What is the real answer to conquering severe depression?

Question

II've tried several medications, and all they did was make me have facial tics and feel stupid. I tried religion, and all I got were men in suits or religious garb on a power trip or begging for money. I tried therapy with psychologists, and they were very effective in extracting money from my insurance company and my wallet, and equally good at giving generic answers that do not really help in any meaningful way. So what's the real answer to getting beyond depression? Or are depressed people doomed to be the vulnerable prey of every eager citizen willing to take advange of someone is emotionally weak?

Answer 1

medications change of lifestyle and suportive people best of luck hope you beat it

Answer 2

Well, the PROVEN number one way--therapy and medication. Don't dismiss them because you had some bad experiences. And being sick costs money, just like having cancer. You have a mental ILLNESS, you're going to have to pay some money and some of your time to get a little better.

Maybe you're trying the wrong meds and the wrong therapists, or maybe you aren't depressed. That was my problem--I kept getting put on these antidepressants and send to these 'woe is me' psychologists, until finally they were like 'Oh, you're bipolar. My bad', and now I'm fantastic. In fact, antidepressants and the wrong therapy can increase the worst parts of bipolar disorder.

Also, you seem so very angry. You're going outside and running into all of these walls and getting more pissed every time. Maybe all of these things aren't working because you haven't worked on the intrinsic stuff enough yet. You have to try to get better, and it sounds a lot like you're like "**** this, it won't work. **** that, it ended up a bunch of bullshit," before you give it a chance. Do you go for some exercise everyday? Even 5 minutes at a walking pace will do you wonders (again, proven). Do you have some hobbies that you really enjoy that you take some time out to do every day? Have you tried taking Vitamin B or Magnesium--sometimes that's the cause of a lot of people's depression, their body needs some? Ever tried meditating (doesn't mean you're religious, it just brings focus and clarity to the mind--again, proven health benefits)? Listen to yourself now and then, and even if it's hard to walk around the block everyday and clear your mind for twenty minutes with meditation, get your little butt out there and WORK to feel better.

I don't feel like I'm the vulnerable prey of anyone. Every therapist I've met so far has been wonderful (although that doesn't mean they all are). Have you gone further enough in the ranks? General practitioners can diagnose depression and give you meds, but usually they don't know much about it. Psychologists and psychotherapists generally know nothing about the chemical aspect of depression. Psychiatrists are the top of the food chain, and sometimes I wonder why they didn't just send me straight there in the first place, they are magical. Seriously. They're more expensive, but I could spend 6 sessions tops with one and be on my way to life instead of the 83902 other appointments and hundreds of dollars i spent on the wrong meds from a GP.

Anyways, I hope I helped at least a little. Oh, and I'm so glad you're out of the religious bullshit--it means you're still in there somewhere (even though depression makes it seem like you're not). I'm just as bitter about all of that religious reliance as you sound in your entire question :) Good luck.

Answer 3

Well, being the sibling of a good psychologist, I've seen many, many success stories through therapy. However, I've seen even more stories of failure through shrinks that were simply not compatible with people, and would love to give vague answers and refer people to psychiatrists to throw pills at them as opposed to actually thinking.

I'm a very big fan of simply finding someone that works for you. If you can find someone that understands what's happening, and that you can actually open upto and get along with, who can offer interesting points of view, and perhaps even give you food for thinking differently, I think you found a great first step.

I always hope that people can become well without medicine, but sometimes that is simply the best answer. However, in many cases, people don't react right to certain medications, and in an unfortunate number of cases are misdiagnosed and given the wrong medication. A hardship in psychological studies is that it is a soft science. While antibiotics will kill any ear infection out there, that doesn't always work with chemical imbalances in the brain.

Immediately, however, I would suggest getting a proper amount of vitamins and minerals, a fair diet, straying away from drugs and alcohol, and rigorous exercises 20-30 minutes daily, atleast several times a week. Sometimes that is enough in itself to turn a person's life around.

At last, I urge you to remember, the majority of people are money hungry bastards, too stupid or lazy to solve a problem reasonably, and all to quick to take advantage of anyone they can. However, not all people are this way.

Best wishes!

