What do I do when I've tried everything I can think of?

Question

I've suffered from depression for over eight years. I meditate on the positive, pray daily for healing, and attend several Al-Anon meetings a week. I aslo go to see Psychiatrist and Psychologist, but I only get so far and I fall hard into deep pain and despair. What do I do now?

Answer 1

Try to help others who are in the same situation of depression. You now have a wealth of wisdom and experience to offer that they can benefit and appreciate. Plus, there is some additional healing that occurs when you help fellow sufferers.
Also, try eating more healthy and fresh foods (whole foods), avoid the convenience foods or sugary/starchy foods that break down too fast. Cut down on sugary sodas and juices. All of the bad foods contribute to bad moods. Exercise more (yoga).

Answer 2

Its all in the definition.
Getting depressed over something isnt really a reason to be worried.
I do understand how you are afraid you might be heading for a whole episode of depression again - but just dont be afraid of that.
Accept being depressed as something we all go through and dont let it break your focus.
Practise some of what you learned, stick to praying, meditate and be happy to still have feelings left we all share together.
You would be off far worse if you would be kept on medication and not have any ups and downs at all.

Think of it as a rollercoaster in emotions and enjoy the ride, though going downhill is a bit scarey its the fun part of the ride when looking back on it.

Answer 3

I have suffered from depression on and off for many years more than eight, and I can see where many of the answerers are coming from.

One other thing to add is that it becomes a habit (depression). A habit of thinking and feeling.

That has been my experience. I spent so many years being upset and disappointed and low, when something good happened, many times I did not recognize it.

Another important point that goes along with depression, is that it often stems from feeling helpless, that things are out of our control. Depression spirals down because the original feeling is from helplessness, then we focus on it and talk about it with professionals, friends and self-help groups, then it reinforces being helpless.
And down we go!

Answer 4

I've found myself in the same situation you describe a few times.

It sounds like you are already taking medication for the depression. Have you told your psychiatrist about your feelings? Are you working on specific things in therapy? Do you have a friend you can contact when things get really bad? When this happens to me, I find myself isolating. Of course that's when I really need to reach out for help, but find it very hard to do. So I comprised with myself. I e-mail two special friends I have. They understand that I'm going through one of my hard times, & just e-mail back - no conversation.

Here's something I'd like to share with you: A year or so ago I was at my therapist appointment. We were talking about my family life (bad, believe me). I was telling her how bad I felt about the way I perceived my children were turning out. She asked me if I felt completely responsible for their outcome (so far) in life. "Well of course" I said." She looked me right in the eyes & said "Well aren't you so special & important." I couldn't believe what she'd said!!

The moral of this little story is that I was forced to stop thinking about the anger, guilt, sadness, hurt, etc. that I'd been dragging around behind me for YEARS. I am now trying to get better day by day. I try to not think about the past so much as focus on the present. I only go to one support meeting a week - Nar-Anon, because I think that attending oodles of self-help meetings keeps me in the victim role and I am a survivor:):)

You can be to!

God bless,

Ann

Answer 5

Well...Exercise and get a good physical. You might have something chemically wrong and the exercise releases all kinda of endorphines. Make a list of everything you want to do and then start doing them. Say to yourself "OK what do I need to do to change?" And them make a date that if your not better by to kill your self. This has helped me get "unstuck" and out of my rut. I'm no longer depressed - more angry now which I guess is better - but I have my DEADline to give my life some meaning - or else! It's a good way to motivate ones self. I'm living my life like I have no future - be cause I might not have one. It has helped me a lot. I'm no longer depressed - just F***ing angry!

Answer 6

Hmm, ask your doctor about Prozac or Zoloft, they treat depression. I myself had depression, and Zoloft helped me. Try being around friends and family, especially the ones that are humorous and make good jokes, or someone that makes you feel better. Think positively about yourself if you can, and ask your friends and family to help and possibly boss you around if you are being particularly depressed. I know you may feel like being alone, but deep down, you probably want attention.
Good luck with your Al-Anon and depression. Hope you get to be feeling better.

Answer 7

Maybe medications are needed. Maybe you need to look at why you fall hard. Maybe you are afraid of good things. Maybe it feels to weird. There are way to many maybe's. There is a term "secondary gains of depression". This refers to what one gets from being depressed that reinforces depression, such as attention, smaller work load, less emotional risk or pain, not having to deal with another emotion such as anger.

Answer 8

It sounds like your whole life is wrapped around getting over your depression. I'm sure with all the professional help you're getting, I wouldn't be able to tell you anything that would miraculously change your life. Maybe you just need a friend to talk to on a regular basis.. IDK sry

Answer 9

try to think: I am not my depression. It looks like you live for your depression.

Answer 10

have they suggested ect? that seem to work for a lot of people.