Its been a while since i've checked in here and I am happy to see some great threads. Thanks to everyone for sharing.

Ive made some progress lately, most importantly becomming keenly aware to what it is that triggers my depression.

Most of the damage done to my life has been a result of my behaviour after the fact when something triggers my depression. I am learning how to identify that and take appropriate steps to cope with it and not allow it to spill over into my personal life or job.

For the 15 yrs Ive had depression Ive only now recognized this. Its has cost me millions of dollars, my marriage and untold happiness.

I am trying to come up with a strategy to cope when I fall of the horse.

1. Knowing who you can really trust to talk with. In my case my sister..

2. Taking a "timeout" so to speak". Staying away from important decisions at work, and in life.


WHat do you do?

Hi Tim,

It's really good to hear that you are making so much progress. Self-awareness is a very important tool and it sounds like you have plenty of it. It's great that you are so focused. Good for you!!

I can really relate to a lot of what you say here. I am also someone who gets triggered very easily and when that happens I tend to overreact and say and/or do things I later regret. This is a HARD one for me to get a handle one. My reactions to these triggers are REALLY fast. Almost automatic......Before I know it I've gone from 0 - 60.

My personal triggers don't so much result in depression, but rather in anxiety and/or anger (which, in many ways, are just other faces of depression).

You talk here about a "time out" and that is something I find really important too. In fact, I would say it's probably the most helpful thing I can do for myself in those trigger situations.

Something that helps me with the time out technique is if I'm able to DISTRACT myself in a productive way. In other words, shift my energy away from the trigger focus. I find that going for a walk is a really good way for me to do this. I also go running. I find exercise to be a very good way to use up the negative energy that comes from anxiety and/or anger.

In terms of my depression, one of the things that really helps me (in addition to my medication and the therapy I've had) is coming here to this website. I do a lot of "blogging" here and I have found that to be incredibly therapeutic.

Thanks for bringing up this topic, Tim. I'll be really interested to hear what others have to say.

Wishing you all the very best.

Joanna

This post has been edited by Joanna: Mar 20 2008, 12:29 PM

My trigger is work.

My pdoc is surprised that I've ever been able to keep a job for any length of time - current job 16 years.

I get so depressed/anxious that I just want quit. Not later, NOW!

I work for a huge Pharmaceutical company that is laying people off every day, literally. So, I'm either depressed and anxious about losing my job or beause I feel unproductive and worthless. Weekends are easier for me, and I am in fact quite happy. (Keep in mind, I'm on Depakote.) Monday starts my own personal hell.