I am currently struggling heavily with depression. Which impacts my quality of sleep. Sleep now has never been a talent of mine. So I generally make up for it by napping. I used to absolutely love it. Both the initial and the waking up (feeling well rested). But lately the waking up part is getting more and more difficult. It then feels like someone hung an anchor on my mental health. I am at that point in absolute disarray and so depressed it makes me feel anxious it’s so bad.
This may be above lemmy’s pay grade but still here goes. Should I stop taking naps? Also I’m thinking of taking antidepressants, anyone here have any experience?
Edit: Thank you all for the replies. I currently in talks with a therapist about taking antidepressants. For the mean time I have found that if when I wake up from a nap and just immediately get out of bed and go into the other room. It helps alleviate the “depressional” fall out that would normally follow.
Regarding antidepressants: I was on them for a number of years and I’d say they’re a stopgap to keep you surviving until you can finally tackle the problem once and for all with something therapy. They make you feel very grey, assuming there’s no side-effects, which can be anywhere between mildly amusing to headwrecking. But of course, grey is lighter than black, and on the other hand, I’ve known people who’ve been taking antidepressants for decades. I’m ridiculously self-disciplined so I often find it relatively easy to rationalise ruminations away but some aren’t so lucky. So I agree with the others saying you should ask a doctor about it. I spoke to my GP about it to begin with.
I’m currently on antidepressants for like, my 7th year? And I was recently pointed to some pretty damning studies on the long term effects. definitely use them as a stopgap, but do whatever work you need to do to address the core issue(s) so you can get off them. Get therapy, establish support networks, work on your tools for dealing with episodes, etc. Then get off them, with your doctors guidance. (Not pointed at you, just commenting in light of what you mentioned about long term use)
Yes, understood!