Depression

motogsp

It was a huge step for me to admit that I have a problem and I was becoming dangerous to myself. I hit bottom. Never thinking I would be better or thinking I was all alone. I figured this was it I am doomed to feel this way for ever. I have entered a program to help which was another huge step for me. Seeing I have thought I could handle it all myself. Boy was I wrong. You cant do it yourself. Not only was I beating myself up but substance abuse became more and more till I could take it any more. I am so glad I searched for help. If you are reading this and think you can handle it you are wrong don't be afraid to get help. It is so scary to ask but it is worth it. I will be better it just takes some time and one day I will be that person I have dreamt about.

jetlag

Regaining a sense of control is the first hurdle. You've taken action and that alone is worth applauding :-) you can do this.

taunto

Nice post OP. However my experience have been different. I reached out to 1 person only. My best friend. All I got was judgement. Whats worst, he's a doctor and shoulda known better. But I digress.

I think the biggest help I gave myself was writing stuff down and trying to help others. Be it tutoring kids at college, getting some friends together and cooking for them when I know a couple of them were starving due to poverty or just putting a smile on somebodys face. It might not be healthy for me but it was the best I could do to help myself.

If anyone is reading this and thinks they are constantly depressed, first, make sure that its depression and you're not just simply surround by A-holes. If it is depression, get real help. Don't gamble on talking to friends and family, the best of them can turn out to be scumbag and it would just put you back. Talk to a professions. I didn't but I should have. You should too.

jetlag

Amen to that. My best friend's mum has been suffering from serious depression for years and she just keeps complaining that she wishes she'd just " pull herself together". Makes me so angry.

My husband saved me. God I love that man.

TallGlassOfQuirky

I have dealt with depression in one form or another since I was an adolescent, first being diagnosed with clinical depression and, later, bipolar disorder. I went through years of counseling, countless types of antidepressants/mood stabilizers/antipsychotics, and had a horrible time finding a way to cope, instead harming myself in many different ways (some which left physical scars, others which did not) for about 15 years. Amazingly enough, however, I actually have depression to thank for being the catalyst to get my body healthy almost three years ago.

Exercise has honestly been the best tool for me and I wish I had discovered it much sooner, although it isn't the only way to cope with depressive symptoms. Understanding your triggers and also learning positive behaviors to perform while in the midst of a depressive episode makes a big difference as well - drawing, writing, exercising, or pretty much any activity that engages your brain and body in a manner that makes you step outside of your own sadness to do something productive are helpful tools, although what one person finds therapeutic won't work the same for everyone.
Having a good support system is a huge blessing - one I have been without and one I have been blessed with at different times.

I wish you the best and hope you are able to help yourself and also to get the support you need.

Sewweaver

OP .... incredibly proud of you. You have done this right:

1. recognized a problem
2. admitted it
3. got help
4. opened up about it

Just very very proud of you for all this. Not one single one of those steps is easy and you did all of them!

thefragile7393

Depression can be a motivator....and obviously it can be a deterrent. I have experienced both in my life, seen it. Work with it. Admitting something needs to be changed and then taking steps to change are the hardest parts. Keep it up!

Firefighter208

I have dealt with depression, and to a larger extent, anxiety, for as long as I can remember. I am glad that I realized that I had a problem and got help for it. There are days that I still struggle, but things are much better now. I'm trying to clean up my diet with the hopes that it will help even more.

motogsp

I thank you one and all!! It has been one of the hardest things I have ever done. It was a huge since of relief just saying I need help and to be able to get off my chest all the deep down thoughts and secrets I have been suppressing for some many years

IzzyM210

The one time I got brave enough to ask for help and went to see a therapist she basically Just told me I needed to lose weight...so yeah, I really doubt I'll expose myself again.

jetlag

The one time I got brave enough to ask for help and went to see a therapist she basically Just told me I needed to lose weight...so yeah, I really doubt I'll expose myself again.

You went to the wrong person. Get a better therapist!

cebreisch

I asked a friend of mine who has lost a bit of weight and now sometimes does body-building stuff how he did it. He said, "I hired the right people." And you're absolutely right. It's hard to ask for help and be held accountable, but it is so worth it.

Over the last two years, I've had therapists, nutritionists, bariatric doctors, behavior coaches, and trainers all helping me through this journey. It's obviously working since I've lost 120.8 pounds so far. Wouldn't have it any other way.