Depression

MisterDerpington

For those that suffer from clinical depression, what have you done to deal with it? Medication that has helped you? Therapy? I've been depressed most of my adult life, but now I've gone through a breakup, plundered so much money on shameful things, and I'm just feeling really low right now; and I want to know that there's some way to climb out of it.

Even those that haven't climbed out of it, chime in. I'm just hoping to find someone who can actually relate.

kevalbs

In my experience, talking to a therapist was the best thing I ever did for myself. It's allowed me to fix things in my life and about myself that I wanted to change. It's also a great place to get objective advice on anything. Some drugs (like psychedelic mushrooms) have put a certain wonder in my life that came from just one use. I generally try to make the best of anything and I also TRY to be happy.

Good luck, dealing with depression is tough, I know.

EricJonrosh

I experience depression, never been diagnosed or given meds. The best thing that helps me is to help others. It's like whatever passes through you to them heals you more.

jenilla1

There is definitely a light at the end of the tunnel. You probably feel stuck right now and don't see it, and that's normal when you're depressed. The fact that you are reaching out shows that you want to get better and that's cool. It sounds like you're open to getting help. Have you seen a doctor (hopefully a mental health professional) yet? If you have clinical depression and you've had it forever, it's likely that you have a chemical imbalance and medication would help you start to heal. Once you are feeling better you can start to make the changes you need to make in your life that will help keep you from relapsing. Please look into treatment. You CAN and WILL climb out of this!!! :flowerforyou:

Arne_becomesxXx

I am on the edge of a clinicel depression. Just creeped outside its range a little bit.
The last month I tried clinic, therapist and meds (ok, taking meds since 4 years).
Now I hate clinics and therapists! Thats what I deal with....hate and anger and the powerfull will to get it by my own.

I know, I am strong enough and noone could ever tell me more about myself than I could!

And, what Steve wrote. If you be good to others it heals you. Every time a little bit more. :flowerforyou:

michellemybelll

in all honesty exercise is the greatest anti-depressant for me. there is absolutely nothing that makes me feel more empowered, proud of myself, and just plain GOOD than sticking to a regular, sweaty, butt-kicking exercise routine. in the past, i've dabbled in therapy and meds, but that **** didn't do jack for me. i'm not the type to be comfortable really "talking out" my feelings, and i don't like meds in general. i really honestly think a generally controlled, healthy diet combined with regular exercise can over come many mental health issues. take care of your body inside and out, and a snowball effect will occur throughout other parts of your life.

i realize that's not the rule, and there are definitely outliers, but just my 2 cents.

littleburgy

I've climbed out of it.... and back in.... and back out.... :ohwell:
I take meds and exercise helps a lot. I wouldn't mind going back to a therapist to get a "tune up"

Depression is a complicated thing. I don't believe there is one cure-all and you have to care for a number of things to keep it in check -- diet and activity is a good foundation. Keeping busy and having something of a project or hobby to invest energy in helps, too.

kitticus15

I have lived with depression for over 30 years, my first break was at 9 years old. I have lived a very chaotic life, sometimes like living on a deathwish, through all this I have learnt to recognise when I am getting bad, or I thought I did. Each and everytime I start to feel good I come off the meds but hit a spiral and get bad again, I know I need meds for the rest of my life, some of us are just that way, we need the meds to function.

I find exercise makes me feel good. At times the depression manifests as illness and makes exercise difficult, painful even, but I keep trying, I take a few days off then go back and try some more.

It is worth trying cos the days that you feel good are great, keep trying its all we can do

David0081

I have been through this. In and out of hospital, including the psychiatric unit. Professional counselling does help, and it's free here. However, also, you really have to want to get out of the situation yourself. It takes a degree of self-motivation, and as you wrote this thread, you still have some. Exercise boosts the feel-good endorphins, and definitely works. Although you may not feel like it, socialising, getting out helps also. Meds are a short-term help, and if you have them, use the improved mood to do some of the above. Another feel good factor of exercise is losing exess weight...

Best wishes,

David

ronit_rai

I've been through hypochondria nd almost screwed me..but it was me who failed to give up..I started meditation nd proper workout nd then slowly nd slowly I got back in the track..all I can suggest u is to take a vow of livin a positive nd healthy life nd yeah in addition to that u can go to strip clubs..

