What's the best way to deal with being depressed?

Question

I've been "down" for a long time, due mostly to some medical challenges. I would love to have ideas on things that work to ease my depression. Please be nice. I am not joking about this.

Answer 1

Don't try to go it alone. Best advice anyone can give you.

I too am dealing with depression and the worst thing that I ever did was try to deal with it on my own, mostly by ignoring it, telling myself that I didn't "have time" to deal with it and I was just being whiney. Now I know better.

If you’ve been feeling down like that for a while, it is a very good idea to talk to a professional about it. Start with your doctor, or if you have a mental health clinic near you go there. (sometimes medical doctors are too quick to dispense medication and "tell" you to seek therapy and then don't really follow up on it later, nothing against medication if it is warranted just that medication alone does not help)

If there is an issue of insurance covering it check with your state's family services section of social services they usually have connections to mental health agencies that will adjust rates or offer low to free services based upon need.

Talking with friends and family can help too BUT it is best to talk with a professional. And don't be shy about changing or requesting someone else if you're not comfortable with the therapist or psychiatrist you first meet. You have to feel comfortable enough to truly open up to this person and give them and yourself a chance to help you.

When you are alone, try to find activities that will occupy your thoughts and pass the time when you find yourself heading on that downward path. Meditation and some forms of exercise can help with this. Things that require you to concentrate your energies in a different way. Just do not use them as a crutch, rather as a release, or at least a way to get through those dark moments until you can get to someone to help you. If you're feeling particularly down and a repetitive task isn't helping then call a trusted friend who knows about your situation and either talk on the phone or go out and do something together (take a walk, ride bikes, go out to dinner etc...), again until you're able to get to a professional for assistance.

Try bringing out your creative side during these episodes:

Paint, even if you've never painted before: doesn't have to BE anything, even painting abstract shapes and colors will give your feelings an outlet.

Play music if you're so inclined, again even if you're not musically talented, just play around with the sounds you can produce, you might be surprised.

Write in a journal, poetry, short stories, just free form thoughts. Think about sharing what you've written with your therapist, sometimes key words and phrases you've written down during those times will give them a window into what you're really feeling and can be a great starting point for a session. Especially if you're finding it hard to verbally describe what you're feeling at those first sessions.

Puzzles: be they word, jigsaw, crossword, math, different types of solitaire games, computer whatever. Puzzles can be a good meditative tool. Just focus on solving the puzzle, I use this a lot, especially the more difficult solitaire games and Mahjongg solitaire on the computer. It helps me to set aside all other thoughts. I find that when I'm done I'm ready to face the world again.

Take time for yourself, especially if you're caring for someone else. Get help or let your family know you're taking such and such day "off" and go. Either make plans to do something you've always wanted to do/see, or make it a "wing it" day and just drive, stopping when you see something interesting to do or see. I find interesting small towns in my area that way. Then I just walk around soaking up the atmosphere and people watch. It gives me a break from my every day monotony and again refreshes me for my return.

Volunteer somewhere. Good at math or English? Check with your local library to see if they have a tutoring program, check with local social services to see if they have an adult learning to read program. Good cook? Soup kitchens or local food pantries would be happy to have the help. Good with finances? Same thing, sometimes they have programs that help people in financial trouble figure out how to make a budget and to stick to it. Don't tell yourself that you're not good at anything, I'm sure that there is at least one thing if not more that you excel in. Even basic computer skills can come in handy, again at the local library, offering tutoring in computers is becoming a popular activity.
Helping someone else sometimes is a great way to help you feel better about yourself.

Finally, you mentioned medical challenges. Perhaps you should check with the local hospitals and related agencies to see if there is a support group for your particular situation. They can be a great source of comfort and aide in a medical or other crisis.

Best of luck to you. I'm rooting for you too!

