Do you ever feel like you are trapped in a "hole" of depression?

@RolandKi Hello RolandKi, I'm sorry to hear you're feeling so down. I think many of us can understand that feeling of being in a "funk" we can't seem to shake. Let me tag some members who can maybe share some advice with you.

Hello all, how are you today? Have you ever felt like you're trapped in a "hole" of depression you can't seem to get out of? What did you do to overcome it? Do you have any advice or coping techniques to share with RolandKi?
@Kully60‍ @Joseph1779‍ @sarahtuh‍ @CJames‍ @Vickyrichardsbrum‍ @Raindrops‍ @Tigger.co.uk‍ @Cathy45‍ @LeeBee‍ @yo-yoing‍ @Bubblesrolo16‍ @DorotaS‍ @Jonolco‍ @Janais‍ @Coco_C‍ @Dalrossi‍ @Minpeblib‍ @Halfpint70‍ 

Take care,
Courtney

RolandKi, I know how you feel but not why.

It makes a big difference to the advice you get depending on the reason you are so down.

So that being said, I can only offer generalities.

You do have to try writing out two lists, one of the things you can influence and one of the things you cannot influence.

The list of things you cannot influence screw up and burn.

The list of things you can influence you can put in order, with the most easily influenced at the top. Then you set about working out how you can influence whatever it is, come up with three or four things you could do and try one, if that doesn't give you the desired outcome, try the next, you will eventually hit the right one.

Once you solve that first problem, move onto the next and so on. Believe it or not, that first one, although the easiest, will prove to be the hardest to solve. After each success winning will be easier to achieve.

That's about all I can offer as advice but, remember this, you are never alone everyone who reads your post will be pulling and praying for you to succeed.

Stay safe friend, you can do this. 

Hello RolandKi, I am mainly house bound at 50 yet fit and able, lets just say trauma. Anyway I got rid of my TV as it made me depressed then I chose creating my own zone with what makes me happy music hobbies and the like it works if you try, :)  

@RolandKi I understand this feeling very well. Sometimes my depression makes me feel so lost and alone. Like LeeBee said, I try to throw myself into things I love and I know make me happy. I'll listen to my favourite music or throw on one my my favourite classic films. Or sometimes I'll ring an old friend or a family member I haven't seen in some time just to chat. I don't necessarily bring up my depression, but just talking to them and hearing their news is enough of a distraction and makes me feel better. I hope you're doing better. 

I confess I am under the care of the South Gloucestershire Mental health team and to me they are very good. Every two weeks I get a phone call from a nurse to see how I am and occasionally a doctor will call me infact a doctor is calling me next week for a chat. But my problem is is that no matter how much I chat my black dog never goes away, he is always there sitting on my shoulder ready and willing to give me a good kicking when I am down. Sometimes when I get a call, even though I am in my mid seventies I blub like a child and I feel ashamed, I can be either on the ceiling or deep in a hole and sometimes it terrifies me. I guess this is why, sometimes, I like to open up to people on here because I know that you will understand where I am coming from. Don't get me wrong mind I have a good understanding wife but sometimes, I do use that word a lot dont I, i drive her to destraction, she certainly has a lot to put up with me. I wish oh how I wish that I was not like the way I am i wish that I was, more, can I say this please, I wish that I was more normal, but I am not, for the last forty or fifty years i have needed help. I wish, I wish I wish.