AestheticStar

My depression hit bad when I was 16 & moved during my HS years. Adjusting to a new town, new people, & not fitting in really screwed me up, emotionally & mentally. I became very depressed & suicidal. Constantly tried to say I was sick to get out of going to school, & eventually just told my mom that I'd rather die than go back to that place.. She helped me see a doctor, who referred me to a therapist. It was scary at first, seeing a stranger, & having to be "open" about my emotions & how I felt. But it helped, quite a lot I do believe. I was put on medication, which I hated, because it caused me to gain 50 pounds. That is what started my issues with weight. I was on the medicine for five or six years, & finally felt stable enough to be off it in 2006. Every since then, I've had ups & downs, & very rare thoughts of suicide, only due to the last three years of medical problems I have had that have caused me a few surgeries, & a lot of physical pain. But I am doing a bit better (still having physical pain day to day), but not down like I used to be. I have my moments, at least once a month, due to my monthly "gift", lol. But it doesn't last.

If you ever need to talk, message me, or add me. I hope you are able to find something to help you cope with this, because I know it's hard, & it's really a struggle to cope with & overcome. It's a day to day struggle sometimes, & it's always hard to know how to handle it.

helpfit101

Pretend you're not depressed. Seriously live your day as if you are not depressed.

And exercise also helps.

beagdearg

i have suffered from depression/anxiety most of my life. am 33 now and can remember feeling "off" at 6 years of age (anxiety).

the past year i've lost my mom to cancer, found out my godmother has cancer, lost my pet Boxer to cancer and am looking forward to a foreclosure. i got back in the gym and the one thing i hate CARDIO has saved me! I SWEAR by it! i do 45 miles on the bike each week, 9 miles 5x's a day. it took a couple months to "work" but i no longer have depression like i did. at times a little blue (fleeting feelings) but absolutely nothing like it was.

tried prozac years back but got a case of the "i want to take a take a nap with the car running in the garage syndrome." so gave them up rather quickly.

its worth a shot. google the benefits of cardio/being physical and depression.

get some sunlight each day as well.

good luck!

jazi719

I can definitely relate and I am sorry to hear that you're going through this.

Depending on your insurance and copay, therapy can be very costly. I am on my 3rd therapist with a $50 copay. Also on my 2nd Psychiatrist, although I think I like her.

You need to find a person that will understand, will write things down, not just listen and talk. In my opinion, if they're not writing, how will they know anything the next time you come in??

I became depressed in my adult years too but only needed a low dose of Prozac, 10-20 mg seemed to do the trick. I was on and off it so many times.

I was recently put on Wellbutrin, it made me so angry. They added Prozac with it and it didn't help. I was taken off of it, thank God and put on Cymbalta together with my Prozac. Seriously? I went from nothing to two meds, therapists and psychiatrists.

I would prefer to learn how to deal with loss and tragedy rather than be on meds but for some reason, I can't do it on my own.

Don't ever let anyone tell you to just snap out of it, if they do... tell them that karma's a ***** and it just may happen to you.

I do notice that this week I am feeling better since I have not od'd on sugar. I will start exercising again, soon. I still have to push myself to do it.

Good luck to you. Find the right doctor and the right meds to help you through it.

hannahlbur

I think talking to a counsellor - even if you don't think it will help it usually does.
Exercise. Trying to look after yourself.
Setting goals and planning nice things to look forward to.

Meds work for a lot of people - speak to your Dr could be worth a try?

ktno1

I had severe depression coupled with anxiety (would have multiple panic attacks a day) for years. It's still in there but it doesn't control me anymore. Exercise, eating better, forcing myself to participate in things even though I didn't want to, a very supportive boyfriend (got lucky with that one!), and prayer have all helped me a lot.

I was on medication for a while and it just made me feel like crud. It works for some but I think my depression was caused by the thought processes I chose (although I never realised it was a choice) rather than by a physical problem in the brain (like chemical imbalance). So basically I forced myself to think more positively. It eventually became habit. It's still hard but it's way better than feeling the way I did.

Nyksta

I haven't read through all the answers but I've suffered from depression, mostly due to a hormone imbalence and I found that writing really helped me to be able to express how I was feeling. I wrote poetry mostly but also diaries, journnals and just notes.

I'm now dealing with depression from 'the other side' - my husband is severely depressed. He has tried medication but found that although it stopped how he was feeling, it compeltely stopped him feeling anything. Just numb which didn't help. He's actually going back today to speak with his counsiller for a second set of sessions. He's come on so far frmo last time in being able to admit how he is feeling and seeing for himself that he needs to talk it through with someone/express his thoughts.

I think keeping communication open and being able to talk is the real key.

I wish you the best.

