for yourself?
I have suffered from depression in the past, although I think now I'm not really 'technically' depressed. I'm going through a bit of a low period at the moment, and part of me thinks I need to be really careful, treat myself nicely and give myself some time. And part of me thinks I should just get over it. I know depression is an illness and it needs to be treated - but does there come a time when you just have to stop feeling sorry for yourself? And is that even possible? I know right now, I am trying so hard and all I really want to do is curl up in a ball and cry. I was just wondering if people think there is a stage where you just have to force yourself to face up to things and do things and get out of bed in the morning.
BTW - I realise I may not have worded this particularly well, and I don't mean to cause offense to anyone who is suffering with depression and feels like my post is trying to say that depression is simply self - pity, because I know that that is not true.
I think if you cannot cheer yourself up, that is depression, as in, depressive illness. The point is, normal people get sad, but they get on with things because thier mood is not so low that they cannot make themselves feel better. Feeling sorry for yourself is ok. It means you're hurting and you feel sympathy towards yourself because of that.
If you really are down and cant cheer up and dont know why, that can feel like you need to "just cheer up" or "just stop feeling sorry for yourself" but thats the thing about depression - you CANT. I think in recovery theres a stage when you feel a bit better but its so unfamiliar you almost want depression back, and that point you do have to persevere and take a day at a time, but telling yourself to stop feeling sorry for yourself isn't helpful, if you're that miserable, you deserve to feel bad for yourself, you need to let yourself feel what you feel and then you can let it go. Its when you stop letting yourself feel anything that the problems REALLY start. Being gentle to yourself is important.
I really think you should talk to somebody about this.
s a r a h
* pm me * eating disorders info *
"Between two worlds life hovers like a star,
twixt night and morn, upon the horizon's verge."
- Lord Byron
Hey!
Itīs hard to say. I suffer from depression, are treated with anti-depressants and everything.
For me, there are two ways of feeling really depressed.
The first one is, when I simply feel like dying because nothing in this world seems to make sense, everybody seems to be alone, everyone seems to be lying and everything.
The second one is, when I pity myself and Iīm like "Why do I have OCD, why do I have depression, why did I start to selfharm?" etc.! And I really hate this! But sometimes, I canīt help it...
Still, the second way occurs more rarely with me.
Especially, when I look at people and their problems around me.
Today, I found out, that a great friend of mine is suffering from cancer...
Kiss, Liz
"The opposite of love is not hate; it's indifference."
- Elie Wiesel
1) Talk with people. Surround yourself with positive people, talk with them or just listen. They can inspire you or help you.
2) Make sure your mind and your body becomes what it should receive, and he has the right nutrients intake.
3) Do regular Exercise.
4) Take a long walk regularly.
One thing I found that really helps is claming your mind. Just listening to chants or music w/out vocals brings stillness to the mind. It doesn't cheer you up, but it does take you away from your current thought pattern. Sometimes all you can do is baby steps.
I was just wondering if people think there is a stage where you just have to force yourself to face up to things and do things and get out of bed in the morning.
Yup, I think there is! But I don't think this changed the fact of if it is depression, or if you're just feeling sorry for yourself. You have to battle each things in different ways and there will come a time for [most] people who have depression even where they just think.. I've had enough, get up, do some good things for yourself and get better. If it is depression obviously medication will help the chemistry but then... so will walking and diet, yknow?
While I don't think you should ever tell anyone else to "just get out of bed"... equally, letting yourself stay in bed forever isn't going to be helpful. Harsh love can get you places with yourself when you are ready to be responsive to it.
GODDAMN IT THIS IS AN OLD POST BUMPED BY A SPAMMER.
**** off spammer.
>: (
woe! closing this due to it being from 2007 and sulking.
hope you're okay now, ~hunni~
:D
