So...

[free_to_be_me]

Does anyone else here have problems with depression? Like really, really deep, dark, never ending depression? How do you deal with it?

 

[Wedjat]

I did for a while (actually just finished working my way off of my pills last week). There are a few important things to remember.

1) Have help - Get a counselor, most schools have them easily available. Sometimes you just need someone to talk to, and sometimes you don't want that someone to be friends or family. Even if you don't think a counselor will help, get one anyway, it can't hurt to at least have someone on standby.

2) It's not that big a deal - Oh yeah, it feels like it, I know. But really think about what's getting you upset, then think, will this actually make any difference in my life ten years down the road? What about five years? One year? A month? A week? A lot of the time when you think about what it is that's getting you down you just feel like every little thing is going wrong and you couldn't possibly pinpoint what it is. When this is the case remember that depression is a chemical imbalance in your brain, that "everything" could very well be nothing at all, and you're just feeling it because that's what the chemicals are saying. Try quelling the depression with logic.

3) Focus on the good stuff - A lot of times when you're feeling depressed you tend to think about everything that's gone wrong in your life stretching back months and years back to when no one but you actually cares anymore. You tend to project into the future and think about all the stuff that will probably go wrong, all the stuff that you're probably never going to be able to fix. The more you think about bad stuff, the more you convince yourself your life is bad, the more you look for examples, the more bad stuff you come up with. It really is a vicious negative thought cycle. If you ever catch yourself doing this, stop, and actively think about good stuff that has happened. Consciously ignore any negative thought that comes into your head and look for good things. At first it will be difficult, you will want to give up, convinced that there really isn't anything good about it, but know that that is utter falsehood. Tell yourself, "as if I haven't ever laughed, as if I haven't ever been elated to open that first Christmas present, as if I've never gone on vacation, or played at the park, or had any friends" this life that you're living is full of wonderful experiences, regardless of how many bad things are mixed in, never let yourself forget that.

4) Don't be a shut in - Hang out with your friends as much as possible. Get out of the house and do something, anything. It's hard to be depressed when you are surrounded by people you love, doing things you like. Schedule things in advance though, don't just call up your friends when you're feeling down, because on the off chance that they can't do anything, that's probably worse. And ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

5) Smile - Seriously, just smile. Studies have shown that you don't just need to smile when you feel happy, it works the other way around as well. Smiling can actually make you feel happy. So if your feeling depressed, smile, laugh, do a little jig, the moodiest of storm clouds can't stand up to your inner sunshine. It doesn't matter if you don't feel like it at the start, just do it, you'll feel better for it.

6) Pray - This is the only one that doesn't come from personal experience, clearly it's not for everyone. If you are pretty religious though, that's a good thing in this regard. Studies have shown increased spirituality = decreased depression, so go for it, it certainly can't hurt.

I hope that was of a little help, though you also need to find the methods that work for you. Just always remember...

never ending depression

...there's no such thing.

 

[HarborOrange]

Sure, I can sometimes, but I'm always content, possibly because I'm so laid back... Sometimes it's a problem that I'm so laid back, but ah well. I cope by just looking forward to the future, and staying patient. Everything changes course in due time.

 

[guitarmonkey2010]

Does anyone else here have problems with depression? Like really, really deep, dark, never ending depression? How do you deal with it?

I pretend I'm happy when I'm not (although a couple times it has worked and I've felt better for a bit) , I pray, and I try to keep busy so I won't think of the things that are depressing me. It hasn't been working too well.

 

[Cra1g]

Does anyone else here have problems with depression? Like really, really deep, dark, never ending depression? How do you deal with it?

Yup. Right now infact.

Edit: To answer your second question, I have no idea... I guess peoples empty promises of "things will get better" keeps me going.

 

[free_to_be_me]

I did for a while (actually just finished working my way off of my pills last week). There are a few important things to remember.

1) Have help - Get a counselor, most schools have them easily available. Sometimes you just need someone to talk to, and sometimes you don't want that someone to be friends or family. Even if you don't think a counselor will help, get one anyway, it can't hurt to at least have someone on standby.

Hmm. It's kind of hard for me to get a professional counselor... I'm using distance learning this semester. But I do have a close friend who's an adult who I can tell everything to, who lives just a few houses down from me. I don't know what I'd do without her.

