Posted by coral on October 24, 2000, at 17:28:28
In reply to What happens when you are just too tired to go on, posted by Dona on October 24, 2000, at 15:22:36
Dear Dona,
Few people even begin to realize the amount of energy that depression consumes (except those of us who suffer from depression and know that while we're mere mortals, depression seems to be fueled by the Energizer bunny!) Coupled with the surgery (I'm presuming such from the comment about the new knee), you are worn out.
Allow yourself the time to rest and heal. The discomfort you're feeling about confiding in your husband and therapist may come from the shame that often accompanies depression. You haven't failed. You're battling depression and a new knee. It's not like putting new tires on a car and zoom, zoom .. . . I hope that didn't come out sarcastic, because I don't mean it that way.
If your therapist is competent, s/he won't be disappointed in you, won't blame you, won't condemn you, but will help you. Competent therapists KNOW that depression is often a recurring disorder and can help. If your husband is supportive, he, too, can help. My husband has told me that the most important thing I can do is be honest with him so he knows and can help.
Of course you're exhausted. It seems you're being hard on yourself. If you look at someone else in your present situation, what advice would you give them?
The medical profession is learning more about healing, too. For decades, the objective was to get the person off pain meds as soon as possible, to "resume" life. Studies have shown that if a person is kept pain free after surgery, their recovery time is significantly less. Be kind to yourself and allow yourself the peace of mind to rest and recharge.
I'm almost out of the pit and out of the grasp of the beast and still, I have to be careful about energy usage. If I don't get enough rest (I need more rest when depressed), I'll delay my recovery.
Be gentle with yourself. Please take care.
Coral
poster:coral
thread:1564
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20001011/msgs/1577.html