Crying is a natural and healthy way to express emotions, providing numerous health and social benefits. It restores emotional balance, relieves pain, and activates the parasympathetic nervous system, helping individuals self-soothe. Constant crying can be caused by stress or various health conditions, but it is important to recognize when it becomes unhelpful.
Research has shown that crying can have a self-soothing effect, helping regulate emotions and find calm in moments of distress and upset. This is because crying helps flush out excess stress and release old pain and trauma. While not everyone should cry at every moment, it is a healthy way to release endorphins, which make us feel better.
Crying is not a waste of time, as it releases pent up emotional energy and can be the fastest way to relief all around. It is a normal human response to a range of emotions and has numerous health and social benefits, including pain relief and self-soothing effects. Crying is also a strong signal to others that someone needs help or comfort.
While crying still holds an unnecessary stigma, studies show that it can be both productive and beneficial. If you feel that crying is impacting your daily life, seeking the support of a healthcare professional may help.
In conclusion, crying is a natural and healthy way to express emotions and can provide numerous health and social benefits. It is essential to recognize when crying becomes unhelpful and seek support from a healthcare professional if it is affecting your daily life.
📹 What depression can look like
Is crying a form of self-care?
Research indicates that emotional tears release oxytocin and endorphins, which are known as “feel good” chemicals, which can relieve physical and emotional pain. These chemicals, which are also known to improve mood, can be released during tears, promoting a sense of well-being and reducing stress. However, further research is needed to confirm this connection. Crying can also help lift spirits and improve mood, making it a potentially beneficial method for reducing stress.
Is it normal to cry all day?
Crying is a natural and healthy response to emotional, physical, or mental stimuli. It can occur due to various reasons such as depression, grief, burnout, hormonal changes, medications, or neurological conditions. Some people cry more than others for different reasons. Tears can come out naturally when experiencing happiness, fear, anger, or sadness, or when injured or touched by emotional scenes.
It can also occur without an emotional or cognitive stimulus, such as dry eyes or chopping onions. Depression, a mood disorder, can lead to unexpected and persistent crying outbursts, even if the person doesn’t feel sad.
Is crying part of self soothing?
Crying is a common human action that can support both the body and mind by restoring emotional balance, dulling pain, and activating the parasympathetic nervous system. Researchers have found that these benefits begin at birth with a baby’s first cry. Emotional tears may have health benefits, as they contain stress hormones and other toxins. Reflex tears clear debris from eyes, while continuous tears lubricate them and protect them from infection. Crying may flush these substances out of the system, but more research is needed to fully understand its benefits.
Is it healthy to cry every day?
The act of crying is a typical human response that is influenced by a number of factors, including gender, cultural background, and attachment style. On a daily basis, the act of crying may be indicative of unresolved grief or underlying mental health concerns. However, it is also a normal physiological response that can serve as a means of emotional release for those who engage in it. Should crying become a problematic or interfering factor in one’s daily life, it may be beneficial to seek the guidance of a healthcare professional or therapist.
Is it OK to cry for 3 hours?
The period between birth and three months of age is characterised by a higher frequency of crying in infants, which is attributed to their lack of self-soothing abilities. This is a typical occurrence and can persist for up to three hours per day. By approximately three months of age, the duration of crying should decrease to one hour or less per day. However, some infants may continue to exhibit regular crying patterns until five months of age.
It is important for parents to be able to distinguish between normal crying and signs that their baby may be unwell. If a baby has a temperature, it is essential that they seek immediate medical attention from their pediatrician.
What happens if you cry too much?
The act of crying has been linked to a number of adverse effects on an individual’s physical and mental health. In particular, it has been associated with an increased risk of developing medical complications, including seizures, respiratory distress, and chest pain in individuals with underlying cardiovascular disease. Nevertheless, the majority of individuals report positive outcomes. It is of the utmost importance to exercise caution when purchasing eye drops online, as they require the utmost care. Lybrate recommends purchasing eye drops online from them for optimal care.
Does crying heal trauma?
Crying can provide numerous benefits, including making you feel good, easing physical and emotional pain, lowering blood pressure, decreasing manganese levels, and removing toxins and bad energy. It is also a self-soothing action, as it activates the parasympathetic nervous system (PNS), which helps the body rest and digest.
Emotional tears contain stress hormones and other toxins, which are flushed out of the system by crying. Crying may also show your strength, as it takes a strong person to express their emotions in front of someone. Sobbing can also lift your spirits by taking in quick breaths of cool air, which can help regulate and lower the temperature of your brain. A cool brain is more pleasurable to your body and mind than a warm one, leading to improved mood after a sobbing episode.
However, crying can sometimes come from catastrophizing, interpreting things as worse than they really are. This is a common symptom of PTSD, where everything from the smallest details to the biggest genuine worries appears worse than they are. Clinical psychologist Steve Orma suggests that crying can be a useful tool for those struggling with PTSD, as it allows them to be productive with their words when speaking to their GP or counselor.
Is it normal to cry for 2 hours straight?
Prolonged crying without reason is not normal and may indicate a serious condition requiring treatment. Dr. Jones, a fertility doctor, sees women struggling to have a child every day, taking their temperature and taking medicines. These women are often reminded that they are not a mother, as there are children and babies everywhere. There are three types of grief: acute, chronic, depression, and sentimental. Chronic grief is an ongoing reminder of something bad in one’s life.
Infertility patients are more likely to be tearful when they are reminded daily by their therapy or environment that they are struggling and not succeeding. There are ways to help deal with chronic sadness, and if it interferes with their day-to-day life, therapy, or relationship, it can be helped. By understanding and managing these types of grief, women can better manage their emotional health and cope with the challenges they face.
How often do healthy people cry?
Research has shown that women cry an average of 5. 3 times a month, while men cry an average of 1. 3 times per month. This difference may be due to biological factors such as testosterone inhibiting crying and prolactin promoting it. However, a study of 35 countries found that the difference between men and women’s tears may be more pronounced in countries that allow greater freedom of expression and social resources, such as Chile, Sweden, and the United States. Ghana, Nigeria, and Nepal reported only slightly higher tear rates for women.
Crying may also reflect attachment styles. Psychotherapist Judith Kay Nelson concluded that securely attached people are more comfortable expressing emotions and cry in ways considered normal and healthy, while those with insecure attachment may cry inappropriately with easily activated, difficult-to-soothe tears. Researchers from Tilburg University found that people with “dismissive” attachment styles were less likely to cry and tried harder to inhibit their tears than people with other attachment styles.
Additionally, people with “preoccupied” attachment styles, or those who might be clingy and overly dependent on others, cried more often than securely attached people. Women of all attachment styles cried more than men.
Should I let myself cry or hold it in?
