"The feeling of isolation can come on no matter where we are - it is something we should all share. I find when I get scared or really put myself in an isolated place - actually, that is wrong. I was in the middle of a valley in Utah - me, a nice man from Brussels and a wacko Navaho driver - bumping along the dirt (you couldn't call it a road), but all through the vastness of that valley - having been so scared in the past of what if - I found myself almost jubilant. Then I can feel alone when I am alone and especially seeing something that triggers an old memory - usually children. And recently when I told someone I felt alone, she said "well, you are alone." This is true. I live alone and am far from my family and during flares and other weird time I tend to turn the phone off and find comfort in a book - C.S. Lewis once wrote, ...."we read to know we are not alone..." I like that. Books are my companions."
"The holidays are the most depressing time of the year for a lot of people. I learned to take one day at a time. I still have four kids to shop for! My goodness.... I haven't even bought one gift yet. I am having company for Thanksgiving and Christmas! No one listens to me. My family truly doesn't take me seriously. LOL"
"In many Fibro and Chronic Pain books, they list ways to cope and some even call them "rights." A big one is saying "NO"! It is important to say no to things that will stress your and/or depress you. If your family wants you to be included at an event, then they have to include your needs when they make plans."
I realize I'm not the only one in this pickle. Even though we may know the routine for making the holidays less stressful, the reality is that for those of us who've always struggled with depression during this time - knowing - doesn't always make it so. Some times these things seems to take on a life of their own.
"I also find that when I'm in a flare, feeling overwhelmed, depressed, etc., that I have a very hard time keeping up with bills and keeping tabs on my finances."
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