My doctor says I am currently in depression. I work 40 hours a week. My body indicates that I can no longer work, but financially I cannot work any shorter. I’m already tired of getting up, I don’t know what to do about this anymore. I was divorced 8 years ago, because of this I lost contact with my four children and two years ago my mother also passed away. I don’t like it anymore, how do I go on?
Ingrid
First of all I would like to say that it is very good and brave that you have discussed this with your GP. That is a very important and often difficult step. You thereby acknowledge that you are not well and that is the first step to recovery.
People who become depressed or burnout are often go-getters and perfectionists, who are used to doing it all themselves. Asking for help is all the more difficult.
take a rest
You have gone through a very difficult period in which a lot has been demanded from your resilience for years. You have apparently used so much energy to struggle through this period that your reserves are now completely exhausted. So it is not surprising that you long for peace. Only your head seems to rule your heart and gives you all kinds of reasons not to take that rest. By now it is not just your heart, but your whole body that is crying out for rest.
My advice is: take that rest. Stop having to and start doing things. That means letting go of the strings and giving yourself space to be tired and exhausted. Working is no longer possible. Apparently your body and mind can’t handle that anymore. Therefore, consult with your employer’s health and safety service. Your employer also benefits from a healthy, vital employee. And you already have the support of your GP.
Find support
After a period of rest, there will be room for feelings that you may have overlooked in the past eight years. That can be intense and confronting. Therefore, seek support from a psychologist or coach with whom you click. This can help you get and stay close to yourself.
You will gain more and more insight into how you can better deal with your feelings and your energy. You will discover again where your strength lies and learn to use it in a healthy way. And you desperately need that strength to deal with setbacks. But that power also helps you to enjoy things that you find worthwhile again. Take time for yourself, you are worth it.
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