Cabin fever

[alvaa]

So, I've been sick for 2 days now and it's been cold outside and dreary. I am finally feeling better, but I am so depressed, stuck in my small house. I hate being here in the first place. This is the property my mom lived on and I took care of her. I hate coming home in the first place, but to be stuck here is even worse. I don't have anyone which makes it worse. I will get my daughter tonight (she's 9) and that helps a lot, but how much? Do any of you have any suggestions to making things better?

[CRSeaside]

I like to listen to radio shows like Story Shorts & This American Life.
A friend is in a situation like yours & she began putting things together for charity.  Took photos of furniture she'd like to sell. Getting rid of stale energy.

[alvaa]

My problem is that when I am shut in I tend to spend money online. That gets me in trouble real quick. I am back at work today. I was dreading it with all of the stress but I would take it over being sick and shut in anyday.

[lesweet1971]

Do you have a history of depression & do you take anti depressants?  Do you take vitamin supplements?  If not, here are some suggestions (I live in indiana & know all too well abt cabin fever this winter ugh)!  Anyway, my suggestions: (See a Dr ASAP if it's unbearable). Otherwise:

-Vitamin D3 2000 (minimum)
-multi vitamin
-calcium/magnesium supplement
-Fish Oil 2000
(Get a good brand like Nature Made)
-Get a light therapy light and sit in front of it every morning for 45 minutes.

Sending you all the best!  

[alvaa]

I do have a therapist and I have been diagnosed with Panic disorder and depression. This winter has been much harder because my mom died in June. I have always had a hard time during the winter months (especially from January through March). I take Cymbalta 60Mg a day and Xanax 0.5 as needed. I just need it to be April quick! This winter has been brutal! I do not take vitamins but am willing to try/ I have heard great things about the light therapy though. I may get one when I get my taxes back.

Thank you.

[lesweet1971]

First of all, I am so sorry about your mother. I'm glad you're in therapy. Try the vitamins. They may seem expensive but the bottles last awhile. Get a pill container and put all your meds and vitamins in them and take them when you normally take your Cymbalta. I'm in a pickle myself right now too. I took Cymbalta for 5.5 yrs. I noticed last yr I thought it might be pooping out a little (my anxiety/depression was still managed) but I started worrying abt my health bc of a few minor health issues I had last year. I was googling WAY too much :-/ I was in therapy but frankly, looking back, I wasn't really doing my homework. So instead I happily went to my psychiatrist in early January & said I thought my Cymbalta might be pooping out just a little. I was comfortable to try switching meds. They put me on Zoloft. After 4 weeks, I started having horrible panic attacks which then made me depressed. It put me in a "breakdown" that I'm now coming out of. They stopped the Zoloft and I went on 3G Cymbalta for a week and am now 1 week & 4 days into the full dose of 60mg. I'm having mostly good days but it's still a bit if a mental roller coaster at times. When I have the "steps back", my mind immediately goes into bad thoughts like OMG what if the Cymbalta isn't working for me, what if I never never recover blah blah.. Those nasty, rotten thoughts that ARENT true but feel so real & are defeating. I told my husband I need constant reassurance like a beaten dog lol :-/ I will neverrrrr mess with med changes again unless absolutely necessary!!!

I take .25 Xanax as needed too. I've also been hopping on the treadmill or walking around our block when it feels bad. This REALLY helps. I didn't exercise before this and now I'm exercising like Forrest Gump- no stopping me when I get anxious. I guess that adrenaline is good for something?! lol.

I HEAR YOU LOUD & CLEAR on April/Spring getting here STAT. I live in Indiana and we've had the worst winter on record. And I chose to switch meds in the middle of it- DUMB!  I didn't know tho grrr. Im 42 & would have loved this winter as a kid- missing school, etc. Not now. Living in Florida sounds pretty nice after this crap!!

I bought a light therapy lamp on Amazon. It was under $100. I don't know if that's in your budget but just like the vitamins, it's a good investment. Hang in there!  "This too shall pass" is my mantra (albeit my ego doesn't want me to believe it in the middle of anxiety) but I keep saying it anyway!!

[alvaa]

I am in Alabama and feel for you. I am a weather enthusiast and watch what's happening all over the country. You folks up north are getting hit harder than Alaska. I loved loved loved snow when I was in school, but you are right, I am also 42 and if it never snowed again it would still be too soon. I am back to work for a second day now and things are much better. I have to switch out the depression from being home to the anxiety of my work. I have a high strung boss, and my IT worker is, well, to explain in single words, arrogant, loud, obnoxious, rude, low self-esteem, "cusses-like-a-sailor" mouth (I mean combination of words that would amaze even Howard Stern). Anyhow, between that and the deadlines and constant stress of being IT Support, it's rough.