What has helped you?

[bliz]

For those of you who have struggled with depression, what kinds of things have proven to be helpful for you?

 

[HolySpiritWarrior]

I know something that has been very helpful in hard times for me was having a journal and just being able to get all my feelings out on paper. Also memorizing encouraging bible verses.

 

[bliz]

What were some of the Bible verses that encouraged you?

 

[Staind]

Talking online is good, although I found often causing myself pain "helped me" in a sense, it's not a good thing.

bliz, are you a sufferer of depression?

 

[PuppyforChrist]

My friends... Defenetly my friends. Especially my adult friends that I see at church.

When my friends see me down or having one of my moods, they know what to do. It's the same thing all the time and it always works. They make me laugh as hard as I possibly can. They tickle me, they joke around, they do anything they can to make me laugh my sadness right out of me and it really works.

I have no idea what I would do without my friends, and the laughter that they help create in me. I've struggled with depression for almost seven years, and because of them I have gotten so much better.

But of course God has helped me as well. When my friends aren't around, and I'm feeling down, I write in either my online diary, or my private handwritten one. I write out my thoughts using the writing talents God has given me. If he had not gotten me interested in writing so much I would not have been able to cope.

All these things have helped me so much.

 

[AlmostBandwidth]

Have you been diagnosed by a doctor, perhaps medication could help you?

 

[geehollywiz]

for me lots of things have worked. defintaly being in therapy and having someone who i trust with my life and whom i can be open to. my therapist doesnt judge me at all, she listens to me, gives wonderful advice and support, sits with me when i cry, and gives me hugs. without therapy, i dont like to think of where i would be. also my friends. even though they dont know the full story and they may not understand, they are my friends, and they care about me SO much. music has always gotten me through tough times, i have certain songs and c.d's i listen to at certain times. music is so soothing to me. and of course medication helps, but only if you take it and are active in therapy or some kind of support like that. at least thats what i have learned. and of course, God. my bible, my christian music, my prayers, has gotten me through so so much.

 

[Stanfi]

Lexapro, excercising, get plenty of rest. Knowing my limitations, and not taking on more than I can handle. Praying, using a prayer journal. Getting away from negative influences, people and places that get me down, or trigger a negative memory. Doing my best to surround myselft with good people. Reading and studying and learning as much about depression as I can.

 

[bnkessler]

What has been helpful for me has been talking to my psychologist about my feelings and how to feel better about myself. I know medication would work, if I would take it (but I refuse to, for many many reasons). Also writing in my online journal helps.

 

[TheMainException]

I've found a friend that has gone through the same things as I have, he is also my pastor, but he doesn't have to be...uh...I've been on prozac, that's helped a lot...I've also talked with my counselor about ways to get away from my depression and anxiety. Also, writing, talking, praying have worked wonders.

 

[Godlovesusall]

Thinking about my family and close friends really helps sometimes. Especially when I am suicidal I think about my brothers, my Mom, people like that and it makes me think twice about doing it. It would break them if I killed myself.

 

[joosiej]

Prayer. Friends. A loving relationship. Sleeping in every now and again. Horses. Reading interesting books. Watching films. Chocolate. Good weather.

 

[calichick]

writing,and reading the bible helps,music can help sometimes but other times its not enough, the one thing that helps you is Jesus that is if you let him. i used to not want anything to do with him when i was in serious depression but for a week now i tried God and he's helping much more than anything.

 

[Yamagi]

My story of overcoming depression are kind of weird and simple. One day I just woke up and thought about my life. I saw my failing grades. There was no way I would be able to do anything in school or life with four failing grades if it continued. I saw my friends, they seemed happy and I wanted to join them. I also thought that maybe I should find a girlfriend. Just a nice girl to be around so that she would force me to be happy because nobody wants a boring, sad partner. I had been going to therapy with this doctor that I did not even like. I was just angry all the time I was around him. He wanted to keep suggesting prozac or some other anti-depressant. I rejected those solutions because I wanted to get over it. Through my entire depression phase I was atheist. My lack of God and reason for living was what got me down a lot of the time. Even after I got better, I was still atheist though. But I think God was calling for me. Months after I got over this, a Christian girl has been worked into my life and she has got me going to church. I have a reason to live now. Now walking with Jesus points me in a straight direction where I worry less about things because I know I am living a straight life. But if you need to get out of depression, you really need to want it. Pray and never lose faith.

 

[delicate_flower]

The only thing in my life that has proven to help me in my depression are simple talks with God. Whenever I am feeling low, I always start talking to God... I'm not sure if that is necessarily a prayer because I just talk to Him like He is my personal councelor. I know He is listening, I know He is there... and after I get everything out in the open between us, I start feeling better. It is only when this happens am I able able to fall asleep soundly.

 

[BarbB]

Paxil, Christian counseling and God. I used to try to wean myself off the meds, but the depression would return, so I have just accepted that I might be on it for the rest of my life. Luckily Paxil is now out as a generic. My counselor is wonderful - I see him when things pile up too much. And Jesus is always there for me.

 

[guitar_gurl07]

some things i have found to help a lot are a lot like what others have said and thats probably bc they work. i hae found that taking my medicine regularly (lexapro) talking to my therapist( which i have an emergency # for) and actually telling her what i feel like so that she can help me in any way possible, talking to my friend, writing in my journal(online and handwritten) and listening to music and at least trying to pray and read the Bible.also although not an option for many ppl is being admitted 2 a psyciatic hosp. for at least a few days. that helped me a lot! bc ur just away from everything and everything that would stress u out. these are all things that have helped me, even though im not 100% better, i know that i would still be like i was in Jan. if not for these things. i hope it helps

Haylee

 

[Mr.Cheese]

Medicine. I started taking medicine when I was 30 and for the first time in my life I felt ok. No kidding. Ever since I was little, since I can remember, I always thought life was a miserable pain you had to endure till you died.
It's nice to feel human.