Depression and cycling

[trekchic]

I think there have been millions and millions of people who suffered/are suffering from depression who never really know. They just wait to "snap out of it" and never seek help. I have done that a lot in the past, knowing my "sadness" would pass. However, this time, I knew it wouldn't! I cried for 30 days straight. When I wasn't crying, I was MAAAAAAAAAAD! at the world, at God, at everyone! I knew I had a problem.

But my situation is different from the normal depression as it is linked to a "situation" of itself. I don't know how you move on past something when it affects you heart so deeply! I am going on 8 months......not crying anymore, but I still think about the situation every minute of every day. I know, without a doubt, that if the right "circumstance" happened, my depression would instantly be over! Does that make sense? Yes, you guessed it... I am nursing a broken heart!

Oh, well.......my heart goes out to everyone battling this monster like I am. It's not fun! The only time I am not in the depths of despair is when I am tremendously busy with sales calls or riding my bike. So, I ride as often as possible!

Just my situation.......I'm sure others suffer differently.

[grannydea]

I personally think depression has been around for years. It just now has a new name. Before it was "having the blues" or "heart ache" , "down in the dumps" or as some one said "having a nervous breakdown". Everyone would say "snap out of it" from lack of understanding that one just dosn't snap out of it. Now we have a better idea what it is and how to treat and deal with it.
Thank- you God for advancing modern medicine. We all experence it some time in our lives. Some for longer periods of time that requires meds to help. The big thing like you all have said one needs to acknowledge it, address it, and if need be get help from a professional. The only way it can be a weekness is if we let it be by not acepting it and dealing with it. So ladys Please if it is around for more than a couple of weeks is not getting better Please Please get some help.
Dea

[missliz]

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[trekchic]

I am thankful about this thread simply because it opened my eyes to how many people out there suffer from the same "affliction" I do. That is extremely comforting for me. I don't like the stigma that goes along with the illness, and it is a medical condition!, but seeking help shouldn't be a concern to anyone (just like "hey doc, it hurts when I do this"!)

I am just reporting in that I have been off the meds for a little over a month and have been a little miserable sometimes, a little melancholy sometimes and happy sometimes...when I am very sad, I cry my heart out; when I am not, I try to think on other things. Sometimes it helps, sometimes not. I will say that getting off to myself and praying or meditating or talking outloud to no one who can judge me......that's as good therapy as the $90 per hour I was doing before!

I am working on my depression daily, coping mechanisms and all! Thanks for letting me rant!

Kim in TN

[doctorfrau]

To Kim,

That's great. Hang in there! We each have to deal with our illnesses in the the way that is right for "us". Keep on pedaling!


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[missliz]

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[missliz]

My other comment on this- At LSU Dept of Psychiatry cycling is actively promoted as part of treatment, once people are stable and don't have any woozies. It really does work, there've been lots of studies both biologocal and in the purely emotional arena, that support this. Most people know how to ride a bike, it's a very accessable sport on all levels. Phenylethylamine is the joy molecule it makes; great stuff! So yeah, you are doing yourself a lot of good with that bike girls.

Treckchic- if you're still crying, that's not a good sign. For me it's a marker that I'm sick. Please think about talking to somebody. If you hated your Pdoc or the meds you used, there's other doctors, a whole new generation of anti depresants coming out, support groups, always more possibilities. I know it's exhausting and overwhelming to deal with but there's the day you suddenly realize "this is how the other people live, it's nice".

[doctorfrau]

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[Irulan]

I just want to check in and see how everyone is doing...

hugs

irulan

[betagirl]

Having crohn's disease, biking is definitely an outlet for me to burn off some frustrations, etc. I wouldn't consider myself depressed though. My biggest fear as this fun disease progresses is that one day my GI will tell me I can't ride any more. I'd probably tell him to stuff it I also have complications that lead me to have surgeries on my butt, which really makes riding hard. I had one last August and was out of the saddle until March.

I just keep peddaling though. I will ride until I'm physically unable to do so. Then I'll put in another 10 miles

[Biking Kitsune]

When I moved to Eugene, I went into a fairly severe depression because although I'd just gotten married, I was on depo provera which killed my libido (totally) and every time my husband would even touch me, I'd snap at him... beside that I had just left all my friends and family 2000 miles behind me. He was employed and I stayed at home trying to do a bit of art work etc, but it wasn't working for me... I would cry for hours and not be able to explain it to him... though he was a sweetie and tried his hardest to understand, giving me backrubs until I fell asleep, etc. In Jan. he got me a job with his company, and it helped, but I still felt the depression. Then we went to Good Will, and I got my first bike in my new home... a big, honkin' Huffy mtn. bike that must weigh 40 pounds... but it was my liberation. Now I ride in the mornings and to work, flying through the paved trails, working my endurance etc up to where I can really tackle other trails... Besides that, biking helps my husband get out, and the excercise is really helping him manage his diabetes... now if only I could get him to test his blood glucose as often as he should

[magrat22]

That's exactly how I felt Biking Kitsune, I moved 3 years ago to Canada from Ireland. Had just got married and 3 months later I was in a strange country that the only person I knew was my husband and his mother. I still miss my family and friends and some days I just hate that we had to move as I had a really good job and a great social life...but gradually things are getting better. I'm still trying to find a job that I like or at least doesn't make me cry everytime I think about going in. I've got a lovely little guinea pig who is such a character and hops up and down on my feet if he senses I'm down. I've also recently started biking although I unfortuanlty injured my knee 2 weeks ago so haven't been out on the bike since but hope to by the end of this week.

Anyway it's great to hear that I'm not the only one.

Kerri.

[MightyMitre]

magrat22 - LOVE your guinea pig!! What a sweetie! I've got 4 of my own and I find it very soothing stroking and talking to them when I'm down.

Pets are great - they're totally unjudgemental, won't answer back, and can take hours of stroking and grooming. All they ask for in return in their favourite snack.

Pets for all - that's what I say and if you don't have one of your own see if you can 'borrow' a friends every so often. It's good for you...

PS www.Caviesgalore.com has a great forum for all you guinea pig fans out there.

[magrat22]

Thanks MightyMitre they really are great pets. He's so funny as he really doesn't like being picked up but will fall asleep on my feet for hours (makes it difficult when I need to pee ) without a problem.

[Biking Kitsune]

Yeah, my husband got me a little tortie kitten a little bit ago, and she is SO much fun. =) If I'm just sitting around, she "knows" I should be up and doing things, that's just the way it is, so she nips my feet ro jumps on me, then runs to the doorway, stops to see if I'm chasing yet, and repeats if I'm not... Then she'll make a big show of fluffing out her tail and dancing around on her tiptoes to seem like some big furry monster. At that point in the 'game' I either have to tip her over and 'fight' with her, tickling her tummy while she nips and kicks (all with her little claws tucked) or she'll take it I'm 'hiding' so she has to chase *me* around the house. I never get to sit still anymore! The nice thing is, when she's tired, she'll curl up with me and sleep for hours... perfect kitty blend of hyper and cuddly.

She's my avatar, btw