How do I deal with negative feelings?

We all have those days. The negative ones. Some are triggered and some hormonal and some from lowered dopamine.

When I was first experiencing these negative feelings as well as intrusive thoughts, it was after my first born. Hormonal and lowered dopamine that affected everything in me. I would be sitting there thinking of ways to die, thinking of destruction and just so miserable and negative. I was never that person. Never wanted to destroy things or drive into a tree and hope to die. I was so confused and unhappy. I shouldn’t of been though. I just had a new baby a beautiful home and lots of support from my in laws. I spoke to my mother in law who spoke to her sister in law and made a visit to me and suggested I go to the doctor. I was so scared. What the helk was wrong with me. Where was the happy bubbly person that use to reside in me? I made an appointment and was diagnosed with severe depression with under active dopamine, and was given an antidepressant, Prozac. At that time Prozac had a very bad name. Suicides were being blamed from taking this drug. I was nervous but I had to try. It worked! Before I knew it I was back to being me. Happy, adjusted and enjoying life and most of all my baby boy. Trees were spared!

I have been on the antidepressants for 32 years now and I am so grateful for them. If there was no solution to this diagnosis I can say without a doubt, I wouldn’t be here. So today when I do have negative days, of course, I sit with the feelings. If I know why I am experiencing these feelings then, I sit and replay every detail, every word and tell myself it’s okay. I will get through this. If I wake one morning and don’t feel like me, I am quiet and stay to myself. My husband notices right away and always asks what’s wrong, having a bad day? Yes, I would tell him and just by talking and saying I felt horrible I felt a bit of relief.

Talking is so important when you are in a negative head space. Express what is happening, get a hug, call a friend who understands, let your feelings out, meditate. Communicating is not easy for everyone especially when feeling this way. Just remember you’re not alone and it’s temporary.

So sit with your feelings, analyse your feelings, talk about your feelings, journal your feelings, but always know, it’s gonna be okay.