How do you get out of a funk..SEVERE DEPRESSION?? Any ideas??

Question

I'm on 100% VA disability, so I don't work..I am 45 yrs. old & usually sit home alone~~hardly spend time even in the livingroom, I don't even usually cook!! My "comfort Zone" is my bed room)..My life is pretty much in my bed with somethin g to read, or my laptop! I RARELY even watch TV..I have NO ENERGY, or NO INCENTIVE to do ANYTHING!!~~I also have some medical problems (can't drive no more due to them!!) my daughter & her fiance live near by..otherwise I don't know many people here~~the rest of the family is out of state!! Any advice??

Answer 1

The reason why anyone is miserable is because this is not our real home, it is the material world called Maya (illusion) and is temporary and full of misery. You are actually more intelligent than most to be realizing the misery of this world. But the problem is you haven't found reality and who you are in actuality. We actually have nothing to do with the material world, only one fourth of the souls come here (the less intelligent ones , that's us) So what to do. The quickest way to self realization and to come to real happiness is to chant the Maha Mantra (the great mantra for deliverance from all suffering and illusion.) Read Bhagavad Gita as it is BY Bhaktivedanta Prabhupada- tells the purpose of human life and how to get out of this mess. You have time what's to loose. for more info go to harekrishnatemple.c also write me for another website for more details on the mantra. It will only help. I have a goal now and that is enlivening.

Answer 2

Firstly, have you spoken to your doctor about this? I don't think that medication is the be all and end all, but when you are at the stage that you are unable to leave your bedroom, medication can certainly assist whilst you can put in some other interventions. Cognitive Behavioural Therapy has been proven to be particularily effective with Depression and Anxiety. Seeing a psychologist who specialises in CBT can be of great assistance.

If money is an issue as I imagine it may well be, there are some websites that have good information about Depression and CBT. I know of some Australian websites, but it doesnt matter where the websites are, its the content that matters. Try http://www.beyondblue.org.au/ www.blackdoginstitute.org.au www.sane.org www.depressionet.com.au www.bluepages.anu.edu.au etc.

A good first start would be to generate a list of things that you might like to do - I know this is hard when your depressed, but even little things, like maybe you used to like drawing as a child. Plan you days out so that your day has at least 1 pleasant activity. Diarise how you felt after doing the activity. Make sure you do something like this for each day and try to get out of your bedroom. Maybe say you'll spend 1 hour in the living room, then build it up over the weeks.

Remember, advice on the web does not make up for professional specialist advice, which is what would be good for you right now. CBT may not be the best treatment, there may be deep unresolved issues. I am assuming that your depression may be partly related to your disability.

You have made the right step by asking for help, draw upon this strength within to get the best help, that you do deserve!

Answer 3

I wish I knew how to send you an attachment of a cartoon I drew with my left hand (I'm right handed) when my right hand was paralyzed from an antibiotic. I'm confident it would make you laugh. & that is why I did it, because there is nothing like humour to bring you out of a funk. Are you sure you have SEVERE depression? If so, you've gotten some good advice. I'm temporarily somewhat disabled, & while "getting out" certainly has validity, it's sometimes more effective to start by being aware of all the wonderful things you can see, hear, & experience in your own home. I won't go off on a tangent about what they might be, but it's worked for me. I aslo keep a journal, a sort of stream of consciousness, & find so many insights there. I KNOW that, when in a "funk" some of the most well intended suggestions may seem very trite. You might consider trying them. There's nothing to lose. I've never been "big" on medications, but if this has been going on for some length of time, an anti-depressant can stablize you while you explore resolution of your depression. I wish you luck!

Answer 4

Boy am I sympathetic! My son is going through a similar problem and the anti-depressants he is taking (or is he?) are not working. Step one is to determine why you are depressed. Is it due to kids? Your disability? Living alone?
Since you are getting VA benefits I assume that you can receive treatment from a VA hospital? If this is so then you must pull yourself together (no matter how difficult it may be and I know it isn't easy) and visit a psychiatrist ASAP. Depression can be a physical as well as a mental disease and often can be treated. Sitting alone in your room will only make it worse. You must get out of there every day if possible. Enormously difficult? You bet! But you must try to obtain some good moments during a 24 hour period. There are several new drugs that can help give you a lift. Only a doctor can prescribe them. Please see a psychiatrist so you can talk out your problems. Good luck.

Answer 5

Yes, I know the VA medical center is a bit slow in getting you in for an appointment but you are covered money wise 100%. Ask for an appointment with their behavior health department. Also let them know you will need assistance with transportation, they will provide you with it. They will help you with your depression.
They also have various resources to give you to look into.
Taking a class and learning something new can be very uplifting, if you can't take notes or do much keyboarding I am sure you know about Dragon speak.
My husband is in almost the exact situation. I know how much it sucks and how insane you can feel about the whole thing. With this, you have to step out. Despite the doubts. I know you have talents you have not tapped into and could enjoy as well as share with those who appreciate it. My grandmother could sing, but she is remembered for her smile. It was a gift she shared with others. You don't need the use of your entire body to give to others. Trust me, other people need you to inspire them.
Think about how bright and colorful it is outdoors after a rainstorm has cleared. This is how your outlook will change once to get help for your depression and try some new things.
If you can reach out with this question, I know you can reach further!

Answer 6

It is important to see a MD. for possible medication needs. Look at your heart. What isn't working in your life? Start a relationship with the Lord if you have not done this. Read Sacred Scripture, as all answers to mental health disorders are found there. Believe me, I know, because I went through it all.

Answer 7

Oh Sweetie , I hear you loud and sparkling. i'm fifty 4 now however the flaws you're explaining beginning in my early 40's. i might had a history of melancholy in my youthful years, then have been doing o.k. until I hit my 40's and had what they're now telling me became peri-menopause. My sessions got here frequently and have been extremely heavy. i might sweat and became drained. My thoughts have been everywhere. After some years of this, my era merely "stopped". checklist suggested i became too youthful for menopause and that my era might end and initiate. even even though it did not. It merely in no way got here back. Ever. Then the nice and comfortable flashes began. In earnest. They have been very undesirable. i ultimately opted to take estrogen "HRT". I had tried the organic way and it merely wasn't assisting. i'm a smoker so it became an extra possibility. as quickly as i began changing my estrogen, I have been given extra useful. I stayed on them for extremely under ten years and then my checklist weaned me off them. Now i'm ok and an post menopause. in case you're actually not getting help out of your GP, request to be sure a Gyno and take a inspect your hormone stages. See in the event that they're in or off stability. let us know. i'm fascinated to be sure.

Answer 8

Call a friend or neighbor. Continue to reach out to folks by phone or email. Let your doctor know how you are feeling. There are good medications these days. I work with some disabled volunteers who are shut ins who reach out and check on elders with a daily phone call. What you give you will get back.
good luck

Answer 9

hi I'm Bipolar and a Christian the best way to get out of that funk your in is to seek treatment for medication and therapy
if you don't have insurance try this website or if you need education on your illness or even support groups

Answer 10

I too am feeling somewhat depressed for me its getting on the computer or watching the boob tube as they called it. I might say I am alone to things ( Wish I could gift my-self by getting out but now I have shy'd my-self etc.. Winter weather partly to blame and one to many females in my past too! Best call somebody and try for progress somehow!