Please accept a hug from me, Mrs. Obama.

are on the verge of suicide because they're not even managing anymore.

if Putin was not part of this equation this situation would be very different.

I'm always so grateful when people speak out about this, because I'm struggling too and sometimes I don't know if it's just me overreacting, or whether it's justified.

She's a treasure, to be sure.

some love your way.

to us all!

We need not endure this in silence; we can reach out and join spirits in solidarity.

...I know I am.

Always trying to find a positive even when things are bad but this past 3 1/2 yrs has worn on me because I already deal with a husband who has regular depression issues.

Then covid started and the things I used to keep me feeling good during Trump and my hubby were taken away, sure I can go out but having to be aware of my every move takes away the peacefulness of going out.

Things were infinitely better when the Obamas and Bidens were in charge

him.

which alternates with periods of anxiety. I have a number of friends and family members I call that helps me keep some perspective in my life. I also watch a lot of Christmas movies that provides positive distraction. My "Christmas in July" mental health break.

Thank you, Michelle Obama, for helping us to understand we are not in this by ourselves. We miss you and your husband deeply.

I may play some of my favorite Christmas movies. I always had fond memories of a snowy Christmas living in New York and DC. Now in the south, we don't get those anymore.

I'll just turn the AC down to act like it's not a sweltering summer

By the way, I would bet quite a few people are feeling some sort of depression. I'll extend that to even Trumpers. They may not recognize it, but deep in their black souls they know we are all being treated like cattle.

That's Japanese for, "A Poison to Your Honorable Spirit", and I must confess that the Trump presidency has been exactly that to me as well. Perhaps the strongest proof for the strong undercurrents of racism in this country is that after we had our first black president, we had a racist liar, con man and demagogue who really took this country for a ride by combining America's ugly racist past with Republican hatred and propaganda against the Clintons and the Democrats. Aside from empty, baseless pie in the sky promises to working people, Trump's 2016 campaign was at least 90 percent negative and hate filled.

I know I feel it, along with a sense of looming catastrophe building. How could any rational human being (an actual human, not the Thing squatting in the WH presently or his walking dead zombie supporters), not be feeling depressed and dread?

I am also missing my family and friends. All the while missing and greiving for immediate family members who died before the pandemic started. Add to that personal health problems. It all adds up and there are few diversions to ease the strain.

I think all of us are 'managing' low grade depression because of Trump.

Isn't it ironic how he himself has labeled this 'Trump Derangement Syndrome,' and has incited his followers to seek to increase that - to mess with liberals.

Trump is an evil man - small minded and mean spirited.

I expect it to be cured in three stages: November ? (when all votes are counted and we know the results—assuming it's Biden), January 3, 2020 when the new Congress is sworn in and assuming Democrats retake the Senate majority, and January 20 when Biden is sworn in as the 46th president and we can kiss the orange menace goodbye.

That still leaves the virus and all its complications to deal with, but I think we can overcome the virus when we have an adult in the White House and an administration that actually wants to stop the virus.

It is also how I am getting through it just remembering that it will pass when the situation changes, just hope it is soon because it is getting harder and harder to cope.

as opposed to clinical depression..makes sense.

I manage by escaping to my other activities
that get my mind off of it.

And this site helps too!

...and you will be flying low over desert canyons.

I mean really?

that we aren’t alone in this mild depression. My husband is starting to worry about his job. The future is so uncertain now. I’m sad that Michelle Obama is also affected even with their vast wealth and security. But she’s an empath so she understands the struggles of us commoners. I love that family. I’m glad they are together during the pandemic. Hugs to everyone.

And how sad it must be for her, on top of all the general shittiness, to see everything they worked for being torn apart?

I'm glad she went into details about her workouts just aren't going to happen & not being so hard on herself & about the emotional highs and lows.

One thing I do every morning, while I'm still in bed, is grab my phone and check to see if Bunker Boy has passed away or has covid or has been locked up in the loony bin. I'm so looking for a reason to celebrate.

One reason I'm kind of depressed is that it hasn't happened yet.

I would not have that kind of generosity and courage. Not at her station in life.

