How do you fight depression?

Prozac.

music, cleaning, organizing, telling myself that bad times dont last forever. It is not easy to fight off depression. I struggle more with anxiety but I have had some problems with slight depression as well.
I am sending well wishes your way and I hope brighter days are coming to you.

cuddling with my puppy, listening to awesome music, cooking, watching something funny on tv or the internet, reading harry potter.

hopefully you can do well when you get your b.s.
i have had mine since 2010 and i still barely get by (although i work in human services for non profits). just don't become discouraged, keep on pushing through!
sorry to hear about boots :[

Cymbalta and sleeping too much.

Over this past summer I was diagnosed with depression. I started medication and things started getting a lot better. The one day I didn't take my medicine (I thought I did but totally forgot), I had horrible mood swings and was going crazy again. When I feel depressed, I tell my boyfriend and he tells me we need to go out and do something. I try to stay active adn do somethign that makes me happy.

Try to find non-medication answers to depression before you go running for the doc and the meds. The meds are expensive and the side effects of some of them are not worth it. I would go for meds only as a last resort.

For me, music, walking, and getting lost in a book usually help.. they take me away from reality for a little while.

Making plans. Lists. Organising stuff.

but I know a few people who have gone to doctors for medication and it really helped.. but took a while to find the right drug.

I guess you need to distinguish between "having hard times" depression and medical depression. the two are very much NOT the same. the hard times depression is significantly easier to beat or battle.

Professional help. Seriously. That having been said, I use vodka.

10mg of Celaxa a day baby and lead a very lucky and laid back life...

I am so sorry to hear about Boots. I had to watch 4 of my cats pass away and it is so hard and heart breaking. My finances are really tight as well due to being on disability. There is nothing I can do to make money that I have found that I am able to do. Those are big stressors. I have suffered from major depression for most of my life and have been hospitalized 6 times for it. I am currently taking abilify and effexor xr for it and have had a lot of counseling. I am still in group therapy. I learned that journaling all your thoughts can really be helpful in working out how you feel. Also, if you get upset you can throw ice cubes into your bathtub which helps you burn off that frustration. I have a loving husband that is here for me and I learned that I really need to talk to him and let him know how I feel and what I am thinking. I don't hold anything inside anymore. I explode into a major depression episode when I try to hold things in. Going to college is also very stressful. Make sure to take time for yourself. Listen to calming music, read a book, watch a funny movie, do a craft, etc. You can get through this, but sometimes you might need professional help to do it. You can't always do it alone. There is no stigma associated to being depressed. Please feel free to add me for encouragement and support. My name is Kimberlee, 49.

Prozac.

Meds...discuss with your doc

I have been severely depressed in the past. I got professional help .. and I stuck with it until the doc felt I was ready to fly solo. He even let me stay on the meds for an extra 6 months as I wanted to be personally sure I would NEVER EVER get that bad.

It didn't start off bad .. it gradually got worse. I actually had several "bouts" of depression .. and managed to pull myself out of it on my own .. but each time I got depressed .. it got worse. I started having more "triggers" .. it became increasingly difficult to cope with stress each time .. financial.. emotional (getting dumped) .. other struggles..

There's no shame in seeking and getting that help. I'm stronger than I have ever been .. and I will NEVER allow myself to go down that road again. I will get help if I feel I'm slipping beyond a bad day or two. :flowerforyou:

It's been 12 years since my depression .. and I couldn't be happier or more healthy today

Taking the time to do basic things for my health when feeling little or no self-worth. If I don't take steps towards health it becomes that much easier to believe what depression tries to make me feel/think. It quickly became a vicious cycle for me: I am worthless because I don't/can't take care of myself because I am worthless...ad infinitum.

I remind myself of this often: if I can do something about the situation, then I just need to do it and there is no need to worry; if I can't do anything, then there is no need to worry. It took time and hard work for that to sink in so I can feel it even at my lowest, but it was worth it. My anxiety and depression levels are very, very low compared to the past. The biggest help for this was a combination of meditation and Cognitive Behavior Therapy.

After having everyone around me try to counter my negative thoughts, I began wondering if it was all of them trying to cheer me up (some sort of conspiracy?) or if they actually felt that I was a good person who didn't deserve to hate herself. I got to thinking that either everyone around me was trying to trick me into thinking I wasn't worthless or some part of me was trying to trick me into thinking I was. So it helps me to view depression as a separate part of my mind that is trying to trick me into hating myself and not taking care of myself. Then I try to outsmart whatever my negative thoughts/feelings throw at me. It's a bit dramatic and silly, but it helps me channel my energy in the right direction. And the silliness helps to counteract all the darkness.

It becomes so much easier once you build confidence in how you handle stress. It is also important to devise healthy rescue plans from despair, so you can climb out from the depths of darker moments/days/weeks.

Not sure how many of these tactics will help others, but this is what has helped me with my particular depression demon.

I take my meds, every day, without fail. I practice excellent mental hygiene, which includes good sleep, meditation, reducing stress, and exercise, exercise, exercise.

Sounds like you are having a hard time. Hang in there. It will get better.

Meds and Therapy works for me. Also exercise

I have suffered with mild to moderate depression in my lifetime. I can only share with you what I have tried. I am not one to go on medication...I choose to go the more natural route, but that is because my depression is not severe. Here are some things that have helped me:

- Diet- I stay away from too many carbs/ sugar. When my blood sugar is unstable, I am much more prone to feel depressed.

- Exercise- taking a walk or even doing some chores around the house always lifts my spirit.

- Do what you love- I enjoy music, reading, and taking hot baths. These really help me when I feel down.

- Supplements- Omega 3, B- Complex both helps A LOT. I have tried St. John's Wort in the past and it helped. I've heard about Sam- E as well.

The only other thing that I do is sometimes allow myself to feel sad. Sadness is a normal emotion that we should not always have to suppress. I sometimes take a hot bath and just cry it out. I feel much better afterward. However, if you feel very depressed you should talk to someone you trust such as a Dr., Spouse, friend or family member.

I see a Christian counselor once/ week to talk through some of my issues and it helps me see things through a different perspective.