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.