Hello friends,
I also suffer from mental illness. I am plagued with thoughts of suicide and despair sometimes but am improving. I have conjured a plan that has worked for me, all methods at once, to defeat manic depression. I find that as long as I follow these points, healing takes place. I know how hard it is to force your body to do something when all your mind says is NO - but this requires more than mental effort. It requires all your will, and faith. With help and determination, you will overcome depression. You will.
Note: I also take medication, but don't believe this is necessary in all cases. Mental health issues are very individual. If you need medication, take it - but also take into account the methods listed below.
- Pray daily. Devote time each day to worship. Pray for healing. When I am very low, I sometimes ignore this. A few days without interacting with faith and the emptiness comes back. Please continue with your faith, no matter what. It is always there. The only constant in living. Have Christian friends to talk to and support you.
- Plan an event with friends at least once a week. It can be anything, meeting up for coffee, lunch, sitting in the garden, going to a show - whatever you like. Make sure to keep contact with friends and to see them often. No matter how small, it will make a difference to your week, your month, your life. At my worst time, I had little communication with people outside my world of despair. It is extremely debilitating. Please communicate often with people who make you happy. I believe that having something to look forward to is essential for happiness.
- Eat well. Your body is a wonderful temple - nourish your body and your mind with the correct foods. Excessive carb and sugar intake will make you sluggish and irritable. Anyone who is depressed knows that you don't need any more of that. It's time for a new life. Embrace health and thank God for the opportunity to be able to CHOOSE a healthy lifestyle.
- If you love animals and you're in a position to do so, get a pet. I have a beautiful pet/companion cat that I absolutely adore. Animals bring many people a lot of happiness that otherwise wouldn't be there. You love them and they love you - I'd feel much more lonely without my furry angel.
- Every day, each day - no matter what - write down one good thing that happened on this day. If you can not think of anything, make it happen. Call a friend and chat, go take a walk, read some positive messages on these forums, learn a new food recipe. Anything that brings happiness or a smile. Just one small act a day - nothing big. You can start as small as you like.
- Make plans. This sort of ties in with my other point, but with this I mean on a bigger scale. What is your future? What can you make happen? I know that depression is something that wants you to think negatively. 'You can't change your future. You can't make anything happen.' But depression is WRONG. Depression is not you, depression is what plagues you. You can make plans in any area of your life;
Have you always wanted to open a cake shop? Start small. Bake for friends and family. Just see what can happen. Have you always wanted to write a novel? You've got nothing to lose, throw yourself into it. You need dreams, and they can come true. Put faith into yourself and God - the opportunities are there, but you must have open eyes to see them.
- Find out what you enjoy and do it. For many people, depression robs their enjoyment of any activities. Get back in touch with your real self, however far away it may be. If you feel like you're not enjoying what you used to - try new hobbies. New sensations. Think of all the sensations ready for you to explore that you simply haven't known yet. New tastes, sights, smells, feelings.
I'm sure there are more things I will add to this, but for now this is it. If you would like to talk to me, need an understanding friend or prayers - feel free. I am here to help. Keep your faith and your heart strong.
God bless.
x x x
I also suffer from mental illness. I am plagued with thoughts of suicide and despair sometimes but am improving. I have conjured a plan that has worked for me, all methods at once, to defeat manic depression. I find that as long as I follow these points, healing takes place. I know how hard it is to force your body to do something when all your mind says is NO - but this requires more than mental effort. It requires all your will, and faith. With help and determination, you will overcome depression. You will.
Note: I also take medication, but don't believe this is necessary in all cases. Mental health issues are very individual. If you need medication, take it - but also take into account the methods listed below.
- Pray daily. Devote time each day to worship. Pray for healing. When I am very low, I sometimes ignore this. A few days without interacting with faith and the emptiness comes back. Please continue with your faith, no matter what. It is always there. The only constant in living. Have Christian friends to talk to and support you.
- Plan an event with friends at least once a week. It can be anything, meeting up for coffee, lunch, sitting in the garden, going to a show - whatever you like. Make sure to keep contact with friends and to see them often. No matter how small, it will make a difference to your week, your month, your life. At my worst time, I had little communication with people outside my world of despair. It is extremely debilitating. Please communicate often with people who make you happy. I believe that having something to look forward to is essential for happiness.
- Eat well. Your body is a wonderful temple - nourish your body and your mind with the correct foods. Excessive carb and sugar intake will make you sluggish and irritable. Anyone who is depressed knows that you don't need any more of that. It's time for a new life. Embrace health and thank God for the opportunity to be able to CHOOSE a healthy lifestyle.
- If you love animals and you're in a position to do so, get a pet. I have a beautiful pet/companion cat that I absolutely adore. Animals bring many people a lot of happiness that otherwise wouldn't be there. You love them and they love you - I'd feel much more lonely without my furry angel.
- Every day, each day - no matter what - write down one good thing that happened on this day. If you can not think of anything, make it happen. Call a friend and chat, go take a walk, read some positive messages on these forums, learn a new food recipe. Anything that brings happiness or a smile. Just one small act a day - nothing big. You can start as small as you like.
- Make plans. This sort of ties in with my other point, but with this I mean on a bigger scale. What is your future? What can you make happen? I know that depression is something that wants you to think negatively. 'You can't change your future. You can't make anything happen.' But depression is WRONG. Depression is not you, depression is what plagues you. You can make plans in any area of your life;
Have you always wanted to open a cake shop? Start small. Bake for friends and family. Just see what can happen. Have you always wanted to write a novel? You've got nothing to lose, throw yourself into it. You need dreams, and they can come true. Put faith into yourself and God - the opportunities are there, but you must have open eyes to see them.
- Find out what you enjoy and do it. For many people, depression robs their enjoyment of any activities. Get back in touch with your real self, however far away it may be. If you feel like you're not enjoying what you used to - try new hobbies. New sensations. Think of all the sensations ready for you to explore that you simply haven't known yet. New tastes, sights, smells, feelings.
I'm sure there are more things I will add to this, but for now this is it. If you would like to talk to me, need an understanding friend or prayers - feel free. I am here to help. Keep your faith and your heart strong.
God bless.
x x x
