Skip to main content

SAD in the summer?


I’m in a confusing place with my mental health. I’m coming off a go-get-‘em phase that the spring brought with it and am now in an over-committed, over-whelmed anxious place. I want to things, but I’ve gotten myself into a position where I don’t know where to start so it’s easier not to do anything.

As a matter of fact, “blog” has been on my to-do lists for weeks.

I knew what I wanted to write about.  I’ve been writing this post in my head for 10 days.  But the idea of grabbing my computer and actually writing it all down was a step too far for me to take.

It’s a confusing place to be aware of what’s happening and why it’s happening but having no real desire to make changes to help. During the spring, when I was in an Up mood, I thought about doing a bit of research so I could be better armed with information when the next Down mood came.  I was not expecting the Down mood to come so soon.

Having not done deeper research, I didn’t know that a Down mood would come so soon.

It isn’t as bad as it is in the winter. I’m not sleeping in until noon or later on my days off and then going back to bed at 10 pm. I’m not living on caffeine and pizza. I’m not staring blankly at the TV.

I’m waking up with my alarm, but not really getting up unless I have to. I’m not putting off washing my hair. I’m eating vegetables regularly. But the motivation is severely lacking. If it’s something that must be done, I put it off for as long as possible before I do it.

I’ve talked to family members with diagnosed depression about what I’m feeling. I am open about it (thanks to a group of friends and celebrities who have been so open about what they’re working with). I’m not sure what my next move is.

Part of me thinks maybe taking St. John’s Wort and seeing how that goes. I’ve had family recommend that.

I don’t think my issues are severe enough to see a therapist. I’m not against traditional therapy. I’m just… I don’t know how to describe it. I guess I feel like my symptoms are minor enough that I should take care of it myself? I don’t know.

Like I said, it’s weird to know what’s going on but have no control over it.


Comments

Popular posts from this blog

So, a Fat Nerd steps onto a scale...

I done did it, y'all. I got my scale out this morning. I can't say that I'm surprised, but I can say that I was hoping to be pleasantly surprised. Two hundred and freaking forty six pounds. It was a bit of a gut punch. I'm not happy. I know that I have lost weight since our move. I can see it in the mirror. I can tell by the way my clothes fit. But, as it stands this morning I have an official number. 246 Gross. Have I been heavier? Yes. Earlier this year. Have I (as an adult) been lighter? Yes... also earlier this year. Was I heavier when I got my ass in gear a few months ago? Yes. Can I do better? Also, yes. Am I going to be better? HELL YES!!! It's easy to pick a start date that is "later." You screw up on your new diet on Wednesday and decide to start over on Monday, or the first of the month, or the first of the year. Well, guess what? The first of the year is tomorrow. I'm not giving myself "one last night...

Trying something

I’ve been feeling very overwhelmed and overrun these days. There’s the typical holiday season nonsense happening, some exciting stuff, and some this-is-what-happens-as-you-get-older stuff.   A couple of things will pass with time (hosting two separate family get-togethers back to back), some of it will come with time (my father-in-law moving in), some of it is unavoidable (12-year-old cars just have issues), and one thing has the potential to start me down a path I’ve always wanted to be on (a publisher accepting a book proposal). Overwhelmed doesn’t have to be because of negative things. Overall what it’s boiling down to is I’m feeling out of control. So, naturally, I’m taking steps to get myself feeling more in control. I’m a To-Do List veteran, and over the years have perfected my system. Do I always get everything done? Nope. But it helps me keep track of things. Keeping on top of the must-be-done items is something I’ve gotten pretty good at. I very...

Seasonal Depression Has Kicked In, But I'm Still Kickin

Seasonal depression has a way of sneaking up on you. Looking back, I can see that my depression snuck in  about two and a half/three weeks ago.  It super hard this week.  I fell into my "exhausted for no reason" pattern and that's when I realized I'd slipped in. Tbis week, having realized I was mid-depressive episode I leaned into it to a certain extent. I had a couple days were I took un-necessary naps.  I didn't beat myself up for the days I slept in.  In the mean time I've also taken measures to combat my symptoms. I've made a point of spending time outside when the sun is out. I've made sure to eat healthy foods. I've snuggled with JackJack (my dog), and just allowed myself to be lazy and unmotivated. Today was my first day off by myself in over a week so I allowed myself a bit of chill and a bit of pampering.  I gave myself a facial, did an undereye treatment, and made my favorite meal.  I'm mixing it with some productive tasks as well...