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How do you guys cope with depression?

Fyasko.

Fyasko.

Bluelighter
Joined
Jun 19, 2011
Messages
626
Location
The land of gods & monsters
I need help.
It's been about 2 months since I've been on an antidepressant and I'm trying to live a life without medication but its just getting harder and harder.
I'm working out every day and doing the best I can diet wise.
I don't know I still feel like fucking shit there's just this feeling of dread that comes over me every day and its getting worse and I don't know what to do.

If you deal with depression, how do you manage?
 
I take anti-depressants - that's all I can do. I've tried stopping on many occasions and found myself in a bad place after a couple of months. I'm going to be taking anti-depressants for the rest of my life - I can't live without them. They help me in so many ways and I'm really grateful for their existence. I've tried all natural ways to beat depression but I've got to face the fact that my brain naturally falls into a dark place and there's nothing I can do about it, unless I deal with it chemically.
If you feel depressed and anti-depressants have helped you in the past, don't hesitant to use them til you feel better.
 
I meditate. and read about things i enjoy. It's a mindset really. dont let your mind focus on the negative things.


Fyasko. said:
I need help.
It's been about 2 months since I've been on an antidepressant and I'm trying to live a life without medication but its just getting harder and harder.
I'm working out every day and doing the best I can diet wise.
I don't know I still feel like fucking shit there's just this feeling of dread that comes over me every day and its getting worse and I don't know what to do.

If you deal with depression, how do you manage?
Click to expand...
 
Fyasko, do you have a lot of negative mental chatter going on that drives down your mood? We're very, very good at talking ourselves down and beating ourselves up about how worthless and useless we are, how we'll never amount to anything and how our lives are not worth living, yadda, yadda, ya. It's all learned behaviour that can be unlearned, new patterns of thinking and more positive ways of talking to ourselves are quite possible. Have you looked into counselling or CBT at all to get to the root of any underlying causes and help you learn how to talk yourself up instead of down? Could be very useful for you if you haven't, CBT is often more effective than meds for many people, perhaps most.

It's something I'm trying to get better at cos meds just don't work for me any more, my life-long depressive tendencies are not down to a chemical imbalance or lack of serotonin or whatever I think, it's all just learned negative self talk. I've had 30-40 odd years of practice at it and I'm very, very good at it! 8) Positive self talk should in theory be just as doable, though difficult to make that switch for sure, it takes practice and active effort. I need to learn how to do it better still yet but I've had some success of late catching the negative thoughts that ordinarily would have me raging at myself and dismissing them as the irrational, unfounded bullshit that they are, replacing them with something more positive. That leads to there being less of an angry emotional response so there's less of a spiral down. Maybe the same is true for you? Sure can't hurt to investigate further anyways.
 
To me, depression is based on your focus. Are you focusing on the past, or what you're missing?

Whenever I get depressed I'm thinking about all of the things I don't have anymore that I used to have... a childhood (happy one at that), a home with my family, married parents, someone to look up to and so on. (But when I think about what I do have)... my loving and incredible fiancee', an outstanding talent for music, a decent paying job better than Mcdonald's... (and what I'm working towards having) a home, children, a bright future with the family I'm in the process of making, my depression is lifted. Your emotions will emphasize your thoughts, and your thoughts will emphasize your emotions. So think about what you want to feel.
 
Yes I know those uncontrollable feeling of dread that come over you like a dark cloud for no reason, sometimes it's like a big bear that leaps out and is hanging on your back making even movement and decisions impossible.

What got me back on track without meds was a combination of LOTS of exercise and emotional support from a new relationship.

My depression was at it's peak about 3 years ago, doc put me on SSRI's but i totally hated them as they made me feel detached and caused sexual dysfunction. I was at a stage where I couldn't physically get out of bed some mornings. Was the hardest thing I've ever had to do, forcing myself to take a few more steps every day when the insomnia was at it's peak and I just wanted to sleep but couldn't, but went from bed bound to running a half marathon a year later and all along the way the depression spikes occurred less often and less severe. Hope you get control over the bear rather it controlling you.
 
sorry to hear you are going through a tough one right now :(
I also suffer from depression as well as anxiety and have been taking anti depressants, among other things, for about 5 years now.
I must definitely say that I think they have been a great help, even though i feel they've always worked in a subtle way.
However, even with these medications, it will not solve everything and there are still many times when I find myself suffering through a bout of depression. and this is where I think captain heroin gave some great advice about having good friends you can turn to and talk to, having someone to hear you out and help you through tough times can be extremely helpful.
and it also always helps to have some kind of goal you can work towards, something that will motivate you to keep moving forward.
 
