Dealing with Depression

I've always had depression in some form during my life. I've been on and off medication over the years, but I do best on medication. I've been on Lexapro for about 3 years now and it has helped. I also take medicine for my anxiety. I try to keep busy which helps to distract me from my depression. I work 10 months of the year and work out regularly and that fills up a lot of my time. I also find that sunlight helps me. In the summer I like to be outside and enjoy the long days. In the winter I go tanning to get exposure to UV rays. I think that it helps my mood.

sorry no help from me.Have not got there yet.

I think one day you just get so fed up of it and feeling that way that something kicks you into gear and depression may not go away, but you can accomplish more things which can help you with your life. At least that is how it is for me. Walking, yoga helps. Trying to stay on a regular sleep schedule helps if you can get that down.

I am sorry you are dealing with that. I know my depression is grief. I am not diagnosed with depression or anxiety so my case is mild I guess. I force myself to do one small thing and that gets me going a bit. Going outside. If I start working in the garden I feel better. I joined a hiking group. Once I sign up for a hike I feel commited and I force myself to go. Once there, I am glad. Going to work is good for me. I guess I can never retire. Too long on the computer is definatly bad for me. I guess I will go pick some beans. It is a beautiful sunny day. Take care

@happybeann Yes, I've battle depression, almost all my life. I've been on many different meds, today I'm taking Celexa, which works good for me. EffexorXR was good, but when it stopped working, the withdrawal symptoms almost put me in a hospital bed:( To lessen depression, I walk, read books, ride bike, and pray every single day. With God's help, I am doing a lot better.

Hello. First of all. I'd like to give you a virtual hug. I have been depressed and been battling it for years. Maybe 10 years? 8? Dunno exactly. But it's since I was in high school. I experienced being bullied and had difficulties relating to teens my age before. I have free floating anxiety too. I often over think. I panic. And having this kind of mental state keeps me awake til 3am everyday until now. I wasn't diagnosed clinically. But I searched for signs and symptoms... less sleep, no appetite to eat, no energy to engage in hobbies I once loved, doesn't want to talk to others. Working in the medical field, I was aware of my own condition. I didn't consult a psychiatrist. Neither went to a shrink for a talk. I was scared of taking meds coz apart from this, I got a heart disease too. Can't afford to take more pills than what I already have for maintenance. And so, I try to convince myself that I have to be my very own bestfriend. I cried myself to sleep for ages, but tears were now getting less. Others say I'm just sad. But I know sadness, it's nothing like this. This is something that makes me hollow. I feel empty.

I have dealt with depression on and off for a long time now. I have been one of the Lucky ones who has chosen to do it without meds a long time ago. Especially since now I am allergic to so many different meds, it has really been maybe a god send for me. I now find Writing, or painting on rocks helps keep my mind off of things to where I usually can cope, but also find keeping my Faith in god thru Prayer has helped me as well.

My answers to your questions by number... 1) - I don't think there is a root cause, but something triggers it from time to time. Stress, everyday prpblems or challenges can be culprits. I don't remember everything the psychiatrist says during our meetings, but seeing him helped me to help myself. 2) Same medicine, I took Lexapro, which did work for me but I didn't like the withdrawal effects I felt when I stopped taking them. 3) I feel the grief, or sadness, or anger, or any negative emotion I have, I really try to feel it and acknowledge it...then I cry it all out. It helped me feel better right after. It also helped me gain clarity and understanding of my present situation at the time. 4) Singing helped me cope, as well as listening to happy music, or any kind of music that triggers those happy memories to come back. At times I don't feel like eating, but I force myself to eat properly anyway, and it always does make me feel better. 5) Whenever depression strikes, I'm not fun to be with and I'm not really being my best original self. That must suck for other people -- putting up with all that negativity, so as much as I can, as hard as I could, I really try to fight it. If not, I'd rather stay away from people for some time and be alone (but not too long). 6) I've had short depressive episodes as well as longer ones. I take weeks to feel improvement, but there were times it could be months, depending on the severity of my "triggers". But I guess over the years of battling, I've become better at fighting it, and keeping it at bay. As much as possible, I do not want to take Lexapro ever again.

well I often deal with it and prefer to listen some good music

I've never been depressed @happybeann but a thought would be to go get hypnotized and find out what is the root cause of your depression; that way you can deal with the original issue.

Thats alot of questions.. but im sorry you too are dealing with depression. I have been dealing with serve depression (and bad anxiety) for 9years, since my ex abused my daughter and got her taken away from me. Music sometimes helps me, along with talking to my mom and few friends but nothing helps me 100%.. not even 60%. And ive learned to accept that this may just be the new norm for me

Dealing with depression can be very hard if you have no support. I suffered from depression at a point of time in my life when I was at a low point. My depression was caused by all the things that seem to be going wrong in my life. I tried so many different medications Seroquel was one of them that seem to work but it gave me restless leg syndrome, the only thing that lessen my depression was when things started to get better in my life, i use to love to read as one of my hobbies when I was depressed because sometimes a good book would help me take my mind of certain things that I was going through in my life. Depression affected my relationships tremendously because I was not happy with myself so how could I be happy with someone else. I would not say that I quite made it out of my depression because I still get in this mode from time to time. I pray which helps to alleviate my stress level which places me in a depression stage.

I am sorry to hear that. I don't get depressed much and if I do, I just shrug it off. I always say to my self that those things are meant to happen.

Try to know what's making you depressed, Resist that thing...

It's very good that you wrote about this as it helps increase people's awareness of depression. I haven't experienced this yet but I think one of the best ways is to pray and trust that God is and always will be with you. Building confidence in yourself like by reading self help books and attending seminars about it with group of friends. For me travel can also help.