Depression

b l a n k · #21

You know, now that I think about it, part of overcoming depression I didn't mention at first could be changing your own life before changing others'.

...Of course! Dangnabbit! I should've known better: if you can't love yourself (in a non-egotistical way), how can you love your neighbor?

This reminds me of the time IRHP posted something inspirational to save a fellow member from suicide: look at your life and think about one or more areas you'd like to see changed and how you can change them. Maybe, just maybe, that could help.

I REALLY HATE POKEMON! · #22

The Bible does have some scripture which indicate that it is okay to have a certain amount of consideration for yourself, that it is normal to:

"“Never seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone, but love your neighbor as yourself." - Leviticus, 19:18.

#23

Colonel, I'm going to ask you to please stop posting in this thread. You don't have a strong enough grasp of what clinical depression is, and your attempts to help are actually very hurtful to those suffering this illness.

b l a n k · #24

You're right SD. From now on, I make a solemn promise not to intervene in Life threads I know nothing about. That would be foolish for anyone to do.

I apologize for any offense caused.

monstrman · #25

I myself suffer from depression and I have a friend who has it really severely. Mine comes and goes. Haven't gone to see anyone about it because I get depressed then for some reason get into the mentality of "I CAN TAKE THIS ALONE F*** YEAH BE A MAN MONSTRMAN THAT'S YOUR NAME AFTER ALL." Usually it ends up in me being fine for a week then spiraling and crashing and the whole time writing super bipolar music.

Perhaps it's not the best coping mechanism but I'm too stubborn to seek help. I usually keep it to myself too. I guess I kind of just bottle a lot of my emotions up. I don't really have rage problems so it doesn't seem to do anything aside from worsen my depression to pretty severe points on occasion. I find on most days I'm generally okay... though a few common triggers are social anxiety based, and it usually gets super bad because when it happens I bottle it up for sometimes hours before I'm alone and can express it rather than releasing that emotion at the time in a more controlled manner.

Everyone has told me to seek a psychiatrist, and I was even threatened once with being committed... but I'm just not really positive anyone can help me but me. The problem is that not even I can help me sometimes.

I guess the point is that I feel you guys. Right in the feeling place where feelings happen.

smol Kat · #26

Therapy has literally never helped me. Riding it out is the only thing that really does.

Apollo the Just · #27

I'm really lucky in that I don't have recurring depression.

I had an episode once, and it was a massive combination of things, but I was lucky in that the stimulus was [largely] a person and so after a few days of just internally feeling like indescribable **** [spoiler]tbh, I have a scar on my inner thigh from this. I don't think I'll ever need to resort to that again, thankfully, but just that one time it felt necessary, somehow. It's a long and very, very complex story, but I am lucky because it was a single, isolated event.[/spoiler] I was able to have a very very long conversation with the person which really did make it better.

I do get really kind of disconnected sometimes, but it is thankfully rare and usually doesn't last very long-- no more than a day or so. I generally try to force myself to shower or clean part of my room, usually don't end up very productive but the thought that I did something makes it a little easier to keep functional until it goes away. But since these times it's more internal, unfortunately I can't just have a conversation that fixes everything. you kind of just have to deal until your brain decides to be ok again haha

#28

I don't have any new advice... just the same ol' same ol'...

Originally posted by me somewhere but somewhat adapted just for you:
Disclaimer; I am not a doctor. The following are suggestions and if you try them, I hope they work for you. Of course, if your depression is worsening or interferes with your ability to do things or seems severe and you lose interest in doing even things you enjoy, you really need to see a doctor and trust that they will do their best to help you.

I know you don't have much money for now. SO. Sunlight. It is VERY important to take advantage of ALL and any sunlight you can get. Unfortunately, you need it direct on your skin and so many people can get seasonal depression when they need to wear long sleeved shirts and cover up more than in summer. You need a minimum of 20 minutes a day on your chest, if possible, at the brightest part of the day. If the UV rating is high, or you have photo-sensitivity, then you need to consider supplementing. If you can afford Vit D3 tablets, then do so and take 6 of them each day you don't get any/much sunlight until your Vit D3 levels are within normal ranges (needs blood test to tell precisely).

Vit C is sooooo important, too, and is used in conjunction with other vitamins to treat mild depression. You can get Vit C in many fruits and vegetables.

Also folate (Vit B9) has been linked to depression if your levels are low. Eat dark green leafy vegetables (spinach, kale), other vegetables and fruit to get folate. Or again, if you can afford it, take a supplement either a multi B or just folic acid/folate.

Try to limit your intake of sugar, but don't go the way of artificial sweeteners or high fructose corn sugar/sweetener. Sugar gives you a feel-good but as your blood-sugar levels drop afterwards, you may find you feel worse later. Examples - drink water instead of sodas, have a piece of fruit instead of pastries/cakes/doughnuts.

Eat protein every day in the form of eggs, cheese, fish and healthy meat (turkey is awesome if you like that). Also include legumes and nuts for the magnesium. And sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds for their benefits. If you need to, ask family and friends to gift you sunflower/pumpkin seeds if you can't add them in to your budget.

Try to eat fruit and vegetables each day. Especially an apple a day.

Drink water. Reduce caffeine intake for the same reasons as I stated for sugar... feel good for a while...

Try some rosehip tea. Or a cup of warm milk (organic if you can get it) with a little honey in it.

If you are not eating the best, you should consider a multivitamin for men and also a fish oil supplement.

Sleep. Really, get a good night's sleep. Go to bed around the same time and get up 8 - 9 hours later (everyone is different...). Don't eat in the 2 hours before bed time and don't drink caffeine in the 4 hours before bed time.

Any time you need to talk, then talk. A problem shared... is a problem halved... If not to someone in person, then come here to talk.

Exercise... go for a walk if you don't do anything else.

Keep yourself busy so you don't brood on problems. Learn something different. Examples - card tricks, coin tricks, a language - things that require good concentration.

I do sincerely hope that things get much better for you, Val. And for all of you. I feel deep empathy for each of you. *GIANT HUGS for you all*

Here's grinnies for each of you to hug and squeeze and smile at and tickle and tell corny jokes to and just enjoy... Val's

kat's

IRHP's

RU's

Jere's

Bomby's

Masa's

AYEEYE's

monster's

CL's

Nomyt · #29

I've only recently been put on Anti-depressants (Sertraline). For the last two years, I've been terribly down, rarely socialize with friends, feeling under-valued at work and at home, constantly feeling terrible at martial arts (even tho everyone was telling me I was doing great), no motive to get up in mornings, and on days off, would sleep for 11+hours, and more. Most of the time it's small things, but they all add up on my mind.

As for coping. Talking (to either a professional, or friends) has helped me, even found out that a few of my friends have been/still are affected by Depression. One of the problems I've notice, is that Depression is a taboo subject, but lots of people have it. Most of the people that dont have it, don't really understand it, but those that do have it, can really help you out.

Getting outside has been really good for me too, both walking up town (20 min walk), or even something as weird as Gardening, has helped. Daily laughter has helped a little bit, getting favourite comedians on DVD, or Comedy shows, whatever can make you laugh. Even forcing yourself to smile can boost you mood sometimes.

Also, on days when I don't go to training. Try not to stay at home, go around a friends house. I have one bunch of friends, which we play D&D. Another friend, who's not as Geeky, but we have a general chat, and catch up. I even have another friend, who we've started to try and teach ourselves a new language.

I've also been told to be creative, but I'm in no means a great artist, and we all know how badly I write.

#30

*GIANT HUGS for you Nomytaker and gives you this grinnie* See above suggestions for use... Nomytaker's

Nomyt · #31

*giant hugs back* :)