What would you write in a letter to yourself "How to alleviate my own depression

1. 81

   kallini2010posted 12 years ago

   What would you write in a letter to yourself "How to alleviate my own depression?"
   
   If you had to write a letter from your normal self to yourself in a state of depression, what would be in that letter?  I was my assignment three years ago, and I still have not written this letter. It seems as hard to write it when I am busy enjoying non-depressed state as it is following some "optimistic" suggestions when I am depressed.  And this cycle does not seem to end.  What would you write?
   
   

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2. 72

   Twilight Lawnsposted 12 years ago

   I would write it like this:
   
   Dear Depressed Me,
   If you have not heard from me for a while, or you are wondering how I am, and how I am managing, I'll explain why.
   When I am OK and everything's whirling well, and I am coping, and I'm happy, I find that I am too busy to write to you. Please don't think I don't care, because I do, but being) happy and busy takes up a lot of my time.
   If you do get the occasional letterI I from me, it's because I have found a little window of opportunity, to check that you are managing  and that you will be coming  over to join me soon.
   Lots of love and reassuring hugs.
   Happy, sorted Me
   x .

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   1. 81

      kallini2010posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Ian, you are funny as usual!

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   2. 72

      Twilight Lawnsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Svetlana, my dear friend, that was me BEING serious.
      x

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   3. 81

      kallini2010posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Ok, Ian, serious and funny are not mutually exclusive.  You made me smile - I have read that it is easier to handle depression because it is more predictable.  Handling bipolar is handling unpredictability and chaos.  "Handling chaos...."

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   4. 72

      Twilight Lawnsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Svetlana, you are, at once, precious and delicious. Dear friend, never change. What experience I have of bi-pola is a brief lilac shadow of a sunny day - you defeat the beast elegantly and reign supreme.
      Love you,
      Ian.

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3. 82

   austinhealyposted 12 years ago

   I would write a series of questions and thoughts to myself:
   -How do I feel today in regard to yesterday ?
   -How will I know that I have hit rock bottom ?
   -When I do hit rock bottom, the only way is up, right ?
   -When I become aware of a little tiny thing in my life that feels positive, I'll know I'm on the right path. When these little tiny things start to multiply, I'll know I'm getting there. In the meantime, I am going to make up a story and write it, a completely imaginary story that will make me feel good and take my mind away from the grim reality of life. I want to get out of this crappy feeling. so the sooner the better...
   Something like that !

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   1. 81

      kallini2010posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you, Austinhealy!  My first line (in my head as usual went like this today - "My ex husband is dead. Or disappeared. My closest circle of support disappeared.  There is no one to depend upon any more.  I am alone.) Not too much of a letter....

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   2. 60

      Jesse Mugnierposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      You are not alone... Never alone!

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4. 62

   haikutwinkleposted 12 years ago

   This is a nice music video about a letter written to a 15-year-old self.
   The artist was born to a Japanese father and Italian-American mother.
   It was during those times when Japan still views foreigners as outsiders.
   This song was written for many teenagers in Japan who suffered from bullying, depression etc.
   
   Link: http://youtu.be/NpDqLsWC6HU
   Quote from song:
   "Dear you,
   Who's reading this letter
   I wish you happiness! "

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5. 87

   Gary Holdawayposted 12 years ago

   I would tell myself the absolute truth about myself, because that is something that us with depression never actually do. When you write down how you feel and why, you'll often feel quite silly about it and perk yourself up somehow. I'd remind myself that asleep in bed is my little cutey and there are people much worse off than me that could do with somebody like me with a good heart trying to help all he could.

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      downhomeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hi there. As I sit here reading your posts, I never considered the thought of actually, writing a letter to myself whenever I find myself being depressed. I guess, I'll have to give that thought a try some day.

