Suggestions on overcoming depression?

Question

I go through depressive stages more often than usual. The kind that cripples you, body and mind. Any suggestions on how to deal with it without having to take a happy pill everyday?

Answer 1

Yes, get a personal reference to a mental health counselor or psychologist in your area. They'll help you figure out how to dig yourself out from under this horrible illness.

If you can't get one, you can look in the yellow pages, or the internet. This site might have some local listings:

http://www.nami.org/Template.cfm?Section=Your_Local_NAMI&Template=/CustomSource/AffiliateFinder.cfm

Medication has helped me immensely, so don't rule that out as an option if, after you find a counselor, she suggests you see a psychiatrist. After all this is a medical illness and is often caused by a chemical imbalance. The medication serves only to correct the balance. I'm on Wellbutrin and highly functional/enjoy life. The term 'happy pill' is a very unfortunate and misleading one.

Certainly good overall health practices (e.g., diet, exercise, stress management) are always recommended and can only help you. But if you do have clinical depression, the 2 most effective treatments are still therapy of some sort, and medication. By the way, cognitive therapy has been shown in some cases to negate the need for medication.

I hope you feel better soon.

Answer 2

Hi,
I don't know how old the other people are who are answering but I am over thirty and suffer from depression.
If you are not seeing a Psychologist than see one. It is important to get those issues out before they cause anxiety and depression.
Now I see a Psychologist and I see a Psychiatrist. The second is a medical doctor and yes he does prescribe some medicine that I am on a low dose and it has helped me a lot. one of them suggested taking yoga. I have been told to do some creative activity for a half hour to an hour that will get out the feelings. Now I know you don't want to take a "happy pill" But neither did I and I have been taking it for over three years and it's changed my life. I don't plan on staying it on forever but It has helped and for most days it works fine. Now there is one site that talks about An herbal remedy and that might help you.
Again I have heard of using physical exercises to relax and help with depression. Good luck I Hope you find the thing(s) that work for you!
Good luck!!!

Answer 3

first, i'm sorry that jerk did that to you. i went though this a few years ago and it does blow. its rough but you're right that you can't let his studpidness have a serious affect on your life. he already messed you over once, don't let him have the power to do it again (by letting your grades drop, etc.) get together with your friends and have a good time. you will still have times of troubles but it will get easier as time goes on. and it will get easier faster if you get out and move on with your life. i think it most important thing is not to spend too much time alone, because then you might start thinking about it again. that's why being with your friends will be so important. heck, have a week long slumber party if you have too.

Answer 4

Learn and practice Mindfulness Meditation 15 min. a day. It has been proven very effective by Doctors and Cognitive Behavioral Therapists all around the world. Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn PhD.
has a good book out called "Coming to Our
Senses". This is a good book to get started with.
Mindfulness Meditation is proven to also increase cognitive thinking skills, improve one's memory and concentration/focus, and gives a person a wholesome outlook on life.

Mindfulness Meditation erradicates (destroys)
anxiety, depression, anger, impatience, irritability, and many other negative unwholesome mental and emotions mindstates.
Mindfulness Meditation has its origins from within the Dharma. The teachings from the Dharma enable a person to live a wholesome, healthy, successful, peaceful and happy life, while seeing things everything in life as things truly are, with a sound whole mind.
There is another Excellent book out called
"Working with Anger"
BY: Thubten Chodron.
Anger, whether within us, or as we demonstrate it outwardly toward others or situations in life cause us much anxiety and depression, at least in did for me - many years ago.
The book "Working with Anger" teaches people in a very non judgemental way, how to deal successfully with not only anger, but also depression, anxiety and unforgiveness.
And unforgivenss toward oneself and towards others is a major cause of depression, anxiety and lonliness for Many people all around the world.

Also, do exercise, half hr. a day. Anything cardio, this releases endorphines in the body, having the same if not a much better effect than most anti-depressants.

From an R.N. - with a Master's Degree, who honestly cares about you.

P.S. - Be very patient with yourself, be kind to yourself, always forgive yourself for any past mistakes or future mistakes, and demonstrate
Loving-kindness toward yourself.

You Asked a Very Good Question.

Be Proud of Yourself.

Answer 5

Exercise. I mean kick your own butt hard exercise. I used to put ten pound weights on both ankles and run up the sides of long steep hills. Work until you are exhausted, several times a day if necessary. It will cause your body to release endorphins. Daylight helps, especially in your eyes in the morning. Bright lights in the house (I used 200 watt bulbs that practically caused sunburn!). No alcohol! Limit processed sugar, too, since it causes your blood sugar to rise and then fall. Be around other people as much as possible. The larger your social network, the better off your symptoms will get.

Answer 6

try taking herbal supplements! 5-htp and st. johns wort have been said to prevent depressive episodes (works for me). some people, on the onset of a depressive episode, take a shot of liquor. if you are worried about alcoholism, dont do this! also, make sure your diet is 100% up to par. make sure you are getting all your vitamins, and not too much junk food or sugar. this should help out your problem!

Answer 7

well you have to find something that you like to do! like walking exercising poem writing dancing boxing and so on i could go all day! something that is going to take ur mind and body away from what you are depressed about! when i lost my best friend to a car accident i didn't know what to do then i started boxing and notice that not only did i get into shape i got out anger and sadness out! and help to keep my mind off the endlessness of negative thoughts that i had consistently running through my mind

Answer 8

Before u get to a Dr., 5HTP can help. Its an
over the counter herbal that stimulate pro-
duction of seratonin in the brain which is the mood
chemical that we generate on our own but
sometimes not enuf. Its also used to aid in
appetite control. Research it first. Good Luck.
ps. I DO NOT advocate controlling any ailment
with drugs, but this is natural.

Answer 9

I'm puttin the brakes on my silliness here. Been there. The best thing you can do and I say this from experience, is go do volunteer work. Be of service. Help those who are in worse shape than you.

Like the homeless, the elderly and so forth. You will take your focus off of you and redirect your interests in helping those who need you.

This may sound like drudgery now, but trust me I guarantee you the rewards are so immense that words to describe what you will receive are inadequate.


Note: I expected there would be a bunch of you to thumbs down this statement and you are proving me correct. I also know what you are not passing judgment due to personal experience because you are afraid of something and I know what that something is and it's okay because like little children who are afraid of the dark it is not the dark they are truly afraid of as much as the unknown. The unknown is what they fear, and yet the only thing to truly fear is fear itself. So as you pass judgment here you may wish to ask yourself what is it that I am afraid of so much that it is keeping me from expanding and growing?

For it is not a matter of will. but a matter of when.

As I read your answers I realize that the future generation is in worse shape than I had suspected. You are all looking for a quick fix in the way of drugs or getting someone else to fix you. Good luck, won't happen. Only by the conserted efforts of determination and perseverance will you find any solice.

In the mean time you can rest assure I will be praying for you all.

Go be of service and you will be served.

Answer 10

Well I have suffered from depression as well and I have to say that since I made a friend on-line that I have been able to talk with I have been feeling better. But not only does he make me feel better about myself, he also encourages me to do things for myself that I normally wouldn't do.