Theirs really not much you can do about it. I usally curl up into an embrio and do nothing. Their are allthough things you can do for better long term effects. Go work out i always feel really self confident after a good work out I was in a great mood today :) also for going in the sauna helps. It'll take a while until it get better but it will get better! Just keep on :)
 
Sepher said:
Fyasko, do you have a lot of negative mental chatter going on that drives down your mood? We're very, very good at talking ourselves down and beating ourselves up about how worthless and useless we are, how we'll never amount to anything and how our lives are not worth living, yadda, yadda, ya. It's all learned behaviour that can be unlearned, new patterns of thinking and more positive ways of talking to ourselves are quite possible. Have you looked into counselling or CBT at all to get to the root of any underlying causes and help you learn how to talk yourself up instead of down? Could be very useful for you if you haven't, CBT is often more effective than meds for many people, perhaps most.

It's something I'm trying to get better at cos meds just don't work for me any more, my life-long depressive tendencies are not down to a chemical imbalance or lack of serotonin or whatever I think, it's all just learned negative self talk. I've had 30-40 odd years of practice at it and I'm very, very good at it! 8) Positive self talk should in theory be just as doable, though difficult to make that switch for sure, it takes practice and active effort. I need to learn how to do it better still yet but I've had some success of late catching the negative thoughts that ordinarily would have me raging at myself and dismissing them as the irrational, unfounded bullshit that they are, replacing them with something more positive. That leads to there being less of an angry emotional response so there's less of a spiral down. Maybe the same is true for you? Sure can't hurt to investigate further anyways.
Click to expand...

Yes it's mainly just my distorted thinking.
I think therapy would be good, it's just so damn hard to find a therapist you can click with.
 
The Golden Opiate said:
To me, depression is based on your focus. Are you focusing on the past, or what you're missing?

Whenever I get depressed I'm thinking about all of the things I don't have anymore that I used to have... a childhood (happy one at that), a home with my family, married parents, someone to look up to and so on. (But when I think about what I do have)... my loving and incredible fiancee', an outstanding talent for music, a decent paying job better than Mcdonald's... (and what I'm working towards having) a home, children, a bright future with the family I'm in the process of making, my depression is lifted. Your emotions will emphasize your thoughts, and your thoughts will emphasize your emotions. So think about what you want to feel.
Click to expand...

I know that your thoughts (in a sense) control your reality.
When i think about it, it's more of a "I wish ____"
Or I wish I didn't have to deal with _____
I think my main focus right now should just be rerouting my thought process ��
 
Having struggled with major depression for nearly a decade I could probably write a long treatise on the subject, but in summary I'd say that addressing the root cause of the depression is the only "cure" - and that your body/mind must be at a baseline level of functioning in order for you to discover and explore and begin to address the root cause of your depression. That's where the antidepressant drugs come in. In my view, the drugs, if they work, enable you to stabilize your neurochemistry and establish the basic level of functioning required to engage in the struggle to address the root cause of your depression. I had to try several different antidepressants before I found a combination that worked. I've heard that this is fairly common. It also took awhile (more than just a couple months) before they really started to help.

-Hang tough, be patient, and see your doctor as much as possible while you try to find an effective drug regimen. The process is slow and painful but what other choice do you have?
-If you're well enough to be exercising and eating well, hang onto those habits for dear life!
-I find it helpful to journal about my thoughts and emotions, as well as my reactions to the drugs, esp as I went through the process of trying different ones before I found a combo that worked. The process of reflecting in writing also sets you on the road to discovering the root cause of your depression and can offer you valuable insight into your own mental processes when you go back and look at it later.
-It helps me to let the people in my life know what I am going through and allow them to support me. It can be as simple as letting a good friend come over and make dinner so you have something to eat.
-Pay attention to your environment. It really matters. I finally realized that it was worth it to pay someone to come clean my house and do my laundry because it's all I can do to simply make it through the work-week- and I just cannot peel myself out of bed on the weekend to do it myself. Waking up to a total mess or to a clean house makes a huge difference. I let it get really bad before I figured this out. Ask a relative or friend for help if needed. Even if it seems expensive, it gives you at least an opportunity to have peace of mind- which you can't put a pricetag on.

Hope this helps. Hang in there. You're not alone.
 
I like blends they keep me happy. Use weed by all means if it works for you. Every Person deserves to smile & be happy
 
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