Crying can improve mental health by releasing endorphins and reducing stress levels. It’s not a sign of weakness, but rather a way to signal distress, as seen in babies and infants who lack the words to express their needs. Crying can indicate hunger, pain, or dirty diapers, and can also indicate physical or emotional distress in children, adults, and adolescents. Holding back tears can negatively impact mental health, but crying isn’t a sign of weakness.
Is it unhealthy to cry for a long time?
The occurrence of uncontrollable crying may be indicative of a number of underlying conditions, including depression, adjustment disorder, pseudobulbar affect, or hormonal dysfunction. Although crying is a natural and healthy response, if it is interfering with one’s daily life, it may be beneficial to seek the support of a healthcare professional.
📹 The 6 Signs of High Functioning Depression | Kati Morton
I’m Kati Morton, a licensed therapist making Mental Health videos! #katimorton #therapist #therapy ***ORDERING KATI’S …
The worst part is when you suddenly feel positive and decide to actually change. Like cleaning your room,taking care of yourself,have a healthy routine,do something productive.But then you just end up in bed thinking of how depressed and incapable you are to do any of this. Im so tired of this cycle. EDIT: To all the people who find this relatable, im sorry. It sucks because its so easy to feel alone. We got this.
I was diagnosed with dysthymia many years ago by a therapist. I’ve tried everything like counseling and medication. Nothing worked except for exercising witch gave me some relief, but didn’t solve the situation altogether. 😢. Today I’ve mostly given up and accepted the simptoms described as simply part of me. Hope you all have better luck. Cheers….
I’m coming to this website a little late, but as the previous commenter, Hana Mohammed, stated, I am so tired of the times when I’m gonna get up and get things done and then end up sitting on the bed (or wherever) overwhelmed and feeling like that was just a “spirt” of “energy” which never truly stays. Making me believe that I’ll NEVER be able to get out from under this depression. I’ve definitely got overeating, hypersomnia, low energy & fatigue, low self-esteem, difficulty concentrating and feeling hopeless. It’s frightening.
I’m 60 yrs old, have had anxiety and depression, or maybe even Dysthymia, for 20 of those years now. I’ve had prescribed half a dozen different types of medication, received CBT etc too, but none have given me what I call relative mental stability. Here in the UK, north west of England, mental health support like general health care is falling apart. I think with age, slowly maybe I am too. Reaching out is easy to say, so many obstacles stand in your way of getting that help even if your capable of asking. If you have any form of depressive illness, its a battle, a curse, not cured by a simple sticking plaster or a few sympathetic words from a doctor or therapist. Will I get through until I’m 65, who knows?!…. I wish curing my condition was as easy as a perusal a YouTube vlog.
I am really glad I found this article. I have dealt with these symptoms for the last seven years. After I lost my leg I was told that I had PTSD and that I should join a support group. I quit going because it seemed like everyone there was feeling sorry for themselves or living vicariously through others. I have been prescribed several different meds The one thing that has helped me is nature. I love all animals helping them has really helped me.
Wow I was already labeled with MDD and GAD but damn this fits me to a T, I’ve tried so many meds and all made me anxious and jittery to some degree some made me feel like I had to leave work on the middle of the day. Psych doctors told me if the last med didn’t work electro shock it was. After seeing my moms effects becoming a zombie after electro shock I shut up said it worked picked up refills to be like hey I’m taking it but just managed and forced myself to be better…. This article fits me to a T….
Is it bad that I can’t remember the last time I haven’t felt depressed? Like I’m happy sometimes but I always feel it in the back of my mind, it’s just always there. Edit: update Hey you guys! Thank you for the support and sharing your stories in the replies. I was diagnosed with depression and anxiety and I went to therapy and took meds for a couple months before quitting it all together. I’m doing better but I think that’s because I’m under a lot less stress than before. I’m still working on getting better and my memory is still eh but I’m improving and that’s what’s important 🙂
This article literally has me in tears…and it was mainly the last bit that you mentioned that tied it all together. These constant thought cycles about things that I said or did in class to someone that happened almost 11 years or more ago and feeling bad..or the constant thought jumping about the future or the past or whatever the hell my mind seems to wander in the form of “thought tangents”. Thank you for making this article because it will probably give me the courage necessary to look further into this.
Had it since I was 21 .. 46 now and it’s so tiring, on ongoing battle which i won’t let beat me, I have felt suicidal many times but what would that gain???… I’m scared of dying and living, I’m stuck in between and worry constantly and am lonely in a crowd of friends, it’s horrible but I’m too mentally strong to be beaten, my sympathies and love to all other sufferers xxx
I read fanfiction, sometimes for 8 hours a day, just to feel like the emotion the characters in the story feel. When I’m dealing with my own life I get anxious, hopeless. Tired all the time and hating myself for who I’ve become, for wasting previous time. I can never share my most inner thoughts because people will judge me for them.
Opening up about depression is hard. Its hard to be like “yeah i need help” i mean, how do you even start a convo when you have no idea how the other person will respond. I cant even tell me my family as im affraid they will start worrying too much which will make me more anxious. I tried telling a close a friend “Im not happy” “What you got to be unhappy about” he says casually “….nothing, im just tired” It gets awkard and its stressing enough for me to even talk to people. Never mind open up. How do others open up?
Diagnosed when I was 9. To me it feels like always having homesickness, but never knowing what or where I’m homesick for or if it even if it exists. The other symptoms seem to stem from that constant feeling. It’s exhausting. Anyone reading this who is unsure as to whether to seek help, my advice is to absolutely give it a try! When you’re feeling hopeless, it might seem like nothing will help you, but the right combination of treatments is possible!
I had major depressive disorder in high school, but with a lot of work found myself no longer depressed by the end of it and in early college. I would have bad months here and there, especially in the winter, but never full blown depression. Since the pandemic which started midway through undergrad for me, I have slowly gained weight and lost my drive and motivation with worse and worse sleep. I am now realizing it’s been a slow onset of high functioning depression, and part of the reason I didn’t notice is there is a seasonal component to my depression and every summer I feel much better. I now see that I feel much better in spite of the depression, but my default state has been depressive. Absence of the sun and good vibes of summer allow me to fall back into depression instead of it being winter specifically that pushes me down towards it, although it does a little of that too. The summer lifts my mood, when I thought it was the winter that quashed it. Honestly, while there are plenty of good psychological reasons for it, I think the main problem is I began to consume large quantities of caffeine to cope with low energy levels, but that has raised my cortisol levels and thrown my body out of whack, meaning I’m constantly having a depressive response to the elevated stress levels. And so I turn to caffeine and porn to cope, which only further pushes me into the cycle. This spring I will try and break the cycle. If that doesn’t improve things, then I suppose my hypothesis is wrong and I have much deeper trauma than I realize.
What we need is to live in a society that recognizes mental illness as something just as harmful and real as physical ailments, deserving of funding and support. Hopefully someday soon that will happen, so so many people suffer from this, too afraid to reach out or simply not able to afford treatment.
