How can you help yourself against suffering from depression?

Question

I suffered with depression/suicidal feelings etc between the ages of 12 to 17. I never found out why, I can only make assumptions as to why.

I am almost 21 and the last few years have been wonderful, bad things have happened ... but I have been wonderful.

I have always had a fiery temper though and lately (a couple of months) it's been getting worse, and I haven't been my cheerful self, but what has scared me the most is that the thought of killing myself crossed my mind for a minute today...this wont happen as I have too much to live for.

I have been to counselling, seen a psychologist many years ago but I never got anything out of them. I would like to have anger management classes but I can't afford it, or counselling or anything like that.

I find most comfortable writing, so I have bought myself a notebook... as yet it is empty and hope people can suggest exercises, websites, things that I should be writing about that could help me please? Thank you

Answer 1

Write poetry, you'll feel great!!

Answer 2

I really do feel for you, i am watching someone close go through depression and i hope i never suffer myself. I learned a good writing exercises on a course, you write down an incident that has occurred that has made you happy/sad/excited, whatever. Write down from the beginning what happened then at the end summarise all the feelings you felt. Then re write it like your a journalist who witnessed it, take yourself out of the situation (I.e instead of 'Today i had a row with my hubby and i was upset' i would write 'Today Sharon had a row with her husband of 6 months and appeared very upset') Be as creative as you want. At the end of the exercises read both stories and see what the differences are. Its a great way of taking yourself out of a situation and sorting out your feelings, i discovered i was still angry about something that happened 4 years ago that i thought i had dealt with. You could also keep a diary so you can see any little differences in your recovery? If your in the U.K then Counselling is free through your G.P so make an appointment but i dont know how it works in the U.S. Are there any helplines you can call for advice, in the front of your yellow pages? I really wish you lots of luck with this.

Answer 3

sorry for your troubles, you sound more than able to deal with it before it escalates into a major depression so thats definately a bonus. Some psychologists believe that you can do more harm than good if you go too deep and try and find the root of your depression, so I think what you are doing is great by trying to get over the down periods that you have.

I care for a young person who has lived a pretty crap childhood and at the moment they receive art therapy. Not the sort that you may have heard of - where they draw something and then the picture get interpreted but rather that they just make things, or paint or sculpt, whatever they feel like. Its just a way of getting their minds off what is bothering them and learining coping mechanisms. I guess what I am saying is that with your note book you should try to be creative and write stories or letters, poems and song, but not necessarily about your own issues.

Also try to get fit, I sometimes go through down phases and theres nothing like a good workout to cheer me up. Battle against yourself with your fitness. Each day increasing and working just that lttle bit harder.

Hope it all works out for you.

Answer 4

Most cities have mental health services available for people with low income. You can probably get a referral by calling your local crisis hotline. Your symptoms of depression, suicidal feelings, and outbursts of temper suggest to me that you might have a mild form of what's called a borderline personality. I suggest you talk to a counselor or do some reading to learn more about the condition.

You might consider writing on a blog instead of a notebook, if you want to be modern, but if you want to be retro with ink and paper, that's your choice.

If you enjoy writing, do it. Just write about anything. What you did today, your plans for the future, what you watched on TV, it doesen't matter. Once you actually start writing, new ideas will come to you while you are in the process. Do stream of consciousness writing, where you write down whatever thoughts come into your head as you have them. Write any stupid thing that comes to mind, just don't leave the page (or the computer screen) blank. And if you have problems with anger, you can learn a lot about yourself by writing about the things that make you angry.

HOWEVER

I really don't recommend writing as a way of preventing depression. Writing is a solitary activity, and solitude tends to lead to depression. Some of the most depressed people in the world have been writers. To prevent depression, I recommend activities that involve other people. Of course, there are ways to share your passion for writing with others. You could join a creative writing class or club, or you could get a pen pal. Or you could just share what you write with your friends.

Answer 5

Hi
I suffered with bad Depression for years after loosing both my parents Quite young (i was 12) What i found that helped is just writing down just how you feel at the time no matter how silly it sounds. Its amazing the crap you can write but it gets the bad feelings outa your head and somewhere else. I must say i i was never suicidal so cant realy advise you on those feelings but like you say you have too much to live for so just keep that possitive thought in your head!
i now have a possitive out look on life my theory is things r sent to try us and they make us a stronger better person when we pull through them.
And you can pull through this :-)
Good luck
keels

Answer 6

There are so many reasons why someone can feel depressed, I've been there too and know how it can feel but if you just try and focus on what it is that has made you feel so good the last few years of your life and build on that then you'll find there are just too many good things in your life to leave any room for depression. I think it will always re-occur in your life from time to time, certain people just are more prone to it than others, but hopefully you'll be in a position where you'll be able to deal with it and let it just pass you by.

Answer 7

You did the right thing, getting yourself a notebook, write all of your feelings down, and as the days pass by keep writing, then on bad days, look back at how you felt on your good days. If you get short tempered, let it pass you by, dont get highly strung over something you know tomorrow will be nothing,or perhaps could land you in serious trouble. Take my advice,live for today and tomorrow will be another fresh day for you. As for suicide feelings, life is to short, but death is alot longer, think of this be yourself and live your life, becouse there are plenty of people out there that have lost theire loved ones and want them back, but thats not going to happen, let your loved ones love you while your still here, enjoy!

Answer 8

Ok honey, I suffered depression all through my teens and well beyond.
It is primarily caused by brain chemistry. That is why all the self help books and quacks never work.
If you want a list of things that can help feel free to email me.
In the meantime you can try:
Fish oil (an essential nutrient) lack of it WILL cause lethargy and depression.
Vitamin C, again as above.
Magnesium, same as above.
Herbal stuff could include:
St Johns Wort
Valerian
Hops.
I am NEVER depressed now, despite a stressful job, complicated love life and nightmarish finances, ha ha ha.
xxx

Answer 9

Have you tried yoga classes? I recently left the classes (no money, time, arguments with yoga teacher), but I feel I am ready to go back.. I got depressed yes, have been practicing yoga since 2002, and it has helped more than I can imagine. There is such a tremendous support from fellow yogis and teachers, I never even had time to be depressed. At the same time it was very relaxing and as a bonus you get fit too.

Answer 10

the anger management classes you should get free on the nhs i am the same Ive been suffering from depression for yrs for 6 months to a year I'm fine but from time too time i get these bad days were i feel down and want to die and get angry i just chill keep mind on other things stay in bed or walk or just shout till feel better

Answer 11

I've always thought that if you keep your mind on something else, that should help right? Like your writing, make writing a hobby, write some books or a screenplay (whatever that is). And I do agree that excercise is a great way of keeping your mind occupied, nothing too exhausting at first though, work your way up.