How do you fight off depression?

Answer 1

I'm slowly getting better too. I went to a counciler and he gave me good advice. Just try to have confidence in yourself and to be thankful. Think about what is good about you and try to think about times when you were happy. Ask people who love you questions and don't be embarrassed. So just try to think about good times, have confidence, love yourself. lol. I know its hard and its not something you get rid of in a day. I'm not sure if you believe in god but try to pray and maybe read job in the bible. It helped me. Hope you get better. :)

Answer 2

Boy! Today I did it by listening to music instead of the radio talk nuts. On other days I watch something or read something that find interesting.

It is hard to fight off, and even harder at times. I live with it 24/7. Sometimes I just want hide under my bed and cry. But I have a family to support and daughter that would not understand it. I used to take medication, but it make me someone else. I felt like I was on the outside watching this other guy that looked liked me. And sometimes I did not like this guy. So I took myself off of them. I am myself again! Though I am depressed again, it is better than hating myself. I wish that I could give you better advise, but as you know it is a learning experience. Just focus on the things that you like to see, hear, and do. Find a new hobby. Take up jewelry making, or painting, drawing, model making, etc. And good luck to you. Hang in there.

You know, the meds work for some people, but make sure you get them from a psychiatrist, not a general practitioner. They do not have the proper training with these drugs. That might have been my mistake.

Answer 3

OK, some information here...DEPRESSION IS A DISEASE!

It is caused by an imbalance of chemicals in the brain, and can be corrected ONLY by using anti-depressants and therapy. Many people will take anti-depressants then they think that they are better and stop taking them. This is false, and I have seen for myself the severe adverse affects that this causes. The only way to stop taking anti-depressants is to work with a doctor and wean yourself off gently, and many people should always take anti-depressants.

Depression is very misunderstood and serious. Depression, if left untreated, can change everything about a person, and cause suicide.

If you think that you are depressed (not just sad, that is normal. But uninterested in anything that you once loved or your friends and family for an extended period of time IS NOT NORMAL!), see a doctor immediately. it may save your life.

Answer 4

I've suffered through severe depression for the last 5-6 months without medication... You really just need to keep yourself listening to music, build up a music collection... Join clubs in whatever your into. I started white water kayaking more than ever before. Lift plenty of weights, being in shape reduces it more than anything else. Get a gym membership in the YMCA. Join clubs, look online for them in anything your into. I even moved down near baltimore and switched colleges. Nothing will make you feel totally good. There isn't a day I don't start and end crying, since my first real relationship. But at least now I see myself as a very good catch, it's very hard to keep my ego down. Start some sort of online profile to help find someone as well as plenty of real life searching. Hang in there. The advanced series of doubleyourdating.com is the most useful information I have ever listened to. Just don't medicate yourself, that is just going to make it easier and you will do less to make yourself have a better life again. People say I am only 21, but I tell them, I'm out of time inside.

Answer 5

There's a book titled something like "The Zen of Depression."

You don't "fight" it. You relax, accept it, befriend it and yourself. You look inwards, understand why you are feeling what you are, uncover any emotions you have buried/rejected and accept yourself wholly. As you begin to love and forgive yourself, you heal and begin to experience life differently.

Sometimes you have to experience something to its fullest, before you can let it go. By understanding this as a journey that will pass, you will be more empowered. Trust that, in spite of the suffering, you really are doing the most healing thing possible.

Medication can also be used to ease the burden as you transform your life. If there aren't many people in your life who will just listen and not judge, it might be good to visit a therapist (rather than keeping everything bottled up).

Answer 6

My brother has depression and is on antidepressants and also sees a psychiatrist.

I think the best thing is to remember that your family and friends love you, and will always love you. You don't have to go it alone.

A ridiculous thing is, and I get mad just thinking about this, is that some medications have the side effect of suicidal thoughts. For a depressed person, thinking suicidially is one of the worst things that can happen. I really can't grasp that - why give a depressed person something that will make them think about killing themselves?!

