Depression & Fighting it Off

Find things that you enjoy doing and do them
Fill your day with Activities
Have a nice warm Bubble Bath (add Hot Chocolate to the bath)
Start to eat Clean - Eliminate all processed foods - junk foods)
Go for a Walk
Replace negative thoughts with Happy ones( think of someone/something that made you happy)
Cook -- it's therapeutic
Spend time with loved ones - pets - children
Purge all things and people out of your life that doesn't compliment and enhance you in anyway
Plan out your days and stick to it
Eat Dark Chocolate 1-2 squares/day
....

I try to stay out of this mindset so my advice may not be the most accurate but honestly I really find that it helps to just force yourself to do even a little bit. Get yourself ready, brush your teeth and your hair, get dressed and already you're probably feeling a little better in just preparing yourself to do something.
Then maybe go for a walk. Doesn't have to be a super long one, just something to screw with the monotony of the day and inject a little something through the haze. Bring some music to listen to, admire the trees if you can, people watch a little bit.

When you get home, maybe instead of gunning for the computer or television, go for the book case instead. Pick out a novel to read. Stare outside your window, cuddle with your SO. Even just doing those small things you've accomplished something, and maybe it'll feel a little bit better.

And then do it again. Maybe a couple of days later add makeup to the routine before you go for a walk. Catch a bus and take a tour around your city-maybe you'll even find something new that you've never seen before.

And most of all, ignore the voice in the back of your head thats putting you down throughout it. Do the things that used to make you feel happy, even if you're not really enjoying them anymore. Keep to your daily intake goal and try to do somewhere of at least twenty minutes of physical activity in a week. Smile, even if you don't feel like it, and do it a lot and with your teeth. Slowly but surely it might start helping.

Good luck and all the best.

I completely understand its very hard but in order to get results you must make small changes one step at a time that's all it takes
Medications only covers it does not solve the issue in anyway it doesn't get to the root cause

We are here to support each other especially when we feel like we're stuck and don't know what to do
I'm here to help you step by step

Better Days are yet to come I know it's hard to see ahead to that day but it's closer than you think


You both( ChangeThePath & KBC7288) are strong and will be in a better place where the sun shines

Oh, and I agree with sissiluv.....getting showered and dressed to the shoes every day helps! I'm talking full-on hair, make-up, and dressing as though you're going to an event! It may seem trivial at first, but I'm a big believer that our environment has a huge impact on how we feel

Start by taking a shower doing your hair your nails do things that'll make you feel better about yourself
Start eating Healthy Clean Foods -- It really does help Eliminate all junk and processed foods
.....

Hey!!
I completely understand where you are coming from. I had been battling anxiety and depression for 12 years. I was hospitalized about 5years ago, was put on 5 different medications, I am now down to 1 medication only. After I was out of the hospital I would just sleep, I went through an episode where I could barely eat. My moods were up and down like a yo yo. I cried constantly wondering how and when I could find myself again. I felt I had lost who I was, I was so confused and struggled to get my *kitten* in gear and live my life like I had before I had gotten ill. Needless to say its been a very long road but I am slowly getting there. As I mentioned I am down to 1 medication only, I am now working almost full time hours (I was off for over two years on a leave of absence) walking my dog almost every day in the trails for an hour and a half or more, I play soccer, hockey and try to go to the gym three times a week. If you would like to add me feel free to....anyone reading this. I would love to be of support and encouragement! You can do this....there is a way for everyone you just need to soul search and find how you can overcome this battle. Best wishes.

Seriously....I just tonight FINALLY folded the 5 loads of CLEAN laundry that was on my bed! Like weight loss, cleaning house takes baby steps Now....maybe I'll actually get my Christmas tree up tomorrow!

I've had some issues. The last bad depression I got into might have been because I quit smoking. But the things I've done to help me get out and to keep myself out of going "back under" are:

- exercise. And when I exercise, I will say motivational/positive things to or about myself. Like, "WTG, you got this" or "You can do the full workout"...etc. And if even for a moment I feel myself doubting this or I start to get negative, I push harder and literally work the negativity out.

- eating healthier (especially with my snacks) has made me feel a lot better with myself.

- cleaning the house does make me feel better because I'm taking care of my surroundings

- I also think of one positive thing about myself everyday and I post it on my MFP status. It can be something like, "I like my smile, eyes, sense of humor, etc." or "I'm proud that I did such and such workout" or "I didn't binge eat when I was so close to doing so."

Edited to add the following:

- Oh, and also do a daily list of things to do. Nothing major. Could be small stuff like:
Fold and put away laundry
Go on a 5 minute walk
Vacuum
Do a 5 minute dance just for the fun of it

Stuff like that. Doesn't have to be long. Can be just 5 things. And check it off. Do it everyday. This helps because you know that you are accomplishing what you set out to do. It's like building up your confidence that you CAN do your more serious/major long term goals

I know what you're going through and it is tough...I have to literally force myself to get up, take a shower, and leave the house. Leaving the house is important, whether just for exercise or to run errands. I find that once I'm up and out that I automatically feel better, but it's difficult. My therapist once told me "fake it til you make it", which basically means going through the motions of your life as if you're a normal functioning adult until you actually are a normal functioning adult. But, it's hard. The fact that sometimes the very thought of walking to the kitchen or taking a shower is exhausting, getting out and getting sunlight seems damn near impossible. So, I have to remind myself how I feel when I actually do those things. I gained all my weight from medicine having to do with depression and insomnia and then kept it on for 8yrs because of depression. But, in mid-April a friend sent me an invite to MFP and I haven't looked back. I got back to eating mostly healthy, got back to exercising, which I've always loved. And losing the weight and the exercise has helped, but I'm not gonna lie, I'm still struggling. Not as bad as usual,but the struggle lives on. On the days I exercise I always feel better, even if it's just for 20 minutes. Have your boyfriend go on walks with you, tell him to force you to get out despite your objections. I've had friends do this for me and it helps. When my depression is the worst, I find Facebook makes it worse, so I avoid it. So if you're on a bunch of social media sites you may want to lessen or avoid them completely when your depression worsens. I also make to-do lists and I try to complete one or two a day to not feel overwhelmed. Anyway, if you're looking for friends fighting the same battle of depression feel free to add me.

Hey!!
I completely understand where you are coming from. I had been battling anxiety and depression for 12 years. I was hospitalized about 5years ago, was put on 5 different medications, I am now down to 1 medication only. After I was out of the hospital I would just sleep, I went through an episode where I could barely eat. My moods were up and down like a yo yo. I cried constantly wondering how and when I could find myself again. I felt I had lost who I was, I was so confused and struggled to get my *kitten* in gear and live my life like I had before I had gotten ill. Needless to say its been a very long road but I am slowly getting there. As I mentioned I am down to 1 medication only, I am now working almost full time hours (I was off for over two years on a leave of absence) walking my dog almost every day in the trails for an hour and a half or more, I play soccer, hockey and try to go to the gym three times a week. If you would like to add me feel free to....anyone reading this. I would love to be of support and encouragement! You can do this....there is a way for everyone you just need to soul search and find how you can overcome this battle. Best wishes.

You are amazing motivation. This is great support. What you have accomplishes is amazing.

I hope you are able to find happiness ChangeThePath. I get mildly anxious and get in funks at times but nothing like you experience I am guessing. I wish you the best and would say to start small and do your best to believe in yourself. Use the support of your significant other and do active things together.

First find someone you completely trust to talk to about everything and anything
For me going and working out was a great stress reliever
Getting involved in a hobby
Thinking about things that make you happy
Do not stay in the house and think about things it will make it worse.
Celebrate every single victory no matter how small it is... Soon those small victories will turn bigger and bigger.
You may even want to consider having a thankful journal where you write things you are thankful for everyday
No matter what keep active with something!!!

I try to stay out of this mindset so my advice may not be the most accurate but honestly I really find that it helps to just force yourself to do even a little bit. Get yourself ready, brush your teeth and your hair, get dressed and already you're probably feeling a little better in just preparing yourself to do something.
Then maybe go for a walk. Doesn't have to be a super long one, just something to screw with the monotony of the day and inject a little something through the haze. Bring some music to listen to, admire the trees if you can, people watch a little bit.

When you get home, maybe instead of gunning for the computer or television, go for the book case instead. Pick out a novel to read. Stare outside your window, cuddle with your SO. Even just doing those small things you've accomplished something, and maybe it'll feel a little bit better.

And then do it again. Maybe a couple of days later add makeup to the routine before you go for a walk. Catch a bus and take a tour around your city-maybe you'll even find something new that you've never seen before.

And most of all, ignore the voice in the back of your head thats putting you down throughout it. Do the things that used to make you feel happy, even if you're not really enjoying them anymore. Keep to your daily intake goal and try to do somewhere of at least twenty minutes of physical activity in a week. Smile, even if you don't feel like it, and do it a lot and with your teeth. Slowly but surely it might start helping.

Good luck and all the best.

you are amazing! you should be a therapist.:flowerforyou:

Seasonal Depression is VERY common this time of year. Our bodies are not getting the same amount of exposure to the sun and this can cause issues in some people. I suffer from this myself and instead of drugs as recommended by my doctor, I go to the tanning booths a few times a week for just 5 min at a time and it does wonders. Exposing yourself produces Vit D in our bodies that does wonders for your morale during the winter months. I asked the question that I'm sure everyone is thinking. What about damaging my skin in the tanning beds. Doc says the benefits out weigh the damage that can be caused and best to do the drug free way and feel happy naturally. Give it a try and FEEL the results yourself.

Is there any particular form of exercise that you really enjoy or are interested in? Regular exercise that your head is really into can be very effective for managing depression and preventing a recurrence or worsening of symptoms.

Above all, don't beat yourself up, and engage in positive self-talk as much as you can. Write reminders for yourself around, things that inspire you or make you feel good, and leave them in places you will see them. Remember it is an ongoing process, and healthy habits will go a long way to keeping it under control. Depression is a real battle, but you have come this far and can continue to fight it. Just get back up more times than it knocks you down.

ETA: I see someone else suggested cognitive-behavioural therapy, and that is something that could be really useful to you if you haven't tried it or have just been managing it with medication to this point. CBT has been shown to be very effective for depression, more so than medication in many cases. If that's an option for you, it's certainly worth investigating if it's right for you.

All the best.

It's so good to see a thread of actual SUPPORT and MOTIVATION! There are so many times when our MFP members will come on the site looking for genuine "I know what you mean" relational support, and there are so many mean people on the site who will just cut them down and say they're just being "honest".

I commend all you wonderful ladies for being helpful and supportive!

Maybe adding these responders to your friends list so you can have a small group of people who care about you as well would be helpful. Sometimes it's just nice to know that you're not alone. We're in this together, and it will get better!

:drinker: In total agreement, it's truly nice to see a thread of support rather than bashing when one is already very down.

Hope today has been a better one for each of you, it was for me. The sunshine seems to get me through the worst of it but then there are days....well, those of you that go through this, you understand, sometimes even the sunshine simply isn't enough.