What can one do to alleviate or at least ease depression?

Question

I am not talking about medicine or even natural remedies. I am talking about changing thought patterns, I guess. There is someone I know who can't seem to get up and get out of a funk sometimes. Nothing specific to pinpoint, just generally dragging and depressed for a week or two at a time. Serious answers only please. Especially appreciated are the ones from personal experience. Thanks!

Answer 1

If you do not want to involve medicine, I suggest an exerice regime and changing eating habits. Those have always helped me combat my struggle with serious depression.

Answer 2

if you have never had depression you cannot imagine what it is like. You feel as if someone has died--deeply felt, but no one has died. That type sorrow is there. The worst thing to do is say "cheer up", "just smile and you will feel better". That does not work and makes the person feel even worse. The depressed person needs a medical doctor to steer them to help. In most cases only an anti-depressant will help. Some have to try many brands before finding the right one and the right dose. For some a psychiatrist can help.

Answer 3

I have two suggestions:

The first is take fish oil. I used to have a study which the Washington Post printed. It compared all the modern anti-depressants and fish oil and, of course, the placebo. Fish oil worked best, then the placebo. The pharmaceuticals were last.

Something that you can do for yourself is meditation. The most basic form is just to sit or lie in a relaxed position, with your back straight, and follow your breath, inhale, exhale. When your mind wanders, bring it back to noticing your breath. Other meditation exercises are listening to restful music while watching your breathing or listening. A more advanced technique would be to have a "mantra" or word or phrase which you focus on. You can repeat it with your breath or use beads, like a necklace. Finally when you have a bit of practice at calming your thinking mind, think of a color, a place or a symbol to focus on. Keep positive, don't allow your thinking mind to be pulled into anxious worries or self-doubt or other negative thoughts. Just go back to the practice if your thoughts cloud your mind.

Answer 4

Suzie
our issues emanate from the mind being uncertain.The correct remedy is to make this mind at peace.While it is pretty easy it is also very difficult,a contrast.The mind never relaxes and even the attemp to keep it quiet is a struggle.That is why the best and only and sure shot remedy is MEDITATION.Any good teachjer or programme will help and be effective.
This can be supplemented with exercise and proper food,which is what u intake and has a reasonable bearing on yr attitde.
I hv undergone this ,it works and I hv been able to help others using this meditation.ir works.
I can recommend if u need programmes in India.Elsewhere u cud probably look up the net.
good luck

Answer 5

I had depression since I was about 10, and when I was 22 it was very very bad as in I wished I was dead; I prayed to die. The ONLY thing that worked, and I dont think anything else would have worked, is I took low-dose Paxil for a few months, three months I think. My brain is still able to remember the feeling of not being depressed and now I can stay out of it by just drinking coffee; otherwise I can barely move and dont care about getting out of bed. Also for self esteem which I think is a big factor in depression is I tried cocaine once, and I maintain that memory of self esteem without doing any more. Sorry- that's all that worked for me.

Answer 6

I know what you mean! I was not able to get out of my funk for years, despite of reading numerous self help books and trying so hard to think positive thoughts. Once I started meds though (Zoloft, 50mg) I felt like a huge burden was lifted off of me and somehow I could finally THINK those thoughts and believe them. Somehow my whole attitude changed. It's been 2 years and my life has been wonderful. I just wish I had gotten help sooner. In my opinion a combo of meds and therapy is the ideal treatment for depression. I hope your friend feels better real soon. How nice of you to be so caring!

Answer 7

Psychiatrists talk about something called cognitive behavioral therapy, kind of a way of watching your thought habits and patterns, and establishing good patterns. Pink Floyd said "we don't need no thought control...", but we do. There is a good self help book that teaches you about cognitive behavioral therapy called Feeling Good, by a psychiatrist from Stanford named David Burns. Warning, this is not light reading. He gives you exercises and they are work, but it can be worth it.

Physical exercise and avoiding alcohol also help.

Answer 8

Try righting a list of special things of that personyou like so much. Try getting a book called "Battle Feilds of the Mind" by Joyce Meyer at www.jocemeyer.org

Answer 9

You must have to practise a meditation called sahaj marg where your problems wont recur. This is a alternative medicine which i tried and found more suitable and now i am not depressed by my thoughts and now i can control my thoughts and actions. visit website

Answer 10

they have said that people get depressed in the winter time because there is less light from the sun .so they say to be in a room with all the lights on high when you are in it make it bright it will make you think it's the sun shine and it will raise your sprits