How Do You Fight Depression?

[Elarra]

If you don't have depression and have nothing useful to say, I don't need you commenting and telling me you don't have it. Just move on to another question.

But for people who do, how to you go on everyday? I'm really at a point in my life where I just don't see a future or a point anymore. I mean, I really don't. I'm on medical leave from my job for bi-polar disorder, I'm single, I had to move back home, I'm financially dependent on my parents, and I don't have anyone I'd call a friend. I want friends and I want a relationship and good job. But I don't have any of that and I can't figure out what's wrong with me. And truthfully, I'm a bit done trying to figure it out and I'm not liking being alone with my own thoughts anymore. The only thing people tell me is to get over it or others have worse problems. However, this isn't helpful and only makes me feel selfish and like a loser for wanting to be happier.

So any suggestions? I'd like to meet friends or guy. I know the job thing isn't completely in my control because I just work in a fucked up school district and can't force someone to hire me. (Our principal quit Sunday, students don't have full schedules yet, students don't have lockers, one principal doesn't have a license or experience in a school, and they're still moving teachers around, even though we started school August 16th.)

[Karatequeen]

I have major depression and have had it for 12 years (since i was 10). I actually don't know to a certain extent. I am on anti depressants now, which help a lot.

But before I was on the medicine, I studied my condition a lot and did self reflection and what it does to me during an attack. The self reflection allows me to see depression as a foreign object, like the flu but mentally. I always tell myself that it is an episode and that it will get better. The switch always flips back.

When I was younger I explored my spirituality more and started to write and draw. I have a journal that I have specifically for episodes, and I never open it afterwards (except to write more.)

Writing and drawing helps tire me out and get my feelings out, so I can sleep again. It also helps having the support of family and friends. I finally publicly stated about my depression about a year ago and all I got was kind words and support.

It changes for everyone, my friend with severe anxiety focuses on diet and exercise and that helps him. My boyfriend with anxiety separates himself, is on medicine, meditates, and is still working on it. And I am on medicine, self reflect, meditates, I write and draw, and i sleep and simply let the episode pass.

There is no one way to fight it, so I would separate yourself from the stress the best you can and do some self reflection and explore different things to help. And also, try to find a a therapist and a psychiatrist to see if you need any medicine to help you.

[BellePepper]

I got my thyroid checked and started seeing a therapist.

I think it would be really helpful for you to try to get back to your doctor or psychiatrist and see if there are any medications that you can try or change. A therapist is always good too because they can help you work on ways to deal with your brain when it's misbehaving and doing annoying things.

For now just try to find things that can help you keep your head above water. Are you into any shows or books? Do you do tumblr?

[Elarra]

The only thing that makes me feel good is writing, video games, and cake decorating, none of which are group activities.

[BellePepper]

Ah! Writing can totally be a group activity! You can post you stuff online on like Tumblr or like Dreamwidth or even here if you want to bother with takes. Video game culture is totally a thing and a great outlet for fanfiction if you're into that and other people. Tons of people are into games :) OMG! Cake decorating sounds awesome! You could post pictures and make it into another fun thing if you wanted :)

I know all of these things sound like a loooooooooot of energy but like there's also a ton of media around these things that you can just consume when you don't feel like contributing too.

[Elarra]

I have an instagram page for my cakes, but I don't want to post it on here publicly since I just thrashed my school and I have a photo of what I look like on there.

[BellePepper]

No worries. That's smart thinking! But I still feel like there are a lot of positive outlets available for you while you try to improve your treatment. I hope they help you feel better soon :)

[Truthatanycost]

One way is to observe not just the bad things in your life, but both. Make a list of all good and bad things. Depression is being out of sync, out of balance and one tends to focus only on what is missing or what they don't have.

When you focus on both, it brings more balance.

Another aspect is looking at your diet and eliminating crap foods and empty ''nutrients''. For us to feel good, it's not just a state of mind or where we are in life, our body and brain needs the right fuel, nutrients, amino acids and minerals in order to be able to make serotonin. Although many believe that low serotonin is not the cause of depression, it's production and levels do have an impact on our moods.

Finally, exercise. I do this even when I don't feel like doing it. It makes you feel good, increases your health, makes you look better, can increase your confidence and can make you stronger.

The key is to find a way to overcome the feelings of not wanting to do it and take note of how you feel when you have done it.

Another aspect of dealing with depression is to allow yourself to process the feelings. Allow yourself to feel bad and know that at some point you will feel good again.

Those are just a few areas of dealing with depression, there are many more as you know.

[QooLipBite]

Antidepressants and medications help tremendously.

Even if you don't seek for medical help, just take it as a kickstart (temporary) because you DO NEED IT. I've gone through times where I felt medication wasn't the one, well I was proved wrong. I was stubborn to accept medication but it helped me get into the grind of things which is what you need to do.

Go see a psychiatrist, get your brain chemicals balanced again and start getting to work (putting your life back together).

It takes time.

[Elarra]

I've been seeing a psychiatrist for 4 years and I'm on 2 medications right now that I take at night but I don't feel any different. Tried different psychiatrists and it's not helping. I don't think the medication route is for me.

[QooLipBite]

Well then a life coach is what you need. Quite pricey but a very worthy and urgent investment. If anything, you'll need external help.

