Depression: ways of dealing with it

I'm sure everybody here has suffered it at some point or another, even I have. My question to you is what do you do to get out of it or better cope with it?

I myself play a lot of music. I try to play upbeat, fast music so I'll have no choice but to start dancing or something. I try to play video games as well.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Usually I try to hang out with friends.
If this doesn't work, or is not an option(which, acutally, is often the reason for my depression), I usually play the piano.
If this doesn't work, I listen to some awesome virtuoso piano music.
And if this doesn't work, I log onto GFF and act like a goofball.

I think it is kind of clear that I haven't been all that depressed lately.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

You actually act like a goofball here? Why haven't I seen evidence of this?

Also, another thing I do is instead of riding the bus around everywhere I need to go, I get out and walk around some. Fresh air helps too since I have a tendency to act like a hermit and stay in my room a lot.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

You know, being sad for a day and being depressed are entirely different things.

I had depression for a while. I won't get into the specifics of why, but I basically let things settle themselves. I would of course do the whole emo thing and lay in the dark listening to music. I remember it being spring/summer so it would rain a lot. Not sure why, but hearing the rain in the dead of night really calmed me, put me in a good place.

Eventually I just didn't feel depressed anymore.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

Originally Posted by Lady Miyomi

You actually act like a goofball here? Why haven't I seen evidence of this?

Yeah, like I said, I have not been depressed recently.
Once, before the boards died, I had been going all across the board, pretty much conversing only in images I found from google. I was feeling rather lonely that day, because all of my friends were either occupied, or having "together time" with their "special" others. That was an interesting day though. I recall Merv asking me where the heck I stashed all of those pics, or something.

I was speaking idiomatically.

I listen to music or I hang out with my best friend. He is always able to cheer me up. Sometimes I just try to get some sleep. That doesn't really work, for me anyway.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Ahhh... depression... how I do not miss thee... oh wait, you were visiting just recently... >_<

I tend to actually allow myself to sit in my stupor during my depression but for no longer than a few days... during such time I tend to pick up on my drinking a bit and spend less time online or around friends. It's just a part of who I am that I tend to shut folks out... though I try my best to put on the "happy face" when the wife gets home so that she's not constantly worrying about me.

But that sure beats how I used to deal with it... disappearing for days and never letting anyone know where I was... it bothered a lot of people that I would do this... and I can understand why... I just needed time to sort through whatever demons were plaguing me and best to face them and deal with it alone than with distractions.

FELIPE NO

I get depressed when I don't work hard and procrastinate. Of course, starting and finishing the work makes me feel better though.

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

I'm considering paxil. Or sleeping pills. Whichever comes first.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I'm seeing my doctor on thursday. It's a simple appointment to get some meds refilled, but I am considering talking to them about the issue of depression. I'll probably shrug it off and "chicken out" though. I really don't want to see a shrink though. I just want some fucking pills and to be on my way, but the only way to get pills is through a shrink usually so that's why I am thinking that the whole thing is not worth it. Also I think that depression is not the problem anymore, it's more like social anxiety is the cause of the depression. Who really knows. >_>

There's nowhere I can't reach.

I've been talking to good friends lately about my problems, ones who understand my situation(that led to the depression) and stuff. It helps, better than doing nothing by yourself. I would suggest trying to pin point your cause and try to solve it, I guess everyone would suggest that though. I've been trying to do it, but, you could say that things aren't very successful.
--
Jan, if you're talking about anti-depressants, be careful. Too many can lead to a case of mania @_@. I've never taken any myself, so I don't know how it would feel personally.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Greykin

Jan, if you're talking about anti-depressants, be careful. Too many can lead to a case of mania @_@. I've never taken any myself, so I don't know how it would feel personally.

They can work pretty well. BUT do not work for everyone. Also, I already have a case of mania. I've probably altered my DNA enough since birth what's one more substance. lols

Also shrinks are worthless for the most part. It's much better talking to actual friends about your problems.

I am a dolphin, do you want me on your body?

I'm going to have to agree with Greykin on this... today people are too quick to jump to the "gotta get pills" conclusion instead of actually trying to pinpoint the possible problem.
I spent many years on anti-depressants and it wasn't doing anything but making me feel like a zombie most of the time. Even letting my doctor know about this didn't really register any sort of real response. I finally got sick of them... dumped the bottles... and dealt with my depression head-on.
Granted, for some folks the meds are a good thing... but I've seen the bad side of things too with some folks that seem to sink deeper into their depression when on them.

I was speaking idiomatically.

