Anyone with Depression/Anxiety
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no easy answer from me. but they tell me in alanon to ask myself 'how can i take care of myself until this passes?' Kudos to you for reaching out. Oh, and I pray a lot. You can add me if you like.0
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For me it’s A LOT of talking to the Big Guy Upstairs and I don’t mean Bible banging type talk. I mean how you would talk to your favorite relative/friend, outside of your parents, who could keep this secret. I then look for little signs of anything positive from Him to help keep my noggin on straight, even something as simple as beautiful cloud formations on a bright blue sky day - I'm serious when I say that! Get me in front of a beautiful garden and I may not leave my "happy place" :bigsmile:
Now there are times when this doesn’t work at all, but that’s when I allow myself to just have a good cry. I’ve also taught myself that I’m not to blame for having depression as its origins are out of my control/just the way that my brain is hardwired. BUT it’s how I deal with it that is what I need to own outright!
Over the past few years, I’ve come across certain wonderful folks who have brought it up in conversation about their own struggles. I felt comfortable enough to gently mention my issues and after one of these lil “sessions amongst friends” I actually felt a lil better.
That said, take advantage of this great technology we have here and expand your “community” of others who are struggling just like you, because, after all, we MUST remember that we’re not alone, we have each other.
On the physical end, this whole healthy eating (but NOT depriving which makes symptoms much worse) and excercise is critical. While you don't have to join a gym, even walking in your neighborhood is a start, then you can expand from there.
One thing to remember is to take baby steps as you MUST be patient with yourself - we can be our own worst enemies and that very bad habit is what must be broken if we are to make it.
Keep your chin up beause life is worth it - YOU ARE WORTH IT!!!!!!! 0 -
BUMP0
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How: It just takes practice and I'm sure differs for everyone.
For me this was my crazy cycle with anxiety:
1. Got engaged and started having panic attacks.
2. Wondered what the F_ was happening.
3. Googled. Figured out they were anxiety attacks.
4. Got married in a sweat and looked like a hot mess on wedding day.
5. Continued miserable marriage.
6. Divorced.
7. Anxiety went away.
I just woke up and they were gone. The anxiety seems to come back when I hit a certain point in dating so I end it because it's a sign that something unhealthy is going on so poof. Anxiety free and I'm now a free, happy bird.0 -
Identify the cause and then let it go.
How exactly do you let go of a biological neurotransmitter imbalance? I'm intrigued.
Maybe it was the exercise.0 -
Running. Honestly, the endorphins light me up and I just feel better. My anxiety on the other hand swings way out of control. Sime days I don't know what to do.0
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good for you (and everyone on here) for pushing through this. I have had two fabulous therapists (one at my college when I was there and the other in my hometown area) and it helped tremendously! But I agree with a lot of the others - a bad therapist can be worse than no therapist at all. You have to feel comfortable with the person for it to really work.0
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I've also had depression since I was a child, with some mild anxiety on the side. I have days where I suddenly feel like all my strength and energy have been sucked out of me. I have times where I feel like the lowest being on earth. I've learned that when I'm already feeling down, alcohol works only as a slide down to the very pits. What does help me is being around my friends, animals, nieces and nephew. They are the best uppers I could ever find
I have never been on medication for depression but I have seen a psychologist for it. Running is a constructive way for me to work out all the things overloading my brain I wish you luck in finding what works for you! I'm going to add you on here too 0 -
Also, anyone else with PTSD that suffers from recurring nightmares? If so, any suggestions on how to stop them? They are seriously about to be the death of me. I don't want to live afraid, either. I find myself extremely paranoid everywhere I go due to past incidences. Any suggestions/advice truly welcome! Please message me!
A few months ago I started taking a magnesium supplement at night (Natural Calm) in place of klonopin and I've had a pretty good decrease in the nightmares and associated night terrors. Not completely gone, but less than once a week now. As opposed to 3 or 4 times a week. I have PTSD and a pretty terrible related anxiety disorder.
