Depression - HELP!!!

oh dear

i am sorry that i have to ask this but does anyone here know of a way to escape depression besides ADs and counsellors?

Is this depression centered around something(s) which you are aware, or is it undefined in origin?

How bad is this depression in which you're feeling?

Are you able to confide in someone else physically near you either friend or family for support about this?

Keeping yourself busy is important, also, I recently read a book on how to be more optimistic. Weight-lifting coupled with cardiovascular exercise is proven to release endorphins which improves brain chemistry(synapses and serotonin).

These are some general answers to combat any type of depression, however, all depressions have a root cause. If you can isolate the root cause and eliminate it, you'll feel refreshed and recharged, GO FOR IT...


Don't hesitate to contact me via u2u if you want

[Edited on 10-9-2003 by 29MV29]

well, i dont know where it comes from, but my counsellor is trying to find out she's doing well but i need to keep all options open

the depression is bad though it is not as bad as some other people who have it ,i guess. i cant sleep properly, i am always tired i am hardly ever hungry, and i eat one meal a day but at this meal i eat alot, i eat too late and the food is always unhealthy, i am always bored, always thinking towards the negative side of things, when i get tired i get stressed out by the smallest of things, i get lots of headaches and my doc says it IS stress related, it seems that i never have enough time to do all the things that i need to in a day...*whew*

luckily though, i dont fell suicidal, but i have been asked

i am on ADs, sleepers dont always work... the one plus is my counsellor. she's doing great, but whilst i am struggling to pull myself together, the world around me is off at a million miles an hour

29MV29, whats the title of that book, it might prove useful

thanks for your help guys

Go out for a bike ride or a walk , usually works for me.

what i did when i was depressed and cut myself up and nearly killed myself was figure out why i was depressed and then do sumtin about it, i also can use my head really well to say don't be depressed head, but im kinda strange

Well as far as your eating habits go along with 29MV29's advice about keeping fit I'm sure it's obvious to see the conflict between the two. If you only eat once a day that one meal should be as healthy as possible. Your body is constantly using and needing chemicals and minerals for proper function. Give it what it needs, after all you wouldn't run your car without water, or oil and expect it to function properly. Sun and being outdoors where there is fresh air can also be very helpful, both chemically and mentally.

I don't know what AD's you're on and I am not a big supporter of Drug Therapy except for extreme cases, but you may want to get a second opinion there too. It could be possible that what you are taking may be having adverse effects on your chemical make-up.

As far as stress and feeling like there is too much to handle. Remember you are not alone in feeling this and sharing these feelings can sometimes help. Also examine what is truely important to you within your life and pay attention to those needs more often instead of the others whenever possible.

This can be very indepth and could be caused from a variety of sources. Your councelor should know this better than anyone of course and I do hope they take what they are doing seriously and with your best interest in mind.

Charles Dickens suffered terribly from periodic depression he fought it with exercise.
He used to go for long hikes,5 miles or more.

The pheremones(probably spelt wrong)released during exercise are like natural prozac.

So my advice is go for a walk,run,or cycle.Get out and get your body working.You may hate the idea of starting but by the time you finish I guarentee you will feel better.

Moping at home will only make things worse.

thanks guys, for all your advice. i appreciate it alot

i will act upon advice offered, but i would just like to ask a question on finding the cause of my depression:

how can i sort out the problem if the problem's solution is out of my reach?

Daystar,

According to my doctor, there are five protocols you must follow to maintain total body health:

1. Eat properly. If you're unsure what this means, take a look at the Mediterranean food pyramid (not USDA). Focus on an intake of whole foods and grains.

2. Exercise daily. 30 minutes.

3. Take your medication. Whether anti-depressants, high blood pressure, etc. Whatever your ailment calls for. Sometimes it just means take your vitamins!

4. See your therapist regularly. In many cases, this can be interpreted as something so simple as: talk to people. Don't isolate yourself.

5. Cultivate a spiritual life. Whatever this means to you. God/Goddess/Allah/Buddha/Blade of Grass.

Don't discount the meds just yet. They are helping your brain to heal. Just because you need them now doesn't necessarily mean you're going to need them for the rest of your life.

