What do you do about depression?

Question

I've been depressed I'd say for the last 7 years. Every once in a while I will do an online depression screening test, just to see where I'm at, and every single time my results have suggested I seek professional help. My sister finally asked me if I was depressed last December, and she told me my whole family's noticed and is worried.

I've been very happy this year but now I feel so empty, so still and so lost. I can't do anything I want because I just sit here or go to sleep. I really just don't know what to do. If anyone has any experience with this I'd love to hear how you deal with your sadness.

Answer 1

GO TO YOUR DOCTOR AND TELL HIM/HER ABOUT IT. that's what doctors are for, to help you get healed. there are some very good meds out there that can make you feel better almost overnight.

Answer 2

The question is Y-r-u depress? A experience or something had to had happen, that's how it happens for most. While 7 yrs is a long time, with me it's been 3. What i did is wake up every day and try to find something to do, i tried not to think about it, but it was always there. What i did is try to make a difference in some ones life and it work, but B-4 that, i would think positive thoughts and ways and wanted to make a new life. I kinda of did. I help myself, AND i have had suicidal thoughts, but that's not a way out. I believed in myself and i change my out look of life, it was great. surround your self w/people you like and love. Don't be afraid to ask for help. I'm very young, and older people have more experience then i do, and are much stronger, i think you need to look deep down and think about your self, and do what you want 2 do. And maybe a professional could help. I hope i help a little:)

Answer 3

Definitely talk with a professional- a counselor/ physiciatrist/ therapist. They will help you figure out what is causing this. For my mom, it was both situtational and chemical. Something as important and serious as your life and your health should not go unnoticed. Talking about it and working to solve the problem is the only way you can get through it. It's hard, but taking the first step gets you closer to a solution and back to your life. I've felt kind of depressed over the last year with all the changes in my life. I was able to talk to my best friend about it, and it was a big help- just to get to talk to someone about everything I had bottled up. Talk to someone- I recommend either a pastor or a psychiatrist. They are experienced and know how to help you, and they will not judge you or look down on you. They genuinely want to help. John 10:10- " I have come so that they may have life and have it to the fullest." It's time to enjoy that abundant life!

Answer 4

First of all, I'm sorry to hear that you've been like this for so long. I used to be depressed all the time, and that's when i started playing guitar, and writing alot. So basically i could get all my feelings out through music, without hurting anyone, and even just listening to music could make me alot happier. Then my mom noticed that i was depressed, and sent me to a therapist, which did help a little. lol, I know this sounds stupid, but now if i get depressed i'll go play a game on yahoo, like graffiti or pool, or talk to someone i know just from online. It's actually alot easier to talk to people who you don't know, because you don't have to worry about what they think of you, or if they're going to use it against you. Really, just talk to someone, or listen to some good tunes, you can send me a message on y!mess if you want. Hope you get out of your depression soon.

Answer 5

See a psychologist first. There are many ways that people can deal with depression without the use of drugs. I took Lexapro and don't regret it, but there's side-effects for almost every drug that can be prescribed to treat depression. In some cases, the medication can make your symptoms worse.

You need to understand that depression is a very real medical problem, and like other medical problems, it should be treated and diagnosed by a professional. You'd be surprised at the results.

It sounds like you're lonely, and that's fueling your depression. Being by yourself allows your mind to focus only on your problem, you obsess about it and things begin to seem worse than they really are. Perhaps you need to get out a little bit and try to volunteer for things or try to go to places where you can associate with others.

Don't sit and sleep all the time, either. You need to try to get a regular exercise routine going, one that gets you out of the house and walking and breathing. You'll feel better for it, and it'll help your self-image and your overall feeling of health.

Remember that sadness and emptiness are mentally perceived feelings, which means your normal thinking patterns are the primary source of your issues. Lack of activity only worsens it, and your depression can result in some very real medical conditions such as obesity, fatigue, and sleep disorders. If you depress for a lengthy period of time, you'll eventually begin to suffer from anxiety as well, which can cause ulcers and digestive issues and can also cause unwanted outbreaks of acne, which won't help anything!

Bottom line, go talk to a psychologist. If you choose not to do that, you need to, at the very least, pinpoint what it is that you perceive to cause your unhappiness and then try to figure out ways to eliminate that feeling from your mind. Exercise!

Good luck. Find those people who mean the most to you and stay close to them and visit them more often. Keep your mind off of the negative and do things that occupy the front part of your mind, like playing spades or gin rummy, assembling puzzles, planting a garden, whatever floats your boat. These types of activities quiet the chattering in your head that reinforces your negative feelings (we call this meditative activities, and they work).

Answer 6

i've taken those screening tests to, they told me to c a doctor.
A doctor will just give you medication, if thats ok with you than you should do that. but ask about alternatives. depression is a chemical imbalance, im not sure but maybe you could change something in your diet. or you could just try harder to think happy thoughts, i know that sounds stupid, but thats what I do. Although it doesn't go completely away. Personally depending on meds would only make me feel worse.

Answer 7

I am 40 and I had been treated for depression for years. It wasnt until I moved to a different state and saw a different doctor that ai was diagnose with bipolar disorder. As soon as I tried a different medication I saw a huge difference, and felt it. The very first thing you need to do is go to a doctor and spill your guts, be as open as possible and let them make a diagnosis. Just remember that you have to be COMPLTETLY forth coming.

Answer 8

What is sadness, there is nothing like that, from now on words you are the happiest person on earth, just take a shower and dress up stand before a mirror and see how beautiful you are, go out with your friends and enjoy. BE HAPPY DO NOT WORRY.

Answer 9

u should seek proffessional help.i know when i get depressed cause i dont want to do anything.they put me on meds and then im fine.u could try to keep busy.they always say when u r depressed, clean(i guess it keeps your mind of things).but i really think u need to make an appt. with your docter.r u feeling suicidal?

Answer 10

Zoloft

Answer 11

Find the one thing that you love to do, more than anything, or the one thing that used to make you incredibly happy, and do it.... Or, if its bad enough....go to the doc, and get some meds...I know, with my mom, she was depressed for many years, and the meds and god were the only things that managed to keep her going