Posted by SLS on May 15, 2004, at 9:46:23
In reply to Re: Better be » Racer, posted by noa on May 15, 2004, at 8:34:41
> My experience was that when I was in a bad place and needed meds to work, therapy was not that productive. I.e., maybe don't expect so much from therapy until you get the depression, anxiety and agitation under control? In the meantime, it can just be a place for support and check-in.
I agree. When I asked one of my doctors to prescribe psychotherapy, he told me that I wouldn't get that much out of it. He said that I couldn't think my way out of a paper bag in such a severely depressed state.For right now, it is more important to focus on the here and now rather than on the past and future. Personal growth is very difficult when you are so depressed that you can't effectively process information and gain insights. What you might want to focus on are coping tools to use during this difficult time. This can be addressed by psychotherapy, but only if survival is made the objective and given priority over the quest for self-actualization. You need to concentrate on survival and try to mitigate the pain and frustration of depression as much as possible in order to make it more tolerable.
I'm not thinking very clearly right now. I am having trouble offering any specifics regarding coping skills for living with depression until the right treatment is found.
Be constructive. Concentrate on and identify those things that you can do rather than what you can't do. Become aware of your limitations so that you don't set yourself up for failure. Be merciful with yourself. You are being squashed by a biological phenomenon that, for now, is beyond your control. It can be a huge accomplishment just to get out of bed in the morning. Think about how strong you are to be able to survive and persevere. How many people do you know that would be able to cope with the burden you are forced to carry? Most of the people I know would be crying for their mama within an hour, begging to make it stop.
The measure of achievement lies not in how high the mountain, but in how hard the climb. The measure of success lies only in how high one feels he must climb to get there. Getting out of bed and surviving your depression is surely a success. You deserve a pat on the back!
Keep going! Don't give up! You are a survivor, otherwise you wouldn't be here. You have my permission to be depressed. Give yourself permission as well. You are not responsible for the way you feel right now.
Remember that you are not your depression. You are far more. Try to separate yourself from it.
Be merciful with yourself.
- Scott
poster:SLS
thread:346816
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/2000/20040501/msgs/347090.html