low self esteem

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MOZY
joined 18 Nov 2007
7 posts

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Posted by MOZY, 08:02 27 November 2007

Hi everyone, Crystal,s mum here again. She has had some good days up until last night when she went down quite a bit. Mind you it was a grotty day. The fluoxetine seems to have helped and walks out in the fresh air certainly help.One of the strong symptoms she seems to have is low self esteem and the feeling that she will always be on her own. She still also feels that she is just not right. Does anyone else have these feelings of loneliness?

PurpleIvy
joined 16 Mar 2005
725 posts

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Posted by PurpleIvy, 08:24 27 November 2007

Is it possible that the low self esteem is linked to the condition rather than the medication? I feel better about myself when I feel well.

Piglet
joined 12 Oct 2006
207 posts

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Posted by Piglet, 10:32 27 November 2007

Hi Mozy

I can emphasise with this hugely. I often feel a bit outside of what is going on, like I just don't fit in with it all. I tend not to go out over the dark months, partially because I can't be bothered to but also because I find it difficult to mix in company. I could talk for a living in the light months but in the darker times I struggle to hold conversations and tend to feel that people won't want to talk to me because I have nothing of interest to say and that everyone else is wittier etc. This is something that only happens over the dark times, it the summer I don't feel this way at all.

I think it's quite a common SAD symptom - it's also something that I think teenagers and young adults feel a lot anyway so Crysal does need to work her way through it and to recognise that things will get better for her.

I'd imagine it's also a symptom of general depression as well?

Amalthea
joined 12 Nov 2006
463 posts

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Posted by Amalthea, 10:33 27 November 2007

It's very likely to be a symptom of SAD. What you've said sounds all too familiar to me. I've come to realize I won't always be on my own, but it's hard to shake that feeling when you're dealing with the SAD.

When I started college, I used to knock on my friends' doors really lightly... big, heavy doors. I stood outside -- lingered for just a moment, before convincing myself they were inside, looking through the peephole at me and thinking, "I don't want to talk to this awful person." That's what I thought about my *friends* and part of me knew I wasn't knocking hard enough and that they weren't hearing me... but my "SAD brain" was telling me I was different, something was wrong with me.

And social contact is very draining this time of year. So, on one hand, I try to push myself to be active but on the other hand, I respect my limitations.

Sometimes it's really trying. I have an overnight party about an hour away from my home, where I will have to sleep in the same room with three other co-workers. I've got some back pain (kidney infection? -- dunno) and I'm honestly thinking of using it as a last-minute excuse. I feel like such a flake, but I feel that the sleeping arrangements are just too uncomfortable. I could use some time to "retreat" from social activity and... I know I won't sleep well, which is always a bad thing with SAD.

JeanneinCanada
joined 8 Feb 2007
67 posts

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Posted by JeanneinCanada, 16:53 27 November 2007

Low self esteem and feeling lost and alone are trademark symptoms of sad and a teenager is far more likely to believe all the negative feelings that depression throws at them.

Counselling may help her sort out these feelings and teach her to self talk to help her cope w/ them, along w/ medication for the worst of the symptoms. Sounds like her meds may be starting to help, but it usually doesn't take care of all of it for most of us.

Best of luck, so sorry to hear your daughter is suffering from this so young. Her youth may be on her side though, since lots of research says that early treatment of depression stands a good chance of rectifying the chemical imbalance that causes depression. And that many who start meds young may not have to be on meds for life, like those of us who tried to tough it out for years and years until the symptoms got so much worse and then the disease has set in deeper and is harder to treat.

Jeanne

Jeanne

Nickyj14
joined 10 Nov 2007
144 posts

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Posted by Nickyj14, 23:03 27 November 2007

Hi Mozy, sorry to hear that Crystal is having a hard time. I have low self esteem too and often feel alone because I find it so hard to talk about how I'm feeling and that's lonely. It sounds like Crystal is able to talk to you about how she feels, which is good.

Piglet, you could be describing me, everything that you've said. It's comforting to know that this is common symptom of SAD. I dread social occasions at this time of year and everyone seems to want to meet up before Christmas. I just want to hide away! I've got a job interview next week and I'm really scared, I don't know how I'm going to get through it, trying to sell myself and sound confident and enthusiastic when I feel the complete opposite. I know this is the worst time of year to be job hunting but I didn't actually expect to get an interview and was feeling much more confident and positive when I applied for the job. Sorry to go on, but had to get it off my chest!

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