It is also a kind of sideways reminder that as hard as this has been for people like me to manage through - the being closed in plus this horror of an Admin and the ugliness it's brought to the top - it is even harder for people of color.

My respect for Michelle Obama goes up yet again.

More contagious than Covid. We all got it. Masks don’t help. Most contagious indoors from screaming Karen’s spewing it everywhere. The vaccine is near and free, vote. If we get there. Putin is the only happy person left on earth.

Maybe you don't care about the health and well-being of your neighbors or maybe you never really gave a rat's ass about American democracy.

I suspect those of us already afflicted are up'ing our meds. And adding anxiety attacks.

nt

being depresses and stresses is actually a sign of mental health.

If all we ever saw of you was joy and happiness in today’s America I would seriously wonder if you care.

This only makes me love you more.
yours truly...

She has graced us with her presence in the White House and on the International stage. May she find peace of mind because she has earned it.

Just talking about this publicly is probably going to save some people's lives.

Thank you, Michelle, for being real and heartfelt.

That's just who they are, it's built into their DNA to be mean spirited anytime someone opens up about what they perceive as a weakness.

On another note, Mrs. First Lady, why don't you and your husband come visit us sometime? Just to meet the two of you would mean SO MUCH and would help us out of our little bit of constant 'funk' we feel every day we wake up and realize tRump is still in the White House.

I don't feel the sadness because of racism as keenly as a POC does, but all good people care.

I have my exercise bike, but loss of my water aerobics class has hurt my mobility. Loss of my church and singing in our choir has taken a great deal of joy out of my life. I spend too much time on computer games and searching DU for signs of hope. When the days are short and the weather is bad, I'm going to be sadder.

It's major depression for me. Being in an area where there are a number of COVidiots who won't wear masks yet seeing them almost daily at work coming into the hospital horribly ill, my forehead, if it wasn't covered in protective gear would be heavily bruised by now.
Work circumstances have changed not only due to the pandemic, but a seriously downward shift in management I can't go into here, but there it is again, I'm having to seek other employment soon in a crashed economy. It's a recurring nightmare for me, I've never seen the end of a Rethuglican administration with a job.
I've started on some medication, and some light supplement regimen to help get me through. Loss of consortium, even if I had a partner, both aspects of that are non-existent now.
I think if I see that orange haired ass face speak with that puckered up pie hole the next few days I'll lose whatever I ate.

I’ve seen many a person who was surprised when I told them “Of course you’re depressed! You’re going through a terrible time. I’d be concerned if you weren’t. Now, how can we help you get through this?”

And Mrs. Obama’s exercise routine is one good way of helping. Being creative somehow helps. Talking to others is great for some, not for others. Religion helps some. Sun. Healthy food. Laughter. Pets. And if it’s too difficult an antidepressant for a little while.

We are in horrible times. It is gobsmacking. What we can do is try to help one another.

I just thought I worried too much.

I realized driving on the highway behind a semi, that Mr. Lake wasn’t visualizing every worst possibility like a deer running in front
of the semi forcing our decapitation in the quick stop.

I found recognizing as anxiety
helped and then dr gave me anxiety meds. Now I get by quite well.

Of course, being quarantined in Paradise helps.

I wish. I have a few friends who are now on depression meds, who have contemplated suicide, who are apoplectic about the future of the country and their kids' futures.

I've never drank so much. I've never sworn so much. I've never spent so much time reading the fucking internet. I've never hated so deeply. I've never wished people would die.

Walking/Hiking, Bike riding, etc. does help. So does the wine.

I'm dealing with a variety of struggles right now, and know exactly where she's coming from.

Midlife really screwed up my sleep.

I can't say that my burdens are as great as hers. They are clearly not. But I can relate to the feelings of helplessness that wash over you when things seem to be out of control, and bad people are triumphing over good. What this country did to Al Gore still bothers me no end.

I will say that she's lucky that she can get in workouts, because both my gyms closed and I live in a small apartment (you know, density! So great!) with literally no space to do almost any kind of workout (I had just started jogging again and got hit with a case of stress-related shingles on my face, so am having some depth perception vision problems that mean I can't safely jog at the moment). I hope that people who read this take her encouragement to try and exercise when they can.

