Not all advice is good advice

Still worrying about getting out of bed in the morning, I did what most people do these days.

No, I did not seek out a professional in the field and make an appointment, “that’s so last year.” I picked up my phone and Googled the answer.

I found many helpful articles, but I also found this advice.

Some people get depressed and have a difficult time getting out of bed in the mornings.

When this struggle happens, a person should take a deep breath. Then try to find something to do to get their mind off the problem. A person could take a walk, listen to some music, or read the newspaper. They can do an activity that will give them a fresh perspective on things. Doing something will get their mind off the problem and give them the confidence to do other things.

Read the entire article here

"When this struggle happens, a person should take a deep breath and try to find something to do to get their mind off the problem."

What the heck is that?

Now, using my mind reading technique I mastered in my years with depression. I could probably say that they were trying to offer a distraction that would jump-start the day. However, they never mentioned getting out of bed or a piece of specific advice for doing so.

READ MORE: I wish I could sleep

“Do something to get your mind off of the problem.”

Listening to this, now I am wishing and hoping that depression will release me. That I will have the physical and mental energy to overcome the internal struggle that. This has happened to me every morning since November.

It is, in my opinion as someone who suffers from depression, very naive to say to them, “just do something.”

READ MORE: That didn’t last long, now I’m not getting out of bed

That is all I am trying to do, is “something.” And that something is to get out of bed and get going for the day.  Instead of seeking professional medical advice, I am trolling the Internet with an eye for anything that fits into what I am going through, Or what fits into what I think I should be doing to get out of bed.

Of course, this is how I have spent the past 43 years as I concealed my depression.

And using this technique to figure out a way to get out of bed in the morning is yielding the same results as concealing depression did for me. Nothing, zilch, zero.

To add to the problem, my current professional team is no longer in-network. So I am investigating new health care providers who are in-network.

READ MORE: It’s all piling up, I’ve got to get a grip

Calling seven providers yesterday, one’s phone was disconnected, one had left the practice and five were not accepting new patients.

So, today is day two of phone calls to find a Psychiatrist that my insurance carrier will pay directly. I am conducting the same search for a therapist that is “in-network.” Two calls, two left messages so far.

Back to the advice about getting out of bed, “just for the record, I am not a doctor, nor do I play one on TV.”

But having lived with depression for over 40 years, I can tell you, not all advice is good advice.

My concealed depression is written under the alias “Depression is not my boss.” I have certifications in SMART Recovery and am a Global Career Development Facilitator.

Last year, I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder.