What can I do to battle depression?

Question

My doctor just diagnosed me with clinical depression, and prescribed me several medications. In addition to those, what could help me?

Answer 1

Here are a few non-medical suggestions for battling depression:

1. Aerobic exercise. 30 minutes a day, 4 days a week minimum. Walk, jog, or do something aerobic in a gym--weight lifting doesn't count, although you can add it in to an aerobic routine. Try to do something you enjoy.

2. Nutrition. (a) Fatty acids: Take 2 tsp/day of fish oil with a meal. (b) Eat properly and regularly (at least 2 meals a day). (c) Take a multivitamin daily. (d) If you are consuming a lot of caffeine, cut down or eliminate it--no more than 2 caffeine-containing beverages a day.

3. Relationships. (a) Find some people whose company is pleasant, and spend time with them. At the very least, try to go out among other people. If you have nobody to talk to, I recommend you get a counselor or social worker to visit with. (b) Conversely, limit and/or end your associations with people who are unpleasant or negative.

If you are taking antihistamines, you may try reducing or eliminating them--they are known to create depression in people.

Best wishes.

Answer 2

I suffer from that too. What I do is I join in support groups, go to counseling and stay busy. I like to keep my mind busy so I try to do many different things so there is a nice variety. I force myself to think happy thoughts. I know that sounds retarded, but it does work, if I start feeling depressed or if I start hallucinating, I tell myself snap out of it, this is not me, think positive, there is always a silver lining in those clouds try to find it. It really helps me to combat the depression and at the same time it makes me look for the good in every situation. I also openly talk about my clinical depression with anyone who will listen. The most important thing to remember is that you are not alone and you are not crazy. Do not let yourself feel like that ever. Millions of people suffer from depression. So with that, just try to find things that will work for you, each person is different in what therapies work for them and always communicate what's going on, if you can't talk to anyone, write it down, keeping a journal helps too. Best wishes.

Answer 3

You need to find something that makes you happy or at least helps you feel centered and calm.
For me it's my faith & spirtual beliefs. Knowing that there is some greater good. I believe there is some greater plan that my existance plays into. I feel God love me and cares. This helps me connect & care about my family and friends.
Dealing with depression is hard uphill battle but if you can surround yourself with people who care and things that matter, it will help you focus. Then the symtoms of loneliness , helplessness, anxiety, sadness, fatigue & listlessness will be a lot less prevalent and you can live a good life.
Don't be afaid to seek professional counseling if you need help. Depression is treatable. There are lot of great doctors out there that you can trust.

Answer 4

U know wat i wud love to say do this n it will all be fixed but it doesnt work like that i hve been in a battle with depression for many years now and i hve counsellin a social worker the lot but its a never ending battle some days u feel good others u feel crap agen u just have to try ur best to get through the bad days and spend the tym enjoyin the good days xx

Answer 5

Your road to recovery does not include battling depression.

You must except it as a part of you in order to get better.

By now you have both good days and bad days. When you wake up and are depressed on any given day, except it and get up get a shower and get on with your day, you have to get through it for you

When you have a good day embrace it and get the most out of it you can for as many days as it last and IF you crash down again, go right back to excepting it as who you are right now.

When you can except it and embrace it as a part of you, you can find what you need to get better.

GOOD LUCK

Answer 6

counseling. I am in the same boat you are. And having a counselor to talk to helps you a lot. Just having someone to talk to and you getting to work out your problems does a lot of good. ANd maybe yuou should keep a journal. I know some things are meant to kept just with yourself so just writing down your thoughts will help. I know it does for me.

Answer 7

all the medications may help but only for a short time, what you need to do is find the source of your depression and address the problem. Only you can truely help yourself.

Answer 8

Find a way to introduce laughter into your life. Read jokes, watch comedies, watch children at play. Also, increase your exercise. Go for walks!

Answer 9

Counselling

regular exercise

talking to friends about your problems

knowing that your depression won't last. if you always remember that your depression won't last thinking that in itself can cheer you up

good luck

Answer 10

i been depressed too. medication doesn't do it but get out and get some sunshine that seems to help also cardio exercises.