How do you fight depression?

shammxo

Welbutrin, Vitamin D supplements, good social support system, and exercise. I've had depression for about 11 years now. No better, no worse. BUT, it is essential for me to be medicated. I've gone through periods where I'd decide I didn't need meds anymore, and it always ended terribly. I also abstain from alcohol or any kind of drug. Having someone to talk to is CRUCIAL! Never ever be afraid to ask for help.

ckish

Hi,

First off I'm sorry to hear about boots. We lost our dear cat Zacky quite suddenly a few years ago. He was perfectly happy and seemed healthy on Saturday morning. Saturday night he seemed a little out of sorts (listless and not acting as he normally would)but we were not alarmed. We though maybe his tummy was upset or he played too hard and was overly tired. By Sunday morning he was still not back to normal so we took him to the vet thinking he may be coming down with an infection, cold, virus, or something that would need an antibiotic. Unfortunately we discovered he was in extreme kidney failure and dialysis would only prolong his agony. We learned that cats will show absolutely no sign of kidney failure until they have only 30% function remaining. We made the tough decision to put him to sleep. He passed away in my daughter's arms and we were all stunned an heartbroken at the quickness with which we lost him. It sounds like something similiar may have happened to Boots.

As far as depression goes, I have come to recognize my early warning signs. The way I combat it is really quite simple. I make sure I am eating a good breakfast, lunch and dinner even if I don't feel like eating. I exercise even though I don't feel like it. I go for a walk outside for 15 minutes. I spend 15 minutes doing something I know I love to do when I am not depressed eventhough it may seem I'm not motivated to do it now. I make sure I drink 10 glasses of water a day to hydrate my brain. I speak up and tell the poeple I care about the most that I need an extra hug or two. And I make sure I go to bed earlier than I normally do. I am not perfect but if I ever feel myself sliding down the slippery slope I notice that my life has gooten so busy that I have missed meals or have not had healthy food for a few days, or I have been too busy to exercise, not getting enough sleep, or drinking enough water. Along the way I discovered that if most people don't eat properly and exercise the worst that happens is the become a fat, tired couch potato. For me the price for going down that road is so much higher that a few extra pounds and lack of energy. I am more aware of the effects of missing 2 good meals or 3 days of low activity. Therefore I hit the restart button before the depression takes hold. So far this has kept me from going back into a depressive state. The last time I could feel it happening I called a loved one and told them I could feel myself slipping. This helped be make the time to eat & exercise properly because I made a committment to call them with my meal plan and after I exercised etc.

Good luck and god bless you in your struggle to stay mentally healthy and happy. BTW we adopted a new kitty from the shelter and named him Tiki. He looks like he could be Zacky's little brother. He had a respitory infection but our vet gave us some antibiotics and he is now a much love additon to our family. We think if Zacky had not passed and Tiki continued to decline he probably would have not survived the shelter too much longer had fate/God/or whatever you want to call it had not intervened.

Shelby814

Sunshine, exercise, cleaning, banging classic rock music....good luck to you. I wish you well.

BelindaDuvessa

Regular exercise
Sitting in the sun
Taking a Vitamin D supplement (especially during the Winter)
Playing with my children
Watching a comedy
Listening to upbeat music (Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO is my current go to for this)
Just snuggling with my other half (no hanky panky)
Journaling (I just started this, but it helps)

DebbieLyn63

90% of the time the bad cases are when I am sleep deprived. Getting a good night's sleep does wonders. I can be crying frantically, go to sleep, and wake up pretty much ok.

Yes, it is amazing how much better things can look in the morning.
When I start to get down, I like to sing. Turn up some fun upbeat music and sing and dance along to it.
I also try to look for all the positives in my life. If I focus on what is wrong, I can get really down, but looking for the positives help me to not get overwhelmed.
I also try to get out of myself and try to be of help to someone else. No matter what I am dealing with, there is always someone who has it worse than me.