[Aldrich_]

I have depression. I don't know. I just deal with it. Going out and being social sometimes makes me sort of happy. Having PTSD and abusive parents doesn't help. My sister and my girlfriend are pretty much the only people who help me out. I also have had PTSD from rape by my ex. And child abuse from my mother. (Not just spanking or slapping or anything. I mean the type that would stab you in the leg with a knife for failing a test) I just yesterday started taking anti-depressants. Keeps me happy for a while. But the only thing that has kept me going, is that I KNOW I have a bright future ahead of me. No matter the sad and depressing stuff. I'm moving out with my girlfriend the moment I'm done with education and get a job. I have enough money that I've saved up from taking some jobs since I was 16. It's made me some money. No matter the abusive parents, no matter the PTSD, no matter the rape and trauma. At least I'm lucky enough to have a girl who stood up to my bullies and asked me out. Unlike some other people. I've always kept this in my mind that I will have children and I will NOT treat them the way my parents did me. If that chance of me actually living a bright future slips away from my hands. I'll somehow cope with it. I don't know.

[phil2]

I have been depressed and I am still working on my fears and anxieties. If you want financial advice, I recommend Dave Ramsey. If you want relationship advice i recommend Townsend and cloud, boundaries. If you want relationship advice, I recommend what did you expect by Paul Tripp. I recommend you come to this website a lot, and Make friends on here. Online friends are real people too, and give real advice. Read 7 habits of highly effective people and how to make friends and influence people. Also, I ask a lot of questions and try to write my takes on here on how I am improving so feel free to follow me.

[kittenmitten]

"I want friends and I want a relationship and good job." Make it happen.
"But I don't have any of that" Make it happen.
"what's wrong with me" Nothing.
"The only thing people tell me is to get over it or others have worse problems." That answer doesn't solve anything.
" only makes me feel selfish and like a loser for wanting to be happier." I understand, but it ain't justified to feel like this.
Just get emotional support from those you trust, your family, and gather strength to progress through life. Also there's medical stuff you can take to help with the pain. In any way, good luck. I know it's hard, but we are with you! Courage, and good luck :)

[helloitsme2000]

I do not have depression but at times i get pretty depressed thinking about my life. And all you have to do really is get yourself together!:) You have to make what you wanna do with your life happen and take it in your own hands. Nobody can help you if you don't try to help yourself! Want friends? Go to a concert, gym, get an easy job, go out in the evenings etc Have some fun with activities you like to do! Go on about your life in a positive and confident matter and you will attract the same people:)

[fuqthegovt]

I just learn to live with it or kill myself. Obviously haven't done the latter yet and have mostly gotten used to it over the past few decades. And you're right, life having a point is an illusion at best and little more than building a sand castle while the tide comes in, but to me there doesn't need to be a point or raison d'etre. Just find a few hobbies that keep you busy until you die later, hopefully when suicide clinics are common and cheap rather than old age 50-60 years from now. That's my plan that I've been doing the past 10 years anyway.

[es20490446e]

I fixed it by doing the following:

Whenever you have a task or you wanted something in your life, write in a note briefly how you liked it to be if anything was possible.

Then first thing in the morning, from all the collected items, decide what is the single one that you would make sure to have. Circle it and start working on it non stop till finished.

It is impossible to feel bad about your life while taking responsibility of fixing it, even if you did it in small amounts or not perfectly.

What fuels your depression is procrastinating those important things, not taking action at all. The most effective way of taking a vacation of problems is by facing them immediately.

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[SaltAndLime]

My mom has suffered for years!
She finds that routine and sticking to a schedule helps her.
She also tends to avoid "triggers" and things which lead her into a manic episode.
She has these plans and steps she takes when she feels herself slipping into a depressive state as well.
I am very sorry you struggle with this and I truly hope you can see the positives often camouflaged in all the negative your more responsive to.

[HappierThanYou]

You don't, you embrace it. Take it out to dinner, buy it chocolates, the whole works. Some of the best creative works, art, music etc have come from depression. The key is to let it take you over, but just not enough so you get so far into the abyss there is no way to get back.

[Mrwoo99]

Be a man... well that's the only choice I have, i have no choice but to fight it. At least you as woman can whine about your problems without been called a fag or a pussy and have white knights rush over to aid you in your time of need whenever you feel like it.

So yeah Elarra... be a man.

[Winter_Storm_Guy]

I been Bipolar since 2007 first Diagnose and i take medications
Keppra , Klonopin , Haldol these combinations help me to a certain point
but I go to group therapy once a week in the morning hours and see a
therapist once a month but I have come a long way from where i was at
I go out walking 30 minutes a day and come home relax but walking does
increase blood flow to brain, heart etc.

[grahamcracka]

there needs to be an app or somethin where we could all meet and hate everything.
I used to be crazy depressed and hated life but I realized nothing matters so why not keep going to cause mischief? so that's what I do. whatever I want, whenever I want

[ToruMatsuda]

I'm in almost the same position as you, no friends or relationship, well with my depression, there was no point in sugar coating things, I had to force myself to do pretty much everything, and I really mean "force"😅 eventually I don't know what but it died down a little,

[COCOCHANEL]

try your best to get inspiration from outside or past thoughts

in the longterm i'd advise changing your surroundings

[Sweetie3423]

I am seeking counselling myself. Lost my grandmother, my father, broke up with my boyfriend and dealing with low selfesteem right now. So therapy here I come.

[Kraftmuppen]

Meditate, read books on spirituality, work out. eat right, watch videos on dealing with this.

[GingerGuy]

Force yourself to get out and do things. Stay busy and keep your mind on other things.

[Deadpool7699]

When my depression gets particularly bad i either just hang out with friends to attempt to take my mind off of it, or alcohol or sex. none of these are deffinite or long term but they do help

[TheInvisibleMan]

Watch Fight Club. That movie will show you how to deal with depression and much more. It will help you be truly free.

[Waffles731]

I just take it one day at a time.
Not much else I can do.

[vekin]

I feel the sane at times... what helps me in those times is my faith