Life is too dark

JoJo, I used to have panic attacks and they often started at night when it got dark.  I felt that I wanted to scream all night at the darkness.  I sat up all night trembling and waiting for some light.  I kept the television tuned to a scene in nature so I could feel that it was daylight.  I kept an electric fan blowing on my face and propped the front door open about a foot just so I didn't feel so closed in.  I called my local clinic and asked to see a doctor and they couldn't see me for about a week and I asked what was I supposed to do tonight?  They found me a doctor right then and I was given medication which helped me with my attacks.  So, from my experiences, I will suggest that you phone a clinic/hospital/police station/fire station for help.  If you have a "walk-in" clinic, go there.  Call a taxie if you have to.  Do anything you need to do to find yourself some help. Please. 

Hi, i think you should appreciate the people that are trying to help you, & life has b een dark around me lately too.  I t is real hard, but I just try different meds, & hang on.  I know it is scary.  But I am going through the same thing.  So maybe we can chat more.    

Hello Karla, Thank you for answering JoJo.  You, because you are suffering also, can be a real blessing to her.  Try to keep talking to her.  It will help both of you I believe.  You said you are on medication.  Are you getting better?  I hope so.  Thinking of you.  NJoy

Talk to someone.  Is something bothering you?  Go and see a counselor.  Sounds like a bit of depression.  If so, I advise for you to go and see a doctor to determine whether the depression is situational or chemical.  If it is chemical you would need medication to fix your dark mood.

Talking helps. I've been depressed all my life. Mostly for good reasons, but often for no reason at all. My advice. Find something you love, and then do it. Will it cure the depression? No. But it will give you times of not thinking about it, not concentrating on it. One of the worst problems with depression is that you tend to obsess about being depressed. It's like a big feedback loop, a fugue. Anything that gets your mind off that and gets you out of that cycle helps relieve the depression.

Hello jojo,

I wish I had more to write but your question is just too vague. It's open to many interpretations, and when that happens you are going to get just as many different answers. All that is going to do is get you more confused, more frustrated, and more feeling that you're out of control. Try to provide more details about the things making you feel the way you do.  It's the best way to zero in on the root cause of the crisis you feel you're in at the moment.

However, I will say that there are a lot of people who feel like they're in the dark. Yet they're able to do the things people have to do in our society in order to support themselves, maintain their independence, and work towards enjoying life as best they can. That's something that has never been easy, and it has been that way for as long as people have been walking on this planet we call Earth. So, please take care, and I wish you the best of luck in finding yourself.....

  - Renegade -

Jojo

Try this simple technique of 'focusing on breathing ' as described below. It will help you gradually pull yourself out of darkness. I have been teaching this and related ones to children and adults for last 7 years with surprising results. This brochure gives all the details from my web site countingbreaths.com

How can you focus on breathing? 

Mode (A) Using Finger Tips: Touch the tip of the thumb to the tip of the little finger. Breathe in, breathe out, three times, counting in the mind, while breathing out. During the first breath out , count ‘one’, second breath out ‘two’, third breath out ‘three’. Repeat the 3 breaths, at each of the next 3 finger tips. When you get to the thumb, place the tip of the index finger at the base of the thumb and complete 3 breaths. Then switch to the other hand and repeat the process.

Continue to practice, switching hands. Your mind will be totally engaged in this calming practice and has no time to feel the darkness. You will feel refreshed and energized.

When should you try this simple practice?

To begin with, try it eyes closed, when you are lying in bed and wish to sleep.

Next, when you wake up but still lying in bed.

Next, whenever you feel bad about your condition, lying down, sitting, standing or walking at a safe place.

How long should you do it?

As short or long as you feel like. There are no minimum or maximum time limits.

Focusing on breathing in one of several modes has helped many people gain benefits as shown in this web page.  

Please see different options for focusing on breathing in this brochure . You can try any or all of the options along with any other solutions. I feel very hopeful these will help you a lot in a few days/weeks.

Take care.