Exercise, fresh air, healthy diet. Don't let myself sink into the chips and ice cream, cuz that just makes it even worse!

slkehl

-Having something to look forward to, even if it's something small, is really important. When you start feeling desperate, focus on that.
-Exercise out in nature.
-Listening to podcasts when bad thoughts are crowding your head
-Talking about it

Jlisaa

I suffer more from anxiety, but when I do get depression it is difficult to deal with. I too had a bad reaction to an anti depressant so I am wary of trying others. Meditation, exercise/ eating well, journaling, bubble baths, or engaging in a passion (for me playing piano), usually help give me some relief.

Starla_

bumping to read later

somemansdream

Thanks for sharing these guys.

I will now have a long list of alternatives to turn to.

Not sure why, but never tied in sleeping issues to depression. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea this summer. I am not bad enough to need a mask though. However, my doctor gave me no help on how to combat this issue other than telling me that my tossing and turning will not injury my back even if it hurts bad the next couple of days.

To the guy that lost his kitty too, my heart goes out to you. This happened so fast, so maybe that was what happened like with your cat. I knew our vet was open half a day saturday and that is one reason I was up so early to check on him, only to find him gone. Bless you for adopting another cat in need.

I am learning a lot that I had no idea about with depression. For that guys, thanks.

Bless each of you and I hope you each keep up the good fight.

Debbie

miriamwithcats

Not sure why, but never tied in sleeping issues to depression. I was diagnosed with sleep apnea this summer. I am not bad enough to need a mask though. However, my doctor gave me no help on how to combat this issue other than telling me that my tossing and turning will not injury my back even if it hurts bad the next couple of days.

Debbie

I have sleep apnea, and use a CPAP machine. I have found that when I cannot use my machine (usually power outages) that my airway is clearer if I don't use a pillow, and point my chin towards the ceiling. This approximates the position you would place someone in to do CPR- opens the airway. You can also achieve this position by putting the pillow under your shoulders and letting your head drop back onto the bed. It really does help. Some people do better if they just stay off their back. If you are one of these, you can sew a tennis ball in to the back of your pajama top so that you won't roll on to your back. I have also known people who couldn't tolerate the machine, but found that sleeping in their recliners worked. Or sleeping on the couch where there isn't room to turn on to their back.

anemoneprose

ckish: just want to highlight what you said, because it's so important - we have to do these things even if we don't feel like it. emotion follows action. such a good point.

Gidzmo

Background: Finances are hard right now and every payday is a struggle. I refuse to live like this forever and that is why i'm getting my bachelor's degree. It just feels mentally that this is never-ending struggle.

Boots--our cat of 10 years. Was sick for 1 1/2 days. Next day he was gone--as in missing. His is a home boy and never leaves more than a few hours. He definitely does not miss multiple feeding times. We have searched and searched our house and neighbors with no luck. As soon as I realized the next morning he was gone, I felt in my heart that he went off to die. I have no idea what in the hell would take a cat so very fast like that but this is what we think.
He was a good cat. He was the calmest cat I have ever seen, even as a kitten. He was living on the streets and starving. He was so skinny when he first came here. He was a cutie too with dark grey fur and four white boots. RIP Boots.

Years ago, I had a bad reaction to a product I used for 2 1/2 years. Every since then, I get hit with depression every once in a while.

I know what works for me. These include: hard physical labor, sunshine, if it is a light case-music.
Do you guys have things that you do if you get depressed? I would love more ideas.

Sorry to hear about Boots. We have two dogs here. Many of our previous dogs were strays or pound-puppies. When one of our dogs died or had to be put down, the other dogs knew it and grieved.