Also I can't recommend EMDR highly enough for PTSD folks. If you can find a way to pay for it, it can go a long way toward ending not just the nightmares but daily flashback stuff and the things that keeps you in the house.0 -
Identify the cause and then let it go.
How exactly do you let go of a biological neurotransmitter imbalance? I'm intrigued.
I don't think some people understand the difference between clinical depression and being in a 'funk,' it's quite frankly offensive.
I think being aware of your mental state and catching yourself before you get really deep into a depressive episode is key.0 -
ur not alone... i suffer from a bit of anxiety every now and then and depression and stress non stop... more than once i have thought bout turning in my room key and checking out. some times for the pain i am always in, the bullying the depression, the unfairness of life etc. and lately more of the case of it being the honorable way out... and i feel shame at not doing it cuz i want to live... and i am fighting against it.. only wanted 3 things in life and have been denied all 3... job, gf, family of my own... never had gf... injured my back and got screwed by the company i was working for and cldnt get docs to do anything for me to help win a law suite i had... living off of couches for several years with no income..finally after years i finally got my ssd. but got shorted on that as well..but at least something.. any how several doctors later... one finally gets me in to a pain clinic..and i got a shot in my back... 10 years later... and omg... i can walk again... FREAKING 10 YEARS???...so lets see hurt my back..denied help, gain weight cus i cldnt do much,,, get hernia..will not fix because they said i was to fat... develop sleep apnia and need oxigin at night. they wanted me on it during the day to..but i said screw that..night was bad enough. teased, rediculed, stared at, rude comments etc.
any how pain or not..i started working out.. sitting stuff at the gym mostly... i got sick of sitting at home and rotting and not offending anyone by being in their presence. any how ..F@$#2K the world... and fought thru the pain the best i could... after about 6 months at the gym i started taking tae kwon do again. harder than it was the first time i did it and it was a struggle then. started doing more at the gym.. some things are getting better with my tkd classes and my stamina is increased by tons. i can now see that i might be able to get my black belt some day .. orginally i got started doing it again just for health reasons.. and bout a month ago..i got a shot in my back.. and i can walk around an do things again..before that...i was doing good just to make one lap around a store and be ready to go home and crash cuz my back hurt so much. but second or third week after i got the shot i walked 17 miles for that week.. 2 miles the first day and then 3 each day after.. and i can now walk at least 5 miles straight with out a break... and then i did a tkd class after on that day..lol..
this is so frustrating..if they did this years ago..i wouldnt have all the other health issues and i could still be working and not have to know that i borrowed money from people that i can never pay back.. maybe in a couple years i can maybe start working again...maybe.. problem is if i try and get off of ssd i lose all my insurance etc. and a minimum paying job isnt going to cover my needs.
but i say hell with the world and just fight back... let ur anger and ur frustration and what ever else to fuel you... all though it is probably like a million to one chance...i am still hopefull of working and again and more importantly finding a special lady and having my own family. doubtful but tiny bit of a posibility.. but ladys didnt even like me when i was healthy and working..so who knows....but in any case everything i do is a slap in the face of the haters.. if i go down it will be fighting and i will take as many as i can with with me...haha.
got a letter in the mail today..stating they are going to pull my cdl. they have some new stupid law that requires u to have a med certification now to keep ur cdl...before u needed both to drive truck... and since i havent been driving i didnt need the med exam.. so it is stupid.. i put all the time money and effort in to training for that cdl... they are now just going to take it away... sorry but that is like some one earning a degree then some one taking it from them because they cldnt find work in that area or they decided to try something else..and then tell them oh by the way if u ever want to go back..u have to retake all the tests.... freaking b.s.......0 -
How does one know what is causing the depression? Whether it is a chemical imbalance or life really is ****ty and you need to make some changes? ex: change jobs, spouse, friends. You wouldnt want to go and quit your job or get divorced or what have you if you could have just started on a medication and tadah it's all good. And who wants to take a medication if it is just masking the real problem. Confusing.0
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Identify the cause and then let it go.