To elaborate on #1, the food you eat has a far greater impact on the body than most people realize. If you are eating crappy, that is precisely how you can expect your body to perform. There is great research being done on the types of fats that're lacking in the diets of those with brain disorders. Omega-3s are now being used in trials for depression, Alzheimers, alcoholism, post-partum depression. These essential fatty acids can be found in fatty cold water fish such as tuna & salmon. Also in flax seed.

Also, perhaps it would be a good thing to limit the amount of disturbing or upsetting things you expose yourself to until you're feeling less sensitive. Know what I mean? Sometimes a news fast is in order.

Best of luck to you, dear.

on edit: The solution is all in how you learn to deal with a problem, never in the problem itself. Easy answer that takes a lot of hard work. Ask your counselor about cognitive therapy.

Also, please know that I speak from experience.



[Edited on 9-10-2003 by wolfclothing]

I'm not an expert.

My theory is that your body and mind have evolved to deal with a much more unpredictable existence.Your ancestors were so busy just trying to survive that they didn't have so much time to dwell and reflect on things.

Our lives are more comfortable and there is little urgency.

If you find exercise does not work then you should consult your doctor.Clinical depression is a real condition.

Remember also that Alchohol and drugs can cause depression.If you think that is the problem the taking a break from either or both would be a good idea.

Go look at a looney tunes, south park and kings of comedy marathon...

Originally posted by Daystar
how can i sort out the problem if the problem's solution is out of my reach?

hmm maybe try a half assed solution? one which gives solution to a percentage of ur problem but not all of it? that could likely atleast ease the depression ur experiencing, and it may help u find the whole solution, which is currently seen as out of reach

Just deal with it staight on meditae and control yourself so your "BAD" emotions arnet released.

Lexapro works well for me.
as well as this board.
however if that doesn't work, i say convert your tendancies to homicidal rage.
it's great at parties.

you probably need your meds re-evaluated. I was on paxil for 6 months, it didn't do a damn thing and I landed up hospitalized after a near suicide attempt. yay. unfortunately, if you're as bad as I was (which you don't seem to be, which is good), all the exercise and proper food in the world didn't help.
but, since you say you know the root cause of your depression, that's your therapist's job to help sort that out. unfortunately, therapy isn't a quick process. (that's what the meds are for, they can work fairly quickly.) but if you've been with your therapist for a while, and she isn't helping you determine what you can do about your root cause and/or how to get past it, dump her and find a new one.

Originally posted by MorningtonCrescent
you probably need your meds re-evaluated. I was on paxil for 6 months, it didn't do a damn thing and I landed up hospitalized after a near suicide attempt. yay. unfortunately, if you're as bad as I was (which you don't seem to be, which is good), all the exercise and proper food in the world didn't help.
but, since you say you know the root cause of your depression, that's your therapist's job to help sort that out. unfortunately, therapy isn't a quick process. (that's what the meds are for, they can work fairly quickly.) but if you've been with your therapist for a while, and she isn't helping you determine what you can do about your root cause and/or how to get past it, dump her and find a new one.

What if your therapist constantly wants to sleep with you? do you dump her then?

of releasing depression is expression...
thc also is the safest most theraputic way of releasing expression, think of it as slowing down the speed of depression in you mind and increasing the expression between the mind and body...
or if you are really tired or all that is...
canada has just made legel doctor assisted capitulation...

Originally posted by Fury
What if your therapist constantly wants to sleep with you? do you dump her then?

you little smartass I'd personally dump her, but I'd think that's your dream come true

Ive been suffering from mild depression for at least a couple of months. It has caused many physical symptoms like fatigue, palpitations, stomach problems, headaches, and muscle pain. Ive also been having trouble sleeping and have no appettite some of the time. I went to the Dr and he said all of my symptoms were stress related since all the tests they did on me came negative. He also prescribed an anti-depressant but I stoped taking it after a couple of days because the side effects made me feel worse than how I felt when I was not taking the medicine. But since classes started Ive been feeling better. I think its all about keeping busy and trying to stay positive. I know its hard but keeping a positive attitude goes a long way.