Outrunning depression

Abundanthope · Post by **Abundanthope** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 6:51 am

Does anyone feel this way?

I have been free from depression for a year and a half but I know I've been running to keep one step ahead of it by working two jobs, and staying constantly busy. If I wake up one day and don't have a job to go to, I start to panic. I do not ever want to have time to feel depressed again. Workaholism to avoid depression? Sounds like I traded one problem for another. I can't just go to the beach and relax. ANyone out there feel like I do?

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Thu Jun 25, 2009 8:38 am

Abundanthope

I have an extensive history of working way too much. I know now it was a way of, what I call, staying out of my head. It never worked and in fact made my depression worse because I would beat myself up for not being able to fix myself. I would be too busy with work that my personal like and family suffered. Again, I would beat myself up for that. Still do. You cannot trade one addiction for another. It adds to the anxiety. Hope this helps to know I have been in the same place.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Sun Jun 28, 2009 3:06 pm

Trading addictions is definately a way to cope. I do it too...I will trade doing nothing for over exercising, Organizing my room for control, ect. It's just another way of coping. I think that there is potential for this to be used in a positive way, and yes I can be wrong, when learning to behave differently or when learning new coping skills and feel unsure of ourselves and the people around us and their acceptance of us...people, including myself, will do whatever it takes to feel in control or safe in a situation. I have noticed that my obsessive tendancies do not disappear they just go from one thing to another. I love my job and put lots of work into that and then I get burned out and choose something else to focus on so that I don't let life get me down...but sometimes I need some support. I have been going through a difficult time with my depression right now...trying not to wear myself out with "doing things" and yet trying to keep busy so I don't focus negatively on things. So I understand what you mean about outrunning depression. I think that at one point I didn't feel like I was outrunning depression anymore. When life gets difficult I try to hang on to hope and yes sometimes I feel like depression is a chain around my neck. It's definately a good thing that I have all of you to work through some of the sadness and hurt even if it's just typing it out. I hope that I was not discouraging...I just wanted to be candid.