See for me I have headaches everyday, I’m constantly tired, I have extremely bad social anxiety, I’m irritable, I have really low self esteem, and I cannot concentrate at school when I’m listening to the teacher, reading or working on things & I worry so much about everything. It’s never gotten to the point where I have gotten suicidal thoughts but I still need help
Thank you, Kati. Thank you for vindicating the pain I’m going through. I have been at the receiving end of emotional and mental abuse from a narcissistic sociopath of a mother. After decades of having my relationships sabotaged and gaslit, I’m building boundaries and getting help from the VA. I don’t think I would have considered reaching out for help because for so long, I’ve been told I’m just a terrible person. Again, Thank you for sharing your professional knowledge. No doubt, I’m not the only person you are helping with these articles.
i had this in 2014- 2015 and it was an awful time of my life. i got out thanks to cognitive conductual therapy with a great professional. Still i dread this happens to me again. It was like being on autocomplete and doing everything mechanically. The things that gave me pleasure such as reading, seeing friends, etc were unsurmountable tasks. I remember listening to the song “Changes are no good” by The Stills and feeling my life was like that. I cant hear that song now because it brings me back to those awful feelings
So how do you get help when you’re stuck working almost all of the time? Unable to either afford help fiscally or you just straight up don’t have the time to fit in therapy because you’re constantly working just to stay afloat? And what happens when your therapist realizes you’re having a completely normal response to the living situation you’re in? I’m assuming therapy is usually to help people who are having abnormal responses. What if your depressive state is 100% normal for the living situation you’re in and you have no way out? How is therapy supposed to help then?
this is gonna get lost in the sea of comments, but sometimes I feel like if I admit I have depression, people don’t take it seriously and think it’s a joke. to me it feels like wanting to do everything in life but not knowing how to reach it. sometimes I wanna say something but can’t seem to say it and so then I end up being the odd one out in a group. I try to force myself to socialize, but it’s so hard and tiring that I just want to give up. it’s also very hard to become close to people so I feel like I’d be uncomfortable around a therapist. the solutions to this seems so easy, and I feel stupid. I try to do them but it just feels like I’m stuck in mud.
i don’t think i’d say I have depression, but for atleast the past year I make up excuses to friends so I can just stay at home. I much rather be in my room all weekend, even though I really like these people? I also find myself just waiting for it to be night time so I can just go to sleep. Some days I don’t want to get up at all. I don’t really know what it is, but this article was helpful.
What is difficult for me is that I worked so hard on myself to fight the depression and the fall-out, that I started attracting an amazing boyfriend etc., but now I feel like an imposter who could break down any moment. On one hand I feel like I worked so hard on myself that I actually “cured” and I also feel like I don’t want to lose what I found because it uplifts me and it does brighten my life, but I also feel guilty because sometimes the depression comes back, when it is triggered by something.
Here are some key takeaways from the article on the signs of high-functioning depression: 1. High-functioning depression is not an official diagnosis, but rather a term used to describe dysthymia – a persistent, mild form of depression that lasts for at least two years. 2. People with high-functioning depression are able to carry out daily activities, but struggle internally and lack energy. Common symptoms include social withdrawal, irritability, fatigue, poor concentration, unhealthy coping behaviors, and worry about the past/future. 3. High-functioning depression often goes untreated for a long time because people are able to push through and function. However, it’s important to reach out for help early before unhealthy patterns become entrenched. 4. Treatment options include therapy to talk through issues and, in some cases, medication. Finding the right approach is key – the goal is to feel better with proper care. Speaking up and being open is critical. 5. Supporting each other and sharing our experiences with high-functioning depression can help eliminate stigma and allow more people to recognize the signs in themselves. There are always new insights to be gained into this complex disorder that impacts many people.
My depression, imo, started when I was 13 or 14. I have a textbook narcissistic mother, so a lot of her gaslighting, manipulation, and hours-long, yelled monologues of how awful and terrible I am did a number on me. Backed up by my siblings who laughed and made fun of me while I was getting torn down and my mother being supported by my dad when I finally snapped and yelled back or didn’t answer bc anything I gave them was turned against me. Strangely my depression peaked when I was in college over 200miles away from them. It was the worst when I dropped out and just…existed in my apartment. I wouldn’t speak to anyone outside of a 24hr Walmart cashier or drive-thru worker for weeks on end. I couldn’t get out of bed a lot of days. Eventually, I was able to find someone to talk to… who understood what I was dealing with and allowed me to talk it out and realize it myself. I ended up marrying her too. I certainly won’t say I’m cured, but living with dysthymia FEELS WAY better than where I was all those years ago. Like… I recognize that it’s still an issue and I’m easily overwhelmed and immediately go to a dark place when pressed, but I STILL feel like I’ve gotten a better handle on it.
I feel like my depression is hidden really deep. Because most of the time I feel relatively “normal” but there’s ALWAYS, ALWAYS a layer of frustration over it. And I get more frustrated because I’m not able to find out WHY im frustrated. I do the things I’m supposed to do, I maintain some of my relationships, my family obligations, school, finances, etc.. but after the day I feel so heavy. It’s like my mind is tired. I know my depressive episodes are coming when it manifests itself physically. Messy room, undone work. Junk food, soda and probably one glass of water a day, or just pure soda. Started drinking 40% at least twice a week. I’ve binge watched Archer, pacific rim, etc in a pretty short time. I avoid the bed because the moment im on it i just want to stay there. its not as bad as before. But I just feel like its more deep rooted now. Before I was low functioning, suicidal, and actively self harming. Now that ive gone through that im trying to pick myself up mentally every hour day by day, but even thats starting to get tiring. Its like constantly fixing a defective machine. you think, maybe i should let the pieces just fall apart and give up. but you dont. you frustratedly fix up all the parts until they start malfunctioning the next day. i feel like maintaining my sanity is such a chore. I constantly deny that I have depression anymore because I feel like saying i may have it will make the past repeat itself again. The only thing that was enjoyable to me, drinking and article games, is starting to dull down.
