[depression] Serious question time.

[thelinesoflearning]

So I know I have a lot of people who either suffer from some kind of depression themselves, or know people who do. My brain has downswung very hard recently and I can't seem to shake it off. I don't have the desire or willpower to do just about anything, despite my brain constantly telling me I should be doing things, and it's starting to eat at me more than I can deal with.

So. If anyone has tips on how to handle depression, please pass them on. If there's anything that usually helps you break the fog, or at least manage to do things through it, please share.

Hell, if you just want to throw me things that make you laugh, I'll take that right now.

I feel like this post is worded wrong somehow and I'm not sure I should be doing this at all, but I have to do something. I'm trying to be proactive. It's like swimming through molasses and I don't know what to do, so I do this instead of real things, but I swear I am trying.

Comments

[silverhare]

Things that help: walking until my heart is beating fast and my breath is starting to catch. Listening to ocean or rain sounds. Erm. Thinking of myself like a cork in an ocean, bobbing along with the highs and lows but in a state of balanced stability. (Metaphors really help me when depression's kicking my butt.)

Well done for writing this post. Well done for seeking help and for turning to your friends. *offers gentle hugs*

[ilyena_sylph]

Writing this post is a good start.

*offers a hug*

I have very little to offer to help, but I hear you so much.

Depression downswings are awful.

[finch]

I usually start with a TV show or movie I know will make me cry, because I am no good at crying for myself but it's kind of a necessary part of the process for me, followed by a comfort food movie (for me, probably How To Train Your Dragon), followed by reading whatever I can get my hands on until the urge to write kicks back in.

[coffeevore]

I think it helps to do something that I liked to do when I was very young, before any kind of depression set in. It helps me temporarily, at least a little bit, kick back into the mindset associated with it, back when everything was fine.

I also try doing things that take 100% of my concentration and thought power, like math problems. I don't have any brainpower left over to feel things, to feel how I feel about feeling things, etc. because all I have room to think about in my brain is finding x.

[dragonfly]

I suffer from seasonal depression, and the things that help me are exercise and sunlight. I know many people have much more clinical levels of depression, but I figure, what if you're depressed and additionally have SAD? Exercise and sunlight is my prescription. Good for you, making this post.

[cxcvi]

Breaking through the everything is hard. The priority shifts from "getting things said in a way that sounds right" to just "getting things said". It's not us that you need to justify yourself to, though. We know what it's like to be here, paralyzed by the everything.

As for what helps, I think that the most useful thing I've found has just been talking to people. Even if I end up talking about the same thing to a different person (or sometimes even the same person) each night for a week or so, it helps.

You're not alone...

[senmut]

Your post is not worded wrong.

My only cope is to throw myself into work harder, and to try different hobbies/activities from whatever I have been doing. Yet...that takes me being harsh with myself.

[silveradept]

Talking about it helps. Doing things that used to make you happy sometimes helps. as does occasionally saying "Fuckitall, I'm going to play games for today."

George Carlin usually makes me laugh. As does silly, stupid things like watching people catastrophically fail and injure themselves attempting some outlandish stunt.

Having things you have to do and people you have to go see sometimes helps. Sometimes you force them to come get you out of the house and doing things because you're not going to be able to kickstart yourself. And sometimes, you just sit and cry and that helps.

What works for you is specific to you. We're hoping you can find it, though, because we want you to be able to get through this.

[bookblather]

First of all, you are not alone. Not at all.

Second, I also recommend sunshine, and getting out of the house. Even if it's just a five-minute walk, it might help. Doing things that used to make you happy, even if you can't feel anything right now, will help. It's important to get out of bed every morning, even if you only brush your teeth and get back in bed. Reward yourself for every baby step you take. Got out of bed this morning? Hooray, reward! Brushed your teeth? Hooray, reward? Left the house to get the mail? HOORAY, big reward!

Dealing with depression is hard, and these seriously are victories. It might help to remind yourself that you are having a hard time and you do deserve applause for getting out of bed in the morning.

*hugs* I'm here if you need me.

[lynnoconnacht]

'This link might have some ideas you could use?

I've noticed that, personally, I end up doing things that don't require much brain power: watching cartoons, playing games I know well, curling up with comfort reads... That sort of thing. It doesn't necessarily make things (much) better, but it usually at least stabilises where I'm at.

I'm afraid that that's all I have for suggestions that haven't been mentioned yet. *sends good thoughts*

[rosarum]

My two cents are repetitive, but natural sunlight, exercise, and engaging with media that you love can help lift a depressive state, if only a little. I hope you feel better soon.

[worlds_of_smoke]

We go to icanhazcheezburger and start just randomly reading one of their blogs. It inevitably cheers us up after a while. Good luck, and I hope the depression fucks off soon.