Relapse into depression... what do ya do?

Question

I recovered from major depression several years ago, and recently I've been thinking about and recalling the things of my childhood that made me depressed... and I've sort of been feeling myself spiral back down into that same depression but with added stress from being in college, not being able to find a job, etc... I just feel helpless like there is nothing I can do about it... and I don't want to have to go through the same therapy and several medications I had to before.. I've realized what was wrong and dealt with it and moved on... but now it's upsetting me again... why am I thinking about these things? And what am I supposed to do to stop myself from going into that downward spiral? Any suggestions?? And I don't need any smart people saying things like, "grow up..." or anything else mean like that... this is really upsetting me and I don't know what to do... I don't know how to stop it and I could really use some advice. Thanks so much in advance! :)

I just got some WellButrin to help me stop smoking... it's an anti-depression/anxiety medication that alo helps people stop smoking...maybe that could be my crutch to stop it? I'm trying to make all these positive changes in my life to better myself but it's like my past is suddenly reaching out and grabbing me backwards again.. and I don't need pity please that would make it even worse

Answer 1

This is a very familiar problem. I have also suffered from major depression. I also refuse to be medicated but often have slipped back into my depression. The most important thing is always remember that you can fight this. It also helps if you can surround yourself with others. The less time you have alone to let your mind wander the better. Also you can try to find something that takes concentration. For some people it may be a puzzle, or art work. For others it can be reading, or music. Usually when I first start to feel like something is wrong I crank the CD player up and play what I call my happy songs. Songs that remind you of certain people or times in your life that are just silly. Someone once told me "fake it until you make it". To me this made sense. I was so deep into my depression that everyday task were so difficult that I felt fake. So what I did was pretend I didn't have depression. I changed the light bulbs in the house to daylight light bulbs, and acted as if I were happy. If I caught myself thinking of things that were triggers I would redirect myself to another activity. Eventually things started changing. Before I knew it my depression spell was over. Hang in there, you'll find your out.

Answer 2

about 5 years ago, I started to fall into a really depressive episode. At first I thought it was only because I had a bad break from a relationship but the feelings wouldn't go away even after I got a new girlfriend. It was wrecking my life until a point where it was seriously affecting my work and personal life.

She was very worried but at the same time couldn't understand why I was still sad and thought that I still couldn't let go of my previous relationship. Being the wonderful person that she is, she put aside her feelings and suggested I go for psychiatric evaluation. Many months later and even more anti-depressants, I was not coming close to being better at all.

After doing some research online, I found out the real cause as you described it really makes a lot of sense and purchased this program. The results were simply astonishing. I read this book over three times and put all words in action. Using this method, I've kept my depression at bay ever since. Up to date I'm still living happily with my girlfriend.

Depression Free Method?

Answer 3

It is awful for this to happen so young. Sometimes I think it must be hormones and if it is not treated properly it simply becomes a habit. I don't see how someone like her can go away to a foreign country. Doesn't make sense, because she obviously has anxiety too. It's weird for her mom to tell the school that she was leaving. Is she getting any treatment? A lot of this is very strange, I think her mother is ashamed to have a child like this and is trying to keep her out of sight. I reckon you should find out more, it's too weird. I'm a depressive so I know what I was like and how I was helped. Talk to her sister again about her treatment. If ther isn't any, you are entitled to go ballistic!

Answer 4

There's no easy way to put the fact that we all have ups and downs in life. I use to deal with depression and took Paxil for over 5 years. Then I did some mission work in Mexico last year and had a life changing experience. I saw poverty like nothing I could ever imagine. When I returned to the states it dawned on me how wonderful my life really is in comparason to others I'd seen. I quit feeling sorry for myself, despite the abuse I suffered as a child, and vowed to help others. Count your blessings. Things could be soooo much worse.

Answer 5

Hi,
I know what it feels like to be depressed. The first thing you must remember is that you are not alone.
You need to write down all of the things that you feel are upsetting you in a book or on a piece of paper then lock it up or screw it up and throw it away/burn it/stamp on it, which ever you feel like doing the most.
Then write down all of the things that you have achieved and are proud of in ur life, make this big, bold and colourful, then stick this up somewhere that you will see it everyday.

You are worth a lot and you mean a great deal to many people, quite a lot whom you may not even realise.

Take time to appriciate yourself!

Answer 6

I'm going to suggest something that will sound fairly radical - get yourself a diary or a notepad.and write down every positive thing that happened to you today. These might be simple, small things - like 'someone smile at me across a room' or 'felt excited going to XXX' - even something as seemingly daft as 'had a great cup of coffee at XXX'. I suggest you write at least 5 items daily - whatever you feel like - just keep it positive.

The reason I'm telling you to do this is coz you have to see that you have total control of your life. By writing down this list - you will have something to refer to when you feel down and it will hopefully spark off a memory that will lift your spirits. The whole idea being that you do your best to remain positive and alive. You could keep looking way into your past - but their is a lot of pain associated with that - the diary allows you to create your own source of positivity - after a week you will have at least 35 items after a month, at least 210 and the list will just keep growing.

Get yourself a big desk diary - this might be a long list so be sure to have enough writing space

Good luck

Answer 7

Perhaps something has triggered similiar feelings. Either way if you have already been thru therapy nowadays the process should not be so much of a trial and error with medications. If you know what you need to do no matter what the process preventative medicine is the best answer right?