I actually think pills are a good idea, when you've been through everything else and nothing seems to work. Never taken them myself.
I get very restless when depressed to try and work myself out of it. Even if I don't want to do anything at all, it seems better than lying in my bed staring at the ceiling. I just try and make myself busy, get some work done, do something that will feel worthwhile.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

and I agree with you on that... for some it's a good thing. But I was referring to people who don't even try to find other solutions to their depression or other problems... it's the first jump people make is for the pills. It's making us a nation/global community of pill-poppers... and as with anything that we take in... eventually it won't have the same effect and the dosage would need to be increased and increased and increased. It's just insanity...

How ya doing, buddy?

I think the pills do the most harm when they're not needed in the first place - and just as you said, many people see them as a quick fix to all their problems. In my case, I know the source of my problems, but have no one to talk with about them, and haven't been able to summon any sort of motivation to work through them on my own.

I did have an appointment with a counselor, and though it was reassuring to learn that I do actually have moderate depression and social anxiety disorder (as opposed to just being a sloth), I have little interest in hypnosis or relaxation techniques. I should known better than to try a place called "Bright Path," I guess.

So medication is a last resort. Even if they do more harm than good, at least it's making some kind of change. It's pretty scary to be able to rationalize suicide.

How ya doing, buddy?

WHOA why is everyone so gung-ho for pills? I'm guessing it's because it's possible to be more descrete taking medication than to see a psychotherapist... something like that.

For the most part I think that pills are never sufficient on their own. There is usually some mood or state of mind a person is in to cause their imbalance, which helps contribute to the depression. Those issues need to be addressed to make any improvements.

Whether it be a shrink or a friend, a good thing is to have someone you can not only talk to, but can be completely honest with. Someone who's dependable. It makes a world of difference.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I'm the opposite on pills. I never liked pills to begin with, even pain pills. Anything where I have to swallow it whole doesn't sit well with me, especially when I used to choke on them. I'm aware of all the risks associated with them so I try to stay away from them. I'd rather talk to someone about before medicine is suggested.

Another thing I do is I write a lot, mainly poetry and short stories. Writing is my way of "speaking" when nobody is around to listen. It helps quite a bit.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

My take on dealing with it is to understand how it works. I was horribly depressed between the ages of 15-17, and what helped me get out was a book my dad had read ont he subject, which helped me understand the cycle of thought that depression follows. When I realized I was thinking like that, and was able to break that cycle, things started getting better for me. I don't really believe in pills, personally, but since everyone is different, and has to handle thier problems differently, I won't argue with people that use them to help them cope.

This thing is sticky, and I don't like it. I don't appreciate it.

Originally Posted by Lady Miyomi

Another thing I do is I write a lot, mainly poetry and short stories. Writing is my way of "speaking" when nobody is around to listen. It helps quite a bit.

If they ever decide to possibly re-open X-Change... I'd be interested to read some of your stuff. But I too used to write as a way to deal with whatever I was going through at the time... sadly (or happily) I haven't had or felt the need to express myself in writing for many years... I think the last time I write something was maybe in 1999...

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Aw, thanks, Niekon! I had somewhat of a small following when Xchange was still around. I'm getting ready to put up something in my journal.

As far as writing goes, I have to physically force myself to do it when I get depressed. If I don't, I'll just sit around and stare at TV, but not really watch it. Writing helps me break out of that pattern.

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I usually sleep. Strangely, even when I am most depressed, a good nap will make it fade away, at least for a while.

This actually bothers me, however. Generally my depression is because of problems that need to get solved but can't be. I am frequently frustrated at the fact that I did not solve the problems but merely adjusted to them. I'd much rather sincerely cure my depression than avoid it, but it seems like often times I don't have a choice.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

i find someone to talk to. no other way works better, at least for me.

FELIPE NO

I have a counsellor who I talk to a lot... also take a lot of St John's Wort which is like a natural anti-depressant.... play a lot of music that fits with my mood..

i find the most unhelpful thing trying to cover it up and force myself to be happy.. all that does is create tension and stress... you have to be allowed to deal with your true feelings and let them out in a healthy way... its when you cover them up that the problem begins

What, you don't want my bikini-clad body?

Originally Posted by x\Enigma/x

you have to be allowed to deal with your true feelings and let them out in a healthy way... its when you cover them up that the problem begins

I agree with the first part, but the second part is what I'm not so sure on. Most people don't want to hear about other people's problems. Some people can't talk to other people because of various circumstances. I don't think covering it up begins the problem, but it certainly adds to it.

Jam it back in, in the dark.