There is a lot going on right now. My depression has finally begun to lift. I completed my Intensive Outpatient Program this week and it felt like the right time even though I am anxious about leaving such a supportive environment. I also went back to work on a very part-time schedule last week, so that is another change. Luckily, I love where I work and who I work with. I had a great time and it felt good to be productive. Additionally, I am at the point of tapering my TMS (Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation) and will be requesting maintenance treatments from my insurance company. Due to my pattern over the past 3 years, maintenance TMS treatments will be vital to maintaining my health and hopefully stunting the possibility of a reoccurrence of the depression. My pattern over the past few years has been: major depressive episode for several months treated with medication and ECT (Electroconvulsive Therapy) followed by 6-7 months of being well which was then followed by the depressive cycle again. My current episode is the third within three years. My treaters and I want to break this cycle so I can live a healthier life.
While these are very positive things, it is also scary and overwhelming for me. I have been through a lot over the past several months and I am different. I must recognize that I am in a constant state of change, as most of us are, but with individual therapy, group therapy and just life, I have changed dramatically over the past few years. My ability to tolerate things is quite different and I feel overwhelmed by things that never did so before. I am trying to give myself a break and not be hard on myself in relation to when I feel overwhelmed about folding laundry, running an errand, or even sending an email. This is the hard part for me. I must find a way to give myself a break and allow things to fall into place. I also need to live life and while I know I am getting better I cannot have unrealistic expectations of the depression completely disappearing tomorrow. I need to take it easy on myself when it comes to the timing of my recovery. The next several weeks will be difficult but will also include positive moments which will turn to positive hours which will then turn to positive days, etc. I am open to this trajectory and constantly tell myself that this is a good thing.
Life is hard and life can be messy. My anxiety is sky high these days but I am trying to use my skills when I can. I am also trying to talk more to my husband about my feelings as they are happening. This helps with my connection to him and informs him of exactly what is happening in my head. This is not easy for me but I am trying. My life, right now, is a step forward and then a step back but this is a process and I hope as time goes on things will continue to positively progress.
Risa's Reality 