#TimeToTalk

This week has been difficult - particularly in deciding what to blog this week.
The fatigue due to the MS is affecting what I can manage and it is making me feel fed up and down as it's not the person that I am.
When I heard today is Time to Talk and with my mood being low I knew just what to talk about.

I wouldn't say I'm depressed but a low mood can easily slip further towards depression.
Depression in the population of people living with MS is higher than the general population (MS Society; MS Trust) and its hardly surprising - not only does MS bring about adjustments to life, there can be changes within the brain from lesions that could increase depression. Additionally a side effect of some of the medications -given for symptoms of MS and the disease modifying therapies - is depression.
Add into this the stresses and strains of life;  family, employment (redundancies), life stresses there will be times that are naturally harder than others to remain upbeat.

There are times I cry, become frustrated and find it tougher to leave the house depending how the symptoms of MS are at that time.
It has taken time but being kind to myself is important in not becoming swamped by those negative feelings.
One thing I describe as being my therapy is crafting - in particular, crochet. It gives me time out; I can think about things, come up with ideas, feel productive, give my body time to rest and the repetition of stitches and counting can have a calming effect.
There are friends I will seek out even if to spend time with them and not discussing emotions specifically - laughter has an amazing lift and boost.
Likewise music can have a positive influence provided I'm listening to something that makes me grin from memories the music provokes or from my attempts to sing (poorly) - belting out a song like nobody can hear - much to my son's embarrassment. 
I love the outdoors and meditation both of which help me when I have a low mood, again they're both ways for me to have time out.

Depression happens, anxiety happens, low moods happen. You're not alone, there are people who will listen whether a friend or a stranger on a helpline. They want to listen and it may give you that opportunity to frame things in your mind another way.
It's #TimeToTalk whether that is today or a day when you're ready to talk.