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6. 62

   c-m-hallposted 12 years ago

   Dear Depressed Self,
   I'm grateful that you're having these experiences for me. Thank you for taking all the pain, suffering, exhaustion, morbidity, anger, grief, bitterness, self-loathing, hateful, grouchy, over-eating, relief-seeking, sleeping all day, numb to the world, no inspiration, lousy at everything, victimized and hurt ... attitude for me today.
   I cannnot do this alone and I'm so happy that I have you to do it for me while I rest. In the meantime, I'm going to write about how awesome I am!
   I am great! I am amazing! I am wonderful! I am the best! I love me! I am so lucky! I am gorgeous! I am loved! I am abundant! I am blessed! I am powerful!
   Then, I'm going to get up, clean up, and make myself look as awesome as I can under the circumstances. When I look as great as I'm going to look ... then I'm going to go out and take a walk, anywhere! Up the street, around the block.
   You don't have to come with me. You stay right where you are. While I'm out, I hope you get a lot of rest. After I finish with my walk, I'm going to treat myself to something wonderful. I will prepare food for myself, or have it deliverd to me as if I am as deserving as a queen! I will act as if it is my first day on the planet and pretend that nothing bad has ever happend.
   Before I sleep, I will write down everything that I am grateful for. If I have eyes to see ... How grateful am I to be able to see! There are blind people who've never had the choice. If I have all my limbs and digits. I am grateful for their use. Not everyone has all their body parts. Am I safe from the weather and the elements outside? Am I warm? Am I full? Some people aren't.
   Do I need to give myself a great big hug and take a break from being mean to myself? I promise to throw down the whips and chains and break out the feathers and dust myself off!
   Tomorrow, I'm going to call that friend that keeps asking how I'm doing. I know there's support groups out there, so maybe we can go together. I'll take you with me only if you promise to look up at the sky and notice how big everyting is outside of you.
   I'm giving you a big, big hug because, I truly love you. Even if you are bent on suffering. The good news is: This too shall pass. I'm glad you're just going through something (which will change very soon) because all things are temporary.

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   1. 81

      kallini2010posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you, it is a very good answer. I probably should start every day with this page with the letters that I could not write, but my readers could.  At least it is a beginning...

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   2. 62

      haikutwinkleposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      A candle loses nothing by lighting another candle. (proverb)

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7. 60

   Jesse Mugnierposted 12 years ago

   I have not written a letter to myself, I have written a list of all the things I am thankful for in my life. Everytime I sit down to re-read them, I have more things to add. Reading everything I feel blessed to have in my life (my children, my home, etc) makes me feel less depressed.
   I also remind myself that I am strong, I have a big heart, I try my best to help other people and be kind towards others, and I am a good mother to my children.
   Svetlana, just by reading your hubs I can tell you are a strong, independant woman. You are a talented writer who has inspired me. You have a son who, I can tell is the apple of your eye.
   You will be able to write your letter one day, you just need to remember how wonderful you are.
   Goodluck

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   1. 81

      kallini2010posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you, Jesse. The problem is - I still cannot believe in myself- it is internal flaw - and right at this moment - it feels like the beginning of the end. I know it shall pass, but handling the moment is always a challenge, the UNSURMOUNTABLE NOW.

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   2. 60

      Jesse Mugnierposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Have you talked to you doctor about trying antidepressants? It may just be the thing you need.

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   3. 81

      kallini2010posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, I have seen the doctors, been on anti-depressants since 2005.  Still there is no solution, or maybe not yet. I am sorry I sound like this now, but that is the very definition of depression.

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   4. 60

      Jesse Mugnierposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Please don't apologize! You will find something that works for you, maybe a different medication or higher dosage.
      I'll pray for you.

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8. 59

   agatzbyposted 12 years ago

   Dear sad Gatzby,
      You might be thinking, in this hodgepodge of randomness we call a universe, what possible purpose could I have in it all? Why should I even try if I'm just going to die anyways and it's all for naught? Or possibly you are experiencing another loss and you're asking yourself why them, why now, what next? The same thoughts that try to bring you down every time they emerge. I can only tell you the same thing I tell you every other time, you aren't dead yet. You might want to give up and cash in, but it's not time yet. If you're reading this now, there's a reason you're alive. And as infuriating as it is to not know why you are around, you are. So get up, take a deep breath, and find anything you love and love it that much more because you might never get to again.

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   1. 81

      kallini2010posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      It's a great letter, very poetic. Sorry, I cannot appreciate it fully being brain-damaged, but it brightened my day. Thank you, sad Gatzby...  there is a reason for you to be here!

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