Severe depression, low libido

It is withdrawal. You have to push through it.

 

In 54 days and I can tell you it's definitely from withdrawal, if you've already made it this far I'm sure you can push through. It's definitely rough but just know you're not alone and we all go through the same thing, I'm currently experiencing depression on and off days so hang in there!

 

It's a rough ride brother but you have to push through, it does get gradually better!

 

Depression has tangible psychological markers. Like you said, low energy, a sense of non-existent motivation or drive to do anything, and life has no color. More importantly, it has physiological markers; low-dopamine/serotonin levels (motivation), unbalanced blood-sugar levels (not enough food, or too much sugary foods), and vitamin depletion.
You need to address these physiological markers, and they are very simple to take care of.

Think of these as "MUST TO DO LIST" goals to combat your depression.
Just as you are committed to not compromising your abstinence you must also be committed to taking care of your physiology.
Your habits that you have been abstaining from served a purpose, they helped you self-sooth. They were maladaptive (self-defeating) habits used as a crutch to regulate your emotions.
Well guess what, your need to regulate your emotions (such produce dopamine and serotonin) will always be there; that's ingrained in all of us as humans. But now you have to cater to them with other activities that are adaptive (self-building).

So let's go down the list;

1) Balance Blood Sugar Levels and Necessary Vitamines
Your brain requires the proper and necessary environment to function optimally. (Think Low Fuel, Fluids, Engine oil equal low performing vehicle that will break down sooner than it should).

Actions to do:

• Eat at least 3 meals everyday.
• Eat fruits: Apples, Oranges, Bananas (very important for dopamine replenishment, space out 2-3 on the day if possible).
• Take a daily multi-vitamin supplement for your respective gender (Alive is a decent brand). They are required for your brain to synthesize and build up essential proteins for it to function.
• If you're not allergic, take fish oil capsules/liquid or make 2 peanut butter (and jelly, yes you deserve it) sandwiches throughout the day (Omega-3 will will help regulate your mood and is great for depression)

Actions to avoid:

• Steer clear of sugary sweets that are processed (cakes, cookies).
• Steer clear of oily fast food

2) Low-energy
Dopamine is the motivation neurotransmitter, before an activity (anticipation) and after you've doing an activity (satisfaction). The activities are essential to survival such as eating, having sex, completed a task, etc. It makes us happy, excited, and adds that motivational drive when you feel excited about something.

When you're doing any activity your brain normally releases dopamine (say 100), and there are dopamine receptors that catch them and absorb them (say another 100). So there's 100 senders and 100 receivers, a 1-1 ratio.

During any addictive behavior, the brain is flooded with dopamine, say 1000 sender; and this is where the high or feeling euphoric comes from. But there are still the same number of 100 receivers. So in order for your brain not to overload itself, it shuts some of the receptors that do the catching (now you're down to 20).
So tomorrow you wake up and do the a normal activity (brain sends out a 100 again) but now you have only 20 catchers. That means you're only getting catching 20 of those 100, so you're feeling 20% happy.
Good news is these receptors will open up in time and the best way to do it is with physical exercise. It doesn't have to be intense, especially when you're feeling down with depression. You need somewhere to start. A 10-15 minute easy walk around the block or in a park, or down the street.

Actions to do:

• Go for a short, achievable walk (you work your way up to the gym when you get enough dopamine back to feel motivated). The point is to just to get you started on something small.
• Sunlight exposure (sunlight hitting your eyes produces vitamin D and Serotonin) Mood booster galore.
• Commit to this 15 minute walk once a day for a week.
• Take deep breaths here and there when walking to maximize oxygen intake. Fresh air, another mood booster

Actions to avoid:

• Staying in the house/apartment all day long (even if you've been to work all day)

I guarantee you do this for 2-3 days and your mood is going to be improved significantly. I know because I just got out of a 8 month depression spree. Take it one day at a time, small and manageable goals. Most importantly, get your body in the state in which it can experience happiness.

Best of luck and I wish you a speedy recovery.