Everyday Systems

last couple of days have not been great i am a depressant i take meds for this i have a mild case of depressiion so its not to bad. i have had this since i have been 5. but it does get in the way.

sometimes its just easier to do nothing because thats what i feel. how the heck do i get out of this and get on with what i want to do? the funny thing is i really believe that food is what is making depressed.

anyone have this problem?

laura,

I'm sorry to hear this, and I sympathize, but I'm afraid I'm not really qualified to give advice...

I guess try your best not to make no-s a trial and feel guilty when you slip up -- look at it like more of an adventure, that you're stuck in some physically challenging situation and have to take certain practical steps in order to extricate yourself.

Focus on the literal rules rather than agonizing over borderline situations. That's not only more economical in terms of effort (and effective in terms of results) but it will make it seem more like a game, fun rather than stressful.

Anyway, best of luck, and hope something here or elsewhere helps.

Reinhard

Laura, let me preface all comments with "I am not a medical doctor and do not play one on the internet." So, when in doubt, consult with your medical advisers who are qualified!

With that caveat... all I can say is put one foot in front of the other, and set goals you can meet.

The big goal is to create habits that are strong enough to carry you through mood swings. So build them slow and steady, until they're totally automatic.

If you aren't exercising, you might consider starting - there's a lot of evidence that it helps depression. If so, begin at low enough levels that you can be successful, even if it feels puny at first.

An analogy that changed my thinking about setting goals... if you started weightlifting, and planned to lift 100 lbs the first day but could only manage 50, you wouldn't say "oh, I'll do 150 tomorrow to make up for it." That's so obviously idiotic. However, many of us (including me) say similar things with other types of goals, and don't recognize that it's equally idiotic. "I meant to read four articles, but only got through two. I'll read six tomorrow." As if! Pretty soon the pile-up of the un-doable becomes overwhelming, so I quit completely.... I'm learning that I have to start with the bar low enough that I can succeed, and raise it from there.

And so do you. So be gentle with yourself. (My new mantra.)

Best wishes.