I know I mostly lurk here, but I felt the need to respond to this thread. First of all I want to say that I am so sorry there are many that seem to be going through a very difficult time. I have been there and it sucks. I have been hospitalized twice for depression things have been so bad. The one thing that has helped me tremendously in the past is finding a supportive and understanding counselor. I know finding a counselor that is the right fit can be difficult, but once you find one it is well worth it. I've learned a lot of coping skills from my counselor, as well as from the therapists that helped me while in the hospital. Ever since I found a really good counselor and actually used coping strategies that I was taught, things got better and better slowly but surely. I have been off of my medication for almost two years now, and I have never felt this happy in my entire life (I have had a lot of traumatic experiences in my life since the age of 7, so feeling this happy is a miracle to me).
Another thing that was very helpful for me was the support of my family and friends. I know sometimes when we are feeling bad we just want to isolate ourselves and not let family and friends help us, but that is the time when you need them the most. If someone asks if there is anything they can do to help, be honest with them and tell them what you need. It is ok to ask for help. It certainly doesn't mean you are weak. I personally believe it takes a lot of strength to ask for help and to actually accept help. If you let those that love you the most help you and you accept that help, you would be surprised how much better you will feel.
Also one of my dogs help me during times when issues from my past like to creep up from time to time to remind me how bad things used to be just to bring me down. My pittie seems to have this intuition when I am not feeling like myself and feeling a little down. Depending on how bad I am feeling will determine what she does, and she seems to know the perfect thing to do to help me. If I am just a little down, she always seems to know the perfect derpy thing to do to get me laughing so hard at her that it lifts my mood. If I am feeling really down, she will come cuddle with me where ever I am and get as close to me as she can short of practically being on top of me. If later I get up and move to another room, she will follow me around until I get settled again, and then she is right next to me as close as she can. She is also like that with everyone else in the family too if they are feeling down. I don't know what I would do without my pittie.
Another thing that helps me is controlled breathing. I will sit in a quiet room with the lights off, and will do some deep breathing. I will inhale for three seconds and exhale for five seconds. This breathing exercise is wonderful not only to just relax, but if you have anxiety attacks, they help you calm down so the anxiety attack goes away.
I also like listening to music. I don't always listen to upbeat happy music. Sometimes I will listen to ambient type music that will help me to relax so all of the built up tension will go away.
Last but not least, be kind to yourself. Don't beat yourself up over things that you might not necessarily be able to control. Sometimes even just acknowledging that you are feeling a certain way and giving yourself permission to feel the way that you do can really help. I know in the past when I felt bad, it was like I was fighting with myself because I kept thinking that I shouldn't feel the way that I do. Once I learned that is more beneficial to acknowledge my feelings and allow myself to feel them instead of fight them, then those bad feelings went away. Those feelings are there for a reason, and the more you fight them or ignore them, the more they will intensify. To me bad feelings are your body's way of telling you that something is wrong and that something needs to change. If you ignore the message, then the bad feelings scream louder until you listen and do something about it.
I know when you are feeling down doing even the smallest thing can be difficult. I encourage everyone to push through it no matter how difficult things are, because it is well worth it. I never ever thought I could be as happy as I am today. I am so glad that with the help of my counselor, and the therapists from the hospital that I learned a lot of coping skills to help me learn to push through the difficult things in life and that with the love and support of my family and friends, they were there to help me when I needed them the most.
Take care everyone and I sincerely hope that things start looking up for you all soon.
I'm going through a really difficult time too. I just think about the future and everything I want to do/I'm going to do like it's a fact and it's GOING to happen. My dogs help me a lot. I'm sorry you're going through this without Katalin, but I'm so happy she's in great hands and she will be back with you soon.
