re: Anyone beat depression?

quote:

---

Anyone beat depression?

---

SIAP. Not reading the mix of messages that have undoubtedly have been offered.

I will tell you that you need to find something to say thank you for every day. Multiple times per day.

Get over that hump, then go volunteer in a place and for some people that have it worse than you. And they are out there. No matter what you believe right now.

Bottom one is that depression is a focus on the negative. You need to Change that perspective to acknowledging the positives in your life. Hope things go well for you.

get your hormones checked and get your arse in the gym and stop drinking

quote:

---

Depression lurks in my family tree, good luck to those up against it here.

---

Depression just means you have an iq over 100

You’d have to be retarded to look around and be happy with the state of things

the first thing that'll help is excercise. get those endorphins moving.

quote:

---

Therapy? Depression is an adaptive emotion to show us we need to change, it becomes dysfunctional when it is chronic.

---

I never thought of it this way.

quote:

---

Anyone beat depression?

What tactics did you use? How do you stay out of depression?

---

1. Avoid drugs and alcohol if you're depressed.
--The drugs which can perk you up (:cocaineisahelluvadrug.gif:) only mask your depression while they are active, which can lead to them being a crutch used for avoidance rather than dealing with whatever is leading you to depression.
--The other drugs (like alcohol) are depressants and generally enhance the depression.

2. Stop focusing on the things which are depressing you.
--We tend to fixate on the things which bother us, that fixation often just feeds the depression. Instead, look at whatever is depressing you as a problem then focus on what you need to do to fix it. Understand that the fix is rarely going to be quick and easy.
--One aspect of this is to train yourself to become aware of when you are starting to fixate, then force yourself to focus on something else (either the thing you need to do to fix what's making you depressed or something completely unrelated, especially if it makes you happy).

3. Do something constructive with your time.
--Read something, build something, go over your plan to fix whatever is depressing you (even if it's the thousandth time), meditate (clearing your mind, this one can be tough unless you really practice it).

4. Read, watch or listen to comedies you've always enjoyed.

You will try to fight yourself with any fixes you try, it's natural when in a depression to glom onto that feeling of hopelessness. The real fight is to learn to not hold so tightly to it, but once you figure that out it gets easier in successive times.

Good luck!

Consider managing depression as the goal instead of beating it. Highs and lows are part of the human existence. You will undoubtedly have depressing days in the future. The key is keeping those days from becoming weeks, months, years.

The first step is self-compassion. Depression is normal. You are not broken. There is hope and things will get better. Being shitty to yourself for being depressed will only make it worse.

Second, go talk to someone about it. Psychiatrist, therapist, counselor, priest/pastor, or even a close friend - whatever step is easiest for you to take. Depression flourishes in isolation. You are not alone in this. Utilize any resources to prove that point. Externalizing the depression will make it easier to manage. You will learn to see the depression as something separate from yourself. Keeping everything inside makes it more confusing than it already is.
*if talking to someone seems daunting, start by journaling. Just get that shite out of your head
*educate yourself about depression. Depression and anxiety are often in a toxic relationship with one another. They accompany one another and typically make the other one worse. Depression can also be connected with a lack of purpose and meaning in life. Grief, trauma, relationship issues, poor boundaries, etc. - everything can be connected with depression. Processing these things will help left your negative symptoms.

The next steps will be determined by you and your support system. Medications are an option. Behavioral change is beneficial. Learning to identify, challenge, and change depressive thoughts will also make you feel better. Most likely, it will be a combination of the above that will help you manage your depression.

You are obviously tired of this shite. You don’t want to be alone in this. You reached out for help on TD (probably knowing the type of feedback you would receive). That was a brave step. It took balls. Your choice should be celebrated. Keep the ball rolling and take the next step.

TRT and a cleaner diet. My anxiety and depression weren't even a thought after my first dose of test.

Therapy, medicine, exercising and Jesus.

Go to the damn gym.