Finally broke down Sunday...

Been living life for the last couple years in depression, going through the motions and finally had a nervous breakdown Sunday. Was one of the hardest days of my life. I never realized how depressed I was until now.

I suffer from bad anxiety and panic as well as a health phobia and OCD intrusive thoughts and finally I' am coming to grips with everything and hopefully healing now.

I am on day four of Lexapro and every day seems a little better.

I was clinically depressed and I never want to go back to that place again.

Any suggestions how to maintain a positive mood daily?

Welcome Yankee,

I agree with Myself09; the breakdown is usually the point where
we become aware of how poor our mood has become and the point
where we start taking better care and control of our mental/emotional health. Glad to hear you are feeling a bit better:)

I also find getting out for walks is good for my depression. I
think the walks create a needed distraction ( our surroundings ) as
well as the release of endorphins that are calming. Hobbies can
be very helpful, and having someone you can talk to comfortably
is also a help ( you can get the last right here at the Healing Well
depression site)...we have all " been there " -and can certainly
understand and empathize ( and help ).

Perhaps consider joining our " Dayly check in " thread. I enjoy it
and it is a nice dayly distraction and interaction. Just a thought.
I hope you will stick around at HW...it has been a great help for
me and many others.

Best wishes Yankee.
Derwood.

Anxiety is lame. What causes your anxiety? Lifestyle changes may be beneficial, but maybe you could buy a pet or go for a walk, because when I get anxious, I like to go along a nice countryside pathway in Midlothian called Colinton Dell, so I'm sure there will be places like that where you are, away from all the polluted fumes.

Welcome Yankee,

I see you have a sense of humor. That is good, a lot us do, it is part of the mask we wear to hide the pain and sadness.

I started therapy 5 years ago, it has helped a lot. I think this spring I will start going every 2 weeks. It is a lot of work if you want the benefits from it, well work the time and effort.

Stay in close contact with the doc. If the meds are not working call the doc, talk honestly, if you has SI'a [suicidal intentions] tell them! The doc can not help if they do not know everything that is going on.

The time to stop being "brave" is now. Now is when you pull your courage out and face the monster of depression. Really a bully, backs down you go one on one with it.

Peace and strength.
Oh, look at our resource thread at the top of this forum. Lots of things to help 4-6 pgs
Trina