Answer 4

Read this book, by William James (now don’t let the title scare you) The Varieties of Religious Experience, A Study in Human Nature, it's a book by the Harvard psychologist and philosopher William James
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Varieties_of_Religious_Experience
For some unknown reason I am once again willing to give life another try, I can't quit the game early. It's not that I don’t want to, I don't believe one is able to. Sure, I could off myself, blow my brains out, jump into a wood chipper, drive off a cliff but none of that will make it stop, it will still be there, the darkness, the emptiness, the aching hopelessness are all of a part of me I can’t kill. Is it the soul, my sprit, call it what you want. I haven’t a name for it, but I know it’s why I’m sharing with you now. The pain of living isn’t in my brain or in my chest or any other part of my body. It in like my soul or my essence, a part of me I can’t touch. The main part of who I am. So, I can’t kill it. I think you’d be sent to the start again if you try. For some reason the awareness that there is no early out on this life, that you have to play your hand no mater how bad has made something change. No, I don't know why and believe me I’ve looked, read, prayed, wished, sought, sang, screamed, begged, bought and even stole looking for answers and have found none. I don’t have the answer to conquering severe depression except that conquering is not the only path to victory. I do have the answer to your last question.
The answer is NO! You will soon know that you are not emotionally weak. For some, life each day is like a walk in the park, for others, the go getters, for them life is like running around a track, maybe a hurdle or two will pop up now and again. Now we come to you. Knowing full well that today will bring no happiness or feelings of joy or success, that you will not meet anyone special or if you do it’s with rejection, sure work may go ok but you know that won’t last the week. You won’t feel apart of or like you belong with those you know and being around others shows you how different, wrong, stupid, ugly and just what a looser you are. Yet, you go! Not for a walk in the park or to jump a few hurtles. Every day is an 80lbs pack and full battle dress body armor and it’s raining, muddy and all day will be straight up hill... and you run it! Emotionally weak... I don’t think so, if they had just a hint of what you’ve already overcome each day before breakfast would have any of the “happy shinny people” crying for mommy.

Answer 5

Honestly, the only treatment that has ever been known to actually cure depression is electroconvulsive therapy. Obviously this is only administered as a last resort to the most severe of cases. In other circumstances it seems that people respond best to a combination of medication and therapy for long-term relief of symptoms. I'm sorry you have had unsatisfying experiences with these so far and I hope you will continue trying. I also believe that religion is an important part of life and I encourage you to learn more about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints if you are interested.

Answer 6

Hi there,
when my dad died, I didn't think that I could live any more. The days were slow, the nights were sleepless. I lost weight looking emaciated like the latest angelina JOlie. I couldn't even function, work , or focus in school. I found being in nature (beach, forest, lake), meditate, exercise to get endorphin (good feeling hormone) moving, and lastly all over body massage (especially the foot ...it's called foot reflexology) I took care of myself and didn't need any body cause no body can help my pain but myself. Release your emotions and don't be afraid to cry. It's all part of the healing process. I kept at it for almost a year before I finally recovered. The more you take initiative to take control over your life, the harder it is for others to take advantage of you. Hopefullly that helps. Good luck and you'll be in my prayers

Answer 7

I have had severe depression, and tried every kind of therapy I could. The only thing that really started to pull me out of the depression cycle was 'service therapy'. That's what I call it now, but I was so tired of focusing on myself all the time, that I just wanted to forget about myself and worry about somebody else's problems.
My church got me started doing nice things for people who needed it, and then once it caught fire, it became my passion. I thrived in environments where I could actively forget my problems, and as a result, forget about me. I would forget about my problems, my environment, even would forget about the differences between myself and the people I served.
This is the way I finally got the foot hold to climb out of the dark abyss we call depression. Good luck getting there.

Answer 8

As someone who has dealt with her own depression for over 30 years, I can only tell you that these things help:
1. Take it one day at a time
2. Live for the moment
3. Get into the best physical health possible, exercise, eat well, always sleep just enough - not too little, not too much.
4. See it as a challenge. YOU ARE NOT EMOTIONALLY WEAK. You may be more aware of your emotions and concentrate on them overmuch. Beware of over analyzing every thing. Things just happen.
5. Keep trying new meds as they are offered. After 20 years I have a good "cocktail" of meds that work for me, but it took a lot of trial and error.
6. Don't drink alcohol.

Answer 9

It sounds like you're saying you've exhausted all options in handling depression. Have you tried just communicating with a trusted friend or relative on a regular basis? Otherwise, if you're more inclined to believe that depression is a hoax, then you're thoughts are more closely aligned with the Scientologists. You might want to go Tom Cruise's route and investigate their approach toward dealing with this matter.

Answer 10

Be careful with medications - they often do more harm than good, especially with children & teens.

My advice:

Stay away from the wonder drugs,

follow your faith,

cherish the bonds you have with your friends and family,

and make sure to take some time out of your week to do something that brings happiness to your life

Express yourself - bottled up emotions are unhealthy. Maybe take up a hobby such as pottery or painting, or even an instrument.

Whatever you do - communicate with people. Friends help us up when we're down.

Answer 11

I haven't taken meds in years. I taught myself to focus on what's good in my life. When the depression comes on I reach out to others & do volunteer work. Nothing like stepping out of your own world to help a fellow traveler.

I learned how to laugh again by stopping taking myself so seriously and realizing I have a choice on how I view the world & the things that happen to me. I've learned to give myself the grace to make mistakes. I'll never be perfect & it's ok. Neither is anyone else.

There are still times I get into a deep funk for days & don't even want to dress or bathe. Those days I have to force myself to even bother with getting up. I don't want to & find myself doing inward battle as if 2 people reside inside. But I do it because I don't enjoy being depressed & like you I don't like the feeling when I'm on meds.

You're not emotionally weak. It can be a chemical imbalance or just you're view & experiences of the world you live in. Seeking help is a strength, not a weakness. You must know that because you haven't given up on seeking help & smart enough to know when it's not working. Give yourself some credit here.

But the biggest help for me has been getting involved in helping others. It's hard to stay depressed when you focus on the needs of others. Especially those unable to help themselves.