Dealing with a Diagnosis of Chronic Sadness

Hey I am in the same boat as you. I’m so sorry. It really sucks. So bad. If you ever want to talk I’m here. But basically the only thing I can advise for both of us is to frequently remind ourselves of the things that bring joy. Anything. And to be kind to yourself and not try to predict the future. Like if you get upset thinking about how you will be chronically sad and the thought of always being like this makes you feel worse. Just remind yourself that the only moment that exists now and that we don’t know what will happen in the future.

I cope by accepting the fact that my diagnosis means I will always be sad, but, I make the best of what I can with it. I try to surround myself with people who understand my condition and I try to go a little bit of the extra mile to make myself find at least a little bit of happiness somewhere in every day. I try to find a joy and happiness in small things, like seeing pretty little flowers, seeing a cat outside, noticing how fluffy the clouds are, things like that, and once it became a habit for me to see the worlds through that lens, it’s helped a lot in me not being so sad. Of course I’m still sad, that’s just a part of PDD, but it’s much more bearable

I defy it. I try not to remind myself of it. And I have become intensely observant of little things that make me happy. I try to find joy in other people being happy. And I go out of my way to find it and provide kindness to people. I keep gratitude lists. I’ve turned to mysticism. I try to comfort myself with books and rituals and good company. I try not to think so much about other people (this is the hardest to learn imo).

I just try to tell myself that if I’m always going to be this constant level of sad, then I don’t owe anyone but myself small moments of happiness (whatever that might look like). It doesn’t help enough, but sometimes telling myself that makes a day a little easier than the rest.