fighting the big D

[binkley]

How does one fight depression without resort to pharmaceuticals?

I've had too many classic symptoms for too long, and am getting rather bored of the whole thing.

 

[Rubyfruit]

Exercise.

Clean the house.

Pull weeds in the yard.

Plant a garden and tend it.

Change your routine. Even driving a different way to work each day can help.

Empty out the contents of your head on paper.

Make a to-do list and cross things off as you get them done.

Masturbate.

 

[Guest]

Depending on the severity, therapy, alone, often helps. St. Johns Wort and SAM-E have been known to help, as well.

More sunlight and journaling help me deal with a low-grade situational depression.

 

[binkley]

Good advice all from Rubyfruit. Although the last item is a bit unfair: women have a natural advantage in this department.

 

[brokenbrainwave]

I just had to keep telling myself that _______ was my lot in life and there was not a thing I could do but make the best of it. It took years and I still have days I am down, but I was not going to be given drugs to help with what was, in my case at least, mostly a self induced issue.
It is not easy, and takes a huge toll on those around you. I will spare you of the bs phrases like "accentuate the positve" and my all time personal non fav "there is a silver lining in every cloud", but you will have to find something precious and hang onto it for dear life. Been there done that and wish you the best

 

[binkley]

Depending on the severity, therapy, alone, often helps. St. Johns Wort and SAM-E have been known to help, as well.

More sunlight and journaling help me deal with a low-grade situational depression.

Hrm. I can't afford therapy and have recently heard unfortunate things about worts, but I'll give it another look. My situation has progressively advanced over the past year from mild to borderline severe, so I'm interested in tending to it before it continues further. What a sucky existence it must be to be depressed.

 

[Pixie]

Great posts...

And an excellent list Ruby.

Try something new.

Or do something that brings you joy,
but you haven't done for a while.

 

[Guest]

If you have a mental health center, in your area, they are often sliding scale payment. The less you make, the less you pay. Also, there is the option of group therapy. Often, there are non-profit agencies that offer free group settings.

 

[binkley]

If you have a mental health center, in your area, they are often sliding scale payment. The less you make, the less you pay. Also, there is the option of group therapy. Often, there are non-profit agencies that offer free group settings.

*bitter laugh* <-- I've never gotten to use that one before

Oh, I make a boatload of money, no doubt about it. I just don't get to keep much of it. But it's still an excellent suggestion.

 

[Rubyfruit]

A lot of us walk around with unfinished business in our head that can really suck a lot of energy. That drawer in the kitchen that is a mess and drives you insane everytime you can't find a pen. The corner of the garage piled with crap. Emails that need to be answered. Books that are half-way read. The dog needs a good brushing and bath. You are over-due for a doctor or dentist visit. You need to call your mom back.

I find it really helps to get this all down on paper and cross it off, even if it's deciding you aren't going to finish the book. Cross it off, un-dog ear it and pass it on. Start with the easy things first.

I've been fighting situational depression for a few months now and honestly, when I work hard around the house and yard and accomplish things on my list, I feel much better.

Good luck to you sweetheart.

 

[AzureAngel]

I agree with Raindancer and Ruby in terms of Journaling. For me, at least, writing did wonders when I was having a hard time being sporadically depressed. Purge, purge, purge... and once I'd read it over, I could get a pretty good handle on what was a cause of it, at least partially.

I'm not sure how much masturbating helped. But hey, it's fun.

 

[sunstruck]

Ruby rules. Everything she said is excellent advice. Especially the excercise one. Not only does it make you feel better about yourself, but it releases endorphens into your system, a natural high.

I think it's also important to know it's ok to be depressed sometimes. It's necessary. It's only when depression takes hold of your life and you can't break free of it that it becomes a problem. Somtimes it's ok to be sad.

 

[Guest]

Binkley, I don't know you. And I always hesitate, a bit, to give advice. But, mental health is my field. If you are borderline severe, you NEED to find help.
Feel free to pm or email me. I can help you locate some accessible help.

 

[alexandraaah]

Hrm. I can't afford therapy and have recently heard unfortunate things about worts, but I'll give it another look. My situation has progressively advanced over the past year from mild to borderline severe, so I'm interested in tending to it before it continues further. What a sucky existence it must be to be depressed.

There's lots of social service agencies that work on sliding scales, if you're interested in therapy but can't afford it.

It's important to determine if it's situational, like Raindancer said, or clinical depression.

 

[binkley]

It's important to determine if it's situational, like Raindancer said, or clinical depression.

What are come indications of the later?

 

[VeryBadGirl]

why no meds? (I have a feeling everyone else knows, but I don't)

 

[alexandraaah]

What are come indications of the later?

Mind you, this is the criteria for Major Depressive Disorder; there's a bunch of forms of depression and a bunch of reasons.
http://www.psychologynet.org/major.html

 

[binkley]

why no meds? (I have a feeling everyone else knows, but I don't)

Because I have an irrational fear that they will change my personality, and even worse, my intellect. I like me quite a bit and want to stay that way. I just don't want to be depressed any longer. It's starting to seriously impact my life for the worse.

 

[binkley]

http://www.psychologynet.org/major.html

Ah, of course, the DSM. I should have thought of that. Thanks!

 

[alexandraaah]

Because I have an irrational fear that they will change my personality, and even worse, my intellect. I like me quite a bit and want to stay that way. I just don't want to be depressed any longer. It's starting to seriously impact my life for the worse.

Depression may be clouding your personality more than meds ever would.

Psychotropics are very sophisticated right now, to the point where they can target specific symptoms.

It's worth a look-see.

Best of luck!

 

[BigDawg69]

The Madam Choreographer of Precipitation is quite correct. If it is a condition that is more serious than making the mental decision to pull yourself up by the boot straps and then make a change (ala Ruby's excellent sugestions) then professional help is a must.

I wish you the best of luck Binkly. Depression is a challenge that many cannot defeat. I think that you are a strong person however. (Judging from your posting as I do not know you) and simply making this admission is a strong step in the right direction.

My best for you.

 

[binkley]

Mind you, this is the criteria for Major Depressive Disorder; there's a bunch of forms of depression and a bunch of reasons.

Fine. So I have clinical depression. How does one tell if it is depression in and of itself, or a change in one's manic pattern?

 

[binkley]

Depression is a challenge that many cannot defeat. I think that you are a strong person however. (Judging from your posting as I do not know you) and simply making this admission is a strong step in the right direction.

Thanks for the platidudes, but I prefer a change in latitudes, horizonatality to be precise.

 

[BigDawg69]

Thanks for the platidudes, but I prefer a change in latitudes, horizonatality to be precise.

If we couldn't laugh we'd all go insane!

 

[Guest]

Draah rocks. She beat my slow ass to the punch. I can only ditto her.