for Left Coast2020

i felt bad about locking this thread in health, but we really felt this forum was more appropriate. since lc hasn't posted here, i thought i would repost for them.

Just wondering about mental health stuff

This discussion thread was locked as off-topic by mopinko (a host of the Health group).
I have been having an extreamly difficult time--like many others. Fighting to keep from being homeless. Hired for job but pulled back on hiring. Place where I have been staying, the person I stay with treats me with no respect. Have had thoughts of giving up. But may be meeting with person tomorrow from a church (sunday) who may offer a roof over head till I can recoup from depressive state. I have a personality, but its been zapped. I don't want to give up. I want to win this battle, and I might. But I will know tomorrow. I'm here because I'm a people person. Love people and friends. Need all the friends I can get--especially now. Can't believe this is happening to me. I'm not a religious person, but I have been looking to something to get me out of this mental hell. I want to be around people who care--not a-holes who are selfish and could give a damn about other peoples struggles. And I also saw something recently about something we have in brain that if lacking, self worth thoughts decline. Its a fluid/cell of some kind. It makes me wonder a little. But the bottom line is I have felt menatlly robbed. And the feeling in stomach is awful. Does this all make sense in a mental health situation?

riverbendviewgal (476 posts)
1. Don't give up

Be in "the now". We all have our low times. I hope that your friend from church will help you tomorrow.
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Response to Left Coast2020 (Original post)Sun Jun 10, 2012, 01:06 AM
elleng (31,355 posts)
1. Many here want to help.

Check the 'Mental Health Support' group.

Thanks, dear friends, for the hearts. HAPPY VALENTINES DAYS!!!
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Response to Left Coast2020 (Original post)Sun Jun 10, 2012, 01:06 AM
SoutherDem (1,051 posts)
1. I am not a psychologist

But I would say yes. I have been to a psychologist before, and they really help. Some areas have help based on you income. Others treat mental health issues under life and limb laws.

But DO NOT GIVE UP!

For myself religion is not the answer. But, it is for many. I would encourage you to both explore the church and seek professional assistance.

But, DO NOT GIVE UP!

Good luck to you and you will be in my thoughts.
I contend that we are both atheists. I just believe in one fewer god than you do. When you understand why you dismiss all the other possible gods, you will understand why I dismiss yours
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Response to SoutherDem (Reply #1)Sun Jun 10, 2012, 01:19 AM
lunasun (1,937 posts)
4. I think all those things are good advice for you and hang in there!

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Response to Left Coast2020 (Original post)Sun Jun 10, 2012, 02:28 AM
ErikJ (901 posts)
5. What about volunteering for small biz?

Or working for half price. There are lots of very small "hole in the wall" businesses that are barely making it and cant afford even minimum wage worker(s). You help them they help you. Then after a while they might give you full pay and /or good reference. Might be worth a try.
Forgive me for noting that conservatives seem to believe that the rich will work harder if we give them more, and the poor will work harder if we give them less. -EJ Dionne
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Response to Left Coast2020 (Original post)Sun Jun 10, 2012, 03:32 AM
JDPriestly (31,625 posts)
6. Try to find help. A pastor or religious social worker might help.

But I would advise you to seek help from a mainstream kind of church if you go that route. You want to get help from people who are sensible and have their feet on the ground and can be trusted.

One thing that helps to get us out of depression is physical activity. Exercise.

I have heard that running can actually cause your brain to produce some of the things it needs to make you feel happy. If you can't run, try walking.

Make sure you have enough food. A qualified pastor or social worker or psychologist can probably help you find food.

Remember. When you are in need and you seek and accept help, you help the person you think is helping you.

You are not alone. And other people need you just as much as you need them. We are all, essentially, social creatures.

So reach out to someone else. Smile and be kind even if you feel worthless. You aren't worthless. Your mind is just fooling you into thinking you are.

I wish you well.
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Response to Left Coast2020 (Original post)Sun Jun 10, 2012, 03:57 AM
Fridays Child (22,921 posts)
7. Keep reaching out.

