Depressed

Hey guys,

Wow this time of year is tough. I have crashed. I am feeling the holiday stress bigtime. I got sick with a nasty cold that went around work all last week, so I was home and wasn't able to shop for Christmas. Now I am feeling the crunch. Three work Christmas gatherings this week (I know what you all are saying to me right this second..."Don't go to all of them if I don't feel up to it" "Unburden myself" lol) I will see. I am going to do some Christmas shopping tonight, so maybe once that is done I will start feeling a little better.

I am not sleeping well at all but I think that is due to the sore throat and coughing. The Seroquel isn't even able to keep me asleep!

Anyway, wish I wasn't feeling this way. I hope all of you are holding up. We need to take special care of ourselves this time of year.

Hugs,
Mogs

((((hugs)))))

I am glad you are feeling better

Sassie

Thank you. I agree; it is the most depressing time of the year or it most of the time is lol

Hope everyone is well. I am still deeply depressed. At work today and haven't been able to accomplish anything at all :(

Increasing the Seroquel tonight, that's how bad it is!

Hugs,
Mogs

WITH HEALING COMPASSION,

JAMIE

WRITING IN CAPS FOR JAMIE ((HUGS)) MY FRIEND

THANKS GUYS. HAD TWO DAYS OF MANIA LAST WEEK. CYCLED ON THE WEEKEND AND DEEPLY DEPRESSED TODAY.

I HAVE PSYCHOTHERAPY TONIGHT SO I AM GLAD FOR THAT.

WE JUST PURCHASED A NEW EXERCISE BIKE TO COMPLETE OUR HOME GYM, SO YES, I AM ABLE TO RETURN TO WORKING OUT AND I AM HAPPY about THAT. I WILL BE WORKING OUT TONIGHT.

MSBURNETT - HELPING OUR PARTNERS UNDERSTAND IS A BIG CHALLENGE. THE FIRST STEP I THINK IS FOR YOU YOURSELF TO UNDERSTAND WHAT YOU ARE DEALING WITH. IF YOU ARE IN THERAPY, YOUR THERAPIST CAN ALSO HELP YOU WITH THIS ISSUE OR HELPING PARTNERS UNDERSTAND.

THE OTHER COMPONENT IS FOR THE PARTNER TO WANT TO EDUCATE THEMSELVES ON THIS ILLNESS AND OFFER THEIR SUPPORT.

I KNOW IN PAST JOINT THERAPY SESSIONS I HAVE HAD, AS LONG AS BOTH PARTIES ARE EDUCATED ON THE ILLNESS ITSELF, THEN THE NEXT STEP IS ASKING EACH OTHER WHAT WOULD HELP THE OTHER. FOR EXAMPLE: IF YOUR PARTNER WANTS TO HELP YOU WHEN YOU AREN'T WELL, ASK HIM/HER WHAT THEY NEED FROM YOU (SHOULD YOU COMMUNICATE YOUR SYMPTOMS AND GIVE IDEAS AS TO WHAT WOULD HELP AT THE MOMENT?)

OR IF YOUR PARTNER NEEDS HELP FROM YOU, ASK HIM/HER TO BE SPECIFIC about WHAT THEIR NEEDS ARE...

NOT SURE IF I AM MAKING SENSE, BUT EDUCATION IS THE STARTING POINT. ONCE THE EDUCATION IS IN PLACE, COMMUNICATION IS KEY.

THE BIGGEST THING I THINK THOUGH IS COMPASSION AND UNCONDITIONAL LOVE. IF YOUR PARTNER ISN'T CAPABLE OF THIS, IT WON'T WORK. TRUST ME.

HUGS,
MOGS

Are there any links/resources out there that people could recommend for loved ones?

You're welcome and the book that Chloe recommended is good.

Remember this :

Our loved ones can never understand fully what we are feeling and going through. It's just not possible. What is important is that they educate themselves so they can understand the facts. Then hopefully they can take the facts and combine it with what they know about us as a person and learn how our illness affects us individually. Education just gives them some knowledge to work with and it's important!

The other big thing to remember is: This illness is our responsibility, alone. It is not anyone else's responsibility to manage. I always tell people "It's MY job to manage this the best I can each and every day. Just mine. I am responsible to take the meds, visit with the pdoc, therapist and learn the skills (ex-DBT or CBT). For the people who love me, their only job is acceptance and loving support."

Hope that helps. Having professional support in place is key for all of us so we can cope.

Hugs,
Mogs