I will be 65 in a few months. I have no friends. My sister, my children, and my grandchildren never talk to me. I have been a chronic pain patient for over 20 years, and now my spine is collapsing along with two tumors in the horse tail in my back. I hurt all the time. I hurt at night when I go to bed, and I hurt in the morning when I get up. Walking is extremely painful. It’s hard not to be depressed. I have looked around for some help, maybe somebody to talk to, but the people I get sent to don’t have a clue what to say to me or do with me. Apparently, today’s Therapy is for the younger crowd…
hello. my name is Ainsley. i have depression and anxiety. this started when I was 11 years old. when I was this age, I was scared to talk about it with my mom. my mom is super kind, and I love her, and she would except me no matter what. I was also scared to tell my dad. we where super close. he loves me and I love him too. my parents love me and I love them, but I was still scared to tell them. one night, I told my mom how i felt. however, I acted like I didn’t know what was going on. I told her I felt angry, bottled up, trapped in my own mind. she told me to listen to nice music, and to clear my mind. all I wanted was to talk to her. she didn’t get it. she was very smart, and trained to be a therapist, but what she told me to do made me angrier. every night, I was choking back tears, but I didn’t know why. I didn’t know why I was so sad. that’s when I first discovered I had depression. I later did get diagnosed with it. I was about 10 when I suspected anxiety. I use to be very outgoing not scared of anything, courage’s, talkative, and fun. around these anxious times is when I started doing a lot of dance. I got scared to go to dance and didn’t want to see anybody there cause I thought they would judge me. I also would lay in my bed for hours thinking about what I can do to make friends. I was stupid and made the decision to bottle up my emotions. soon, I got a journal. I wrote in it a lot. it’s was my way of therapy. I am much older now, and nobody know about it, but I got much better.
I suffer from sadness most everyday of my life. There are about 4 days a month when I’m really depressed. I just wait those days out. I self treat by tackling challenging goals and have been professionally successful as a consequence. I think this stems from the extreme abuse I received as a child. I chased ribbons and certificates in the hopes it would earn me love. I’m a loner on my off time. Don’t want to be. Would really like to have friends. I just don’t have it in me.
I was always complaining about memory but maybe that’s linked to poor concentration. It’s like I’m living but my brain deletes all the information. And I was going to comment on something else but I just forgot -_- it’s really scary sometimes feeling like a zombie with no feelings. And the fear and anxiety. I just want a normal life. Each day is hell. But I’m the outside things seem great.
They didn’t tell me these things when I was in therapy years ago. They just expected me to tell them everything. I did not know how to explain what happens to me and I still don’t, but I relate with some of the points in this list. 15 years after therapy ended. This is so sad. What else am I missing man.
To anyone reading this, I promise it gets better. I’ve been as depressed as anyone can be. I’ve been so depressed at times that even getting out of bed seemed pointless. I’ve been suicidal soo maaany days. I know how much the feeling that no one cares enough hurts. I know how you can be in a room full of people and still feel lonely. I know the feeling of being empty and numb to anything, literally not knowing what joy or happiness even feel like. I know the feeling of extreme heartbreak when you just love a person so fricking much, but they just don’t feel the same or even acknowledge this feeling of yours. I know the feeling you get when your parents constantly let you down whenever you need them, simply passing by looking like they don’t give a shit. I know the feeling we feel when everyone, and I mean everyone, feels fake. I know how much it hurts to feel like there is no end to this. I know the feeling that nothing seems to make sense. I know the feeling of wanting/needing to cry but you can’t even do that. I know the feeling of constant pressure from everywhere. I know the feeling of being afraid. I know the feeling of not feeling safe, not even in your own bed. I know the feeling of being weak. I know tge feeling of giving it your best and its still not enough. I know the feeling of gradually losing interest in everything you once loved. I know the feeling not understanding how the world works anymore. I know the feeling when we are just hurting so bad, and are trying our very best buy just can’t do it.
My layman’s diagnosis: you’ve moved, gone to school, or changed situations to where you no longer interact with people who KNOW you, who GET you, or who VALUE the little quirks that make you you. That’s it. That’s why day-to-day living still happens, but it’s missing that spark from a relationship where you are acknowledged as a unique human being. You’re in work or school settings where people just barely relate to you. You miss that special attention, albeit nothing grand, just someone who’s alive inside and acknowledges your spirit. You can drift for years in this no-man’s land. Can anyone relate to that?
I think my husband has been very depressed for the past year and a half since his dad died and I didn’t notice because I was busy with my own errands and stuff. The thought that I didn’t notice and haven’t been there for him is making me depressed, like this dark cloud is over my head and I’ve been transported to an entire dark realm. I feel so much guilt and so much sadness for him.
I remember when i found out my brother had depression. I was dealing with similar things and did not like life and felt a lot of the things Kati described. I went to my dad and told him “Hey, I think I might be depressed like ______.” My dad just told me “I don’t think you are. You don’t act like it/seem like you have it.” That made me feel like my emotions were invalid and that how I was feeling wasn’t important in a way. But now i think “how does he know how I feel when I don’t express my feelings much with him?” I have reached out to some friends who are there for me, but with my dad it is hard to be emotionally open with him because he just doesn’t understand me or my feelings a lot of the time and usually tries to make excuses on why I shouldnt feel this or that way. It is just frustrating knowing something is up with yourself, but not having the understanding with someone you love and respect.
I think my problem might be a combination between aspergers and dysthymia and sometimes I get really paranoid thinking that I’m dying all the time. I used to be a really happy soul but now I just feel really miserable most days, Im beginning to think it might be an age thing like in the breakfast club when Allison says its inevitable, when you grow up your heart dies!
thank you kati for familiarizing non-scholars like us with the science of psyche and normalizing the conversation about it. you deserve way more credit than that nonsense you’re getting. i also wanted to thank you for trusting shane and being kind to him. he’s the constant source of light for millions of people and he doesn’t even realize how deeply he heals many of our wounds. i love and respect you both so much.
I was there a few years back. I had not realized I was in depression but thought it was just anxiety because of my struggles with finances at that time. Years went by. I was in a high functioning depression for about 10 years before it all fell apart. I waited to long to seek out help. My life went into a complete tailspin. I was suicidal. I was angry at everyone around me for not allowing me enough time to end it all. I finally sought therapy only after being told to do so. I thought my anxiety was causing depression. I was told my depression was so deep it was causing more anxiety and that I was on the verge of a total break. People closest to me later told me they knew what was happening but not one of them said anything or tried to help. Now I am concerned that it could happen again but I am more aware of the symptoms.
I hate that I check off nearly all the symptoms and emotions listed for this, but I still have myself convinced that because I smile and laugh and go to work and practice basic self-care without too much of an issue, that I must not actually be depressed. But I’m definitely stuck and have been for ages, and I find it incredibly difficult to find motivation to do things that I know I love (usually some kind of art). I also feel this perfection-driven anxiety because art is so connected with social media nowadays, and there’s a constant need to share everything you make and impress followers all the time, with no room for mistakes. So a lot of the time, I’ll just psyche myself out of working on anything at all because it’s never as good as I think it has to be and end up just mindlessly browsing the internet for hours instead (oh hey whaddup) I also hate feeling like seeking therapy is overdramatic, disingenuous, and takes away from people who are ACTUALLY suffering “for real”, or at least more obviously with more classic symptoms. But those are the kind of thoughts that always stick. I’m not totally numb, or crying uncontrollably all the time, or flaking out from my responsibilities. To most people, I’m one of the most cheerful people they know– the person THEY come to when they’re upset or down. So therefore, I’d be a fraud if I told anyone that I suffer from depression in any regard. I feel like if I told anyone I was considering going to therapy (esp my parents), they would all just doubt that I need it at all and say that I’m just going through a bit of a rough patch, or that I need to work harder to get what I want.