I also deal with occasional depression. I've tried various medications, with so-so effects. Sometimes distraction works, or music, or cleaning. Sometimes I just need to curl up and sleep to feel better.

garyolson43

Depression is serious. You need to seek professional help. I have been hospitalized twice because of depression. Being Bi-Polar I can have either severe mania or severe depression. And with the depression you may have thoughts of harming yourself. I have tried many things over the years and I work very hard not to let this disorder interfere with my life. I am on Lamotrigine, Abilify and Carbamazepine. I take my psyche meds every day and since losing a lot of weight I have found that exercising helps a great deal. But the most important thing for me to do is see a psychotherapist. All it is is talk therapy. You get to unload and talk with someone who know what they are doing. Sure you can talk to friends or family but sometimes they says the wrong things. I have been told to "snap out of it" or "get over it". All that did was make my depression worst. So my advice is 1) seek professional help, 2) take meds as prescribed (if prescribed), 3) exercise and 4) see a therapist. When seeking professional help I don't mean from your primary doctor. Get a referral to see a Behavior Health Specialist. All these things have worked for me and MAY work for you.

I realize that you are struggling a bit with your finance and the advice I just gave you can be costly but you must find a way. You metal health is just as important as your physical health. If you cannot do this because of your finances then do the exercising and find a good family member or friend to talk to. One thing about exercising I have become more charitable and often join in charities that sponsors walks or runs. These events make feel good about myself because I am helping someone and getting exercise at the same time.

I wish you good luck! My very best to you....Gary

Zomoniac

Good exercise, whisky, pie and Pig Destroyer. Possibly ice cream. Chronic insomnia. That's what I do. Though it doesn't really work.

taekwonkenpo

Good exercise, whisky, pie and Pig Destroyer. Possibly ice cream. Chronic insomnia. That's what I do. Though it doesn't really work.

Add cheescake and i believe you will have the full recipe for success.

tubbyelmo

So sorry about your cat, you were so kind to take Boots in and you shared 10 happy years.

When I feel my depression is getting bad I settle down with my card making and get lost in my crafting for a while, or I tidy up any crafting mess I left behind the last time!

Sometimes, I just need to let go and really cry, it's like a huge emotional release. This freaked my partner out totally when we first got together, he wasn't used to the sudden rush of emotions. I explained that handing me a tissue and giving me a cuddle was all that was required of him, and he's far better with that now.

If all else fails I clean, move furniture around, and of course I end up with a tidy house which cheers me up anyway!

All the very best, add me as a friend if you would like a MFPal in Scotland!

daybyday

Bump to print off for reference!!

ccpowers

bump as well

somemansdream

More ideas--love this. Thanks!
To those that can use this too, awesome! May some of the tips help you or the person you have in mind.
:flowerforyou:

Debbie

peej75

I have suffered from Anxiety and depression for the past few years. I literally woke up one day, had an anxiety attack at work for the first time in my life and it was a slippery slope from there. I went to my doctor who prescribed me anti-depressants - even though I told her that I didn't feel depressed, that something else had to be wrong because I have been happy and healthy with no anxiety issues for 33 years.. I took my first tablet that night and had every adverse side effect. So I never took another one and instead found an amazing naturopath who not only put me on some supplements such as Omega 3, Vit B and Magnesium, but she also sent me away for hormone testing. My hormone picture was all over the place and she said this is what was causing my anxiety.
It has been a very long and slow road to recovery as I opted to work with the naturopath to balance my hormones through natural means, and I have over this time felt quite depressed and have seriously lost my confidence due to being unsure as to when the next anxiety attack was going to hit.
In the past few years, as well as my naturopathic treatments I have found the following to really help me when I am feeling anxious or depressed:- Going for a walk with my dog, watching a funny movie, swimming in salt water and spending time in the sun. I have also recently discovered a treatment called Neurolink which has been AMAZING! My naturopathic treatment has balanced my hormones again and the Neurolink has really helped me to feel balanced again mentally and physically. My confidence is coming back and I am starting to recognise the old me - all without being on any drugs.
I hope that you start to feel better soon. It is such a horrible feeling being bogged down in depression and I hope my post helps you to see that there can be some solutions that don't involve taking anti-depressents.