How exactly do you let go of a biological neurotransmitter imbalance? I'm intrigued.
I don't think some people understand the difference between clinical depression and being in a 'funk,' it's quite frankly offensive.
I think being aware of your mental state and catching yourself before you get really deep into a depressive episode is key.
Actually I do understand the difference and was not trying to be offensive. Sometimes the answer for someone isn't that complicated and I based my response on my personal experience, just like everyone else is doing. I guess since just "letting go" worked for me it's considered offensive. Awesome.0 -
I can't believe I am posting on this thread (because having depression, anxiety & PTSD has always been embarassing for me - which doesn't help any of these disorders I know).
But anywho, here goes, the answer for me is its a work in progress. It always has been for me. I am on meds for both depression and anxiety and they help but don't make it go away completely. And due to my circumstances, and I'm sure many others, it will never go away completely, so I have to learn to cope and live with it while still functioning.
I have found that focusing on anything intensely is my best medicine. Working out for example. It gives me a focus and I can think about that (all day sometimes) if I want as opposed to the things that trigger my anxiety. Before exercise it was work. But I am entreprenuer and I dove into my work too much which ultimately lead to my biggest changes. I didn't work out for almost a year because I had such a bad anxiety attack that I literally was afraid to raise my heart rate! Crazy I know. But it, as you know, messes with your head and leads to irrational thoughts at times.
Luckily I found a great doctor who is very sincere in helping me get healthly. I feel like in many ways she, literally, saved my life.
People say get off the meds and meditate but there was no meditation that was going to take me out of my anxiety episodes and there is no way I could throw on some shoes and go running. The episodes were debilitating. And afterward I would be depressed for days, sometimes a week, at a time.
So, it's different for everyone. Youre going to have highs and youre going to have dark days too. Its just finding the balance the limits the latter. I wish there was a magic answer but you just have to find what works for you and that will take some trial and more trial. : /
For me, these are the three things that helped the most (from most important to least):
1. Great doctor with the right meds (which will take time)
2. Removing external factors that triggered the anxiety and lead to days of depression (I can't remove all of them, but owning a business for example I learned wasn't a good idea - despite it being my ultimate dream.)
3. Focus intensely on my exercise and eating right.
Don't give up trying to get better. Good luck to all of you and remember you are never alone and there is always help.0 -
Wellbutrin (Bupropion) does not cause weight gain (actually, most people lose weight on it) or other common side effects. I have responded well to it. I also do some journaling, reading, and acupuncture (which is miraculous).0
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I also have been dealing with anxiety all my life. Since I have rare type of OCD, it's harder to deal with my inner demons. And honestly, I don't know how to cope with it yet. I've been with a therapist for almost 2 years and I still can't udnerstand why I come up with the fears that I do. I just live one day at a time, some days are better than others. You just cope with them.0
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I have suffered from depression all my life and Anxiety in more recent years. How do you deal with taking care of yourself when you have moments that you just cant give a damn. I was on antidepressants but they made me apathetic and tired so I gained more weight by just laying around all day. Im off now so I am losing weight but then I will have a bad couple of days were I just dont care. What are your ways to cope with depression??
