HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Never felt like this before...

Support Forums
>
Depression
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 11/5/2008 2:46 AM (GMT 0)
I usually post on the Crohn's forum but recently I've been very depressed.  I've been struggling alot with my illness and the changes it's brought to my life ( I had to switch jobs...a couple times...to accomodate my illness, among some other things) I've been seeing a counselor for this issue. Recently I've had relationship issues...that seemed to be the "straw that broke the camels back".  I have brought this to my counselor so now we're working on this.  I've been through worse relationship issues then this.  I knew the relationship wasn't right and I'm the one that even broke it off...  I find myself crying everyday and I think my friend that I vent to is getting sick of me talking about it! wink   I'm also on Paxil for my anxiety/depression.  Even though I've doing all the "right things" I still feel awful.  I'm usually a very bubbly person and I miss that! I know what the problem is and what I need to do to "fix" it but how do you get yourself to start thinking differently and more positive? 

Ugh...so frustrating! confused

Thanks in advance for your help!

April

Posted 11/5/2008 3:44 AM (GMT 0)
April -

It sounds like you are doing all the right things for yourself. Getting out of a relationship always hurts, regardless of who broke it off. It shows great strength that you were able to make the decision and follow-through with your choice.

I understand the changes that Crohn's has brought to your life because my world was flipped upside down by UC. These diseases can take a toll on us both physically and emotionally.

Have you ever heard of CBT (cognitive behavioral therapy)? I can't say it is your "fix" but it does teach a person how change their "stinkin' thinkin'". There are resources available on the web about CBT, and you could also ask you counselor if they are knowledgable on the subject. I've used it successfully in the past to help me get out ruts.

I hope you are able to start feeling better soon. Are you stable on your Crohn's meds, or are you still in a flare? It is hard to see the light at the end of a tunnel when you are flaring, but it helps to identify the little bright spots you have, and be thankful for them. Try to take it one day at a time.
Posted 11/5/2008 8:58 AM (GMT 0)
Hi April,

I think that sometimes it's difficult to change a thought process or a behaviour that you have been using for a long time.  I have also had problems with making a change, but counselling has really helped me to see things differently. 

One way that I have found to be more positive is to write down one thing I have enjoyed each day.  Sometimes it's really really difficult if I've had a bad day, but the more you really think in to it, the easier it becomes.  Sometimes it could just be something as simple as the weather is nice, or that you spoke to someone that you really like, or something at work, but it really does help me to focus on the positives, and then you can look back at the really hard times & see that there were still small good things going on!

Posted 11/5/2008 12:40 PM (GMT 0)
beartooth- My counselor told me to read "Feeling Good, The New Mood Therapy" and is working on me with that.  I guess I want to feel good NOW and it doesn't work that way! :-)

My Crohn's is ok.  With all the switching of jobs, I don't have insurance so I'm shopping around to find my meds cheap cause my GI wants to start me on something new.

Confused-I will try that... sometimes I get so down, I don't see the positive in ANYTHING!  Hopefully that will start to help me see the good in things!

Posted 11/5/2008 3:54 PM (GMT 0)
The new mood therapy is a really good book. And it is easy to find. Good luck on feeling better.

Hugs, Karen
Posted 11/5/2008 4:19 PM (GMT 0)

April,

Hey there, my hubby has Crohn's too so I know the ups and downs of watching someone live with a chronic disease.

I think you made a good choice to move on but I am sure leaving your relationship was tough and sometimes we have doubts we did the right thing. Try to stay in the moment.

You will get back to feeling better.  Keep working with your therapist and keep talking to us.

Kitt

Posted 11/6/2008 10:30 PM (GMT 0)
Thank you all!  I've been reading the book and so far it all makes sense... I'm doing a little better, just trying to keep with the positive thoughts and writing down my negative ones to get them out of my head.  I hope that through all this I will have learned a little about myself and be happier with me too! tongue
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply