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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 18 of 18. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by jane d on January 16, 2009, at 6:07:36
Hello everyone.
I've been depressed for a long time now but the suddenly, with no reason, I'm a bit less so. It's not nearly a true remission - just a slight improvement- but enough that I can read the board and care about what I read. Enough to actually post here for the first time in ages. And enough that I can actually care about not slipping back.
I'd like to hold this mood long enough to work on a bigger, more permanent improvement. That's another thing that I haven't been able to do for a long time. And I do know from experience that if I do nothing I'll probably slip back to not caring again.
I'd love to hear any tips people have for little ways they keep their mood up. It does have to be LITTLE ways for now. Long bouts of good healthy exercise are just not going to happen today for example.
Thanks
Jane,who will be amazed if her login still works after all this time
Posted by Phillipa on January 16, 2009, at 13:07:21
In reply to Suggestions on how to sustain mini remission?, posted by jane d on January 16, 2009, at 6:07:36
Are you the Jane I know? Might want to post on meds too. Love Phillipa
Posted by jane d on January 16, 2009, at 22:51:32
In reply to Re: Suggestions on how to sustain mini remission? » jane d, posted by Phillipa on January 16, 2009, at 13:07:21
Thanks for the suggestion Phillipa. I may try it out later. I thought I'd start here because I really don't want advice ABOUT meds at this point. I'm more interested in how to hang on long enough to use the meds I already know about.
I don't know if I'm the person you're thinking about. Probably not. I've never posted here under a different name if that's what you are wondering about.
Thank you.
Jane
Posted by JadeKelly on January 16, 2009, at 23:07:38
In reply to Re: Suggestions on how to sustain mini remission?, posted by jane d on January 16, 2009, at 22:51:32
> Thanks for the suggestion Phillipa. I may try it out later. I thought I'd start here because I really don't want advice ABOUT meds at this point. I'm more interested in how to hang on long enough to use the meds I already know about.
>
> I don't know if I'm the person you're thinking about. Probably not. I've never posted here under a different name if that's what you are wondering about.
>
> Thank you.
> Jane
>
>Haha, Phillipa, you crack me up. Seriously. Are you recruiting people for the medications board? I must have missed that part of her post, sorry.
Love, Jade ;-)
Posted by JadeKelly on January 16, 2009, at 23:34:53
In reply to Suggestions on how to sustain mini remission?, posted by jane d on January 16, 2009, at 6:07:36
> Hello everyone.
>
> I've been depressed for a long time now but the suddenly, with no reason, I'm a bit less so. It's not nearly a true remission - just a slight improvement- but enough that I can read the board and care about what I read. Enough to actually post here for the first time in ages. And enough that I can actually care about not slipping back.
>
> I'd like to hold this mood long enough to work on a bigger, more permanent improvement. That's another thing that I haven't been able to do for a long time. And I do know from experience that if I do nothing I'll probably slip back to not caring again.
>
> I'd love to hear any tips people have for little ways they keep their mood up. It does have to be LITTLE ways for now. Long bouts of good healthy exercise are just not going to happen today for example.
>
> Thanks
>
> Jane,who will be amazed if her login still works after all this time
>
>
Hi Jane,That's great about your improvement! Sounds like you plan on holding onto it also. Degrees of depression I geuss are relative but I'll do the best I can:
~Shower everyday
~Do one chore a day (small)
~Get dressed every day
~Walk to your mailbox and get mail
~short trips in the car
~Short errands
~play with animals/kids/husband
~Buy a bunch of paper products
(just for a little while, less dishes)~Just For You:
~Novel you can't put down
~Bunches of blankets & movie
~Bunhces of blankets & early sleep
~Favorite snack/drink
~Flannel PJ's (a personal favorite)
~Comfy robe & slippers
~Clean sheets and blankets
~Your favorite music
~TV Comedies
~Order in-no cooking
~Turn your phone off
If I've underestimated what you can do right now, I apoligize. This was about it for me for a while.
I didn't do all these things but I did some of them and they help. Oh, and be nice to yourself.~Jade
Posted by Phillipa on January 17, 2009, at 0:41:16
In reply to Re: Suggestions on how to sustain mini remission?, posted by jane d on January 16, 2009, at 22:51:32
Question answered nice to meet you Jane. Love Phillipa
Posted by Dinah on January 17, 2009, at 10:28:16
In reply to Suggestions on how to sustain mini remission?, posted by jane d on January 16, 2009, at 6:07:36
Well, I'm not that good at sustaining *any* mood for long, so I don't know how much help it will be but...
