How do you treat your depression?? Lets Share!!!

trudijoy

internet dramas = double post. oops

Myhaloslipped

I lift heavy weights, put them down and repeat over and over lol. Seriously, weight lifting for an hour always makes me feel powerful and in control of any problem.

I tend to get this sensation from lifting as well. I love it.

spplan

What works best for me is going outside for a run. I love it! Fresh air is awesome for those sad-depressing days.
Also if I can't go running because of bad weather or whatever I take a break of whatever I'm doing, I eat a piece of fresh fruit, drink a glass of water or I write poems.

I've been struggling with depression for the last 2 years and I've found that these activities make me feel better and clear my mind from negative stuff.

MisterDerpington

Some of these answers show me that many of you have not experienced depression. That is a very good thing. For those that have, however, exercise does help, but there is no shame in getting medication. If you had a heart condition or diabetes, you would take your medication, wouldn't you?

Clinical depression is an illness of the brain - not the mind.

Who are you to hold claim to objective truth in the matter of depression? You don't know any of us, and assuming people who don't get treated with pills don't have depression is offensive. I'm not going to get into my background, but I assure you I had clinical depression - Which I treated through sheer power of Mind, after refusing meds for many years, even while undergoing inpatient rehabilitation. I am not a special snowflake; We all have this power, and you are severely underestimating the power of the human mind.

I know you weren't talking to me, but I saw the post and felt the need to reply. There is nothing wrong with taking meds either, if it works for you, I'm glad it makes you happy. But it's certainly not necessary. I could get into the FDA, about how America and the UK are some of the only places in the world where they are allowed to advertise drugs, but I won't.

Nobody said medication was the end all be all for those depressed. However, there needs to be a line between depression as a mental disease and feeling down in the dumps. I've lived with depression for 11 years. I've yet to go through inpatient because it scares me. I'm trying to find a way to actually being content. I can tell you a hot shower or bath is nice, but it doesn't cure my depression. I work out 3-5 days a week. It feels good and I'm glad I do it, but it doesn't stop me from often wishing I wasn't alive. The real thing that upsets me and obviously others is the broadening of "depression" to mean feeling a little blue or down in the dumps. It's like the people who talk about their "diet soda addiction" because they drink 2-3 cans a day.

ash8184

Hi, I find that what I put in media wise has a big impact on how I feel. I try to keep the things I watch, read and listen to lighthearted. I also take 5htp and St. John's Wort, and together they help a lot with depression and anxiety. Facing my fears helps a lot too. Following my intuition seems to help too. I have not been great at that the past few years, but I finally think I can improve in that area because I see the problem.

I have some weaknesses with my mode of treatment right now too. I really need to make some friends because I need someone to talk to besides someone I pay to listen to me or my family members. I am not great at making friends. I get really nervous, shy, timid and find it hard to open up in person. Sometimes you really need to talk to someone who is a friend but not as close as a family member, especially when you are in a stressful, life changing situation where you need to make good decisions. I have some plans to change this by moving and beginning new activities.

Yay - go 5HTP!

As someone who has personally dealt with a lot of the issues discussed here, I think nutrition can have a lot to do with mood. Feed your body well and it's much more inclined to be happy and functional.

Bharrell414

Currently going through this (and unfortunately have in the past). I find that getting all of my internal thoughts out is the most helpful. Usually I do this through private blogging that I don't share. Occasionally I make posts public that I feel will help someone else or allow them to relate. But mostly, I just need to get all of my darkness onto paper so it's no longer floating around in my head.

Also, taking your medication regularly and keeping a healthy diet is helpful. Easier said than done, at times.

Timshel_

How do you treat your depression??

One big catalyst for being healthier is, eating right and exercise both help me keep out of deep depression away from the need for medication. Also, I like to be competitive and play sports. Other things that help sometimes and cause depression at others are spending time with my family or friends, getting involved in larger work projects, and stuff like that.

Cutting down sugar and caffeine really helps with the anxiety I have as well.

Not to be crude, but self-release can really help too.

Or writing and playing instruments.

Sometimes it is hit or miss with what works to snap the funk.