First, all the hugs. Mental health is hard. Finding a therapist that works with you and for who you are is hard.
Second, I know this is easier said than done, but I want to recommend Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). If the non-directive/"I hear you" type of therapy doesn't work for you, maybe DBT would. It is all about developing skills. Maybe not concrete actions, but concrete steps to take on your own as you think through and respond to your own thoughts and feelings. There are worksheets! I have found it to be helpful, and much more effective than the non-directive styles of therapy.
As trite as it sounds, you are important, and worthy of being well. If you gain any relief from posting about situation, do not worry whether your post is scattered or not.
I hope this doesn't come across like dispensing unwanted advice; it's meant as an outside perspective. For whatever it's worth, getting out of the house to shake up your routine (even for just a short time) might be a good thing. You definitely deserve to treat yourself to a (hopefully) fun time. Maybe it will feel good enough that you want to do it more often?
Even if you don't go, remember that there is always someone who cares and your existence makes the world a better place.
You're correct, of course, that we are dealing with a crisis for which we are not equipped or prepared. You are definitely showing symptoms that I would find red flags, too, but the system we're in means you need to do all but climb Mount Everest -- when you are depressed already -- to get help. And that was *before* the pandemic. I wish I had a suggestion for you that you haven't already covered / considered here. I hope you are able to fight for yourself at some moment soon. It's really the only way. One small step at a time. You are worth that.
Michele, I can relate to what you're going thru. If only there was a self-help magic thingie out there. Anyway, enjoy your writing, and the post inspired me to subscribe. Thanks.
Hang in. One foot in front of the other. I have a relative who is a therapist near retirement age who needs money but is having difficulties managing patient load and has cut back on the number of patients. Many more people need therapists than are available, and the therapists need therapists. Your tag line here is completely accurate.
I find that stopping for coffee or something where I have a brief interaction with someone helps me not feel that I am being completely unsocial.
First, all the hugs. Mental health is hard. Finding a therapist that works with you and for who you are is hard.
Second, I know this is easier said than done, but I want to recommend Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT). If the non-directive/"I hear you" type of therapy doesn't work for you, maybe DBT would. It is all about developing skills. Maybe not concrete actions, but concrete steps to take on your own as you think through and respond to your own thoughts and feelings. There are worksheets! I have found it to be helpful, and much more effective than the non-directive styles of therapy.
Third, ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️.
DBT = seconded.
Thirded. DBT changed my life for the better.
As trite as it sounds, you are important, and worthy of being well. If you gain any relief from posting about situation, do not worry whether your post is scattered or not.
I hope this doesn't come across like dispensing unwanted advice; it's meant as an outside perspective. For whatever it's worth, getting out of the house to shake up your routine (even for just a short time) might be a good thing. You definitely deserve to treat yourself to a (hopefully) fun time. Maybe it will feel good enough that you want to do it more often?
Even if you don't go, remember that there is always someone who cares and your existence makes the world a better place.
You're correct, of course, that we are dealing with a crisis for which we are not equipped or prepared. You are definitely showing symptoms that I would find red flags, too, but the system we're in means you need to do all but climb Mount Everest -- when you are depressed already -- to get help. And that was *before* the pandemic. I wish I had a suggestion for you that you haven't already covered / considered here. I hope you are able to fight for yourself at some moment soon. It's really the only way. One small step at a time. You are worth that.
Michele, I can relate to what you're going thru. If only there was a self-help magic thingie out there. Anyway, enjoy your writing, and the post inspired me to subscribe. Thanks.
Hang in. One foot in front of the other. I have a relative who is a therapist near retirement age who needs money but is having difficulties managing patient load and has cut back on the number of patients. Many more people need therapists than are available, and the therapists need therapists. Your tag line here is completely accurate.
I find that stopping for coffee or something where I have a brief interaction with someone helps me not feel that I am being completely unsocial.
Therapists often in need of their own therapy