What are some tips for dealing with chronic depression?

Answer 1

I have that too, so here are some of the things I try to do:

1. Have someone you can talk to and work things out. It might be a therapist, Church minister, counselor, friend, family member. You want someone who know what depression is, understands what you're going through ("somewhat" anyway) and can help you see choices you may not know you had.

2. Hobbies are important. It might be painting, writing, drawing, beading, modeling. The important thing is it gets you to do a small task, see a finished result and feel a sense of accomplishment. If you don't have a hobby, start one!

3. Exercise and sports are important.It literally releases chemicals in your body that help fight depression. Whatever you can and like to do --- basketball, tennis, jogging, even long walks.

4. Manage your life and goals well. Don't try to do take on too much, but each day set some things for yourself you want to accomplish. Break what seem to be large projects into baby steps.

5. Keep up with your doctor on what medicines are out there and what may work best for you. 20 years ago there were just a few, now there are 100's. If what you are taking doesn't seem to be helping there are lots of other choices out there.

6. Lots of good books out there to help. I especially like the ones by David Burns. He will give you exercises to do to help you understand and evaluate your mood. This will in turn help you manage your depression. We still don't fully understand what we have, so we just have to fight it every way we can.

Answer 2

Don't isolate yourself from the world. Avoid the jerks out there and be with people whom you feel good being around.

Make sure you get proper diet, rest, and exercise.

Write your feelings down in a journal, or compose them into a story or poetry.

Make sure you have competent health care professions on your side.

On days when you are feeling the lowest of the lows, remind yourself that it's a cycle and just as you entered the cycle, so shall you exit it. It may not be tomorrow, or the next day, but remain convinced that the depression will pass.

If you don't have a pet, volunteer at a shelter. They always need help and working with animals is a very therapeutic thing.

Accept the fact that even if you feel all alone in the world, you are not. People with depression are everywhere and like you, they are just trying to get through each day as they come.

Answer 3

I had chronic depression for over 40 years, at least. It seemed normal. I didn't know any better. Spent almost 20 years in counseling to try "growing" out of it. Had two antidepressants prescribed by GP that didn't do any good. Finally saw a psychiatrist and was prescribed a third antidepressant. Based on what he saw, he ramped up the dose to not quite the recommended max. The difference is amazing! This is not a placebo effect. I was hopeful for every round of counseling that didn't pan out and for each of the two previous antidepressants that didn't help. I didn't even want to try the third antidepressant, but I was getting desperate. "Yeah, give me the prescription. Can I have one for sodium cyanide if it doesn't work?" But it did. You take the drugs for high blood pressure, for high cholesterol, for diabetes, even for a sore throat. They aren't placebos. Antidepressants aren't, either. But you should see a psychiatrist because they're the professionals in this area.

Not that the counseling didn't help...it did, but I was just endlessly treading water. I needed something to get me to dry land.

Answer 4

Thats a tough one. Now a days I think the Psychatric world thinks of stuffing folks with Psycho Tropic meds. Every one is on them now a days it seems. You just go for a five min. interview with them and woops, he pulls out a percription. I hate this cause the long term side effects are tremendiously overwhelming. I have a friend that has long term Depressions. She is on all sorts of meds, that have made her gain weight, and she is still in depression. Can't hardly move cause these med's prevent her from having a normal movement. I think occupational theraphy, and musical therapy, as well as excersing, a healthy diet can help successfully with the fight of Depression. Now I am making a clear statement here. I am not a Medical Doctor and I am not a Pyschatrist. But after year long reading of medical journals as a retired Social Worker, I have come to these conclusion.
I too fight Depressions from time to time. Nevertheless, you wo't get me on these meds cause they alternate the brain structures and body functions. I am sorry if I offend the professional medical world, but this are my only opinions. Cause, I have seen first hand what they do. My grand ma in Germany still through help, she killed her self. Now, I won't say that this happens to every one else there. But what you can do is life time changes. Stress releaves concerning work, change of working environment. Stress relief at home by multi tasking the whole family to support you with home and house shores. Excersing with the whole family daily and change in nutritions. I wish you good luck. Listen to your heart and hope you find the right direction.

Answer 5

Talk to your Dr. he'll prescribe something and don't be surprised if you need to try a couple different types and levels, and once again... talk with your Dr. and a friend so they keep an eye on how good or bad you're doing (sometimes we don't see how we feel).

Up until this year I was against anti-depressants and would usually keep myself too busy to "worry"... NOT GOOD! I blew off work to shop (it made me feel better), now I need to rebuild my business and my home is an over-cluttered mess, I pushed some of my friends away because they were trying to help me "deal" and then I literally crashed.

My best friend told me to go to the Dr., it's taken some work but I think we have a good "prescription" and now I don't know what I'd do without them! I find it's easier to get out of pj's, comb my hair and get out of the house, I've visited a counsellor and opened up to some friends I pushed away.

Yes, I still have hard days but not as many or as bad.

Answer 6

I have never suffered from depression, so can only tell you how I manage to remain happy. But perhaps the same thing can also make someone who isn't happy into a happy person.
I find that staying active and always having something to do is the most important. If you hang around doing nothing, you quickly get bored, and depressed. So get as many hobbies as you can, and keep doing them. Of course what those hobbies are will depend what you enjoy. But what works for me is cycling (on a pushbike), solving puzzles, playing games, listening to music, and watching fun films. Also I spend a lot of time on-line talking to people, and also solving problems (usually involving logic). And writing computer programs satisfies my creative side.
Doing most or all of these things prevents me from being bored, and keeps me happy.

Answer 7

Consider attending a support group. If you are an adult, there is Recovery, inc. (listings in phone book or on the web - its free and nationwide). If you are a teen, call your local hotline and ask for information about (hopefully) free support groups for teens suffering from depression/anxiety.

Think of depression as an illness that makes you stronger the longer you fight it. Unlike some illnesses which wear you down over time, mild to moderate (NOT severe) depression tends to recede over the years, the more you fight it with healthy thinking, emotional support systems and healthy lifestyle.

Good luck, honey.


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Answer 8

1. stay on the meds dr prescribed. if he did, see if you can see a therapist,if you are continue

2. eat a balanced diet

3. exercise

4. get a pet

5. do some thing nice for your self (buy a flower in the grocery store, dose it for me)

6. do something nice for someone else (volunteering)

7. watch some funny movies

8. start a new Hobie

9. simplify (clean out your house, prioritize your schedule)

10. if it feels good and it doesn't hurt any one,especially yourself or break any laws or any of that stuff, do it.

Answer 9

This isn't going to sound good but......

Learn to deal with your problems instead of taking an "easy" way out.

i went what through what most people would call "depression" i was emotional all the time and had no reason to live, deal with your problems head on instead of taking a drug thats most probably a placebo anyways.

Answer 10

I've dealt with chronic depression for several years now and what works for me is to keep myself busy. Basically just distract myself from what is upsetting me or causing the negative thoughts to get worse.
Try it. It might work for you.