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Racoon hunt

A page in the diary "Good mourning!"
Written by Luise 26. Jul 2007 08:05 AM

Hi diary and everybody out there,

the highlight of the day: I went to the park (which is pretty close to be called "forest") and sat on a bench under the trees writing, as an animal sneaked along! Not a cat, not a dog, not a deer, not a bambi, not a rabbit, not a turtle, not a giraffe, not a marten, not a wild pig, not a leopard...it was a racooooooooon!!!!!!

I didn't know we have racoons in Germany, and I never have seen one in real, not even in my beloved zoo. So these animals are quite exotic for me. I even asked my canadian at that time to show me a real canadian racoon (aside from moose and skunks) as we don't have them in germany. Thought I.

I just let all my stuff at the bench and followed the racoon, armed with my camera phone to shoot a proof, cross-country through the underbrush - what the hell is this animal, I thought? Looks like a fat brown cat with a long striped tail and a peaked nose. Can't be a racoon, I thought - we don't have them here, or do we? Maybe it's an anteater? (we haven't them either.)

Anyway, I stumbled through the shrubbery, hunting the racoon with my cell phone. He (A discreet glance at certain body parts told me that it was a HIM) was pretty gentle - he let me approach until the distance of a meter. Then he looked at me, showed his teeth smiling and bounced away, some meters forward. I never cought up completely, but I had some close looks in his cute face!

Following this animal I forgot about myself - I enjoyed so much crawling through the forest, looking at a wild animal that I never had seen before. It was like a godsent little delight, just for me.

Today I have started taking an antidepressant - Zoloft. Until now the only side effect I have is being scared shitless of side effects. Aside from this I had a good day. I have planned a strict self-pampering program to create a balance to the meds:

- get as much fresh air as I can
- eat well and exercise almost every day
- meet friends
- fill my day with pleasant activities
- do the CBT homework every day.
- do my best at work with the most possible pleasure.
- do something to relax (yoga)
- go for a walk if I feel anxious.

This morning I hypnotized the first pill for half an hour before I took it. Reason for my fear is one very bad (and thank god short) experience with another SSRI two years ago. But with my "healthy living plan" and with all I know now, with the CBT techniques and with the spark of hope I dont lose, I will cope. And maybe, if I'm lucky, nothing happens - except that I feel better.

Cross your fingers!!!!!

(Please no comments about terrible side effects. It would drive me nuts.)

Love to you all. I have been thinking of you and I'm feeling with you even if I haven't been so present on depnet for the last few weeks, and even though I don't always write comments.

Luise

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Comments from the community:

Hey Luise

What a wonderful diary entry!! I didn't know that racoons existed in Germany...are you sure it was a racoon?? Did you get any photos?? I love your story about tracking it - that's the sort of stuff that I love doing aswell!!

I hope the meds work ok for you. Your whole strategy and coping plan sounds really great. I always find your diaries inspiring.

Sending you heaps of love.

Kimberly
xoxo

Written by Wolveress, 26. Jul 2007 01:53 PM

Luise

Didn't know about raccoons in Germany either. Sounds like it was fun for you trying to get a happy snap of him. Hope you got some.

Sorry you have had troubles with your meds previously - hypnotising them is something I have never heard of until reading this great diary. Meds are to help you and most of them don't have side effects but as you know they can cause some side effects. Think positively and you won't get the side effects.

Happy Raccoon snapping!!!

Go Luise!!!

Studying1

Written by studying1, 26. Jul 2007 05:23 PM

Think beaver..not raccoon..though I am unsure.

Written by Deleted_User, 27. Jul 2007 04:25 PM