Seasonal breakdowns
I've noticed that around this time of year, usually between February and April (but it came a little early this year), I have major depressive episodes lasting for weeks at a time. Sometimes there's a trigger, and sometimes I can't tell what triggered it. How can I prepare myself for this in the future? How can I help myself?
@IndigoNight I don't know to be honest. And as unhelpful as that is, sometimes we cannot control our prepare ourselves for our feelings. As much as we want to stop or end depressive episodes, sometimes we can't help it. You say that sometimes there's a trigger, what is it exactly? I am no therpaist and more importantly, I am not you so I do not know why you feel the way you do. But I hope you learn to be okay with the depressive episodes in the sense you realize that it's okay to be depressed and that your feelings are a guide sometimes. Sometimes we get depressed because we feel misunderstood or lonely, there are many reasons but our depression is somewhat like a cry of help to ourselves. A sign for ourselves to care for the one hurting inside and it is going to be a journey and might feel impossible at times when one is not motivated, but sometimes our darkest moments can be our greatest teachers.
@luxx454
That's very true that dark times can help us learn. For me, it helps me to realize what is and isn't worth upsetting myself over once I can step back and look on the situation after the fact. In the past, triggers have been incidents with friends, which does cause a spiral of loneliness for me. I already seclude myself pretty badly, but then when the friends that I do have and trust do something to hurt the friendship, I take it very hard. I think what is most difficult for me is the dramatic shift of moods. Christmas time is always so happy for me, and the spring semester seems to be much better than the fall semester, but then after I get off that high and immediately fall into a pit like this, it's really hard to cope with.
@IndigoNight I appreicate how you can see that even the dark times can have a valuable lesson. And if your close friends betray your trust, that is hurtful and can make you question your own worth as it made me feel many times. But I am slowly learning to not associate my value with how others treat me and it's not easy but necessary. And it seems the drastic change of moods from happiness to this sadness and isolation is what you consider the hardest to deal with and it is painful to be so happy and then lose it. But all of us will go through these times and have been lonely, hurt, and disappointed. This is what can connect us as humans and if you feel lonely, look around and it can widen our perspective to help another human being since we are all going through our own struggles. At least that helps me, but just remember these seasonal mood swings are not permanent and are not guranteed to continue in the future
