Depression: ways of dealing with it

I think that a big part of the problem is not being able to express yourself. Humans are social creatures, and they have a need to feel like they understand and are understood by others. This need can't be fulfilled if there's not sufficient communication.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

Yea, so. Sorry to interrupt. I can't say I've ever been clinically depressed. But I have my bouts of sadness - like anyone.

I usually sit alone, and WALLOW IN MY OWN SHIT for a whole 3 or 4 hours until I get really ANGRY at myself, get up, and cheer up. After acting like a sad bitchass whore for a few hours, you can nothing BUT cheer up. ^_^

Most amazing jew boots

I used to punch walls...

But it didn't seem to help. So I went to see a psych. and that worked

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

About a week ago my sister was diagnosed as being "severely depressed" and was put on some pretty heavy-duty medication. She's been depressed for a long time, but her psychologist, sensing problems larger than she was capable of dealing with (apparently) referred her to a psychiatrist who determined that she is suicidal because of her desire to sometimes just run away from everyone and everything.

My question is, isn't it normal to feel that way sometimes? Particularly when you have children. I don't know any mother who hasn't felt like running away and never coming back at some point. There have been times when I've thought about purposely running my car off the road, but I never seriously entertained the idea and the impulse left me pretty quickly.

I was speaking idiomatically.

Originally Posted by AliceNWondrland

About a week ago my sister was diagnosed as being "severely depressed" and was put on some pretty heavy-duty medication. She's been depressed for a long time, but her psychologist, sensing problems larger than she was capable of dealing with (apparently) referred her to a psychiatrist who determined that she is suicidal because of her desire to sometimes just run away from everyone and everything.

It seems like a lot of doctors are doing this these days.

I hate to pry, but what are the underlying issues she's faced with? (You don't have to answer that)

Quote:

My question is, isn't it normal to feel that way sometimes? Particularly when you have children. I don't know any mother who hasn't felt like running away and never coming back at some point. There have been times when I've thought about purposely running my car off the road, but I never seriously entertained the idea and the impulse left me pretty quickly.

Alice, you may be interested in reading/listening to this article, courtesy of none other than NPR. <3

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

I find doing my job helps me feel better. I'm dong something, making money and forced to be nice to people. Being forceably nice and upbeat helps me feel better really fast. Plus since my job is hectic, I sometimes forget I'm even depressed. Fortunately, I have had not major bouts of depression (meaning last more than a day) since 2001.

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by starslight

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

Paxil fucks up the reproductive system and it causes insomnia. If this does not work you, the next best would be remron but that's up to your doctor. Remron will knock you slap out the minute you take and I did not have any other debilitating side effects. I only stopped using it because my parents didnt like how it would knock me out cold it did keep the depression at bay though.

Paxil IS the best antidepressant hands down. Just...well you need to sleep -.-.

Life feels so so new when this thing(depression) is not fucking with you everyday. It's nothing like being miserable and hating it, only for it to go away. It's feeling ill for years with all the unwanted lows that are associated with it.

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

Sass, that piece on depression was awesome! First of all, it really hit home because our mother is/was depressed. I also suffered a bout of depression about two years ago that I was able to work through with the help of my good friend, Effexor. I haven't been on any medication in over a year, and things are going well for me.

Secondly, about mid-way through the article they listed the symptoms of clinical depression, and they match my sister's symptoms perfectly, including the insomnia.

As far as the underlying issues, I'm stumped. She has a seemingly perfect life. She's smart, beautiful, married to a great guy who makes tons of money, has two smart, healthy children, and a great job working at their school as the school secretary. I know that clinical depression has little or nothing to do with what's going on in your life, but I'm having a hard time understanding what the deal is with her.

I'm definitely going to share that article with her, though. It may alleviate the guilt she's probably feeling about being depressed.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

Originally Posted by Niekon

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...

Check out my journal here. I put up one of my writings, one of the more recent ones.

Another I find that helps when depression sets in is to find something funny on TV or on the Internet and just laugh until it hurts.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

A few things I do to get me out of that state of mind:

1. Play the piano - pretty much just bash my heart out onto music

2. Scream down the hall (good old dorms :3 I'm glad I'm not the only one that does that XD) - I don't know but it just feels so good!

