Feeling Down - Katy,TX

I went thru the same thing about that age. I found out that I was in the first stages of "THE CHANGE".....yea, that's right.....Going thru the change at 36...I could not believe it. The doc told me that I could start taking hormones, but I didn't want to do that, so I found an herbal med over the counter that helped me a whole lot. I don't remember the name, but it's very popular and is availabel at any drug store or walmart. Just stay calm, and get you some of that herbal medicine and you will be back to normal.

I would suggest having your thyroid levels checked. If your thyroid is underactive, it can be a cause of depression. Depression knows no reason a lot of times. I have often heard "What do you have to be depressed about?" I know that in reality there is no reason. I have 2 healthy beautiful kids, I have a loving husband, my own home etc. But what i have found that works for me is a combination of things. Exercise is a good start., definetly keep that up. Get the throid levels checked. Also ask your doctor to recomend a therapist for you. They can help you work through the dark to see the light again. The good news is that there is hope.It will take work, but if you are willing to do the work which it sounds like you are, then you are on the right path towards recovery.

Good luck and keep us updated

A.,

I don't know the answer to your question. Therapy might be a good idea to help you through.

I do feel we Mom's can go through slumps. It's hard constantly taking care of everyone else. After awhile we can forget about ourselves, or even what it is we desire. Try sitting down and making a list of what you would like to do for yourself. Then choose something you can fit into your schedule, and go for.

Mom, Just wondering have you been bk to the Dr who administered the meds, I assume anti-depressants, to let he or she know how your are doing? If not, I would make an appt. soon They may need to increase the dose or even have you try another type of anti-dep. Often people have to try a few to find what is best for them. Your husband is right about the exercise and getting out to do stuff every day. You have to force yourself even on the down days, I would recommend at least 30 min for 5 days a wk . Exercising daily outdoors in the fresh air and sunlight will improve your mood. A brisk walk or jog will help too. If you can do it with a friend or spouse, even better because you are less likely to back out. In the hot weather or inclemite weather treadmilling or stationary biking at a fairly fast pace is best. Also when you get up each day continue with your regular rountine of getting up, shower, get dressed, do makeup if that is part of your routine, you will feel better. Wondered too if you have seen a psychologist too? It would benefit you to learn some coping methods along with and deep breathing with positive visualization techniques. Doing them daily that will really benefit you. Mom, you can conquer this do it for your family if you don't feel like doing it for yourself. Things will get better. Hugs 2U

The times I have gone through depressing moments or seasons were when we had moved. Having to go through all of our stuff, especially stuff that we didn't need was like having to face up to my 3 worst faults: 1) procrastinating (not wanting to go through the stuff over the years) 2) unorganization (so we have junk stuffed everywhere) and 3) my dislike of change. It is really hard for me and we have moved 9 times since we have been married. So I don't know if your move has been hard, even though it is a good move. Even good moves are hard.

The best thing that got me away from being so self-focused was to get involved at our church and at my kids' school. You can find any number of volunteer activities that allow you to put your focus on helping others. There is nothing that brings you more joy so quickly than when you are helping others. It is a natural boost.

And exercise gets those endorphins going. Go for a walk and spend the time reflecting on your blessings. We all have too many to count. Your kids especially must bring a smile to your face. Go first thing when you wake up. You can even take your kids with you. Are they bicycling age?

Also, give yourself a project in your new home. That will also take your mind off the depressing thoughts. Do you want to add shelves in the closets or shelf paper to the shelves that are already there? Do you need to sort through a junk drawer and keep only what might be needed?

Enjoy!

A.,

If you're on medication for depression, it should be working. If it's not, maybe you need to increase your dosage. After losing a late term baby, I took medication (prozac) for depression. I was feeling exactly what you are describing. After only a month, I felt better. At my doctors recommendation, I continued to take it for another month and started having all the pre-med feelings again so I asked my doctor about it and he said I needed to increase my meds. I chose not to increase the meds and stopped taking it. The symptoms went away and I've not had any problem since.

