Dealing With Depression

Originally Posted by niki

While they are a possibility, doctors, drugs and psychiatry aren't necessarily the answers to everyone. You may also consider implying yourself in a spiritual activity or search among alternative medicines.

Originally Posted by neus

What I've found to help the most is to take things in small bits. Don't think about the entire marathon you have to run. Just focus on getting next step. That helps a lot.....When things are really desperate (when you feel like you're falling down and you don't really even want to stop), just talk to somebody. Don't find a goddamn doctor. Go out and volunteer instead of playing games. Volunteer for a few hours, and talk to that old lady chatterbox. As stupid as it sounds, I'v found that just talking, about anything, really helps.

Originally Posted by nanaman

Something people don't realize is that depression medication will only treat the symptoms and not the causes....

I'm with these guys. I have dealt with depression in the way these three people explained with something I would like to add.
Determining your future goals. How do you see yourself now? Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?

A plan formed with the council wise and experienced people works.
My plan is to take care of my body with diet and exercise, maintain positive helpful relationships, not hold tightly to "things" and see the world from a point of view that has me in a raging river flowing to a positive destination.

You may have a brain chemistry problem but do all that you can to manage it with your frame of mind. Make the effort to smile at people they smile back and it helps trust me.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Erisu Kimu

I can't change the way I feel even if people told me to change my attitude. I've tried many times, but the grief just resurfaces again. I've also tried exercising, going outside for walks and going to the movies once in a while, but that's only temporary relief for me. As for psychiatrists? I don't like taking the same redundant advices as it only discourages me more for some unexplainable reason.

I had a friend that sounded alot like you. He was an old school buddy I kept in touch with for years. What helped him was his daughter. He poured his energy into providing for her. I'm not saying go out and have a baby.

Try putting some energy into a charitable cause. I see it in my church all the time. Moms who's kids left the nest, old widows, the handicapped, all involved in something that makes them whole in some way.
I volunteered in a homeless shelter for awhile, not for depression but for spiritual reasons that helped me grow stronger in some ways.

There's nowhere I can't reach.