3. Revert thinking; think why you shouldn't be so in the dumps and that there's been worse and convincing yourself just to get over it. It's sorta hard at first but after a while, it gets easier.

4. I don't know if this would help anyone else out there but ripping paper (I have my pile of paper that's going to the recycling anyways) and breaking pencils (um... don't sliver yourself -__-' ... you can only have so many pencils though...)

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

I used to practice on my keyboard for hours and hours (up to 8). I wouldn't eat because I'd rather play. However, I lost the adapter when we moved here and I don't have the money to keep putting out for batteries that I know are going to be used up after all my practicing.

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

Hey, could you give me some suggestion how to deal with depression caused by frustation that you cant achieve something because of your limitation?

Honestly I've been suffering such feeling for a long time. I always feel depressed for little things, like I cant be number one, like I keep pending my japanese exam and feel that everyone will step forward into the future and leave me alone behind back. It's really disturbing now. I feel like I'm the world's worst idiot.

I cant help it. I want to avoid such feeling.

I was speaking idiomatically.

I've had those types of feelings before (hell, I still have them a lot now).

Are you a perfectionist? Someone once told me something that I guess I needed to hear: "You're human. You owe it to yourself to allow yourself to make mistakes."

They're inevitable and a part of living. If you do have such feelings, you should use them as motivation to better yourself, rather than get depressed. And remember: despite what it seems like, being the best isn't everything.

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Taking action about it is the best. I hear some music, any kind is good for me. Drawing, writing Poetry. Reading books...etc.

FELIPE NO

Originally Posted by eriol

Hey, could you give me some suggestion how to deal with depression caused by frustation that you cant achieve something because of your limitation?

Honestly I've been suffering such feeling for a long time. I always feel depressed for little things, like I cant be number one, like I keep pending my japanese exam and feel that everyone will step forward into the future and leave me alone behind back. It's really disturbing now. I feel like I'm the world's worst idiot.

I cant help it. I want to avoid such feeling.

Are you putting this pressure on yourself or is someone expecting something high of you? The last time I got depressed, mine's was due to the fact of the latter. A lot of people around me keep calling me super smart, brilliant, genius, etc etc., but I don't agree with it. So, whenever I get an A, it's like a big accomplishment to me, but they say they expected it and it's no big deal.

In one of my classes a year or so ago, I got a D. That was due to the fact that it was during the summer and I was working two full-time jobs. When I saw that grade, I had an anxiety attack. Whenever people asked about my grades, I told them they were good. I didn't tell anybody about it until a year later.

I'm still learning not to let other people's high expectations of me make me go overboard. It's hard, but I'm getting there.

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

People. Like has been said before, there is a biiiiig difference between feeling sad and being depressed. Way back in my angsty teenage years I had a touch, but having witnessed a friend go through depression (and one that ultimately ended him) I have to let it be known that depression is a psychological disease and not just a quick fix thing that goes away after doing something pleasant. It's something much deeper, and needs appropriately deep and holistic treatment. I suppose if you're one of those lucky people that deal with it, try your best and see where it goes. But I think it's really best left to the professionals like shrinks and the like, and I do hope that if anyone here ever gets/is truly depressed you can find yourself a decent one.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

How come no one has brought up therapy? Everyone will go through some sort of depression in their lifetime, whether it's unintentional or because something bad happened. Like someone else mentioned, being down or just sad, is very different than being depressed.

Psychiatrists prescribe pills, psychologists will sit with you and help direct you to a solution. Pills should definitely be a choice you make, you should never be pressured to taking pills unless you've been tested and have some sort of disorder. I'm not for the pill popping solution though. If you really think you're depressed and don't want to be, you need to seek help, not just "oh I'll listen to angsty music to cheer me up" If it actually DOES cheer you up, then you're just feeling down, that's not a mood disorder.

Stress is a major factor and causes anxiety and depression in most people. We all deal with stress, but if it's to the point where you feel really hopeless and self loathing, it helps to really talk to someone. There's no need to take pills unless you seriously can't function or get up in the morning. You shouldn't be taking pills and not going to therapy at the same time, because these aren't magic pills. I can't emphasize that enough, and I've been there. They don't magically make you feel better. There's a lot of work involved and you can't do it alone.

