My 6 Hidden Struggles of Depression

Now the door is open.....

I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder. Struggled with self medication (Cocaine and alcohol) from age 13 to 30. My depression manifests in a physical sense with unbearable fatigue, weakness, joint pain excessive sleep My thoughts become a loop of self loathing. I become aggressive from my incoherent thoughts and confusion. It has lasted up to 9 months. It never really goes away just has ups and downs.

I am being treated with a combination of 3 Anti-depressants. It has taken decades of treatments and talk therapy. I am ok most days. As a member of a 12 step program (34 years) I have developed a great deal of insight into my own thinking.

If you suffer as well. You are not alone. Despite the challenges depression brings I have had a very successful career and raised a family. Just never give up.
 
Thanks for sharing @granpa1959

I have struggled with depression - Months after my sons' cancer diagnosis (he has been in remission for many years now) was a trigger along with other life events. Two things have made a significant difference for me; 1) Taking Testosterone 2) Stoicism.

Granted, it has not been as severe as many suffer, it was pretty bad at times.

My study of Stoicism has had a definite impact. I try and read a little bit (primarily Meditations) daily. My wife suffers from anxiety and has begun adopting the philosophy as well. We remind each other regularly of its teachings and it has helped us along.

I know this main sound trite, but if it helps someone........
 
Another great post - mental health is no different from physical health. I don't understand it as I only had episodal anxiety/depression from specific event that never lasted but it was unpleasant. I have watched people I love struggle daily and need help and luckily most of them were able to get it. It shows strength admitting you are troubled and need help - that is not weakness. As far as I am concerned, it is no different from diabetes or an injury. You need to rehab - whether it be rest, talk therapy, medication, etc.
Hopefully this post will help someone who is holding it in and not admitting they may need help.
 
Cadillac said:
Thanks for sharing @granpa1959

I have struggled with depression - Months after my sons' cancer diagnosis (he has been in remission for many years now) was a trigger along with other life events. Two things have made a significant difference for me; 1) Taking Testosterone 2) Stoicism.

Granted, it has not been as severe as many suffer, it was pretty bad at times.

My study of Stoicism has had a definite impact. I try and read a little bit (primarily Meditations) daily. My wife suffers from anxiety and has begun adopting the philosophy as well. We remind each other regularly of its teachings and it has helped us along.

I know this main sound trite, but if it helps someone........
Click to expand...
don’t minimize your own struggles brother! that can be super unhealthy as well. no matter how big or small a struggle is, it’s still a struggle! keep truckin fella!
 
I’ve had patches where things got heavy too, and it helped to talk it out with someone who wasn’t in my regular circle. I’ve used mentalhealthhotline.org during a rough night, and it felt good just having a real human on the line who didn’t judge. Even if you’re already lifting, eating right, doing the work, having that extra spotter for the mind can make a difference.
 
Last edited:
Cadillac said:
Thanks for sharing @granpa1959

I have struggled with depression - Months after my sons' cancer diagnosis (he has been in remission for many years now) was a trigger along with other life events. Two things have made a significant difference for me; 1) Taking Testosterone 2) Stoicism.

Granted, it has not been as severe as many suffer, it was pretty bad at times.

My study of Stoicism has had a definite impact. I try and read a little bit (primarily Meditations) daily. My wife suffers from anxiety and has begun adopting the philosophy as well. We remind each other regularly of its teachings and it has helped us along.

I know this main sound trite, but if it helps someone........
Click to expand...
I appreciate the concept of Stoicism, and I've tried to adopt some of the ideas into my life. The reading is pretty heavy, though; have you got any entry-level recommendations?
 
My biggest hurdles came from outliving most of the people I love by the time I was 23. Both parents, brother, best friend, grandpa, and fucking dog in a 2.5 year span. My girl at the time miscarried 3 months in, and the combination fucking broke me. I wanted to end it, but was too big of a pussy to do it myself. Threw myself into drugs, and dangerous situations. Used to get drunk, and high on every drug I could get my hands on and dirtbike as fast as possible in the bush. OD’d and got brought back 6-7 times.

There wasn’t really a moment in particular that changed me. I just decided one day that doing my absolute best to die wasn’t accomplishing anything. It took a lot for me to realize that the mind isn’t a dark cloud, it’s the sky. Clouds will pass, and we’re in control of what we tell ourselves. It takes a lot of work, but what helped me the most was meditation, and labelling my thoughts. Every negative thought, every negative emotion, and every spiral has a cost; if we can recognize it before we start down that slope, we can correct it. We become what we repeat, but the good news is what we repeat we become. I just told myself there are many things to be grateful for, and I wouldn’t be capable of feeling great pain had I not loved greatly.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top