Since I started working at home I feel like my depression level is coming back to higher points, I am worried if I am doing something wrong or quarantine is affecting everyone in similar ways?
Ask HN: People with depression, have your depression increased lately (Covid)?
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Re: Ask HN: People with depression, have your depression increased lately (Covid)?
#2In the first few weeks of working from home, my depression definitely got significantly worse. I'm pretty sure that, perversely, I enjoy my job because of the high levels of stress and anxiety (teaching) that normally distract from deeper-seated unhappiness. By removing all the distracting stimulus from my day-to-day, my mental health fell off a cliff fast.
In recent weeks I've mellowed out into a new normal. Have you heard about the idea of the hedonic treadmill? It's the idea that being happy is a temporary response to a positive change in your life and eventually your emotional state returns to normal, even if your life continues being great. I'm beginning to think it works the other way too: I've returned to my not-so-great emotional baseline, even though my quality of life is objectively worse.
I'm sure others will chime in here with what strategies have worked well for them but I thought I would add this observation because it surprised me and is perhaps counter intuitive. All the best getting through this.
Re: Ask HN: People with depression, have your depression increased lately (Covid)?
#3Yes working from home is wearing me down too. Reasons:
- Video conferencing is boring and detached
- Constant bad news being advertised in all forms of media
- The terms "social distancing" and "self isolation" are depressing
- Weather is miserable
What helps me is; good food, exercise, cuddling pets and family.
Re: Ask HN: People with depression, have your depression increased lately (Covid)?
#4Mines gotten a fair bit better. I'm spending a lot more quality time with my s/o, and work has gotten a lot less stressful. I'd love it if my city stayed this quiet.
Re: Ask HN: People with depression, have your depression increased lately (Covid)?
#5I'm in the same boat. I was already fraying at the edges before this all started, but this past month has been brutal.
Re: Ask HN: People with depression, have your depression increased lately (Covid)?
#6It was until I realized I actually enjoy my current life a lot better:
- no commute, I haven't used an alarm clock in months
- I don't have to deal with stupid office chit chat
- I spend a lot of time with my wife
- I do yoga
- I've been studying a lot more
Re: Ask HN: People with depression, have your depression increased lately (Covid)?
#7First few weeks were an improvement - no commute, lucky enough to still have a job, no pressure to meet people, plenty of time to chill out, read, exercise etc. Then it starts to wear off - the days get way too repetitive, boredom increases, motivation to do anything at all disappears and you realise that being forced into minor social interactions is pretty good for you.
Re: Ask HN: People with depression, have your depression increased lately (Covid)?
#8Yes it affected first few weeks. I was struggling to get a proper schedule. Also there was no proper desk setup. Infact I took 3days off to feel better and spend some me time.
Now I am performing better and feeling better too. I have proper schedule of day. I use my commute time as metime to meditate or read something uplift my mood. Thanks to good weather too
Re: Ask HN: People with depression, have your depression increased lately (Covid)?
#9In the first few weeks of working from home, my depression definitely got significantly worse. I'm pretty sure that, perversely, I enjoy my job because of the high levels of stress and anxiety (teaching) that normally distract from deeper-seated unhappiness. By removing all the distracting stimulus from my day-to-day, my mental health fell off a cliff fast. In recent weeks I've mellowed out into a new normal. Have yo…
Default is happy. The rest we learned on the way.
https://samharris.org/podcast/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pTrrRoBZSpg
P.S. Obviously get out and travel doesn't work well those days... There must be better days soon!
Re: Ask HN: People with depression, have your depression increased lately (Covid)?
#10Yes. I am feeling lonely and depression is causing me more daily distress than pre-COVID19. I moved to a new city three years ago but have struggled to make any meaningful friendships. Without the small talk and board game nights from my workplace, loneliness consumes a lot of my mental space in these days.
Edit: In fact, this is my first HN comment. As a long-time lurker I thought maybe participating might alleviate some of these negative feelings.