I have generalized anxiety disorder and I used to have bouts of depression. There's nothing you can TELL yourself to cope with this. The only thing that works is changing your lifestyle and going towards a path you believe is good for you. For me, that was quitting junk food, dieting, and learning to be a better father to my children. You will find reasons to live, but they need to be YOUR reasons before you do anything about it.0 -
I have depression and social anxiety. Lately, I remind myself that once I get a good workout in, I will feel better. It's awfully hard to make myself get out to the gym and actually do that but I really do feel at least a little better once I'm into my workout. My son has both as well, much worse in fact, and he has started taking Lumiday from GNC in place of rx meds. So far he seems to be doing pretty well, no more episodes of severe depression since the 1st week or so of starting it. I would take it myself if it didn't cost so much.0
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I suffer from anxiety...... Prayer works best for me and reading my Bible..... If your not a religious person mediating on anything might help. With a nice candle and focus on the person you want to be and work towards it. It certainly is a journey. Sometimes it helps to talk to others too ( like this thread) 0
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I need Visuals to get me going. I will sit there and tell myself that I will better myself by working out or eating right but the bed just feels so comfy and the donut smells so good. I have pictures of dancers on my wall for inspiration. I used to dance and that was my mindset away from life but now that I am a single mother I cant do that anymore. So i use those pictures as inspiration to do the workouts I do to get my old body back. Also I have inspirational quotes on the wall. I print them out or write them big enough so I can see no matter where I am in my room. Once it seems those quotes dont work for me I search for more. I also have my boyfriend that helps me. Thankfully I can be open with him and tell him when I am starting to feel sluggish and I am not pushing myself anymore and he gets me back on course until I feel I am okay again. My mind is that one that is telling me "nahhh i dont want to" so I always need something on the outside to get my mind in the right place again. Hope you find a way to get moving!! :flowerforyou:0
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Identify the cause and then let it go.
How exactly do you let go of a biological neurotransmitter imbalance? I'm intrigued.
I don't think some people understand the difference between clinical depression and being in a 'funk,' it's quite frankly offensive.
I think being aware of your mental state and catching yourself before you get really deep into a depressive episode is key.
Actually I do understand the difference and was not trying to be offensive. Sometimes the answer for someone isn't that complicated and I based my response on my personal experience, just like everyone else is doing. I guess since just "letting go" worked for me it's considered offensive. Awesome.
If you had a cause of your sadness that you could 'let go' and things got better then you are not clinically depressed, you're just sad. Being sad is healthy and actually a sign you are not depressed in a medical sense. Ups and downs in your mental state are part of being human- being clinically depressed is like a straight line of your mental state, with no ups or downs. Clinical depression is caused by a chemical imbalance in your brain, not by outside influences (although outside influence can exacerbate the situation.) It's not just you, it is confusing since you can be 'depressed' in the emotional sense and/or you can have 'depression' in the medical sense, which are two very different things.0 -
I always try to remind myself that, once I drag my butt out of bed and work out, I'll feel better. And I do. Easier said than done, of course, since I usually hit a wall after a few weeks or months and go back to bad habits, but it's a good motivator for awhile. I also keep a supply of B-vitamins and L-Theanine on hand. The B-vitamins help me fight off depression and Theanine is a derivative of green tea that can help with anxiety. If I can't seem to motivate myself on my own, I make sure to start taking my vitamins again, and it helps. You can find both of them at Whole Foods if you happen to be interested.
I agree with the B-vitamins, I do that as well... but I haven't mastered it yet either! If it's a really bad day, you'll find me in bed the entire day fighting a battle in my head, ugh!0 -
Been on Citalopram for just over a year and I have gained around 14lbs.
I just try to keep smiling even on those days when I'm feeling down or hopeless.
My hubby is great and keeps keep me going too.
I'd like to come off the medication but I'm quite scared to at the moment so any advice is appreciated xxx0 -
ugh...i know I should be on meds, but I don't have insurance. and I make too much for any sort of help. it blows. i have struggled with anxiety and depression since I was a child.
There are plenty of meds that can be prescribed that come with their own discount cards...I get mine for $30/30 day supply. You just need to ask around. There are also generics that are very good. Maybe you need to visit the health department and see if they can help you...just a suggestion! I know what it's like dealing (or not) on your own and it sucks! Best of luck to you. *hugs*0 -
Also, anyone else with PTSD that suffers from recurring nightmares? If so, any suggestions on how to stop them? They are seriously about to be the death of me. I don't want to live afraid, either. I find myself extremely paranoid everywhere I go due to past incidences. Any suggestions/advice truly welcome! Please message me!
