Depression, burnout, etc

[Piglet08]

Am waaay overdrawn. Not just work. Life in general. Of course it's shown in my work.

Am seeing a therapist, both as marriage counseling for some Issues, and for my own issues. I've put my own needs behind everyone else's for my whole life, and the last five years of increased stresses (no need to list 'em here, but they've been biggies) have just pulled me down.

I'm working on a Plan to restore my soul. I'm cutting back on work for a while, and cutting back on being Superhero to all my nearest and dearest and making it clear to them that they can't continue to use me like some emergency backup brain when they don't feel like using their own. I'm setting up a bit of time off the hamster wheel my life has been. Going to get more exercise, go back to school, etc. You know, live. Taking some time to reread my texts and refresh my mind on the science end of nursing, and some nature time to rebuild my nurturance. Looking for my joyful spirit; it's around here somewhere.

So who else has been through this, going past your limitations and dealing with consequences, and rebuilding? What did you do for your soul and how long did it take you to feel whole again?

[bigmona]

it sounds like you're doing all the right things for yourself...caring for others is hard enough and much more difficult when you're finding it hard to care for yourself. i can relate to what you're saying- it's been a rough year for me too, my dad died, i got laid off (hospital closed down), my subsequent job i was thrown into situations where i felt very unsafe, so i left that one and am starting anew elsewhere. therapy helps, but you have to keep working at it, and know that you are worth the effort you put into it.

[Soneshine]

I am currently working through many of the same emotions that you describe. Nursing is very taxing work in addition to your already so-called life! I am working on being more mindful of things in my everyday life. It takes a lot of patience and self-reminding. It's very easy to fall back into our normal patterns of thinking. I keep a private journal online and write in it as I feel I need it. At a miniumum, I practice deep breathing & try to go on a short walk daily.

I think that what you're doing sounds like a good plan! I think it's important to slow down in order to gain perspective over things in your life. Please know that you are not alone. Reading your email reminds me (and probably other people too), that there are other people out there going through this!! Please hang in there and breathe deep! Really, life is all about how you appraise it. You have more control than you think, it just takes daily reminding sometimes.

[teeituptom, BSN, RN]

get more exercise

drink more water

play more golf

works eveyrtime for me

[Sabby_NC]

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it sounds like you're doing all the right things for yourself...caring for others is hard enough and much more difficult when you're finding it hard to care for yourself. i can relate to what you're saying- it's been a rough year for me too, my dad died, i got laid off (hospital closed down), my subsequent job i was thrown into situations where i felt very unsafe, so i left that one and am starting anew elsewhere. therapy helps, but you have to keep working at it, and know that you are worth the effort you put into it.

Oh hon a lot of what you mentioned could be about me. YOU are doing the right thing by getting others to back off. I found out a long time ago it is ok to say NO to family members.

PM me if you want to chat.

Hang in there hon.

[Jo Dirt]

So who else has been through this, going past your limitations and dealing with consequences, and rebuilding? What did you do for your soul and how long did it take you to feel whole again?

Oh man, join the club. I don't know what "the old days" were like but I can't imagine it was anything like the stress we deal with today, and when you suffer from depression already (as I do) then add mounds of responsibilities it can lead to breakdowns. I even had a major mental breakdown and ran off and did some really stupid things I'll never be able to take back and make right again. Take care of yourself and don't let this happen to you. I can't give you any more advice because I haven't quite figured it out myself, yet.

But...

I have heard about(and have had some experience myself) the importance of alone time. Even 30 minutes a day. My alone time is usually spent sitting on the porch drinking a wine cooler and staring into space after the kids go to bed, maybe yours could better than how I choose to spend mine.

[deeDawntee, RN]

I didn't discover the power of prayer until I had reached my lowest point in my life. Ask for help from God or the angels or whoever/whatever makes sense to you. I promise your prayers will be answered. The spiritual awakening I received when I hit my bottom has been the biggest gift of my life. I know I am not alone anymore. I still am in therapy and still manage depression and other mental health issues. My life is truly a miracle. I shouldn't be doing what I am doing! I am very grateful. Add prayer to your recovery. It is OK to demand help. My prayer when I was soooo low, I could barely move was just "help me" over and over. It worked! I firmly believe that true recovery isn't possible without a spiritual awakening.

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