Holy shiz..this sounds like me. I’ve been diagnosed with major depression and that confused me because I still get up and go to work and do my daily routine. I just figured that if I was really depressed, I shouldn’t be able to do any of that. Thanks Katie, now I have a new topic to bring up in therapy 😃
Anti-depressants got me from low functioning depression to high functioning depression. I function again, go to work every day, have two profitable side businesses, a great girlfriend I live with, but I always feel fatigued, a bit down and rarely ever feel happy. I feel like I am not capable of enjoying a life I actually love, such a strange illness.
Dysthymia is something i have been struggling with the last 6 years and one of the major things connected to it, is the momory of happiness. And i don’t mean i forget a happy moment, those are easy to remember, but the feeling of happiness, of joy… That, i never remember. It’s like like getting used to the misery, to adapt to it, it becomes normal for a person to feel bad. Happy moments will still come and go, but the moment that instantaneous feeling of joy disappears, it is forgotten and fatigue takes its place. Dysthymia is horrendous to deal with, because almost no one realizes that they have it, they just think that being fatigued and miserable is just an everyday occurrence, that it is normal. I believe it is called insidious onset, as it is an ilness that sneaks up on its victim’s, and makes our days grey for so long, that we forget joy the moment the feeling is no longer felt. Imagine being unable to remember joy, a feeling so pure our bodies can hardly contain it. Dysthymia haunts me still with it’s morbid ability to make me forget. Happiness is a spontaneous reaction to me now, that never lasts, not even in memory. It happens and then its gone. It is truly exhausting…
A couple of days ago I went to a doctor complaining of prolonged, general fatigue, trouble focusing, mood swings, muscle pain and a sense of never being fully well-slept, suspecting thyroid issues. The doctor first went down a checklist for depression and I kept saying no to all the most debilitating MDD symptoms, but then he asked me ‘Do you ever have suicidal thoughts?’ And I said yes. ‘How often and for how long have you had them?’ ‘Uhm, every day? I as far as I can tell, that’s just normal for me. I’ve had them for as long as I can remember, at least ten years. But that’s okay, my mood is fine, I don’t have depression. I go to school, I do sports, I have hobbies. It’s fine. It’s just that the baseline thought I’ve had over most of my life is this constant “kill self kill self kill self why even bother living kill self kill self”.’ And as I was saying that I suddenly realized this is NOT NORMAL and all of it just dawned on me. The doctor just stared at me for a couple of seconds and just said ‘Um, well this is highly alarming.’ and referred me to a psychologist, writing ‘URGENT!!!!’ on his referral. I’m also getting my blood tested in case I do in fact have thyroid issues that are causing all of this. Wish me luck!
I drink everyday and have for many years, my work sucks as a whole and has any time I change it, though not at first, but always seems to be same in the end. I have lost motivation for almost everything in life bar the essentials, like working so I can keep from being homeless or similar. Without my vices I think I would have necked myself by now. Yet no one sees anything out of the ordinary with me, because I am a guy and I just have to suck it up. Guys have very few, if any places to turn to tbh. The society we live in…
After having an unproductive day sitting alone in my dorm room with my head feeling like a fuzzy tv, my favorite parts of my mundane day involve loading up on food from the dining hall while binge perusal YouTube, and sleeping. I love sleep so much. I cherish the moments where I don’t have to use my brain to think. I’ve always hated school, and I know I’m not meant for college, yet I have to go through with it, for that is the norm, and I fear failure. My school work makes me feel like I’m drowning, and it will be all for naught because I’m gonna probably have to end up retaking the courses due to not achieving a high enough grade required for my major. I have no interests, no passions, no desires. I just want to sleep. I love sleep so much. I should’ve gotten help sooner, for the increased demand for therapists makes it so that I’m going to have to wait for a month minimum to pay someone to care about me for an hour. Wake me up when Covid ends.
Every time I watch/read a depression checklist, I always wonder which adults /don’t/ feel like this. Isn’t this just adulthood? Of course we’re all tired and irritable all the time and can’t envision a better future, we work harder for fewer wages with proportionately higher rent and healthcare expenses. We live in a timeline doomed by short-sighted capitalistic policy that devours the poor
People think I’m doing well on the outside and I’m strong but if they could see just how much anguish, pain, loneliness, procrastination, over analysis, exhaustion and hopelessness I go through. I often want to die when it’s at its worst. I feel numb and I know I have given up on the inside. I genuinely do not know if I ever have the ability to be happy and enjoy life.
Excellent. I was diagnosed with this back in the 90’s. I’ve gone through periods where it’s been in remission. Isolation is the worst and during this pandemic there’s not much you can do about it. I had it bad this past fall. The worst symptom is the rumination of past shame. It’s like my mind has a rolodex of events and situations that it knows will drive me wild, and pulls one up at a time it knows I’m vulnerable. I can be going about my business and suddenly I have a memory of that time when I did something to someone, or it can just be a situation, and suddenly I’m cringing and gasping as if I’ve been punched. And the thing of it is, were I to remember that thing at another time, it wouldn’t affect me that way at all, it would just be a memory without emotional weight. It’s the worst part of this illness in my opinion. But also the fatigue, the loss of concentration, the irritability, the neurotic coping skills, all of it. The thing that works for me is cognitive behavioral therapy. I have never had such progress as when I remember to be mindful and practice the techniques I’ve learned in several seminars and group sessions.
Am I the only one who’s irritated by these “symptoms” that don’t fit me at all? Like “appetite”. I haven’t felt hunger in 3 years, what do you mean? I eat based on logic and my principes. And “feeling tired”? I don’t feel anything. I don’t feel like I have to go to bed. Why are people oversimplifying depression like this? B*tch I’m not an angry scumbag that irritates people to death, I’m more like the opposite, infront of others. Because no one really cares about the other person’s mental health. If your parent shows signs of sadness, you are more likely to be scared of them than feel any sort of empathy. People only want kind and enjoyable people with them. If you’re rude, even once to them, they began to despise your presence because they only care about having a good time.
i really want to take this time to thank you Kati. thank you for having this website and providing such great content. content that not only a select few can benefit from, but a great number of people. we all have something that we’re dealing with. so thank you for doing all that you do for us Kati. and i also want to thank all the Kinions out there. thank you all for coming here and supporting Kati and one another. i find it so helpful when i can come here and read the comments and find people who experience things the way i do, proving i’m not alone in all of this. and the support that is shown among everyone is uplifting. so thanks again Kati and everyone here. i love y’all. peace.