I have been having nightmares too over the last few weeks, some I remember and others I don't but they scare me a lot and I feel so exhausted when I wake up x0 -
I have suffered from anxiety and depression as well. I have tried prescription pills and they either make me gain weight or they don't work at all. Fortunately, I believe, and have experienced that fighting it myself works best. I take my mind off those negative feelings, by either going to out to help someone or visit a family member or friend, just saying a prayer, working around the house, or just calling someone and telling them how I feel. I have also come to realize that depression is a selfish disease because you are only thinking about yourself and not how this is affecting your family. I have been off pills for several years now. I still have days where it may hit me all of sudden or just creep in; but I will fight it whatever way I can. I have found that exercise helps a huge bit too. Hope you can get something from this...0
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Been reading over this thread and I feel for all of you going through this. I am not one of those people who can just "identify the cause and move on." Trauma at various stages in my life has made that neurologically and hormonally impossible. So I thought I might make a short list of things that have helped me anyway. I'm excluding the obvious like therapy, because I really believe that you will only benefit from therapy if you're in a place where you're willing to do the work that therapy necessitates and if you can identify a healthy relationship with a therapist. So, that being said, here are some resources that help me with depression and anxiety outside of medication and therapy:
- Chamomile or valerian root tea. Both herbs help lessen anxiety and help sleep. Valerian especially helps calm me down and keep flashbacks or nightmares away. I can't speak to St. John's Wort because I've never taken it. Ladies be aware that St. John's Wort can compromise the effectiveness of hormonal birth control!
- A stoplight system. Basically, when I'm faced with a situation that makes me anxious I categorize it as either Red (NOPE DANGEROUS NOT DOING IT), Yellow (I don't feel good about this but it won't kill me), or Green (I'm as close to totally comfortable doing this as I'm ever going to be). I recognize that Red moments will happen and I avoid them. I try to move forward in as many Yellow moments as feel safe to me, so that when Red moments arise I can hopefully tackle them with a better coping mechanism.
- Self-care. Sometimes, when you can't even get out of bed, all you need to do is tell yourself that waking up is enough. You woke up today. Maybe you cried the whole time but you DID do something. And that's okay. It's okay if all you did today was shower. Or eat. Or even just breathe. Be compassionate to yourself. If you have the energy and motivation, take it a step further and do something kind for yourself. Take an extra hour to read more of that novel you've been working on, or listen to that song you like, or walk to the drugstore and buy a new lipstick/nail polish/whatever.
- Distraction. When I'm in the middle of a bad episode I try to find something distracting. I look at pictures of myself and my loved ones. I cuddle with my pets. I take a shower. For those of you who sometimes self-harm, try eating a really spicy food. Something that gives you physical sensation but doesn't actually cause harm.
I hope these are helpful for some people, and keep on keepin' on!0 -
Im afraid i know nothing of anxiety
but as a psychology student who had had depression anything relating to depression stuck in my head!.... exercise is supposed to release hormones which combat depression...
i wrote loads more but im not in the right mood to finish it now so ill leave it at that x0 -
- A stoplight system. Basically, when I'm faced with a situation that makes me anxious I categorize it as either Red (NOPE DANGEROUS NOT DOING IT), Yellow (I don't feel good about this but it won't kill me), or Green (I'm as close to totally comfortable doing this as I'm ever going to be). I recognize that Red moments will happen and I avoid them. I try to move forward in as many Yellow moments as feel safe to me, so that when Red moments arise I can hopefully tackle them with a better coping mechanism.
That is a great tip, I'm totally going to use this. Thanks!0 -
If you've not discovered this website: thebloggess.com , give it a looksee. Jenny is a terrific writer (her first book has been on NYTimes best seller list!) and she writes about her bouts of depression, too. Her fans often share that or similar issues, and it's a lovely community! I especially love when a seemingly random comment turns into a movement - for instance, The Red Dress Project. You'll have to check her out to see what I mean. A lovely, very real, and very giving person.
I've been on Zoloft for several years, after trying a few other meds, and it seems to do the trick for me. I also saw a therapist off and on for quite some time (on a year, off a year, that kind of thing) and highly recommend it, if you have that option available.0
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