Nykki

PJ_73

Oh, sorry to hear you are suffering, lovely. Depression can be a cruel mistress.

I suffer with Borderline Personality Disorder and suffer with regular bouts of depression and this time of year tends to be worse....boo!

Medication has helped in the past but has been more of a short term solution. Talking therapy has been positive and I think I would benefit from more - but therapy is never cheap these days!

Keeping a routine of eating and sleeping is positive for me, as lack of sleep does exacerbate my depression. I also find that exercising really helps and reduces my anxieties and stresses, a lot!

Talking to people, letting them in and not allowing myself to shoulder everything is a big one for me, although one that I have struggled with for years. People that care will want to help, we just got to let them!

Making lists and breaking down my day/activities/chores into doable tasks is helpful and I find that I get more done when I am depressed and feel good about having done it.

Finally, not beating myself up! I know that I won't get better overnight and that it will take some time to pull through the episode and I need to be patient and kind to myself.

Find an empathetic GP, talk to him, be honest and see what support you can get. Take care of you.

travel_kat

I used to take meds, but I found in the long term they didn't help/solve the underlying issue. When I came off them - and I came off them really really slowly - I found that I just went downhill really quickly and was really really sick, not because anything was 'wrong' but because the meds wern't their ie: the meds were just making things worse. I've found that I don't need the meds, I did some counselling (well alot) but I needed to be open to it working and actively helping myself/doing what the counselling suggested. I also found a love of running, it allows my brain to process stuff when I run.

I think everyone is different and you need to try lots of different things to find what works for you.

From suicidal to loving life, it is possible.

piratesaregrand

For me, medication and exercise

Pickledpiper

I can relate to most of the posters on here. I have struggled with some sort of anxiety/depression since I was 5 years old. I am now 34, and I finally feel like I have beat it. I have been in and out of therapy since age 5 and on every medication under the sun. A lot of it is trial and error. I have finally found a medication that works wonderfully, so that coupled with lots and lots of motivation to change things/become happier and healthier has made the difference. Medication is not for everyone though, and as I said, it can be a very frustrating and disheartening process trying to find the one that works for you.

When it comes down to it, you just have to get sick enough of living like you are. You have to take responsibility for yourself and do whatever it takes to get better, no matter how hard it may be. Getting control of my weight has been the biggest thing for me (my depression and food issues are best friends). When I began to feel more comfortable in my own skin, things just began to fall into place. Not to say any of it was easy, and it has taken me 30 years to get here, but if you keep fighting and don't give up, you will get where you want to be.

icemaiden17_uk

I have lots of fun problems! Including Anxiety and PTSD. I have found therapy and excersise to be the best things for me. I can't take meds as I have a bad reaction to them so these are really my only options anyway. Exercise uses up the bad chemicals and hormones and realeases the good ones and the therapy kinda speaks for itself.

I hope this helps you and that you find a way to dig yourself out if the funk you are in. I know how hard it can be!!

Good Luck! :flowerforyou:

Eleonora91

For those that suffer from clinical depression, what have you done to deal with it? Medication that has helped you? Therapy? I've been depressed most of my adult life, but now I've gone through a breakup, plundered so much money on shameful things, and I'm just feeling really low right now; and I want to know that there's some way to climb out of it.

Even those that haven't climbed out of it, chime in. I'm just hoping to find someone who can actually relate.

Either you deal with it by yourself hoping it won't kill you (both mentally and phisically) or you ask for help, which is the best option although I know it's not easy. It might just mean talking to a friend and ask for an advice. I've learnt that some of us have to deal with it and there's probably no way to make all the pain disappear, but we should still find a way to at least cope with it and be able to go on with our lives.

sarahrbraun

For those that suffer from clinical depression, what have you done to deal with it? Medication that has helped you? Therapy? I've been depressed most of my adult life, but now I've gone through a breakup, plundered so much money on shameful things, and I'm just feeling really low right now; and I want to know that there's some way to climb out of it.

Even those that haven't climbed out of it, chime in. I'm just hoping to find someone who can actually relate.

I have been on and off medication for the last 20 years. I have not been medicated for the last 8-9 years, even though I probably have needed to be several times.