I feel personally attacked by this relatable content. Work takes all of my emotional energy so all of my free time is spent sleeping, scrolling facebook or just sitting around doing nothing. I’ve taken to eating when I’m not hungry just for something to do. I’ve put on a ton of weight and gone up three dress sizes but it’s difficult to find the willpower, motivation or energy to exercise or eat healthier. It’s pretty rough.
This article hit me hard, I’m not the type to diagnose myself from reading or perusal a article, but I’m starting to believe that I’m suffering from dysthymia. For as long as I can remember I’ve had low self esteem, and growing up I became an introverted person who didnt socialize much. As time passed i started even avoiding family gatherings because I felt that I wasn’t cool, or successful enough. I also hate getting attacked with questions about myself even though I understand why since I’m never around. Once I left high school and started working, I was able to distract myself from my feelings, I was working paycheck to paycheck and became even more distant because of my anxiety and low self esteem with me being broke all the time. At 18-19 i moved out my parent’s house, had my own car and a job, but why did I always feel inadequate, why did I feel that I wasn’t cool enough or attractive enough around people who are supposed to love and care about me? Recently I was in a serious accident that luckily didnt kill me. It left me with a long term spine injury and forced me to quit my very Physically demanding job and move back home at 21. In my family mental health isn’t talked about, and from that I just downplayed how I felt, but with me not working my depressive tendencies became more frequent and serious. I’ve never had suicidal thoughts, or extreme mood swings that you would associate with bipolar depression, but As long as I can remember I’ve had moments where I became self destructive.
High functioning depression is now called persistent depression or chronic depression. I have it . I’m on medication and have used CBT. It feels like being stuck in glue. When I am having a bout of persistent depression it feels like I am stuck in glue. Nothing is really wrong. I’m not going backwards but I also not going forwards.
So, they keep trying to treat my depression. The only reason I’m depressed is because I’m disabled and in constant pain. There are plenty of treatments for my physical ailments, but no doctor will prescribe and insurance will not pay for, but everyone will gleefully treat my “depression” but do nothing about the actual causes. WTF, this is why people no longer think doctors are worth going to. I can get better treatment from a corner drug dealer and a hooker.
is it possible to be diagnosed with major depressive disorder in the beginning, but then through therapy be able to cope with daily life so it turns into dysthymia? I’ve been in therapy for 4 years now and been able to cut out harmful coping skills and stay somewhat balanced from my depressive lows, but i am definitely experiencing the symptoms of dysthymia. is it just me getting better from MDD or can the diagnosis change?
This made me cry. Parents would just say I’m making it up. Girlfriend just tells me to get over my insomnia. So hearing everything just made it real, like I can show them this article. I’ve had depression for almost 12 years now, since high school (Abusive parents and a few abusive girlfriends. Current gf is not abusive) For the majority of the time it’s been high functioning depression with a couple of years of suicidal depression in the. I had a sociologist for about 4 or 5 months for free because I was a minor and was sent to a suicide watch hospital place for a week. But as soon as the sociologist had a family session to have them not be abusive assholes they stopped taking me and made excuses like “his diplomas are probably not even real” “he’s just a fake trying to scam money” again it was free. I don’t have the kind of money to go a therapist or sociologist, not covered by my insurance. So I’ve just been trying to cope with it ever since.
The description sounds like someone with underlying health problems, or me. I’m hypoglycemic, have Lyme and Leaky Gut. I had low vitamin D levels. Another thing could connect back to an sbusive childhood and being afraid to do anything for fear that whatever you are doing, you are doing something wrong.
I came across this article accidentally (suggested) but this was far better than any other suggested article I’ve seen. I clicked because I’m always curious about different mental health problems and have attempted research to “self diagnose” in the past. I felt depression was the best fit, but couldn’t be because I still go to classes (uni), take care of my cats, etc., I just lack motivation for most activities and have grey or sad days. One of the biggest problems is racing negative thoughts when I go to bed because there are no more distractions. After 5 years I may have finally found what it is. This description was so accurate I’m so happy. I feel like a weight has been lifted off of me. I guess the next step is actually seeing a doctor. I’m just a stranger on the internet but I would like to thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and making such a nice website to help people learn about things like this and themselves. I hope everyone who comes across this has a wonderful day/evening.
Thank you. This is exactly what I’m dealing with. Several symptoms I actually chalked up to personality traits. My psychiatrist said “residual depression” and “mild depression,” and I agreed with her. Your article really clarifies and confirms it. I am in talk therapy and have been trying different medications. I have to say that I truly didn’t believe things could be better, but I feel sooo much better. I find myself being more present and focused on building positive, healthy relationships with people. I used to be very aloof and distant. I’m starting to recognize and admit my feelings and needs. I feel like being social is actually more important, instead of feeling like it was last on my priorities or even nonexistent. It’s kind of scary how well we can learn to cope with mental illnesses, not knowing how much better life can be when we ask for help. Having depression is not your fault, it doesn’t define you and it’s totally treatable.
This was actually a really helpful article and brings into focus some of the drawn-out symptoms I recognise but have dismissed. Alongside these feelings I have been struggling with some physical health issues and I think it is important to recognise that physical health and mental health very often go hand in hand.
Every mental health supporter/counselor or psychotherapist can easily say “reach out for help” as if we all are living in the free world. If someone has mental illnesses that means that this person is mostly barely functioning so makes less money, most often no insurance etc. Or live in a rural area in the world where it’s hard to find anyone that fits the role as in therapist. So when you or other therapists say “reach out for help” I often feel triggered by the negative thoughts of that I just can’t fix myself. It’s just not easy for everyone on this planet to “reach out for help”. Thank you, your articles are so helpful other than that.
I hate how I look. I’ve convinced myself that everyone around me is in on something i’m not. I feel so lost, eating helps me focus on the food so I don’t think about myself. I find myself having arguments with people who aren’t even in my room. feel like my consciousness is slipping away. dont know whats happening anymore or what to believe
I watched this because I’ve noticed that since middle school my mental health had deteriorated and I was really hoping that I was overthinking everything but it almost all lined up too perfectly. Not going to diagnose myself though, but it’s definitely a sign that something is wrong. I know I have a early childhood trauma but it just doesn’t feel like that’s the root of the problem since I feel like I’ve moved on.
I’m 19 and have felt that way since about age 8. I can feel happiness (rarely) and generally go day to day feeling fine but I have always had bad anxiety and constant worrying and it’s always been a shadow. I suppose it’s in the genes and I was born that way considering nothing super traumatizing has ever happened to me and I have good parents and had a good childhood.
My mom died almost 8 months ago. I was with her and I constantly replay her last day in my head. Even when I’m fine, I always think about it. I am in my senior year of college and I never have a break. I have to keep going. It’s like I’m walking through a tunnel to some feeling of “hope” but I literally can’t get to it. I’m fine, but I don’t know if I’m fine. I am so tired all the time, I never want to hang out with my friends. I really never want to do anything. I somehow get all my work done but it feels like a blur. I don’t remember the past year at all and I don’t know how I am here right now. I am afraid for my future, especially without her. I don’t know what this is. I think it is just a phase, which is why I don’t talk to anybody about how I feel. But what if it’s not a phase. How are you supposed to know?
