Depression?

[tattooedsaint87]

People who say depression is "something you get over" are a load of wankers. I'm in a similar situation - I lost my plot a year ago. I still occasionally get into a downer.

Generally a lot of the time I stay away from my 'triggers' - my ex girlfriend, photos of my late father etc

I used to think I could beat it - I realised you don't beat it be not being depressed. You beat it by learning to not let it affect you everyday.

 

[Alex The Rat]

Sex. It can absolutely destroy depression (at least minor depression). Unfortunately that's not always an easy proposition...

And I know that it's not something one can just "get over", but I do think it helps to force yourself to be active and keep with the activities you enjoy, even if they don't sound appealing at the moment.

 

[Marter]

My mother has clinical depression. Sometimes I wonder if I've inherited it, or at least the tenancy to become depressed. I'm good at getting rid of negative thoughts and emotions though, so I don't stay in moods like that for too long.

 

[Kwaren]

I was diagnosed with mild depression after my father died when I was 8 years old. I was put on a diet of pills that my doctor and shrink endlessly prescribed to me. I was on no less than 4 types of pills for 6 years when I decided that I had enough an refused to take them anymore. All was fine for a while until my mother died when I was 19. I took that hard and quit eating. I went from 280lbs to 152lbs over the course of 3 months. After that I haven't felt happiness or excitement of any kind since. I am 22 now and am not motivated to do anything productive and spend most of my time gaming or reading as a way to escape. I have several close friends and a large family but still feel quite alone most of the time. Therapy and medical treatments are not an option for me, so I have been trying to sort it all out alone and have made massive progress.

As for advice for you, keep fighting against the enemy that is depression. Never lie to yourself. The truth may hurt, but in the end it is the only weapon that when used against that dark monster, always prevails.

 

[Parallel Streaks]

The reason people have such a casual attitude towards depression is, on top of the actual sufferers of depression, a seriously condition, there's an inordinate amount of people who fake it for attention.

Depression is best helped by doing what YOU enjoy, spending a lot of time alone wallowing in your problems is obviously not good, preoccupy yourself with a new hobby, or an old hobby you discarded for all that wallowing.

 

[ayuri]

depression had went through my family and i believe that i am depressed but it never really affects me because i have ADD so i don't spend a long time feeling bad.

 

[Doctor VonSexMachine]

Didn't read most of the responses, so forgive me if I am repeating stuff:
You can try reading a book on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. There are even work books to help you go though the steps on your own. It's a method of re-enforcing positive thought patterns.

That's about as close as I think you can come to just slogging through it.
I've never found anti-depressants to be much good, although I've been on them for more than 2 years. My issues are a bit more complex then clinical depression, but I've attended many school sponsored events on the topic, and have seen councilors, etc. Cognitive behavioral therapy seems to be the wining strategy to work though it based on willpower.

The only thing is that it takes a lot of work to force yourself to rewire your thinking.

 

[rddj623]

I'm of the thought that all things can be overcome, not necessarily made to go away mind you, but overcome. Definitely not saying to just get over it. These things take time, and sometimes medication along with therapy. I'm never a fan of meds by themselves, I think medication with counseling can go a long way. To all those suffering, my sympathies and prayers.

 

[Valksy]

well shit that's depressing. I was told I'd just have to take my meds and talk to a counselor and he'd help me sort it out and I'd be better in a year or two. It's going to be at least a few months before they figure out the proper dosage for the meds, but I can't wait 15 fucking years! :'(

The important bit is to work with your doctors while they tune your meds. Some things work better than others, some doses are better. Some things are just odd - I found that I could not take generic/unbranded fluoxetine as it made me sick, but branded Prozac didn't. My local chemist was aware and kept the real thing in stock for me and someone else when I was on the stuff.

Just make sure you follow the rules with going on and off the meds because you are tinkering with brain chemistry - just stopping if you are supposed to wind down, or diving straight in to a big dose without working up to it I found made me feel a whole lot worse, you can start to yo-yo your moods something wicked.

And if you have an issue to talk about then a counsellor/therapist of some sort is a good thing - a good neutral sounding board. The counselling should help you work out your problems and the meds keep you steady and stable enough to find the will to do it.

 

[rddj623]

Didn't read most of the responses, so forgive me if I am repeating stuff:
You can try reading a book on Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. There are even work books to help you go though the steps on your own. It's a method of re-enforcing positive thought patterns.

That's about as close as I think you can come to just slogging through it.
I've never found anti-depressants to be much good, although I've been on them for more than 2 years. My issues are a bit more complex then clinical depression, but I've attended many school sponsored events on the topic, and have seen councilors, etc. Cognitive behavioral therapy seems to be the wining strategy to work though it based on willpower.

The only thing is that it takes a lot of work to force yourself to rewire your thinking.

Willpower is definitely the most powerful ally, it's also the hardest thing to utilize when you are feeling depressed. Such a Catch-22.

 

[TehCookie]

I'm surprised no one mentioned killing yourself. If it's that bad where you don't want to keep on going than don't. Also don't change your mind half way through then come crying down the stairs say you made a mistake, especially when you decided to smear your bloody wrist on the wall leaving a trail from your descent. It's a pain in the ass to clean up.

Either that move on with your life. No you don't have to get over it just live with it and don't bother people about it. Everyone has mental disorders, I think mine is a lack of empathy.

 

[ClunkiestTurtle]

The way i feel about it is that while obviously it is a recognized medical condition and there are people out there who need some sort of treatment for it but i don't really think the vast majority of people who say they are depressed fall into that category.

Being sad is an emotion just like any other and throughout life shit happens so its inevitable you are going to feel it at some point,theres nothing wrong with feeling it and it doesn't mean you are ill but when you get into that mindset you just make a problem for yourself where there wasn't one,it just means your sad. The cynic in me thinks that depression has been commercialized and as its one of the most common things people are "diagnosed" with its big business for drug companies....

 

[antipunt]

Telling someone ''Getting over it'' with deppression is like saying ''Get over it'' to a terminal illness. It's really not that easy.

Bingo. Though I don't really blame those who's never experienced it before. It's easy to underestimate an issue when you simply do not understand it.

Sometimes it can be rather irritating, actually, but I try not to let it get to me

 

[Kwaren]

Never lie to yourself. The truth may hurt, but in the end it is the only weapon that when used against that dark monster, always prevails.

I ask the following question in all seriousness and sincerity: What if you don't know the truth?

I can't really answer that. I think it is different for everyone. My moment of truth happened unexpectedly while I was taking a shower. The thought about how strong I was to keep on living when I could have taken the easy way out, gave me the confidence to know that I could defeat my demons.

 

[child of lileth]

If it's real depression, then it can be kind of hard for the person to 'just get over it'. Keep in mind, there's a huge difference between real depression, and angsty, whiny, emo kids.

 

[Fodogz]

Boom chicka boom chicka boom boom