I suppose I just needed them to get through a very rough time. I think anything long term would have made my condition worse, as I had a hard time getting upset or emotional about anything when I was using the medication. I think normal emotions are healthy and I just felt like I wasn't able to feel anything on them.

Another thing, have you had your thyroid checked? If you have low thyroid, this could be contributing to your condition. Low thyroid is often tiimes mistaken for depression. If you haven't already, you may want to see about getting some blood work done to rule it out.

I'm glad you are on top of this. Depression is a serious condition and we need to be the best we can be not only for ourselves, but for our familiy as well.

Godspeed.

You need to go back to your dr. and tell him/her that you are still feeling a little bit depressed. You might need another antidepressant to take along with the one, you are currently taking.

I have Bipolar, and taking 2 antidepressants + my Lamictal. Good Luck & take care.

Might be a vitamin B or Vitamin D deficiency. I too have had situational depression and have tried several types of medication to relieve the symptoms. Some of them made me tired killed my sex drive and made me less interested in things that should have mattered. I learned that vitamin deficiencies especially Vitamin B and D can cause depression. I take these two supplements daily in an isotonic form, which simply means that it is liquid and 90-95% absorbable compare to pill form which is about 30% absorbable. Check your levels with blood work or just start taking these supplements and see if you feel better. You can find them at http://www.visionary-wellness.com under the products tab. Also try yoga it helped me find a calm inner peace. Good Luck!!

it sounds like you never got out of it in the first place. wonder if you could go see a therapist. perhaps someone at church could help you. if i were your personal friend i would make you watch viedos of ppl that are really struggeling and it really makes me greatful for what i have. crule but it shocks me to reality again. but i think your having more than just the ho hums and pitty party. it sounds like depression.

That happened to me but it had nothing to do with age. At my annual physical when I was 38 I was diagnosed with hypo-thyroidism. I'm no doc but it's worth getting it checked.

Change your situation or one thing in your daily routine. Do something out of the ordinary. I know people who got married really early and then had kids and felt they missed out on something in their life. See if you can do one thing you have always wanted to do. IT might get you energized. If the idea of getting old has hit you, then doing this one thing might make you feel less old. I would stay off the meds.

I know you may be depressed, but take this for what it is worth. I have three aunts taking chemo, my uncle was just buried last Saturday from a short battle with cancer. I am sure my aunts would be happy if all they had to do was worry about reaching 36. There are probably many people laying in M.D. Anderson that would love to take your ploace. What I am trying to say is give thanks to God that you did make it to 36 and be happy. Get out, volunteer your time if you can and be thankful.

Yes. If the meds worked for you then try them again. If you can do it naturally try that as well. Especially when you stop exercising, doing fun things and just sleeping, it will only increase the depression. Hope you get to feeling better soon.

Go back to your doctor. Take your meds and walk, walk, walk. Been there and that got me over it.

Im not a believer that meds for depression is always the answer.....but that is just me to be afraid to take them. I am sure that sometimes it is good to get a boost and then not rely on them anymore...if you can.

Sometimes we get caught in doing the same ol things every day and we loose track of ourselves and what we are doing or what we like. Exercising is always something people tell me that will get me to be energized and feel good about myself...but what about finding a fun hobby or just girls night out that you can look forward too that is not just about kids and family. Getting a massage, pedicure, pampering yourself. Going to a movie and lunch with a friend. Just having adult conversations and joy in your life outside responsibility. That really helps me out of my slumps.

If all else fails, having a counslor can do wonders for a women's soul.

Yes hun u r depressed again. I still go thru some depressions every now and then and I used to get a fix by going to a happy hour w some girls. But after a while that didn't seem that much appealing either. So being that I am a stay home mom, I decided to start discovering houston and surrounding cities by visiting 30 parks! I did, it was quite interesting and very neat learning its history. That faded out about a month ago and now I am into crafts. Just find something that can keep ur mind busy at all times. Switch ur interests so that u don't get bored. It works for me bc I don't have the time to even think about my problem. I hope this helped some.