Yesterday, I met with my counselor for an hour. I started last month after coming to a point where it was obvious I needed help. Today, it's been 6 weeks since I've started taking 50 mg of sertraline daily. I've kept it a secret except from my immediate family, because I've been ashamed that I couldn't take care of things myself. I do think it's helping my control my mood extremes. I want my family & friends to be around me, not step back because I'm obnoxiously friendly or brooding. I've been both. I wonder if I'm bipolar. I am trying to trust in God more, ask Him to help me when I can't seem to function...
One thing I'm doing is devoting more time to things I like to do. I plan to read this book. And just finished this one (below) last night! It was written beautifully, set about 100 years ago, about sisters who were neglected as young girls and are now old women...
One of the best things a friend said to me is "You are not alone." We all struggle.
10 comments:
Don’t feel ashamed of seeking and taking effective treatment for a medical problem. I freely admit I’ve been on antidepressants (various) for years. Depression and to some extent, anxiety, will be part of my cross for the rest of my life. Kind of like hearing loss, which happened inexplicably. I wear hearing aids and am extremely grateful for them. I’m also grateful for my current combination of medications which allows me to function normally for perhaps the first time in my life. Now, I don’t carry a banner which says, “I'm proud of my depression!” just as I don’t carry one for hearing loss, obesity (sigh), or, on the flip side, any of my God-given talents. I have the body and mind God have me and I just do the best I can with it.
Thanks for sharing. It's true that more people have something that they need help with, and get help (hopefully) & don't announce it to everyone. I'm surprised to hear and it makes me relieved.
Thank you! Prayers are appreciated. I hope things improve for you. Another thing I've been doing is diaphragmatic breathing, maybe it will help you, too.
God bless you, Dear Martha,
I am so glad that these medications are available! I pray your doctors and you can continue to fine-tune a program of helpful therapies to help you meet the challenges of your busy family and enjoy your wonderful life. Yes, God is with us! XO
Hugs! You definitely are NOT alone. I admire you taking steps to find a healthy way to deal with your struggles, and trust me I know--- a happy mama means a happy family! Caring for yourself and your mental well being is very important. I think we all struggle with these things at different points in our lives. Praying all goes well and you see things improve quickly!
Thanks for sharing, Martha! You certainly are not alone at all. May God be with you, and all of us as we carry our crosses! +
You really aren’t alone! I’m going through nearly the same thing! I went to a counselor for 6 months and have been through trauma therapy only to recently figure out I may be bipolar. I’ve been thinking about going back to counseling, even though through all my work symptoms have been getting better, I just need someone to talk to because I have to talk soooo much or I explode. Your post gave me a bit of courage to ask for help in making counseling happen again, so thank you.
This reminds me, for some reason, of a story my mama told me. She had a friend who was a pastor's wife. Mama and the pastor's wife were at tea with some other ladies, and the pastor's wife confessed that she was really struggling. She felt like her life was disorganized and her house was a mess, and that she wasn't coping as well as any of her friends. They talked for a bit and it turned out that her feelings were based on her experience that whenever she went to anyone's house, it was always tidy and lovely. "Well, of course it is!" said one of the women. "Wherever you go, you bring the pastor, and we ALL clean our houses before we invite you. Your problem is that you think what you see is the way they look all the time. THEY DON'T!" This story has stuck with me because I've seen it over and over - people judging themselves by what they see of the OUTSIDE of other people, having no idea how similar we all are in our struggles when we haven't tidied up for visitors.
Please update your blog! Even though I message you almost every day and see photos on Instagram, I'm still always so happy to see a new blog post!
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