It’s been five months for me, since the day after I graduated.
Do you want to leave the house? (And can you sustainably never leave the house)
A few hours. My employer feels it’s important that I sit in front of my computer in their building, rather than in my home.
I last left this morning for work. The last I left for my own enjoyment was last weekend for the Pride parade. (State of GA in the USA celebrates in October for some reason.)
(I tried to spoiler this bottom part since you didn’t ask for advice, but I guess I don’t know how. Sorry.)
I suffer from chronic depression, so I might know something of what you’re going through. Hang in there, friend. It gets better, eventually.
Also, I know this probably sounds ridiculous (it does to me when I remind myself of it while depressed, especially since I’m also autistic and antisocial) but the safety of home makes depression worse for me. It’s the last thing that I want to do while depressed, but it really does help tremendously to get out and do something. Anything. Go to the grocery store and buy a ramen or whatever, it doesn’t matter. Go through the human line to checkout so that you have to interact with a person in some capacity. It’s silly, but it does help me a tiny bit.
The next day, try to do it again, it helps a tiny bit again. Eventually all the tiny little bits add up, maybe, but even if they don’t then at least it’s a tiny bit better all along.
You haven’t gone outside at ALL?
You should probably go for a walk my friend
I go outside sometimes, I guess, but I guess I should say I rarely leave the house and usually stay within my own yard and such. I’m depressed.
“I rarely leave the house and usually stay within my own yard and such. I’m depressed.”
chicken–egg
Self-diagnosing depression can be unhelpful. What you’re experiencing may be something simpler and more easily treatable.
Do me a favor: go to what was once (or still is) your favorite park and take a cool photo. Using your phone is fine, but I want you to take a few minutes to find a cool subject/perspective/composition combination. Maybe consider coming back if the sun isn’t at the best angle when you go there the first time.
Show me what you come up with!
People who don’t leave their home usually don’t have favorite parks
Oh, please. People who have never left their home in their entire life probably wouldn’t. Why would someone who stopped leaving their house lose their favorite? I haven’t lived in my hometown in 20 years, but I still have a favorite park from there. My vegan friend once said she misses lobster. Someone who lost their hearing could still have a favorite song.
Just because life circumstances change, doesn’t mean they have no memory of how things used to be.
I’m outside of the house at the moment.
I’m hoping you are keeping good habits at home, like brushing your teeth and taking out the trash.
I am, mostly. Depression is a pain in the ass.
I was practically homebound from panic disorder. Lion’s mane saved my ass.
Lion’s Mane supplement or just straight up Lion’s Mane mushrooms?
How did they end up helping? I hadn’t heard of this use of them before.
I’d like to know a bit more if you don’t mind. I’m sure some others in this post may want to know as well due to the topic.
I’m a bit of an amateur mycologist and grow Lion’s Mane from time to time.
Congrats btw! Don’t discount your own effort by attributing your ass getting saved by Lion’s Mane. You put in work too I’m sure. Hope you also recognize that.
It was indeed a terrifying journey. Always had a bit of anxiety, but never shaking uncontrollably because of it. Prior to the disorder I traveled the world and had no anxiety being on TV or interviewing celebrities.
I used (and still use) the supplement. Spent a week on PubMed researching articles. Basically if you’re on an SSRI or have blood pressure issues it’s a no-go. Lion’s mane helps rebuild neural connections in the hippocampus, which is the most-overlooked aspect of regulating anxiety and it’s only been the past few years where it is better understood. At one point I couldn’t go further than down the street and Excedrin would be too much caffeine and give me a panic attack. Now I can have as much coffee as I want and drive wherever.
Whoa nice!!!
Bruh. Why are you doing this? Severe vitamin D deficiency will make you wish for death. You legitimately NEED sunlight on your skin…
How do you get groceries? How do you make money?
What’s keeping you indoors? Do you have some humans or pets to keep you company?
Depression. I do have a dog and my mom and dad help me :D
20 minutes, thanks to my dog. If not for him I’d easily go days.
Highly recommend dogs. 100% worth it.
Just got home I’m tired
It’s my day off, I’m exhausted.
I go outside and walkies because the meat husk needs it or something. So I went outside this morning for that.
If youre destined for the basement life, live it. Dont let these haters take away what joy you can find during this painful life we are all forced into.
Just be sure to do what you can to take care of yourself.
Look up body weight exercises you can do inside without equipment. And you dont even have to set aside time if you do them while you’re waiting for something. Microwaving food? 4 minutes of push-ups or planks. Got a few minutes while your game loads or something? Stretch. Little things can add up.
If you you drink or take drugs, make sure you drink your homework water and to give yourself time to recover before partying more.
Dont wanna diet? Fine, but make one meal healthy like a salad or oatmeal so your chimkin nuggies pass through your body within a week.
Or don’t. Its your life. Youre in charge. Do whatever
Very good advice! I have a tendency to be a shut in and during the covid-19 pandemic it was at an all time high. I learned that my mental wellbeing is helped if I sort of divvy up my living space into areas where certain things are done and others are not. Eating in one place, games in another, sleep in another, etc. Just in case that is applicable and/or helpful to anyone.
a few minutes
do you have any hobbies? get any exercise?
I do have some hobbies, like scrolling through Lemmy, playing Roblox, and talking to friends, if those are hobbies.
I really do need to lift. I used to love lifting.
Did you graduate high school or university/college?
I know you’re not looking for advice or anything, but I do think you should find something to dedicate yourself to. It could be a marketable skill or just learning to build something. Lifting and writing code is a great way to spend a day. Or maybe gardening or woodworking, electronics, rock climbing, I don’t know lol. Something to nerd-out about, not just something to pass the time. Your system wants you to pursue something more seriously.
High school. Thank you so much :)
I used to love lifting.
Do it then. The depression will make it hell at first, but force yourself to even just do 5 minutes. Reconnecting with things you used to enjoy but (I’m assuming) fell out with due to the depression will help immensely.
Do you have a therapist or psychiatrist? Nailing down potential root causes could help as well, once you have the energy and motivation to get to work on it. You got this!
I am sorry for you OP that you have to go through this. I hope that you’re followed by a mental health professional which can help you. 5 month without leaving the house is entering in the hikikomori territory. I wish I could give you relevant advices, but I assume all the simple advise simply won’t work (Just like you can’t just tell someone with a broken leg to keep running)
If you get better and can go out again, what do you wish to do ? Is there a sport/hobby you want to try ? Is it available in your city ? is there a language you want to learn ?
Have to show up for work most days, but I also won’t deny that I’d be tempted to stay home for a couple of months if I worked remotely or were unemployed.
Would you consider taking just a brief walk down the street and back? It ain’t much, but it’s honest work, and I’d be happy for you.
