SO Depresssssssed

Drink a glass of water. Take a shower and put on some clothes that make you feel good. Do your hair and makeup -- nothing fancy, just enough to make you like what you see in the mirror. Then leave the house. Basically, do the opposite of whatever you feel like you want to do. Because that's not YOU wanting to sleep all day, that's depression.

I think of depression as a parasite. It needs you to hole up in bed and not take care of yourself because if you get up and pull yourself out of the funk, it has to let you go. It won't have anything to feed on. So it makes you think you want to lie around in your pajamas doing nothing, because that's what depression needs you to do in order for it to stay alive. So depression wants you to mope, tell depression to screw itself and do the opposite of that. Get out there. Exercise, even if it's just taking a walk outside or doing some good stretches and jumping jacks. Eat healthy food. Take your vitamins if you take them (and if you do'nt, I suggest looking into a D supplement -- it's helped me more than I can explain). Turn on some happy music. Do not sit around in your pajamas. If you try to get moving and it really just doesn't take, then sit and read a good book or watch your favorite movie, and don't let yourself feel bad about what you're not getting done today, because that's also the depression talking. Just keep going.

Having also dealt with depression, I 100% agree with this. Do not listen to the depression, it feeds it. Do the opposite of everything you feel you want to do.

Amazing Advice! It's very tough. Here's to hoping it resolves at some point.

I feel the same and have suffered from depression pretty much all my life. I dont know if having a mid-life crisis right now or just a combination of too much on my plate. I just want to run away and hide but has soo much responsibility that I can't. With it being winter I find a healthy dose of vitamin d helps somewhat and I know its not good but I find a tanning session helps perk me up quite a bit. Hang in there girl! this too shall pass....hugs my friend...i know how it feels!!!

I was diagnosed as clinically depressed about 7 years ago, when I have the really low days (which are few now) I make myself a deal. I will tell myself if I get up and go for a 5 minute walk than I can sit on the couch for 5 minutes, usually when I do the 5 minutes, I feel pretty decent and just kepe going,

Basically just getting up and doing it is the only way I can get out of the funk. Try to get outside, even if it is cold out, I find the fresh air is excellent and makes me feel better, if you can hit a tanning bed for a couple of minutes - it will help with the Vit D (you don't have to actually work for a tan) If you have a happy lamp use that.

Just remember depression is a liar and you will come out on the other end a better stronger person. I hope you get out of the low quickly!

GREAT advice, shiseido_faer!

I have had several friends with family members that have suffered from severe depression. You are not alone---so many people are battling this same problem. The advice from everyone to get up and do something is definitely the best advice. Staying cooped up by yourself just feeds the problem. Being alone is the last thing you need. I think everyone this time of year suffers from some depression and sometimes it is really hard to make yourself get up and be alive. Find a really good gym --- group exercise will at least get you out of the house and help burn calories and stress.

Proper nutrition and diet is also important. Be sure you are getting the right vitamins and overall nutrition--this helps support good mental health as well as physical health.

Don't shut people out and talk to someone. Getting up everyday, taking a shower and getting dressed is always a good way to start the day, even if you don't have an agenda. It just makes you feel better.

but the real best thing right now is the knowledge that it IS temporary and that this feeling WILL pass - even though it doesn't feel like it.

This.

I also suffer from depression and also anxiety (was pretty severe several years ago, but now much better, thank goodness). Apart from the above words of wisdom, I find that forcing myself to go for a walk and listen to music on my ipod can work wonders. Maybe it's the endorphins, but it usually helps me feel at least a teeny bit better. Hugs to you and wishing you well. Feel free to add me as a friend or PM me any time.

I find reading a good book in a cozy spot works.Its like taking a time out for yourself.

the best thing you can do is look at all the people who responded...that should give you some upward energy...

I know depression is a medical issue but look at the positive things in your life right now...


find your happy thought....know we care about you.....this is a great family....

read the EdDavenport post again..i have been talking to this guy for a while...he has been where you are...he is my main motivation right now...when i get down i see someone who is in a better place and just dwell on that..

\things will get better for you....

I promise


Big Bill

My advice (although this will not solve all of your problems) get out of the house go workout. Tell yourself you just have to workout 10 mins. If after 10 mins you want to leave, leave. But I bet once you are out and about you will feel better and you'll stay working out.

Sorry you feel this way.

bump

This describes me to a t! I am on meds but some days - like today it feels as if there are not working.I couldn't drag myself out of bed untill 5pm (In the UK).
And nothing I do helps. I just wanna cry ... but we have a house guest so I keep it all in.
I live with my fiancé and even though he tries to help he just cant.I feel as though he could never understand how i feel because he is SKINNY and always has been . he doesnt understand it a struggle just getting out of bed. And at the moment I cant lose the weight which is just making it worse.

Its a battle

While I don't have depression - my family and close friends do. I would tell my non-depressed friends the same thing as I would tell the depressed friends - you have to put one foot in front of the other, keep movign forward. Even if it's an inch.
You know MENTALLY that this will pass. It's come and gone before, right? You know it wont' stay, right? When you're "IN" it - you can't see that or feel that - but nonetheless, it's still true. You just need to remind yourself that it won't last - just a storm you're going thru.
Take a sheet of paper - big red marker and write: THIS TOO SHALL PASS. Put them up where you can see them - bathroom, closet door, cabinets - so you can see it. You won't FEEL it, but eventually when you keep reinforcing it to your brain - this WILL pass, just like the last time.
People in sales aren't necessarily depressed, yet they hear NO NO NO NO NO NO all day and all night. Their depression isn't clinical, but they feel the same - can't do it any more, why bother? etc. They are told the same thing - get up, keep going, it's not YOU, this will pass, good days will come.
We have a saying: Fake it till ya Make it. Put the GOOD clothes on, wash your hair and put make up on. Go outside - EXERCISE - get some fresh air. You could easily get into bed and stay there for hours, days or a week.
Or
you can get up, fake it till ya get it back - move forward, keep working out.
This too shall pass.
I know it must be SO hard to have this and not be able to control it. You can't - but you CAN work thru it till the sun shines again.

I get up and make my kids pancakes and watch them smile

or

I play tug-o-wag with my big dogs

or

I watch hgtv

anything to make me smile.....esp doing for someone else, puts a big smile on heart.

hope you feel better sweetie