2 years? damn, I have felt all of this for most of my adult life. To the point that when I was in university (13 years ago) I would get a stomache ache just at the thought of having to go out clubing with my friends. I started treatment about a month ago and I am actually starting to smile for real and not the fake version you get used to using. I was also diagnosed with high functioning autism. I tend to get something similar to rage episodes in which the only way to calm down was to punch myself or pinch or pull my hair and i started shaking and tensing up my entire body uncontrollably, to the point I couldn’t even talk, I once smashed my head against the kitchen granite counter because I couldn’t control myself. I still have those episodes but now I know that it wasn’t something I should feel guilty about, it just happened to me and I didn’t have other coping mechanisms, which now I do. Treatment for this issues is necessary, I can’t believe it took me this long to realize it.
Wow, this is not what I think of as “high functioning depression” what you term “low-grade depression”. I was low functioning depression (moderately severe depression) and worked to actually get to high-functioning depression. So I guess I don’t see it as two different conditions. I still feel horrendous frequently but push myself to keep up my responsibilities and work. I see it as literally having depression but also being high functioning.
Quite often I feel really on edge, get migraines often that debilitate me for 3 days on average and get really really tired and headachy trying to force myself to do mundane things like self care. I went to see a therapist and after 6 weeks she just said “well I think you’re just being avoidant” in response to finding it really hard to do anything. I’m not crying anymore, I think I may have shut off my emotions, but has been going on for years and just don’t know what to do about it anymore.
got it for about 10Years now… (with beginning treatment, but after i knew what i was suffering and bcs i got sooo much weight after second medication i stopped after 1 year i think.) I could handle it very well so far but beginning to struggle! 😢 Now i don’t know how to proceed, also bcs of additional anxiety…
This sounds like regular aging and life stress. She brought up drinking and shutting down. Like if you just go and exercise and take care of yourself, it really helps. If you are in a situation with work that you are unhappy about, adress it, or apply for a new job. Never settle. Life is about creating NEW experiences. And not being afraid to make changes for yourself. I promise it helps. Medication is NOT the way. I was made to be physically abd mentally dependent on SSRIs and Benzos for 10 years!!! Thanks to shitty doctors. They only made me feel worse. Weaning myself off of those meds and choosing to take care of myself, push myself, etc changed my life. I know when people say: “just go outside, or go to the gym” it sounds impossibile. But i promise it is not. You have to make that choice. And you can do it. ❤
My persistant dysthymia for 60 years has a self dignosis. Early on at age 15 I started using a lot of coffee. Then I started self medicating. I came across the wiki about coffee and was surprised to learn that coffee contains Harmane . It is an MAOI so it has primitive anti depressant properties . I also self diagnosed myself with the weak MAO gene thnks to the Dunedin longtitudinal study. Cigarettes also contain Harmane. I was also bilious most of the time. Recently I decided on a strategy using caffiene pills that have no harmane to wean off coffee. My symptoms quickly improved but I still had an expresso in the morning . Mood and alertness improved . The secret in coffee and cigarettes that make them so hard to quit is the secondary compounds and replacement therapy ( my own designed ) may yet free me from it all.
Your describing my life right now 18 years ago I found out that my son was going to be in a wheelchair for the rest of his life ever since then I’ve been a f**** walking disaster up until 6 years now I finally been successful making killer money but no one knows that I’m dying inside because of the situation I have no friends I live by myself with a dog and two cats and when I get home I turn my cell phone off I don’t know how to make it go away but I feel like I’m going to be able to deal with it for the rest of my life so thank God for that. Depression sucks
Dysthymia is actually an improvement, comparing to where I was before. What really helped me was therapy, as well as studying specific philosophies such as Stoic philosophy and Absurdism (not all philosophies are useful, some have actually a negative effect). Also having a creative/artistic hobby, helped immensely.
I’ve had dysthymia since 2015 without ever knowing it and in 2017 I decided to go talk to a counselor who suggested I had depression, but I really felt like that didn’t apply to me. After only three sessions, and feeling like therapy didn’t work and it was too expensive for me, I decided to start taking omega-3, vitamin b complex, iron, and a “mood” probiotic supplement and I felt like it was working but it hasn’t been perfect. I’m also going to the gym cuz I feel like that give me more energy. Although I’m not in the same state I was 2015-2017, I always feel like symptoms are lurking around me. I want to go back to college this winter, but I feel like I may ruin it all again (because of the past state of my mental health, I underperformed in school and got dropped TWICE)…I wanna go back but I’m scared I’m going to fail again because of this. And therapy is not an option because i can’t afford if. Idk what to do 🙁
I’m nearly 50, and i think this is me! I can’t find help within my lifestyle and age bracket without feeling judged in a world I wasn’t born into. I think I have multiple issues from the articles I’ve seen of yours, including CEN, but most definitely this one resonates! I’ve alienated my family, hurt my children the time they needed me most and have lost contact with them, I can’t forgive my ex for taking my children even though I’m not a good person, and being from a broken abusive violent upbringing. I feel defeated and don’t really want to be alive or die. I haven’t got over it after nearly ten years, or over 40 years now truth be told. Thank you Kati for your articles, Ive just stumbled across them. I’ll continue catching up on your content to see if more resonates.
I have been depressed a really long time and have general anxiety disorder I feel as though I hate myself/my life all of the time I have 3 bright and beautiful children and a supportive husband but it doesn’t seem enough to make me happy or excited about living life with them and seeing my kids grow up.. I hate this because I don’t want my children having this view of me when they get older that mommy never wanted us around because she wanted to sit in the dark alone or just sleep because being awake felt like a full time job in itself I wish there were more ways to help myself and give my kids a great childhood where mommy spent more time being happy instead of frustrated and irritated at them when they haven’t done anything wrong I want them to know it’s not them it’s me but I don’t know what to do…. sorry I know this is a long comment
This is me, down to a tee. Been going through this since I was a kid of 5 yrs.. I’m now 51, going on 52 and nothing has changed. I am BEYOND exhausted now. I feel like I’m not even alive anymore. I’m simply a little wind up toy that has been going through the same routine, day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year, decade after decade. I am just waiting for the day my wind up mechanism finally stops and I can finally and truly stop running this tired and monotonous rat race…
I’ve had depression for a very, very long time. A lot longer than its been diagnosed for sure. I’m just constantly seeing all my flaws which obviously leeds to low self esteem. I’m incredibly pessimistic and have struggled with insomnia and night terrors most of my life. I’m always tired. I’ve found that unless I have work I don’t look after myself. Finding motivation is so hard I can barely do it on a good day. I was never told what kind of depression is have it was just “you have anxiety and depression and they are rooted in your childhood.” And I was given a phone number to call to self refer for therapy. Heh. Yeah I couldn’t make that call.