I wish her well.

until Nov 3.

His base doesn't realize they're fucked too. He is destroying the US and I suspect with help from Vlad and aided by Bannon types. This is intentional and well-executed for the last 3 1/2 years. The virus has been politicized and is now another useful tool to further divide and try emergency powers. He can't leave office, or he is burnt toast. He will do anything; anything to stay in power.

Anyone with either a heart or a brain or both who loves her or his country feels the same.

But hearing those words from her really made the truth of it rush to the fore for me.

It should shame every Trump enabler in the country that our President is causing this level of disruption and damage in the lives of so many. But I suspect too many of them love the fact that the Libs are being triggered.

GOD!!! I do miss her and her family as role models and true leaders.

It's good to recognize that depression affects us all. Sometimes we just have to recognize IT WILL PASS, as all things do. We can surround ourselves with friends and family that may help, or do activities or move to a place that may help...but sometimes depression can be really stubborn and not break it's hold until some time passes. But like ALL THINGS....IT WILL PASS!

My low grade depression into a growling anger.
Somehow I hold to a shred of patience, and a belief that things will begin to improve when Biden is sworn in.
Biden will need a vast plan, which I'm sure he has in the works, to kick off immediately.
If somehow trump cheats out a win, I will become overtly angry.
I refuse to feel defeated, I refuse to let trump get to me.

with it, too.

How could anyone not be depressed about what's going on in the world today?

I hadn't heard any of her episodes yet and am listening now (to today's-I'll go to her first one next). It just feels so good to hear her voice. I'm going to keep listening. I'm sending her light, love, and vibes.....

Every day with this inept administration is absolutely exhausting, upsetting, confusing and frustrating.

is to work towards electing Joe Biden.

I know electing Joe Biden will cheer me up a great deal.

That being said, I have suffered from clinical depression in the past. I certainly do not mean to diminish anyone's suffering from depression. It can be very serious, even deadly. Please seek professional help if you can no longer function normally. Even seek the advice of a trusted loved one, in terms of if they think you may need professional help.

I am buying songs to load to my phone, like crazy. Classic Motown groups (The Temptations, Smokey Robinson and the Miracles, Martha Reeves and the Vandellas), Simon & Garfunkel, War, The Ohio Players, The Commodores, The Eagles, Neil Diamond, TOTO, Fleetwood Mac, Roberta Flack, Otis Redding, Johnny Nash, Bill Withers.

When I am trying to workout, I do that to music that I have loved when I heard it.

I will be downloading a lot more, I really love how uplifting it has been.

I think not seeing an end in sight makes this potentially deadly situation we are all in even more difficult.

For pretty much all the same reasons...........

Then I got a new phone and decided to try something that I have never done, I bought the favorite songs over my life so far and I bought some early Motown songs. Now when I work out, I start the songs playing, it’s been great , excellent workouts and my spirits after the workout are higher.

I'm at the level where it's fortunate there are no guns in the home.

We need to get this POS out, please. Isn't it enough Americans are prisoners in their own country.

Ms Michelle we can all relate to how you feel.

Naomi Klein was correct fascism is mentally exhausting. We ALL need to vote tRump out for our sanity.

Or not feeling motivated

You’re asleep!

Michelle Obama just shared “her” story in an effort to say to everyone

You are NOT alone!

I’d love her as VP but she’s put in her time

Mahalo Michelle

It must be so hard for her, watching things she and Barack worked so hard for being undone, and the country in the hands of very possibly the worst person in it....

Shit's tough out here. I hope she feels supported and validated at least.

he asked hows thing.....I said maddening....he agreed.

and defend him. One-third of this nation. Very depressing.

These things are more depressing than my wife being treated for pancreatic cancer. (Caught fairly early, pretty good prognosis)

in fact, it may have the opposite effect of what you think it does.

One insidious symptom of depression is unwarranted and devastating guilt associated with feelings that you do not deserve the good things that you have in life.

Your thought process tilts sideways with depression, no matter what you have or don't have in life.