At this point in my life, what helps me the most is cardio. 2 days a week I do only cardio, and one of those days I do an hour on a machine, then an hour long dance fusion class. I also found that the one day my trainer decided to put me on the heavy bag for our ENTIRE hour, I was excited and energized when we were done. Beating the crap out of that bag felt awesome.

kevalbs

I agree that you should try to be happy, therefore do things that happy people do. But ignoring it is not going to help at all. In fact ignoring something or supressing a feeling or memory is the main cause of psychosis. Probably not a good idea.

sammniamii

I've been on more meds than I want to remember - none of it worked well or at all.
Therapy was alright, but it also didn't go far. I know what's wrong, I told them everything but no amount of talking seemed to help anything.
I slowly figured some ways to "fix" minor things myself, but otherwise it's still there, a threatening dark cloud.

Best I can offer - keep yourself busy, even with crap like housework, gardening, ect.... I have to force myself many days to do anything, but if I don't my hubs won't so it will sit there and pile up until I get disgusted and do it anyways.

Or I go and destroy a cardboard box.... among other things.

Good luck man

Female_On_Fire

Do your best to avoid meds. I've been on both Prozac and zoloft in the past and all they did was numb me and cause me to gain weight. Exercise, eating right and seeking out friends to talk to are your best defense. Some days are really tough but you'll get through them. I suffer from severe pms. While some find humor in pms it's not funny. I have days where I think everyone hates me and I have no desire to go on. But I have to tell myself it will pass. Each day say something positive to yourself, try something new,keep yourself busy. ( hugs)

simplycorey

I've gone through bouts of depression in my life and put on meds a couple times. While the Xanax did help the panic attacks, I didn't think the anti-depressants helped me at all and I actually felt kind of crazy on them. It helps me to have a handful of supportive friends I know I can talk to anytime about anything - it's cheaper and possibly more effective than therapy. Regular exercise, eating better and getting enough sleep (this is still rare for me) has also made a huge difference.

Cheechos

I was diagnosed with depression and social anxiety a few years ago and it has affected my life far more than I would have liked. I was in therapy and on medication for about a year and things improved greatly, but my insurance stopped covering me and I had to cut the meds cold turkey and try to find a way to live without them. It's been a little over a year since I stopped taking my pills or going to see my therapist and I'm still hanging on. Some days I really want to just disappear. It's almost more like a desperate need than a desire at times. My room falls into disarray, I sit in the same spot for days on end, and there are nights when it's almost as if I've fallen into a catatonic state--I can't move and my eyes can't focus on anything and there's just a buzzing noise in my head because I'm trying to block out how sad I'm feeling.

Despite all of this, though, the thing that keeps me going is fighting it. I have to fight every day with my disorders. If I don't want to move, I make myself wiggle my fingers, and then my arm, and then I'm pushing myself up and loosening my body to make myself get out of bed. I battle the symptoms one piece at a time. It's difficult, more so on some days than on others, and on some days I just can't fight and cry in bed for a few hours. That's okay, too. Sometimes I have to know when to be gentle with myself and when to push myself. I always try, though. The day I stop is the day I let depression win and I don't really want to disappear, no matter how badly it feels like I do when I'm at my lowest point.

There is always light, so try your best. Seek help if you need it. Do whatever you have to do, just don't let depression win.

apedeb09

I've suffered from "major depressive disorder" since I was a young teen. I used to be on medication, but it just made me gain weight and caused pretty bad mood swings, so I haven't been on meds in probably 7 or 8 years. I just deal with it. I'm not as bad as I was when I was a teen, but I do have anxiety that seems to be getting worse. I'm thinking of going to a psychologist or something to talk about it, I just really don't want to be on meds.

ldrosophila

Not on medication since I hate the way it kills my libido. I give myself wallow time. I go to those dark, painful thoughts and I sit with the feelings and analyze them no matter how much it hurts. After a certain time though I've been forcing myself out of that and trying to find gratitude for something. Even if it's the compliment I got on my shirt today...anything positive I can grab onto. Prayer for me helps and giving it to a higher power, but I realize that this may not be other's choice.

For me it's a lot more difficult to hold onto the positive. Negative and self loathing thoughts are much more comfortable. My old friend/enemy.

If you can put yourself into that mindset, and I realize this is not always possible especially when you are deep into depression and self destruction, you have to replace negative thoughts with positive thoughts. The minute you have one negative thought think of anything positive it can be something rudimentary like, "oh the sky is so blue today or wow, look how pretty that dandelion looks growing in the asphalt." Then try to stop the spinning thoughts focus on that sky or whatever until its quiet. That's what works for me.

I hope you can get a good management of your depression so that you can move forward with your goals and accomplish big things. Another thought, there is nothing shameful to feel if one is seeking help and treatment for a mental disorder. If you had a broken leg you would get it fixed. If you have a broken mind you get it fixed.