Feeling depressed

Sort out in your head what you can change, and what you cant.

With the things you can change, find some sort of step by step plan to deal with them. (Not easy, but take baby steps, rather than try to deal with it all at once)

The things you can't change, then make a mental list of how to cope with them. Again not easy, but "lists" can help.

Just remember this, which I am probably misquoting:

"Lord, give me the courage to deal with the things I can change, the resilience to cope with the things I can't change, and the wisdom to know the difference"

Well, it's something like that.

I cried every day for almost ten years, so I understand how you must be feeling. It was exhausting. I was in despair. I eventually spoke to my GP, and had some CBT sessions, but they didn't work for me. So my GP prescribed sertraline. It stopped me crying all the time, which allowed me to be calm and find my bearings and address my sadness. It probably saved my life.

Billybob4491 Good advice from your GP I need it right now so thanks for posting. I know it’s easier to read than do but a useful short ‘mantra’
Hope it also helps the original poster.

There is nothing wrong with having the odd cry, it is a relief.
Reading your first post travelsafar I thought you sounded depressed. The fact that you later posted that you felt much better is good news, but only you know if that is your true outlook.
Many with depression put on a brave face to others.
Either way please consider talking to your doctor.
So sorry to read about your experiences quasidodo
Best wishes to you both.

Goodness it looks dodgy to me.

Petersgirl/Travesafar- life is so precious, celebrate the good things, try not to let the worries bog you down, stay strong, people do care about you, even anonymous ones!

I have that feeling again. I have a gp appointment for something else next week so i will discuss with her these feelings i keep getting. I'm now wondering if it is related to being tired and then everything overwhelms me,or whether the issues in my life that affect me truely are affecting me more than i admit too

I was depressed last year due to a series of life events, waking in the middle of the night, worrying, mind in a dark place, going round and round in circles, everything seemed pointless.

I am feeling much better now. What was helped has been counselling but also listening to Audible books during those long lonely dark hours during the night. It would take my mind off things, lift my mood and help me to sleep. The one I particularly enjoyed was Stephen Fry reading the complete works of Sherlock Holmes. It is very long but divided into lots of stories. It is wonderful.

Feel for you Travels,it's hard when you have so much going on.I felt a lot like you lately,the latest being real concern for my grandsons health,everything seems so much worse at night.I found talking to Dh and putting things into perspective helps.Thinking of you and wishing you well.

When we feel like this it can seem as if there is nothing to look forward to and everything is bad. Using writing every day does help and let's you look for some perspective. Keep a simple diary . You are allowed to write down negative things but you have to write down a positive one as well. Positives do not have to be big. They can be really small things like you have managed to complete a small task, you have got out of the house, you've eaten a favourite food, watched a tele programme you like, or talked on the phone to a friend. Try and tell yourself you only have to get through THIS day. People with low mood/depression don't have the capacity to see ahead or plan so little tiny steps at a time. Try and put some treats in place for yourself regularly, again they don't have to be complicated or cost a lot of money but it gives you something to aim for and anticipate. If you are worrying a lot as well as feeling down ask yourself" What is the worst case scenario and how realistic is it this will happen" what would you do , sometimes having a plan "in case" whilst realising it probably WONT happen helps us to calm down and keep going. Be really kind to yourself try and eat well, get as much sleep as possible and have fresh air for a bit every day, being inside looking at walls makes your thoughts worse. All this is simple CBT. There is a good website called Moodgym which you can look at things to help and download paper except isles to do . It used to be free but it is now a small yearly fee. Also MIND does classes and has a free drop in service for people with depression , see if there is one near you. Take care and good luck there can be light at the end of the tunnel

Sorry paper exercises to do