Everything you've said makes sense, and you are not alone in your struggle.
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Response to Left Coast2020 (Original post)Sun Jun 10, 2012, 06:34 AM
ejpoeta (8,308 posts)
8. I am sorry you are going through this. I have been dealing with depression for

years now myself. I was so bad once that I became despondent and gave all my stuff away. Even when that vicious cycle seems it can't get worse we don't really want to end it. We search for ways to get ourselves out of the darkness. It makes it harder when things like job, roommates, etc just keep pulling you down everytime you try to get up. Don't let it win. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Even if it is only a tiny glimmer right now, it is there.

As others here have said, physical activity helps. I have always found that to be true. Even though it is hard to make yourself do it, you feel better after you do. Just keep moving. That is how you can get through this. Get up every day and get dressed and KEEP GOING. Keep moving. It will pass. Find help....

I don't know what your skill set is, but be open to jobs you might not have been considering before. It's good that you are trying to find another place to live. You need to have some place free of the stress. Make sure to try to do something for yourself as well. If you can find solace in a church, then do it. Be careful though which one you get involved in. There are good ones out there. And good people.

And seek professional help. I go to the Mental Health clinic in my county. They operate on a sliding scale. They have doctors there to prescribe antidepressants and such as well. Don't give up. I know it can feel hopeless at times, but there is hope. If you were near me I could try to help you. You are not alone. I think the feeling of loneliness is one of the worst feelings there is. I have felt that darkness. I ended up in the hospital. I thought no one really wanted me around.

That is how it tricks you. It makes you believe it's lies. I like to say I have a logical side and then the darkness. Usually the logical side is bigger and knows better... but as things snowball, that darkness is waiting there for it's moment and becomes bigger. That logical side is still there, but harder to stop the voice telling you you are worthless and no good. But you are. You have to remind yourself of that. Tell yourself that. Think about the good things you have. Think about your loved ones.

You are not alone. I have a notebook full of darkness I had during that time before I went in the hospital to remind myself. I don't ever want to go back to that place again. It sucks. But you can get through it. Just keep moving. Just keep fighting. If you need to talk, feel free to pm me.
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Response to Left Coast2020 (Original post)Sun Jun 10, 2012, 10:01 AM
mzteris (15,387 posts)
9. There is a

mental health group on DU: http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1151

Definitely sounds like you need mental health intervention. Yes, depression might be "brought on by" events in your life, the chemical imbalance makes a serious difference. You are NOT mentally defective. You are NOT weak. You are NOT bad. You may need medication to stabilize you so you can cope with your situtation.

Religion is not going to help - in fact it can make you feel worse about yourself and your "failures" - or worse - you could become addicted to the ritual, though if you're lucky, you might find a truly kind person who wants to help you out of real compassion.

Seek a mental health professional as soon as possible. Many public health/free clinics do offer these services if you don't have health insurance.
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Response to Left Coast2020 (Original post)Sun Jun 10, 2012, 11:21 AM
Warpy (63,407 posts)
10. Some mental illness has been described as a rational response

to a completely irrational life situation. Examples would be depression, chronic anxiety, PTSD, and a lot of other dysphoric illnesses that can seem as crippling as the life situation.

I tend to agree with this. I think the people who are giddily happy while the world is falling down around them are the truly sick ones because they obviously have little grip on reality.

What turns this rational response into an illness is when it persists after the world rights itself again, after a rotten economy improves, after we flee a violent spouse, after the war is over. That's when it needs treatment.

I know what you're feeling. I felt it myself for a number of years every time my health would crap out and send me into poverty and hopelessness again. Just know you're not alone in this.

It doesn't help much while you're in the middle of it, but just know that you don't suck. The economy does.

Capitalism is the extraordinary belief that the nastiest of men for the nastiest of motives will somehow work for the benefit of all. - John Maynard Keynes
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Response to Left Coast2020 (Original post)Sun Jun 10, 2012, 12:50 PM
mopinko (38,183 posts)
11. even tho there isn't really a line between mental health and physical health,

you will get much better info and support if you repost in the mental health support group. if i could just move this thread for you, i would, but the software does not support that.
folks there are both very supportive and very knowledgable.

best of luck fighting this invisible illness. it is very difficult.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=forum&id=1151