There's nowhere I can't reach.

There are some references to therapy, earlier in the thread.

A big thing with a lot of people is the stigma of seeing a psychologist. A lot of people don't seem to realize that clincal depression is a disease and dismiss them like... people here at GFF dismiss the "emo" subculture. Having people possibly know that you're "bad enough" to see a doctor about this sort of thing can be anything from scary to humiliating. Considering a lot of the symptoms of depression (hopelessness, withdrawal, etc.), making such a move is quite difficult. That's why making a move to see a shrink is such a huge step for someone who's truly depressed.

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

Well of course, you can't get better unless you want help. Seeing a therapist is for people who want to get help. Otherwise, they're going to be in denial. If you do see a therapist, it isn't broadcasted to the world unless you want it to be. No one will have to know. Plus nowadays, a lot of people have a shrink, just like how people have lawyers

But I understand the social stigma of seeing a shrink, especially in cultures who generally don't go.

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

I've never been seriously depressed before, but I find that the best way to combat sadness of any kind is to find different to do. I may find myself learning how to cook something new or reading an old book. Watching an old movie usually helps as well.

How ya doing, buddy?

Originally Posted by AliceNWondrland

About a week ago my sister was diagnosed as being "severely depressed" and was put on some pretty heavy-duty medication.
...
My question is, isn't it normal to feel that way sometimes? Particularly when you have children.

Depression? .
I thought that what children could cause were headaches. oke:

What kind of toxic man-thing is happening now?

Yeah, same here. I thought children couldn't do any worse than that.

FELIPE NO

Sigh, I'm depressed again. Now is because I failed on my japanese exam, and now I force myself to memorize JPLT level I dictionary. I wonder why actually I feel being idiot not able to do that other people do. I feel like I'm punishing myself for small things, but I really couldnt help it. I feel guilty if I'm unable to achieve my target and I'm horrored that I might stuck in low level forever.

How to overcome this depression?

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

Originally Posted by eriol

Hey, could you give me some suggestion how to deal with depression caused by frustation that you cant achieve something because of your limitation?

Honestly I've been suffering such feeling for a long time. I always feel depressed for little things, like I cant be number one, like I keep pending my japanese exam and feel that everyone will step forward into the future and leave me alone behind back. It's really disturbing now. I feel like I'm the world's worst idiot.

I cant help it. I want to avoid such feeling.

I had these same feelings of frustration when I was in college until one professor said something to me that really enlightened me. I had always done very well in school prior to the time. Many viewed me as a genius and as someone wise. When I was in a place where I was average or less than average compared to others, it was truly a humbling experience.

The professor who I had talked to had told me of his Graduate school experiences. He went to Grad school in MIT and he was a very educated and intelligent individual. The thing was, everyone there was also very intelligent. He told me of how many undergrads could not deal well with their academics in the first few years. Many many of these students were the best of their best, top students in their high school classes. They were number 1. Then they went to a place where everyone else was number 1. Suddenly, the majority of them went from being the best to being average... from all A+'s their whole lives to getting B's and C's that they've never seen. It's something that is very painful to deal with.

No matter your expertise or skill, there is always someone out there who is better. There is no true best at anything. Every person has their faults and it is those faults that allow others to be better than them in certain aspects.

The funny thing is, after all that humility that I went through, now I feel my ambition burning again where I am. You realize that the majority of the people in the world aren't brilliant and/or hard-working... you suddenly get your confidence back again. It may not seem like it now as you are exposed to many who are intelligent and hard-working but the world is vast.



On the main subject though, I found that reading philosophy can be uplifting for the spirit and general questioning of yourself and the world around you can help at times as well.

Jam it back in, in the dark.

I have gotten depressed in the past...not a suicidal depressed but jus a sad/emotional depressed.

Usually I often rock out to music or even play games. If I do get desperate enough, I'll sometimes play GTA or something jus because its fun to run over things...and get your money back.

There's nowhere I can't reach.