I find music can deepen or moderate the moods I'm in. Is there any music that helps you feel positive?
I also am very obsessive, so if I put my brain to something I find interesting, I get absorbed and sometimes even excited. But for this purpose, I think it would need to be something other than just researching something. Is there anything you enjoy doing that might keep you involved and at least a bit outwardly focused?
Not all exercise is horrible. For me, most of it is. But even stretching a bit can get the blood flowing and that has to help, I'd think. I did find that going on walks with the pup was actually pleasant, once I got over the hump of actually initiating action.
Some people find thinking of positive things helps keep them positive. Like the positive things in their lives? It doesn't work for me. It's that darn pull to the middle. Presented with a list of positives, I'm more likely to think negatively just to balance it out. But it does seem to work for others.
Pets. 'Nuff said. :)
And most importantly, trying to keep in touch with the people who love you. It's easy to want to isolate, but being with people can keep that blood flowing too. (Ok, ok, that one may be a bit selfish of me.)
:)
:)
:)
Good to see you here.
Posted by jane d on January 18, 2009, at 2:27:29
In reply to Re: Suggestions on how to sustain mini remission? » jane d, posted by JadeKelly on January 16, 2009, at 23:34:53
> ~Shower everyday
> ~Do one chore a day (small)
> ~Get dressed every day
> ~Walk to your mailbox and get mail
> ~short trips in the car
> ~Short errands
> ~play with animals/kids/husband
> ~Buy a bunch of paper products
> (just for a little while, less dishes)
>
> ~Just For You:
>
> ~Novel you can't put down
> ~Bunches of blankets & movie
> ~Bunhces of blankets & early sleep
> ~Favorite snack/drink
> ~Flannel PJ's (a personal favorite)
> ~Comfy robe & slippers
> ~Clean sheets and blankets
> ~Your favorite music
> ~TV Comedies
> ~Order in-no cooking
> ~Turn your phone off
>
>
> If I've underestimated what you can do right now, I apoligize. This was about it for me for a while.
> I didn't do all these things but I did some of them and they help. Oh, and be nice to yourself.
>
> ~JadeHi Jade.
You didn't underestimate my abilities at all. I'm definately at the "try to shower everyday" stage. In fact the list seems just a little bit daunting so it's probably just right. I think I'd better stay away from the comfy blankets for a change but it's amazing how cheering comfly slippers are. I'll keep refering to your list.
Thank you.
Jane, who wonders if changing the sheets also can count as her chore for the day. Maybe even an errand?
Posted by jane d on January 18, 2009, at 2:58:23
In reply to Re: Suggestions on how to sustain mini remission? » jane d, posted by Dinah on January 17, 2009, at 10:28:16
> I find music can deepen or moderate the moods I'm in. Is there any music that helps you feel positive?Jade recommended music also. It's amazing how I forget about music every time. Almost diagnostic, isn't it. :)
> I also am very obsessive, so if I put my brain to something I find interesting, I get absorbed and sometimes even excited. But for this purpose, I think it would need to be something other than just researching something. Is there anything you enjoy doing that might keep you involved and at least a bit outwardly focused?I've just started wondering about this. I'd been thinking of my reading on the internet the last few days (which was mostly research) as being symptom, not cause, of my improvement. But maybe it was both. I definately need to get "caught up" in things. To have things I need to think about. I found myself reading theories about other peoples ailments in fact. But I suspect you mean something different by "outwardly focused" and it feels like it may be important.
Exercise - sigh. Yes. Of course. And pets. And I love your description of responding to positive thoughts with a "pull to the middle". I don't think thats for me either.
Not isolating. That's important I know. I never think of it as isolating of course. I feel like I'm sparing people I care about my objectionable presence. Afterwards of course that seems silly.
Jane,
off to find some music.
