Re: New And Trying To Learn To Cope/ R.

December 31, 2010

, how awful! I deal with chronic pain and have had horrible episodes of

depression and anxiety. I found that breaking up the day into small periods of

time helped me manage. I focused only on the time period. I get up every morning

and decide on an activity for the day. Even if it something simple. If I do not

do that I will go back to bed and hide under the covers.

Do you take any medication? Have you ever been on a mood stabilizer? I take

Lamictal. It has really helped me cope better.

Another thing I do is try to recognize when my mood is dipping. I monitor my

thoughts for negativity. My therapist once told me that

my hopeless feelings were the depression talking. Now I tell myself that when I

feel emotionally off. I try to step back and look at the bigger picture.

Something else that might help is doing some relaxation exercises or gentle

stretching. Even walking if you are able is helpful.

I am glad you joined us. It helps to know that you are not the only one

struggling.

Gentle hugs, Tami

--- R. wrote:

>

> While I don't have a traditional pain condition, I am in severe pain - mental

and physical. I was given Xanax years ago and I was allergic to it and it caused

severe damage to my brain and nervous system. It causes dozens of physical and

mental symptoms, such as feeling insane 24/7.

>

> It keeps coming back in episodes. Then in 2007, it came and has stayed. I was

going days with no sleep, so 5 months ago I took two tiny doses of Doxepin and

stopped because it felt terrible. Now I have dozens of new symptoms on top of

everything else.

>

> The following is why I am joined this group: my therapist says I need to learn

how to cope with 24/7 disability. I walk and pace much of the day, can't read,

watch TV, hardly talk to my wife, and spend most of my day in a chair in the

bedroom or walking.

>

> How do you keep going when every days is hell and there is only slight hope of

recovery? How do you carry the disability and keep going?

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