Answer 2

Your depression is caused by chemicals and they came from stress which you have every time your expectations are proved wrong. It becomes a trigger reaction. The best way to see the range of mental disorders is a series of varying degrees of depression and stress. Mild stress produces an excellent person for creativity and performance. More depression saps the energy and creativity that these people once had as they leave neurosis and become bipolar. There are three levels used to describe Bipolar. Then the imbalance of chemicals made by your own brain plays havoc with the whole control system. The auto brain or lower brain can aggressively access messages that were kept from it earlier. As the depression continues and more and more logic substitutions are made the mind goes into a full psychosis where ideas are disassociated and language decays. The end result of psychosis from severe depression is schizophrenia which has been described as incurable . There are of course are always a few people who have been able to recover mental stability. The greatest learning step required for all levels of depression recovery is to see that society as two groups . Study what you group are in and stay with your own kind to find peace and happiness. Learn the secrets of the greeting and the rules that apply.

Answer 3

See the doctor, for meds, if no situation in your life is causing you to be depressed. Make sure you are eating right and getting enough sleep. Exercise some, just take an hour walk a day, will release feel-good endorphins. Get out a little. Not a flurry of activity, just a change of scene. And a few hobbies, to put something else inside your head besides your own thoughts.

Answer 4

I totally know how you feel. I was ill for almost 2 years and even though I healed recently, I was so depressed. My self-image has/had taken a dive. In fact, I still have trouble seeing myself as "recovering" rather than "sick and weak".

I didn't want to use antidepressants, so I changed my diet and started exercising based on this great book I found about food and the brain. This lifted much of the darkness-- I wasn't eating right at all. During my darkest moment, I became a Christian and now listen to on-line sermons. (Joel Osteen has some great, positive sermons you can listen to online) But even reading positive books or listening to good music helps.
I am still dealing with some nerve problems, so I'm a work in progress. But I think the new diet, building my strength with mild exercise, and putting more positive thoughts in my head have helped immensely.

Change is hard. Be proud of yourself for reaching out and wanting to make a change. :-)

Answer 5

Your doctor needs to figure out what will be right for you. Depending on how bad things are, there are different methods of treatment. Mild depression can sometimes be overcome by mental exersize, then if that doesn't work, drug treatment can help. If you have good days, then there are durgs you dont have to take every day like Xanax or Valium. But if it is an every day problem, then you might need an every day drug like Zoloft.

Answer 6

Having somebody to talk to never hurts. writting your thoughts down is good. Exercising usually makes you feel better as well! think of happy things instead of focussing on the negatives.

Example: My Mom Died (not really)
Answer: I get to spend more time with my dad!

Example: The dog ate my shoe
Answer: Now i finally get the new pair i wanted

Example: Im really sick
Answer: I get to miss school

Example: I failed my math test
Answer: But i did amazing in social studies!

Example: I broke my arm
Answer: i can take the elevator at schoool!

Answer 7

Have you talked to your doctor about seeing a professional about this? I heard that working out helps with depression. I have a friend who has been depressed since junior high school and she finds that when she works out and takes her medication she feels a lot better.

Answer 8

I saw a really nice slide show last night. The bottom line is this: "Happiness is a road, not a destination" ...........count your blessings and enjoy every day. Most often when we get what we want, it does NOT turn out to be what we had envisioned in our minds. Finally get into a relationship with God.

Answer 9

Try to find out who you are. Be comfortable with that. Talk to a personal friend. Write your feelings down & listen to calming music. & rest.

Answer 10

"Come to Me [Jesus] all you who labor and are heavy-laden and overburdened, and I will give you rest [I will ease and relieve and refresh you with My Peace].
Take My yoke upon you and learn of Me, for I am gentle [meek] and humble [lowly] in heart, and you will find rest [Peace, ease and relief; refreshment and even recreation and blessed quietness/stillness] for your souls {mind, will, and emotions).
For My yoke is wholesome {useful, good -- not harsh, hard, sharp, or pressing, but it is comfortable, gracious, and pleasant), and My burden is Light and easy to be borne."
Matthew 11:28-30 Amplified Bible.

`