Tips for Depression Please?

Lindzanne · May 2016

I am newly diagnosed, and am dealing with terrible depression while I wait for my treatment plan. I go through the motions each day, but in the back of my mind, all I can think about is the worst. I don't know how to think about the future. In the back of my mind is a voice saying "what's the point?". I can't find hope. This is despite my medical team giving me a good prognosis. Is this normal for me to be so down?

I have a great therapist, have connected with the excellent social worker at my clinic, am already on depression and anxiety meds due to past trauma, will be seeing my pcp soon to make sure they're adjusted correctly as I go through this, and do not have any thoughts of harming myself. I've already done a lot of reading here from what the mods have posted about depression, but what I'm wondering is if folks could share any quick tips, tools, or ideas thag may have worked for them that I can use in the moment when I'm feeling this low. It seems like there is a huge amount of support and knowledge from the people here, so I am hoping I can impose on your kindness and advice. Thanks in advance.

Lily55 · May 2016

my tips,

Allow yourself to feel sad but set a time limit, like at 11am I promise myself I will go for a walk in nature.

Live moment by moment, eg, right now I am ok, no pain, just fine.

Finally when worries crowd in just tell yourself "its only a thought" as that is all it is right now, this is the worst time, too much uncertainty around re treatments etc

Hope this helps, sounds trite but they do wor

Lindzanne · May 2016

thank you Lily55, trite or not those are excellent ideas. Thanks for responding.

Sjacobs146 · May 2016

I think that as long as you are "going rhought the motions" you are doing as well as can be expected at this point. I'd be more worried Iif you said that you were unable to get out of bed. I found that keepng busy helps me a lot. I didn't think much abou BC while I was at work. My RO recommended a book to me called The Depression Cure which has been helpful. It lays out a program for dealing with depression without meds.

Moderators · May 2016

Lindzanne, If you haven't read this topic yet, you may want to take a look! We've compiled a bunch of things together that other members have suggested to help themselves feel better: https://community.breastcancer.org/forum/102/topic...

It is very normal to feel how you are now. Getting meds adjusted could be very helpful, and we are glad you are doing that. We're all here for you!

ShetlandPony · May 2016

It sounds like you have a good team, Lindzanne. I wonder if it might be good to consult a psychiatrist rather than just a pcp about the choice and dose of meds, since that person is the expert on meds for depression and anxiety.

Lindzanne · May 2016

These are all great suggestions, I actually put some of yours into practice today, Lily55 and kayb and they helped. I will check out that book, sjacobs. Shetlandpony, My pcp actually works at a clinic where she consults with mental health professional and a psychiatrist that works there which is one of the reasons I see her! In my experience it's rare to find places where practices intersect like that so I feel very cared for there.

ShetlandPony · May 2016

Oh, that's very good, Lindzanne.

Tips for Depression Please?

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