Advice for caring for birds while battling depression..?

[BirdyBee]

A bit of a personal post, I just really need help with this.

I've struggled with depression for quite a few years, prior having my birds, but it's been manageable for the most part, and I could still feed them, clean their cage, and do everything else they need to live an optimal life.

However, in the past while it's been really bad, so bad to the point where I need to be forced to get out of bed, eat, and care for myself in general.

I don't want to give my birds away since they won't have much of a quality of life that way either(i genuinely do not know a single person in my area that has knows even the basics of proper bird care). I just need practical advice, e.g things i can do to make it easier to feed them properly

The biggest problem for me is that small tasks feel very overwhelming and I struggle to keep up with and remember everything I need to do on a day-to-day basis, especially in regards to my birds.

If anyone has dealt with this before, what are some things you do/did to help manage birds and depression simultaneously? (I don't want advice on coping with depression or overcoming it, I need advice for my birds specifically when things get so bad to the point where I can't manage my depression.)

 

[rheashard2]

Depression is now a shadow of mine. It used to be a solid apparently immovable object. On the job injury + pain w every breath + narcotics + 200# weight gain = misery, despair and desire to sit in dark. An unexpected stroke. Then massive pulmonary embolism and DVT one evening requiring emergency surgery. I have a CAG. Taking that first step every morning is the hardest. I use going to the facilities for that. I kept (still do) a quart insulated filled drink container in reach. This encourages me to get up eventually. CAG light is on a timer. I got/get up prepare her morning breakfast chop. Another trip to facility equals cage clean, turning TV or computer on for her programs. Then I continue from there. For the worst days I drank over 120 ounces of weak tea, watered juices. No caffeine. I got a dog w plans on training him as emotional support. But he turned himself into a service dog. If I want caffeine I have to (preferably walk) to convenient store. This walking my dog resulted in over 275# weight loss. That means getting dressed, and moving about. It means interacting with store personnel. It didn' happen over night. It can be a battle some days. But I avoid thinking about what I have to do today. I take one step/chore and take pleasure in that. I crochet at least 1 row a day. Concentrating on what I've done, not what has yet to be. My CAG has a manipulation personality. If she talks softly or lets me sleep in, I know a bad emotional day is here. I do 2 chores then. If she treats me like an unpaid servant then I know a good day up. I frankly use my CAG and service dog for goals. My CAG gets me up. My service dog gets me out. Imagine a walk/jog/hater who starts training for half marathons at 65! Do one thing. Take pleasure in that. This is the strongest foundation that you can build upon for taking the next. Don't worry about relapse. Start again. Remember everyone has to take one step at a time. Don't compare yourself to them! Focus on one step/chore at a time.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

If mornings are particularly bad for you, as they are for many people with depression, try to do as many things as you can before you go to bed. Change their water and prepare the next mornings' food bowls, and if anything is perishable, put it in the fridge till morning. If their food isn't perishable, give them their morning food right before lights out. They'll be happy to wake up to full bowls while you take your time getting yourself together enough to start your day. Knowing that your birds are already fed will reduce the overwhelming anxiety, guilt and lack of inertia you feel in the mornings. If you can't seem to get it together enough to give your birds fresh veggies or chop, don't worry! Your parrots will do fine for a few days on dry food and fresh water. When you're hungry or thirsty enough to get up and go to the fridge for yourself, pull out something for your birds, too. It doesn't matter what time of day they get their fresh food except most birds don't usually eat after lights out.

Cage cleaning can be done at any time you feel even a tiny burst of motivation. To get you in the mood, try putting on some feel-good music you particularly like. Personally, listening to the Jimmy Buffett satellite radio station always makes me feel more positive.

If you have a friend or family member willing to help, ask them to help you clean up after your birds (and yourself) or at least keep you company while the tasks are being done.

Giving your birds the attention and stimulation they need can be very difficult when all you want to do is lie in bed and hide from the world. Put the lights and TV or radio on a timer so they don't have to sit in a dim, silent room while you struggle to find the energy to get up and going. Make sure they have toys they can play with when they start their day.

Talk to your birds when you're feeling down- you can say anything to them and they'll never judge you.
I hope this and the advice of other members helps.

 

[DonnaBudgie]

I don't think you should rehome your birds unless it's absolutely necessary, and not just for their sake but for yours. Rehoming them may ultimately make you feel worse. You may feel like a failure in that aspect of your life and you don't need that, too, with all the other negativity.