how do I decide which issue to attack first - depression? anxiety? insomnia?

I would highly suggest not looking for medical/mental health advice from strangers on an online sports forum. Make an appointment with a psychiatrist where you live and ask them these questions.

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I would highly suggest not looking for medical/mental health advice from strangers on an online sports forum. Make an appointment with a psychiatrist where you live and ask them these questions.

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I mean I didn't post my question on the main Rant board, I posted it in the health/fitness board. And I get your point, and, like I said, am in the process of choosing and making an appointment with a professional. I am smart enough to do more research based on any advice given and not just blindly take it. But thanks for your concern.

Are you active (i.e. working out, taking walks/runs, playing pickup sports, etc.)? Many times when people go into treatment for depression, the first thing they do is get them doing something active during the day as it releases endorphins. Don’t overdo it because you’ll burn yourself out. Start by taking a 30 minute walk a few times a week. Take more walks or a little longer walks the next week. Work some jogging or weight training in. Stimulate your body and it will have a positive effect on your brain.

My simplistic theory. Sleep is the most important. to get a decent sleep, you need to be tired. to get tired, you exercise, which has its own great benefits.

I credit exercise and sleep as the two most important factors in my own mental health.

Here are some great tricks I've found to work for me regarding my sleep.

1. Improving Room environment: get the room very dark, buy black out shades, turn off all lights, maybe even including alarm clocks. Make the room cold, turn on fan, turn down A/C, maybe change what clothing you wear.
2. Look into supplements. Melatonin is what signals your brain to go to sleep. Take this 2-3 hours before trying to sleep. Glycine is a great amino acid that helps support deep sleep. So when you do nod off, you can maximize the time that you are sleepig.
3. Sunlight. Getting sun on your bare skin is so important for so many bodily processes. It will also help regulate your natural circadian rhythm (body's internal sleep clock).
4. Get active. I know you said you take a 10 min walk before work, which is great, maybe up those walk numbers if you cannot find yourself enough energy to workout. 10 min walk at lunch, 10 after work, 10 after dinner.

Finally, mental health is a journey. It is not like one day you're depressed and the next day you're cured. Take one day at a time.

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irishTiger18

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great suggestions! I already follow most of those but one I haven't heard about and sounds promising is Glycine. I will do more research on that.

I need to get out in the sun more but it's tough in the winter months since I work indoors all day.

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What’s your diet like and do you drink?

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I don't drink - always been scared to because of severe alcoholism running in the family.

I don't get a lot of variety in my diet but other than that I eat home-cooked meals including protein and veggies most days.

I eat an egg and a little bacon every morning for breakfast and usually have a turkey sandwich for lunch, then whatever the wife cooks for dinner.

When I am home I snack a lot more and have more junk food, but I keep it under control.

Do you exercise?

If you have alcoholism in your family you probably have depression in your family.

So don't blame yourself if it's hereditary.

You may benefit from anti-depressants and anti-anxiety meds.

You should do your homework about them tho.