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Written by keller 6. Jun 2008 02:17 PM

Need to touch base and make sure I am not loosing my mind.
Went to DBT and got there late, I don’t like to be late. Almost as soon as I got there I could feel the developing migraine feeling, I don’t get them very often at all but knew it was coming.

So they did the first 5 “sharing” and then we had morning tea, heaps more time to get more anxious. After morning tea I went next and I just didn’t know what to say. I spoke about the idea that I am not as emotional now as I have been and about the fact that I felt I had lost all my anger and this was my coping style and as yet didn’t think I had much to replace it with and I was lost and feeling very dysfunctional. I spoke about the noise in my head and the stuff associated with that. I don’t quite know what else. They had my diary card for the last week and started to drill in on the times I was very high on not wanting to share and that I had done it anyway, this was the Tuesday with the psych – but whilst I had shared some of my thoughts I had held back as well – out of fear. They also noted another time (last Sunday) when I had scored high in not wanting to ask for help but that I had anyway. This was when we as a family went to the Swans game at the SCG and I spoke to hubby on the way there about the sort of help I would need, big events have become a source of anxiety for me. They all thought this was fantastic, but in my mind I felt less than enthusiastic. I thought of my psychologist as they were speaking saying don’t undermine or underrate the importance of these things the improvement, but what I feel I feel is the usual …well I had to do it, I should do it, its easy enough for everyone else what’s wrong with me, and no not an ounce of accepting their accolades came in.

I did not want any one on one time, and I did not want to talk to anyone, A guy in the group who I get on quite well with was leaving and he was interesting in chatting etc and I was not. He kept putting words in my mouth like you are really uncomfortable today, yes I said, you seem unwell, yes I said, can I do anything for you, no I said. At the end of the day and we said we would love to keep in touch and I said yes that would be nice. We swapped numbers and agreed to be in tough within the week. That was a nice moment, I sort of felt even in spite of all the crap I say and all the assistance I need, and that we are both here at DBT he still wanted to pursue a friendship. My confidence feels so down at the moment and what is it he gets from me, why does he like me, why didn’t he ask the others? I don’t think I am of any value just now.

Anyway DBT continued and my migraine continued and I got some pain relief from the nursing staff which dulled but did not abate it.

As I have being dong for a while now I went to bed pretty early and tried to calm my thoughts enough to sleep. They are dulled a little with medication but it takes some time. The things running through my mind are around this loss of anger, this loss of control or energy or assertiveness. It’s like I am getting stripped bare (figuratively speaking).
I am trying to work out what it is I am feeling and thinking. In regards to feeling it’s a bit of sadness (because there is just another thing tearing at my body and at my energy), shame (because I am feeling depressed and not like doing anything)

My sister rang last night and asked me how I was, I said I was OK….Yeh I know….but I added that this ear thing was giving me grief…and that’s as far as it went.
Hubby rang just a while ago and asked me if I was OK because I seemed a little depressed… I said I was bothered by not knowing about the ear thing, like if this is going to be the way things are then I had better get used to it, or if there was more intervention then bring it on and get it done! It’s hard being in the moment when the moment is always annoying. He asked me if there was anything he could do to make me feel better (and my thinking was a bullet in the head would fix everything) I didn’t say that, I told him I was going along OK, again think this is crap.

My head is all over the place as to what I should say and do, all I want to do is curl up in a ball and disappear but I will as usual get on with what is required of me what is needed of me.

The psychologist wants to go back to seeing me on a weekly basis, I sort of think it is the better thing to do, but will that break me out of this cycle of a really depressed mood, don’t know, will it give me more to think about, Yeh probably, will I use that thinking constructively or beat my self up over the things I don’t say? It’s a no win.

I thought about going away on my own for a while, yes when I am distressed this is what I do, I run away, but it’s so hard to do that now. I thought of going back into hospital but that would not do it for me either, there is still communication and effort required.

I don’t quite know what it is, its despair, and again this loneliness, I have people around me but I am alone, I have tried to communicate but I cant, it is sort of a distress when people are asking me stuff . Perhaps I should ring the DBT helpline, but I don’t know if those skills help at all when I am down like this. I wish I could just be angry about being flat/depressed. I recall writing to my psychologist a while ago, last year before going to hospital, about a similar mood adjustment but I was very angry, angry with her (and now I don’t get how I can ever think it has anything to do with her) angry at Pdoc (ditto, its not his fault) angry with Hubby because he didn’t understand, of course he understands but he cant be a mind reader and know what’s in my head if I don’t tell him. I miss my anger very much, and not having it makes me sad.

And now I am writing this because …well….I need to say what is happening….will it bring me relief or insight? Don’t know hasn’t yet. Best go and do stuff that I am required to do,

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Comments from the community:

Can I ask what DBT is? I assume the 'T' is therapy, but the B is really throwing me for a curve.

Written by Deleted_User, 6. Jun 2008 02:36 PM

Hi Liz,

Loss of anger... it's a very interesting thing. I think I've written about it in my diary entries occasionally. I used to be wracked with anger, it was what sustained me, consumed me for 30 years of my life. Then over the last 12 months of working with my psychologist and definitely after giving up the booze I realised a few months back that I didn't have any anger anymore (about the abuse) and I felt really empty, like I had a big hole in me and I didn't know what I could do to fill that hole. I was desolate with a big black hole. Lost and alone, just like you're feeling.

