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zyygh t1_j7aojj9 wrote

I don't have depression (not that I know of, at least) but I do have some pretty depressed episodes sometimes.

In those moments I try to cheer myself up by looking at all the good things I have, and at the things I love. On a particularly bad day, it all just does nothing to me. As if I wouldn't feel a single thing if it all disappeared right then and there.

So yeah, I can very clearly imagine depression making a person feel empty during such a moment where they know they're supposed to feel happy.

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concatenated_string t1_j7b3kur wrote

There has been nothing so life-altering and perception-bending to me than going through severe anhedonia when psychotically depressed.

I could finally (and truly) understand why so many severely depressed people take their own life.

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The_Lonely_lurker t1_j7bm3zc wrote

How did you get through the anhedonia?

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concatenated_string t1_j7btoqq wrote

SSRI’s, cognitive behavioral therapy, learning how to do mindfulness meditation and a lot of time and working on my mental health. Took about ~2 years to recover. I will be in therapy for the rest of my life. I still struggle sometimes but I have the tools and support I need to reorient and recover when I start falling.

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The_Lonely_lurker t1_j7bvt6q wrote

Interesting to see SSRIs on the list. I know someone struggling with this and they saw it get worse when their SSRIs were increased. Glad to hear you're in a much better spot

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concatenated_string t1_j7bx9ja wrote

I was on SSRI’s to get through the major episode, about 1.5 years to stabilize and then I went off them in order to feel “normal” again.

Oddly enough, SSRI’s would make me rage the fuck out every now and again. Never in my life have I experienced rage the way that I did on SSRI’s.

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The_Lonely_lurker t1_j7byoj1 wrote

Interesting. The person I know has been on SSRIs for years and years (unmonitored as they stopped seeing psychiatrist but the prescription just kept getting renewed without checking in). They just recently had a major episode so they upped it but the anhedonia they have been feeling for years is getting worse. The good thing is therapy/psychiatrist is now a weekly thing. So hopefully as with you the SSRIs can move them through this episode but they can be adjusted downward in time to help with the lack of emotions

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