How to fight Depression, Sadness, How to struggle and Cope?

[ceb3370]

Guys how do you do it? There are times that i really tried my best not to think about my illness but, the shadow of depression still lurks at my back and overtime it grows in me. Sometimes there are nights that i cry for what i become now. My school batch are now having their dream jobs, making their own family., but for me its like my life is being frozen. Just waiting for when my body will give up.

I'm a fighter person really, its my 3rd year now, but admit it guys in-spite of how strong we are, still we cant escape our sadness. So you guys, how do you entertain yourselves?

[ChrisEtc]

Hey!  I've been on about a year and a half, it's definitely depressing.  It seems the more it goes on people just kind of forget about you.  It's an isolating feeling.  I don't have any good advice because I struggle with what you're talking about but just wanted you to know that I identify with you and I know how you feel.  I think a lot of us go through this feeling that our lives are on hold, maybe forever.  For me I try to have something, anything, to look forward to every day even if it's just a nice meal or a cozy nap or a nice rainstorm.  Take pleasure in the simple things that people take for granted.

[Mr Pink]

As much as I don't like the idea of dialysis for five hours three times a week, I'm not depressed about it... although it is still early days for me. I take in a book to read when I go in, and have nailed three books in the first month, all of which I really enjoyed reading. I watch a bit of television, usually the news. And I chat to the nurses, some more than others. I've started re-reading all my uni books, in preparation for further study. I'm looking forward to lots of things.

I think the key to beating depression is to keep your mind busy with things that are productive. What I do find depressing is the sight of someone hooked up to a machine and just sitting there doing nothing. If that was me, i'd be depressed to. Buggar that. Read a book, or get a laptop and watch films, surf the net, do an on-line course. One of my nurses has even offered to teach me Chinese! I'm thinking about it! 

[ceb3370]

im using my left hand fistula, i really like to try on the things you do when you are hook up, but i can't move my left hand really,  my needles might leak,  so all i can use is my right hand, sometimes i just read newspaper, or i will just sleep through it.

[Grumpy-1]

Depression is part of the D game.  I think all of us have had bouts of it at some time.  So folks more than others.  I believe that most of us have been given anti-depression drugs at some point too.  I was, and I didn't like the results I was feeling, so I just and just rode it out.  For me, having friends around (that understand what I'm living with) helps.  I have a motorcycle group that I ride with and we will get together for rides or just to go out and eat dinner as a group at times - or to celebrate someones birthday.  That helps me.  I also have a wonderful family that (while at times don't understand completely) do what they can do for me.  So, I feel I'm lucky there.  However, the best way to combat depression is to go do something for someone else.   I read in another post where a lady's Dr had told her to go out and community service.  Nice idea.  If you can't do that, then post here, help someone else by lifting their spirits and mood.  Write an old Friend, call some one to check on them.  There are alot of ways to help someone else.  I do this without thinking about it. When I go to the clinic for labs or Dr visits, I talk to all the patients that are sitting in the waiting room for either their ride home or their turn in the clinic.  I'll ask them how they are doing. how the session was, how they are feeling. I will also talk to those folks sitting there waiting for a family member to finish up a session.   I'm sure some of them think I'm nuts, but the few that I've talked to more than once, seem to enjoy the conversation.        This I do during the Christmas holidays.  I play Santa at the request of friends and family.   So, I'll take Santa to the clinic and go around the session room yelling Merry Christmas and handing out candy canes.  (yes I know we shouldn't eat candy, but it is the holidays )    Try it you will find it works very well when you are feeling down.  Grumpy

[brenda seal]

The dialysis world needs more Grumpies !

[cdwbrooklyn]

Hey ceb3370,
 
I’m feeling you.  I’ve been on D for 14 years now and there were and still is times when I feel down.  Out of most of my friends expect two they have gotten married and had more children.  This is something I’ve wanted so badly although I have a grown daughter but I really wanted more kids way before I was diagnosis with renal failure.  It nearly broke my heart in two when I’ve realized that I will not have anymore children.  Sometimes, I look at other babies with tears in my eyes because I wish they were mind but than I start to think about my godchildren and it makes me smile again. Anyhoo, as the years went by I’ve learned to keep myself busy as it helps me from feeling down.  I’ve learned that there are some things you do not have control over.  I’ve learned to accept what is and what can’t happen won’t happen.

Now on the other hand, should I accidently get pregnant, it will be a miracle and I will rejoice in the Lord.  And, yes, I will keep my baby.  Okay let me stop dreaming back to you, my point is that in order to get out of this sadness mood, you have to find something you like to do that’s in limits of your physical fit.  Don’t let others get you down because they are living their life.  You can live your life as well.  Grumpy has some excellent advice.  You are not alone in this battle don’t let D win no matter how things may look.  You can have a life to.

[girlgeek]

I'm not on D, but I've coped with depression my entire adult life.  Two things get me through the bad days. 1. Huggling the cats, they seem to know when I'm not feeling well. 2. The simple acknowledgement that it's chemical and tomorrow will be better.  Tomorrow *will* be better, b/c it can't be worse.

--Aisha

[HSM]

Hey, I find that when I have a bad day, listening to my favourite music can pick my mood up. Watching a funny film of a comedy stand up show helps as well. You just have to find what works for you and do your best to manage the situation. I also think that keeping busy can stop me from falling back into depression. I wanted to get back into playing football (Soccer as Americans and Australians call it) recently so I asked people on Facebook and bingo, I now play every week on a Sunday morning. It gives me something to look forward to and is a great deal of fun. Get yourself into something you've always wanted to do and you'll feel so much better. I lost my job and my place when I was first on dialysis as I was 22 when it happened and it came out of the blue. But since then I've been rebuilding and I can take solace in the fact that my life is improving and some day very soon, I'll have it all back! Just never take "No" for an answer when you feel like giving up. Never give up! Please do message me if you have any questions, I'd love to help in any way. I've said it before to people, but I do mean it. I'd love to help anyone get from where I've been, to where I'm at now.