I spoke about it with my psychologist and she assured me that over time the emptiness of the hole would start to be filled with other things, and that I should picture the hole shrinking ever so slowly and that one day it would be so full that it would even start to sprout a flower (I told her it would have to be a gerbera). But at the time I didn't think the hole would ever shrink, let alone go away.

But guess what... I saw my psychologist yesterday and when she asked me about the hole I had to say that it had filled up. Very slowly (unnoticably even) over the last few months my hole did exactly what she said it would, it lessened and now it's not there anymore. I was sooo skeptical when she first started talking of "not having a hole".

I think (well for me anyway) it was actually a matter of learning to live without the anger that had been "me" for so many years. It took some getting used to, not having anger, not having drama, just being in the moment and actually realising I'm enjoying it. I'm enjoying my kids and my hubby more, life is going well and I've even stopped putting a "for now" at the end of that sentence. I actually expect that my life will be much better now. Sure I will still have good days and bad ones, but on the whole I expect a lot more "better" ones.

Time my friend... I think that's what you need to adjust to this new feeling of not having anger as part of your make up, who you are. Anger is a massive emotion and you've made a huge step in losing your anger, now you just have to wait for little things to fill in the hole. Patience is all I can tell you Liz, it really just takes a while to get used to not having it in your life anymore.

Thinking of you often.

Luv Karen xxx

Written by fly, 6. Jun 2008 03:48 PM

Hey LD,

DBT stands for Dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT)

And from Wikipedia this is what it is:

is a psychological method developed by Marsha M. Linehan to treat patients with borderline personality disorder. (BPD)[1] Research indicates its' application to also be effective in treating patients who represent varied symptoms and behaviors associated with spectrum mood disorders, including self-injury.[2] Key elements DBT practitioners emphasize include, behaviorist theory, dialectics, cognitive therapy, and, DBT's central component, mindfulness.

There are two essential parts of the treatment, and without either of these parts the therapy is not considered "DBT adherent."

An individual component in which the therapist and client discuss issues that come up during the week, recorded on diary cards and follow a treatment target hierarchy. Self-injurious and suicidal behaviors take first priority, followed by therapy interfering behaviors. Then there are quality of life issues and finally working towards improving one's life generally. During the individual therapy, the therapist and client work towards improving skill use. Often, skills group is discussed and obstacles to acting skillfully are addressed.
The group, which ordinarily meets once weekly for two to two-and-a-half hours, learns to use specific skills that are broken down into four modules: core mindfulness skills, emotion regulation skills, interpersonal effectiveness skills and distress tolerance skills.

So hope it helps you understand it.

It is a good programme for me, but my deflated mood is not helping at present.regards


Liz


Written by keller, 6. Jun 2008 05:37 PM


Fly/Karen,

You really get me. I say this in the nicest possible way, what you write is like oh thank god someone understands.

Had a bit of a ramble to my psych this afternoon and after i spoke to her and read from you I felt a little lighter.

Whilst she doesn’t talk about a hole to be filled, she talks about new skills to acquire. She spoke of a crab loosing its shell and being vulnerable until it grows a new one.

Both your analogy and that of the crab have lightened my load a little.

Thank you and always comment on my diaries please!!! I get so much from you and dont know why that is, I certainly don’t deserve it, but I am so grateful for it.

Take care and thank you


Liz
XX

Written by keller, 6. Jun 2008 05:41 PM

Oh Liz, thank you so much, you've just warmed my heart so much I am actually lost for words. I'm just so glad I can be a support for you and I'm relieved I don't put my foot in my mouth too often LOL!

I love the crab and the shell analogy too, they're such different representations, but in the end they really have exactly the same meaning don't they.

Have faith Liz, your shell will grow back, slowly but surely. And if I can be here for you while it grows it would be an honour as I think you are an amazing lady who also gives so much support to fellow deppies and your thoughts, words and wishes are always just so understanding and compassionate.

Take care,


Love Karen xxx

Written by fly, 6. Jun 2008 05:49 PM

The openness of how we can communicate and the genuine care and concern and appreciation on this site and forming of valuable relationships is why I come here at all, so thank you ladies....also, you did so well with an impending migraine to function at all Liz, they make one feel so spaced out and detached. That program sounds like bloody hard work... being lady of leisure..whoops hang on I ain't no lady no more!
The Fembot.

Written by maple, 6. Jun 2008 06:17 PM

Liz

I found your diary about the anger very interesting... i personally can not completely identify but reading Karen's comment helped me understand a bit more about anger in general...

I must admit I was a bit intimidated about making a comment on your diary as I felt in awe of Karen's entry and your response...

I did DBT... and seem to have a very different experience from you and Babz ... but I am glad it is helping you....

take care

rgds
cate

Written by cateblack, 8. Jun 2008 01:49 AM

Do not be intimidated Cate, Karen and I have a bit of a mutual support thing going on I think, you know it when someone gets what you probably dont get yourself. I really appreciate you reading my diaries and anything you ever want to comment on will be appreciated (as it has been to date./)

I write my diaries her to get perspective and support, and it works pretty well for me

Thanks mate, take care


Liz

Written by keller, 9. Jun 2008 01:49 PM