How do you deal with depression?

[Pixie Mischief]

So true the internet saved my life when I was bed ridden.
So did books

I don't know what your lifestyle is like, but keeping busy, especially doing something you like, makes a big difference. I've known quite a few people with chronic illnesses and one of the biggest contributors to their depression was a just sitting around and not feeling useful.

So maybe the vounteering suggestion is a good one???

 

[starsia]

I have a history of major depression. 3 years ago i spent a week in the hospital, i had been on celexa briefly prior to my hospitalization. While hospitalized i went on Effexor, after getting out of the hospital i went to a therapist weekly for 6 months. As far as i am concerned Effexor saved my life. I stayed on the med for a year, then stopped taking it. Last fall i had a bad episode again, this time i went on the effexor, and saw a therapist for a few weeks. I plan to stay on the effexor for good, in addition to that i have made exercise a part of my life. I feel better mentally than i have in years. I did have a week of feeling crappy when i restarted the effexor, now i have no side effects i notice unless i forget to take it then i have some dizziness and nausea which subsides after the med gets back in my system. The therapist i saw with this last bought recommended the book "Feeling Better", i can let you know the author if you are interested. I did find the book helpful, it is supposed to teach you to change your negative thoughts. Depression is an awful, lonely place, get help now while you can admit there is a problem, or you may get to a point where you are so deeply depressed you can't even reach for help. Good luck, if there is anything else i can tell you that might help, pm me. Starsia

 

[Valcorie]

Currently I am taking St Johns Wort and that kinda helps. Yes I am active all the time and get plenty of exercise and eat healthy. I dont drink hardly at all and I keep the caffine to maybe three cups of coffee a day.

I know that St john's Wart is not good for people with Bi-polar disorder though it eases the depression it tends to increase the mania and anxiety. You may want to make sure that it doesn't have a similar effect on you. Perhaps a pharmasist or your doctor could tell you for sure.

When I was battling depression I read a wonderfull book that changed my life entitled," The Art of Happiness." It is written by the Dali Lama. It made me put my life into perspective, and it made all the difference to me. I don't know whether or not it would help you , but somthing about it resounated with my soul.

The best advice is to hang in there, because with time it will get better.

 

[Guest]

 

[Johnny Mayberry]

I've been diagnosed as major depressive...I keep my spirits up by...keeping my spirits up? I act like the person I want to be, and my emotions follow along kicking and screaming.

 

[Donna Greed]

I too have struggled with depression for years, and PTSD for a while a couple of years ago after being assaulted by my new husband. We had just gotten married, and when that happened I lapsed into a suicidal depression and overdosed and was subsequently hospitalized.

So obviously the first thing to do was to get rid of him, which I did, but not till two years later. I also got rid of everyone else who doesn't treat me the way I want to be treated, including my mother, which it sounds like you've done too.

I did the meds thing--Serzone works best for me--but I didn't like the side-effects. I went to the animal shelter and adopted a wretched, mean, dog-sized cat and named him Zoloft instead. When he's not biting me he's awfully sweet. Much better than the real Zoloft.

I try to sleep more, to take better care of myself, but most importantly I've learned to tell someone when I'm feeling like I'm about to go off the deep end. I used to keep it all bottled up inside. Even though it's embarrassing, if I find myself sitting around wondering if I can amass enough pills to do the job right this time, I pick up the phone and I tell someone.

And writing, like everyone else said. Writing really helps. It helps alleviate depression even more if you can get some of it published. Each time I am published I get a high a million times greater than I could get from any pill.

 

[Avery_Chisholm]

Lots of breathing to 10 for me

 

[bobsgirl]

Hey woodcarver. Hope things are still looking up for you.

 

[Guest]

 

[Guest]

I went though a major depression time. My therapst and doctor put me on welbutrin (sp) No real side affects and helped pull me out of the funk I was in. Took it for about a year then 2 months to wean off of it. Meds are no fun but they do help at times....

 

[LadyAura]

One thing that has helped me deal with depression is keeping a journal. I have tried numerous times in the past to keep one, but was not successfull until I tried one that is online. It is like talking to someone but it is also extemely personal and private at the same time, kind of spurred me on to keep writing.
Live Journal

I found that if I write in it at least every 3 days, no matter what. And I just write whatever seems to come to mind, that it really helps. Once I start writing things just flow out of my head and I can really see what is going on and can really deal with it once I realize what it is that is bugging me.

Also some good supportive friends that have experience with depression help too.

I was going to suggest a journal also. I have never heard of an online journal. Sounds great. Thanks for the information.

Woodcarver I really hope you find some relief soon. It is easy to give advice when things are going okay for the person dishing out the advice. Try to keep a positive attitude. Make a point of looking for and noticing the things you are thankful for each day. You may find this difficult at times. I have found it really helps me in times of hopelessness. Make it a part of your daily routine. Do you pray?

 

[LadyAura]

things are so much better today. Yesterday wasnt bad either. I hate the ups and downs, but at least there the ups to look forward to.

Thanks for all the advice and concern y'all!!!

What doesn't kill us makes us stronger!
Hang in there. Ya got people pullin' for ya!