 UBBFriend: Email This Page to Someone! |
 Single Parents Online Chat Boards
 Fitness & Health
 depression
|
| next newest topic | next oldest topic |
| Author | Topic: depression |
|
ruby tuesday Member |
posted 04-27-2003 10:52 AM
  
Hi, i am 24 years old and have a seven year old son. Following an abusive relationship i have been suffering from depression for the last two and a half years. i was wondering if any one else suffers and could share how they cope while trying to raise a child. I have been on antidepressants for a year and a half now and try to eat right and exercise, but i am always constantly tired and down. I often have days when i go back to bed for the day. i guess i would just like to be able to chat with other people who are single parents and suffer from depression. Thankyou. |
|
Amanda Member |
posted 04-28-2003 02:13 AM
I've at least been through something similar. I know it sucks. You feel really guilty about what you must be putting your child through (which for whatever unexplainable reason isn't enough to get you over it...it's frustrating). Are you sure the meds aren't keeping you down? For me, exercise is, without a doubt, the best treatment. That's not to say that I have no problems, but they're a lot easier to deal with (still have panic attacks every now and then...but more like once every month or two instead of a couple times a week). Plus, no weird side effects from exercise. LOL Not that meds are useless...they did at least snap me out of depression enough that I could begin to figure out how to cope with it (not to mention identify something coming on before it gets to the point that I can't cope with it). I don't think you'll have any problems finding support here...there are a lot of great people who post!
|
|
shawn single dad |
posted 04-28-2003 08:47 AM
I agree with Amanda, exercise is the key. Commit yourself to a run 3 - 5 times per week. A good cardio workout gets your heart rate up and helps to detox your body by sweating. No matter how tired or down you are before a run, after a run you will be energized and ready to conquer the world, plus the long term benefits are numerous (low blood pressure, lean body, better sleep). Everyone has their best time to exercise, for me it is after a 30 minute rest after work, I then exercise for 30 - 60 minutes (or even longer some days). After that I have tremendous energy to cook, clean, and play with the kids, and then drop dead later of course! When my kids were younger (pre-school through about 4th grade) I would have them in after-school care and not pick them up until after I worked out, it didn't cost any extra to pick them up at 5:30 instead of 4:30. Now they are older (pre-teen/teen - God help me!) so it is fine to let them play at home while I run around the neighborhood. Some gyms have activity rooms for kids, so that is another option. The point is to get that blood a pumping, no excuses; it is important for everyone, but especially, doubly-so, if you are having depression and energy issues. I hope you don't stay on meds too long. I think meds are fine to help people out of a serious funk. But I believe they should only be a stop gap measure, with some exceptions of course. The real solution out of depression is exercise and involvement in life, and a place to vent your frustrations (friends, family, chat board, therapist). Good luck and God Bless!! |
All times are CT (US) | next newest topic | next oldest topic |
  |
|
Contact Us | Single Parents Online Network
© 2000-2007 Single Parents Online Network
Powered by: Ultimate Bulletin Board, Version 5.44a
Resources of Shared Experiences by Single Parents for Single Parents
© Infopop Corporation (formerly Madrona Park, Inc.), 1998 - 2000.