Answer 7

Hi. Depression can be very serious. As someone who's been dealing with it for 32 years, there are several methods that have worked for me. I strongly suggest that you get checked out by a psychiatrist if your pain feels particularly acute, that you can't function or if you have suicidal thoughts. Depression can be chemically or psychologically triggered and, more frequently, both. A good psychiatrist can help you determine your best course of action. Even though pharmaceutical companies are too often demonized, they have come up with drugs that are literally lifesavers. I and several of my friends wouldn't be alive today without medical help. Talk therapy is also an excellent way to explore what's happening with you.

Aside from this important diagnostic step, I find it helpful to talk to others who know what my condition is like because they've experienced it. Having a non-judgmental person to talk to has actualy staved off my depression from getting worse. You can often find depression support groups at hospitals where you can unburden yourself and find fellows who understand you. Unfortunately, I only have one person in my family who lives far away and is a busy mom who understands what I am going through (or at least tries to), so family may or may not be a way to find support.

My "depression buddy," who has been dealing with this problem as long as I've known him (15 years), is more than just someone to talk to almost every day. The other week, I ran out of medication and had to get to the drug store to get back on my treatment. The problem with depression is that it's a real energy and motivation killer, so doing even the simplest task -- like getting to the store -- seems almost impossible. My friend was able to encourage me over my cell phone to get dressed and talked me through even talking to the pharmacist until I got my pills. To have this kind of support is priceless to me and is necessary for me every now and then. Because he did this for me, I am now back on track and have felt good ever since. I've done the same for him, which he also deeply values.

When it's late at night and I feel depressed, a good tool I've used is to write (type) my feelings down. This is a way to get the negative thoughts out until I can talk to someone who cares about me. I have also created a binder that I read that I've called, "There is Hope" where I've included articles, poems, prayers and letters that I've collected over the years that let me know that this awful feeling will eventually pass. I believe in God so prayer is also essential for me. If your pain gets too much at night, don't hesitate to call a suicide hotline. These people who answer the phone can be very helpful and kind.

This is a biggie - surround yourself with positive, loving people. Negativity from others and in our own thoughts is really toxic, and can keep us stuck in our pain. Becoming more positive is a practice and not always easy to do, but keep at it.

BE NICE TO YOURSELF!!! Behind a lot of what my depression has been about is believing what a terrible, ugly, stupid, worthless person I think I am when depression has taken me hostage. None of these critical condemnations are true. I always rethink my unkind thinking when I remember what someone told me once, "Would you treat a friend the way you are treating yourself right now?" The answer is always no. You deserve happiness as much as anyone else.

Even though I am out here somewhere in cyberspace, know that I know how rotten it feels to be depressed and that my prayers are with you to find the right answers you need so you can be alleviated of your pain. The very fact that you reached out by writing this question means that you care enough about yourself to seek help. That's great. Keep reaching out. There are good people in the world who will help you.

I truly wish you the best.

Answer 8

If you are not going to get pharmaceutical help, you have to fake it until you make it. Otherwise, it only gets worse and worse and worse.

You are depressed, so you don't feel like leaving the house to do anything. So you get more depressed, etc, etc, etc.

If you fake it, and get out and do the things that you normally do, even though you don't feel like doing any more, you short circuit the vicious cycle, and at least things won't get any worse.

Answer 9

I use a stick with a nail in it. Just kidding. Antidepressants are the first thing that comes to mind. Talking through your problems and lowering your stress levels can help. Exercising releases endorphines, which elevate your mood, too.

Answer 10

My cat truly does. I merely moved 7 hours removed from my living house city. i grow to be so unhappy and down. yet to be truthful my cat helped me threw it. She consistently grow to be there by skill of my facet when I cried. Or my different cat could merely leap around and make me chortle. It felt like there grow to be somebody to love and be with me threw all of it ( whether it variety of feels wierd.) She knew if i grow to be having sturdy days and undesirable days. If i had a foul day and grow to be crying she could sleep remarkable by skill of my head. My cats are my each and everything to me. Even tho they cant talk returned I nonetheless experience that they pay attention to me and talk in there very own little procedures.