I’ve known I struggle with depression but didn’t know that my worrying all the time about past events and other little future events was a part of it. I can’t even wash dishes without worrying, the second my brain isn’t being kept busy by something it starts going through a list of things I’ve done wrong and making my self esteem plummet. This is definitely something I’ll bring up with my therapist who I’ll be seeing for the first time soon. Note to parents: Put your kids in therapy early if you see a single sign of anything. I didn’t trust my parents and wouldn’t talk to them so they barely knew what was going on with me and rebelled furiously when they tried to put me in therapy, so now I’ve been struggling with depression and anxiety my entire life and dropped out of school because of it. Don’t let your kids drop out of school. Put them in therapy.
Hello Kati, It is a nice website. 1. Would you like to share some stories or experiences those are interesting and useful? 2. How old are you? 3. Which one is your favorite dish? 4. What do you think about religion? 5.Do you prescribe medicines for anxiety as well? 6. Would you like to tell us something about your book “are you OK?” I am waiting for a reply.
I dot constantly feel like this but it does come back for one or two days every week, or really intense for a few hours at a time. Sometimes I’ll feel completely normal as if nothing bad ever happened and the next day or an hour later I feel hopeless, tried, irritable, restless, and even in extreme cases, suicidal. It’s very weird because it dosent seem like anything it’s not bipolar, it’s not depression, nor does it seem like dysthymia. But I still feel these intense emotions and I just can’t think rationally no matter how hard I try sometimes. This makes it extremely hard for me to tell my parents because I have always acted normal and happy around my parents, laughing at jokes or singing to great songs but some days I just feel horrible. I have been super confused for a year and a half now.
Yea reaching out for help us a lot harder when you have in the past and you’ve been burned in a way. I’m tired and don’t have the energy to find someone who’s actually going to work for me. I’ve been bounced to another therapist that didn’t get back to me. I’ve also had someone who asked me a bunch of questions one of them being do you have an eating disorder? I was like no? Confused about the question. She asked me nothing else related to fitness or eating. Then she said that I have an eating disorder and am in denial about it. I went to her once more and she asked me all the same questions like she forgot me. So I asked for someone else and got made an appointment with the same person. It’s easier to just float along in life.
Okay, so I checked off every single sign and symptom mentioned in this article, and I quite literally deal with them all CONSTANTLY, and for as long as I can remember. The thing is though, I’ve been diagnosed at least 4 times by 4 different psychiatrists over the last 25 years as having bipolar disorder. I don’t really have manic cycles much anymore though. I think I have mixed episodes semi often perhaps, but I really felt like this article described me perfectly. I stopped any kind of treatment years ago due to too many bad experiences with meds. I figured I’d just take my chances on the rollercoaster that is my mind. Any thoughts or advice?
I constantly feel disconnected from others and preffering to stay all on my own without any disturbance or noise coming from outside solely stuck in my mental thoughts. Whenever I hang out, it seems a difficult task to do especially if I had to me start a conversation with an employee in a store for example. The fact is I wasn’t like this before I was more social and more influencing and I was the one giving hope to others. I literally hate what I’m going through right now it’s painful and ugly sensations I wanna put an end to. What is the best and most convenient strategy I must follow in order to overcome my anxiety and anti-socializing?
The earliest I can remember feeling like this was when I was 7. The unrelenting sadness is always the thing that bothered me the most. It’s very tiring to always feel down. Anyway this article reminded me that I’m actually doing way worse than I thought I was and I really need to keep up with my Prozac. The one major symptom I don’t think this article covered is how tiny disappointments launch you into despair and how people who have this are at risk for developing major depression on top of it (called double depression).
I’ve lived with MDD most of my life and I don’t know how I have never heard the term “Dysthymia” before. I’ve been trying to explain this feeling for years to my therapist (and doctors). Because I know the signs of depression, I know the feelings, I know and have experienced all aspects of it. It’s not a deep depression (although it can be at times) but it’s for sure noticeable. This was helpful. Thank you.
The way I feel when I arrive home and nobody is home is so crushing, and the amount I eat is frankley quite concerning, somedays I eat a lot many days I eat nothing and can feel my body eating itself. But I let it slide, im a larger guy, ive got a fair bit of fat that can sustain me, but ive never not been chubby so idk. It hurts so bad and I want it to stop.
is going from major depression to dysthymia considered progress? I got diagnosed with major depression at 11 (though I know I displayed depressive behaviors at age 8) and I believe it’s become dysthymia over time as I feel like I can live but I just have to try harder to do so (as well as all the other symptoms). I noticed this switch started in around 2016 when I was 15 and I have yet to get out of this funk that is dysthymia and I’m exhausted.
Dear Katie: I have just discovered your articles through this one and I was very impressed. You described my wife’s mental state perfectly; so much so that I will pass on this article to her. Neither her or I believed in medication. I was treated for severe depression for 3 years and I got so fed up with all the damned pills I had to take (5 different ones a day!) that one day I said: “I don’t need this crap”. Since then I made an effort to keep myself busy and to have a positive attitude. It has worked beautifully. Regards. PS: I have just subscribed.
Being like that since 11. Now I’m 40. Changed many therapists. Nothing has changed. Keep hearing “you need to change”, “you have to work on it”, you you you; but all I’ve got inside is hoplessness. I don’t know where to start. I don’t even think to start. I just feel tired of everything. Tired to see the others going with their lives, while thinking that I’m a looser, scum and just a number, a pile of wasted opportunities. I don’t enjoy living and yet, I can’t even think of ending it; I’m scared of dying, actually. And scared that I know soon all I’ve got left of my family will be gone for good and I will be totally alone, totally exposed to the storm, without nobody acting as a safe cover. I keep making wrong decisions, I don’t have real connections with people. No real love. Most of it is pure envy. I don’t enjoy nature, at least joy lasts 10 seconds, then loneliness kicks in. I was never able to show my feelings or love to someone, so scared of being rejected. I hate everything and can’t make decisions. I don’t have any hobby and even if I start wanting to do something, it fades so quickly inside me. I hate being like this but still I feel inside me a sense of joy and acceptance being like this. And I hate when I feel so down and my boss can feel it, but can’t respect it. He wants to know what’s all about, he keeps telling me it’s not good being like this in front of customers, but he can’t understand that while I can handle my condition and I can still serve the customers properly, I can’t deal with someone who has to know my personal business, lecturing constantly like he’s a psychologist.
I wish I could be around people. I just have no energy. Sometimes I can’t even be around my beautiful angel babies. I just can’t think or form sentences half the time. I feel like I’m just here in a weird fog like I’m about to die. It’s so weird. I’ve dealt with this all my life. It’s just harder now to keep up with the mask.