2) It's not that big a deal - Oh yeah, it feels like it, I know. But really think about what's getting you upset, then think, will this actually make any difference in my life ten years down the road? What about five years? One year? A month? A week? A lot of the time when you think about what it is that's getting you down you just feel like every little thing is going wrong and you couldn't possibly pinpoint what it is. When this is the case remember that depression is a chemical imbalance in your brain, that "everything" could very well be nothing at all, and you're just feeling it because that's what the chemicals are saying. Try quelling the depression with logic.

This is kind of hard for me, because it feels like everything is going wrong. But yeah, I guess it could be worse...

3) Focus on the good stuff - A lot of times when you're feeling depressed you tend to think about everything that's gone wrong in your life stretching back months and years back to when no one but you actually cares anymore. You tend to project into the future and think about all the stuff that will probably go wrong, all the stuff that you're probably never going to be able to fix. The more you think about bad stuff, the more you convince yourself your life is bad, the more you look for examples, the more bad stuff you come up with. It really is a vicious negative thought cycle. If you ever catch yourself doing this, stop, and actively think about good stuff that has happened. Consciously ignore any negative thought that comes into your head and look for good things. At first it will be difficult, you will want to give up, convinced that there really isn't anything good about it, but know that that is utter falsehood. Tell yourself, "as if I haven't ever laughed, as if I haven't ever been elated to open that first Christmas present, as if I've never gone on vacation, or played at the park, or had any friends" this life that you're living is full of wonderful experiences, regardless of how many bad things are mixed in, never let yourself forget that.

This really has helped me a lot. It's hard for me to focus on the good a lot of times, but I'm trying to more...

4) Don't be a shut in - Hang out with your friends as much as possible. Get out of the house and do something, anything. It's hard to be depressed when you are surrounded by people you love, doing things you like. Schedule things in advance though, don't just call up your friends when you're feeling down, because on the off chance that they can't do anything, that's probably worse. And ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure.

I live for the weekends. That's the only time I can see most of my friends, except for the one that lives on my road, who I can see just about anytime. I think it'll be a lot better when I go off to college next fall, because then I'll be able to be with friends a lot more. And my parents can't try to tell me who I can and can't be friends with then.

5) Smile - Seriously, just smile. Studies have shown that you don't just need to smile when you feel happy, it works the other way around as well. Smiling can actually make you feel happy. So if your feeling depressed, smile, laugh, do a little jig, the moodiest of storm clouds can't stand up to your inner sunshine. It doesn't matter if you don't feel like it at the start, just do it, you'll feel better for it.

Hmm... This really does help. Sounded pretty crazy to me at first, but it did work.

6) Pray - This is the only one that doesn't come from personal experience, clearly it's not for everyone. If you are pretty religious though, that's a good thing in this regard. Studies have shown increased spirituality = decreased depression, so go for it, it certainly can't hurt.

Eh. I pray occasionally. Not nearly as often as I used to. I guess there's just a lot of conflict and confusion going on in the religious aspect of my life right now. But I'll try to pray more, if that'll help...

I hope that was of a little help, though you also need to find the methods that work for you.

Your advice has really helped me. Thanks

 

[SammieRose18]

I have had alot of depression lately.. I have lost alot of my friends because i dont want to hang out as much as i used to. I keep praying that things would get better for me... Yes they have a little bit but i still dont have much friends.. That is why i am hoping to make new friends on here because i know some of you are going through the same thing i am.

I got raped and beat up last year.. And the guy got out of jail in February and sence he has gotten out i feel like i need someone by my side at all times.. BUT... the only one i need by my side is God right now.. i have alot of court hearings and everything now to go to.. Expecially for a PFA (protection From Abuse) order so he can not come by me.. so i have ALOT of depression from that.

 

[doss]

I deal with depression frequently. Pretty deep depression. I've had mild success with St. John's Wort before.

Overall, it becomes a game of just making through one more day, one more day. But the nightmarish part is that I cannot sleep. I will sometimes get a couple of hours of sleep, but my depression leads to harsh insomnia.

And perhaps worst of all is that my depression leads to apathy, bitterness. Alas, there are people who have things much worse than I do. In the end, that's what will keep me going - helping people, being kind even when they aren't kind to me, making people feel included who would normally be ignored - that's what gets me through this cloud called depression.

 

[SammieRose18]

Im here to talk to.. I have friends that used to do pot and drink ilegally and all that sence they were 14 and they are now 18 and not doing any of that and they now go to church and believe in God. They love the lord with all their hearts and they come to me with any problems that they have.. I try to help everybody as much as i can.

Im here for you too..

 

[shalalalalala36]

This is really helpful: