Depression, how did you deal with it?

I wanted to give you props for going and getting help. Its very tough thing to do.

Also I wanted to add a note: some meds will make you feel much worse and not better. It may take time to find the right one... just keep an open line of communication with your Dr. Tell a trusted friend/family member about the medicine so they can look out for you and help you get back to the Dr. if you need it.

Also, I personally never found the right medicine, so its not always the answer. I started seeing a therapist though, for a separate issue, and she helped me find healthy and productive ways to deal with emotions. Its taken time, but her advice, and being able to talk to someone without worry of judgement, has been the key to freedom for me.

Wishing you great success and many happy days ahead!

You asked for how we PERSONALLY deal with depression, so I will tell you. This may not be how you choose, but we are all entitled to our opinions, maybe this will help someone!

I've dealt with depression a large part of my life that I feel honestly stemmed from low self esteem and body image issues. What helps me is doing things for others. I think depression has a lot to do with yourself. It has been helpful to me to love on someone else, do something nice for them, help others and encourage others. Take the focus off the feeling and FORCE yourself to show love and kindness on someone else!

Also, personally for me, I'm a Christian and it helps me to focus on what Christ says about me and His promises. I meditate and scriptures, memorize them, and say them out loud even and pray and worship God despite how I feel.

Another thing, personal development books are great for life development overall!

I had depression that affected my life in a negative way in my late teens and again in my early twenties. I still feel the signs sometimes and I still check myself regularly. I have done a variety of things that have been helpful for me over the last twenty years. I have not taken medication for depression, but I would be more likely to take them today, if needed, because they are superior to what we had twenty years ago. (Help produce serotonin rather than block neurotransmitter receivers.)

Anyhow, this is what I do:

Walk. A doctor once told me to walk to help with my headaches. I did and it helped.
Run. Running gives me endorphins and changes the chemistry of my brain line almost nothing else.
Do what you like to do for you. This was hard for me at first, because I was so used to taking care of other people that I didn't even know what I like to do. I find crochet and other other creative, crafty activities therapeutic. My hobbies change all the time, in the past they have included reading, cooking, gardening, weight lifting, biking and swimming.
Put down your phone and go outside. Simple.
Practice moderation. In everything.
Have a few good girlfriends and chat with them often.
I have been sitting under a lamp for fifteen minutes every morning. Natural sunlight inhibits melatonin which can make you feel blue during the day. This also helps guide your natural rhythm during the day so that you have adequate melatonin at night for sleeping.
Eat carbs, have a little chocolate now and then.


Like others have said, exercise, a balanced diet and keeping weight down all help. If you can still force yourself to get up, get out, and get some exercise without needing medication, then I suggest that you do this every day.

Update: I went and was given medication. I started it last night, so we shall see how this all goes. Thank you all so much for all the advice I really appreciate it. And to some who asked about my thyroid, that was checked just 6 months ago and it is fine. Thank you!! :flowerforyou:

Let us know how you are doing:)
It is still a good idea to pair medication with talking, exercising, taking care of you, etc.

Volunteer work will help your depression.

What the?

It may help boost self esteem but I think thats over simplifying mental health a smidge!

This is my own personal view having suffered with stress and depression for almost 15 years.

Some people dont make enough insulin. They're diabetic and have meds (or diet) to fix it.

I do not make enough seratonin and therefore I take meds to help.

There is no shame in being ill. And its an illness. There is also no shame in seeking help for that illness.

If you have an infection, you go to the docs n get antibiotics. Same thing.

Oooh, saw you got meds, well done for being brave! Its hard to do! Will take 2 weeks to a month to kick in.

Exercise does help but its hard to get motivation when feeling poo

Good luck! xx

I've never gone to the doctor about depression so I've never been diagnosed.
I kind of want to go a counsellor to talk about it but at the same time I really don't.

I felt a form of mild depression in the past during a phase where I felt quite indifferent to everything going on around me.
I became careless with my appearance, lost interest in all hobbies, just wanted to eat and sleep all day and do nothing, not even watch tv, literally just lay in my bed thinking and napping. I lacked the motivation to get out of bed in the morning and the thoughts of trying to decide what to wear and wash my hair just seemed like the most impossible tasks to complete.
So whether you call this depressed or just pure laziness is up to you! I felt **** anyway - inside and out.

How did I get over this?
I still haven't got over it fully, I still go through smaller periods of this happening but in general I just try to keep busier.
Working more, doing more things with my friends etc.

I know for fact I don't need any medication for my particular case - a healthy lifestyle will fully cure me but that's easier said than done.

Good luck to you - I hope we all find happiness

Volunteer work will help your depression.

What the?

It may help boost self esteem but I think thats over simplifying mental health a smidge!

Exactly. Actual clinical depression will not be cured by doing good deeds or thinking happy thoughts, any more than a broken bone or schizophrenia can be cured by being nicer to other people.

Volunteer work will help your depression.

What the?

It may help boost self esteem but I think thats over simplifying mental health a smidge!

Exactly. Actual clinical depression will not be cured by doing good deeds or thinking happy thoughts, any more than a broken bone or schizophrenia can be cured by being nicer to other people.

I know. I get properly p*ssed off by people thinking I can just out think my depression. I'm sorry am I choosing to feel this way? CBT does show that changing negative behaviours to positive ones will influence thoughts and feelings but its rather less simplistic than doing something nice=happy person. Even the thought challenging you learn to do can't just be done once you have to constantly challenge yourself and thats not always easy.

OP well done on taking your first big step. I am glad you are trialling some meds and hope they work for you. I can hugely reccomend counselling and CBT. Its if nothing else time that can be used to focus on you and your needs. Give yourself time. Its been 2.5 years for me now and I am finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel, am down from 2 ADs to 1, back exercising and going for promotion at work. You can and will get through this just give yourself time to heal like you would with any other illness