Posted by zenhussy on January 18, 2009, at 3:43:53
In reply to Re: Suggestions on how to sustain mini remission?, posted by jane d on January 18, 2009, at 2:27:29
Posted by JadeKelly on January 26, 2009, at 0:46:21
In reply to changing sheets counts as chore AND errand = ) (nm) » jane d, posted by zenhussy on January 18, 2009, at 3:43:53
Posted by JadeKelly on February 8, 2009, at 23:07:28
In reply to changing sheets counts as chore, errand ,exercise (nm), posted by JadeKelly on January 26, 2009, at 0:46:21
Jane,
I think its important to update these lists for you, but also the next person. I wish someone had said do one of these and your good to go, I could have avoided loads of unnesary guilt, not to mention laundry. Here's the additions:
As the subject line says: we have decided that changing sheets counts as a chore (it is) an errand (it can be) and excersize.
And as Dinah pointed out, I forgot the most important thing, try to stay connected to your loved ones. I found this to be difficult as we all had suffered recent losses and I didn't want to lean on people who needed to lean on someone themselves. But thats unusual. Stay in touch with family, hopefully you are lucky and they are close by. If not, a phone call away.
So if you see this let us know how you are, did the list help, I'm thinking of writing the next phase for myself. Although even tho I feel pretty great lately, one step at a time. Hard to break 2 year old habits.
Best to you-let us know how you are!!
~Jade
Posted by bissie66 on February 11, 2009, at 13:12:55
In reply to Suggestions on how to sustain mini remission?, posted by jane d on January 16, 2009, at 6:07:36
meditation! for lasting improvements.
Posted by jane d on February 11, 2009, at 23:55:07
In reply to Re: changing sheets counts as chore, errand ,exercise » JadeKelly, posted by JadeKelly on February 8, 2009, at 23:07:28
> And as Dinah pointed out, I forgot the most important thing, try to stay connected to your loved ones. I found this to be difficult as we all had suffered recent losses and I didn't want to lean on people who needed to lean on someone themselves. But thats unusual. Stay in touch with family, hopefully you are lucky and they are close by. If not, a phone call away.
JadeKelly,
I understand that feeling of not wanting to burden others with trouble of their own very well. But in retrospect I think it has helped even to be the one giving the support to others. At the time it doesn't feel that way but while it wasn't enjoyable to be trying to offer support when I was desperate myself I think it was better than the times I isolated myself.jane
Posted by jane d on February 11, 2009, at 23:57:57
In reply to Re: Suggestions on how to sustain mini remission?, posted by bissie66 on February 11, 2009, at 13:12:55
> meditation! for lasting improvements.
I agree. But to me meditation is up there with the full exercise program. Too ambitious to start out with. Perhaps in small doses maybe.
Posted by JadeKelly on February 12, 2009, at 10:21:17
In reply to Meditation » bissie66, posted by jane d on February 11, 2009, at 23:57:57
> > meditation! for lasting improvements.
>
> I agree. But to me meditation is up there with the full exercise program. Too ambitious to start out with. Perhaps in small doses maybe.
>
Yeah, stick with making the bed for now,lol.I think as women (and some men too) its in our nature to want to be there for the people we love most. And in my case I had to put others first. But in delaying and denying my own grief I ended up a basket case. I still don't know how I could have done it differently.
Its like when your child is sick, you have constant adreniline rush going and it doesn't stop until he/she is not in danger. Then you're exhausted for a few days. Hope that makes sense. And hope your feeling better, I think you said you were, good for you!!!!
~Jade
Posted by bissie66 on February 12, 2009, at 10:56:14
In reply to Meditation » bissie66, posted by jane d on February 11, 2009, at 23:57:57
I totally agree. In fact it took me several years to start meditation. I had done it when younger after taking a class and gotten big benefits so I knew it would help and yet it was just one more thing to do. I started downloading podcasts on my iPod by Tara Brach - she's AMAZING (and they're free). In fact she's a therapist herself. After a couple years I just started meditating and sometimes it's only 10 or 15 mins. Even if you don't actually do the practice it is so helpful to learn about some of the Buddhist ideas. They help me to understand my mind and not make it an enemy but yet learn I have some control over it.
Posted by Phillipa on February 12, 2009, at 18:46:55
In reply to Re: Meditation, posted by bissie66 on February 12, 2009, at 10:56:14
Bissie it is hard to meditate but doesn't it also when you learn properly how to lower blood pressure and empty the mind of all thoughts. Are you speaking of type where you think calming thoughts or the one like the Buddists who try to figure out something for years and no answer? Love Phillipa
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