Depression

[denham]

Not as in 'The Great' but the mental state. If you get it what do you do about it?

[lateaprildawn]

WOW denham, bit of a massive question you are asking there.

Not going into detail but i have experienced many sorts, lots of causes, eg situational, medical, lifestyle choices etc etc.

I never found that when "depressed" I could do a damm thing about it or any effective way to influence it.

What I do remember is though "THIS TOO SHALL PASS"

The highs and the joys and the elation when you are NOT depressed will also pass away.

If you are down remember , it will pass although it may take a long time.

Sometimes we cant do anything about the way we feel.
Think A) is there anything I do feel up to doing or is possible to do at this moment.

if not, wait, This too shall pass.

Take care,
Best wishes,
April

[Shamrock1121]

Not all depression is created equally... There are some supplements that have benefits to some people in some cases.

If it's stress related depression, the supplement SAM-e might be beneficial for a short period of time, 5HTP, or the herb St. John's Wort (all are over-the-counter supplements found almost anywhere - Walgreens, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, health food stores, etc.).

If you are out in the sun a lot, avoid St. John's Wort - it's very photo-sensitive and you'll look like a lobster after a short exposure to the sun while taking it.

If this was the middle of winter, getting more sunlight or adding Cod Liver Oil to your diet as a supplement is often all you need, but it's not winter, and you don't need Cod Liver Oil if you are getting plenty of sun. We take Cod Liver Oil in the winter and fish oil the rest of the year.

These "natural" remedies can have interactions with drugs you may already be taking, so check carefully before self-medicating.

Another little known, and little used remedy is Bach Flower Remedies. These are homeopathic remedies. A few drops under your tongue, or in a glass of water, is all you need.
http://www.bachcentre.com/centre/remedies.htm

-Karen (who once-upon-a-time worked in a health food store)

[jen_in_southtexas]

Some peoples depression is worse than others. It can be a very long and drawn out experience. I know alot of people will turn to natural remedies which is fine if it works for them.
But depression is serious. Try talking to someone you trust about how it is that you are feeling. That helps alot. If you are feeling worse about this PLEASE seek help of your doctor asap.
And as someone mentioned...it too shall pass. But sometimes it helps to be in the company of trusted friends and family. Sometimes that is the best medicine. I know because I've been there. I hope you feel better.

-j

[denham]

Thanks for the responses. I am fairly certain it is hormonal. Usually if I wait a few days I feel better. It is maybe something St. John's Wort or the other ideas would help, maybe not. My doctor gave me some sample meds for it, which really made me zone out. That I Do Not Want.

[WileyCoyote]

I have had bouts of severe depression; was once even diagnosed as bipolar and back in the 70's was put on Librium. You could throw me up against a wall and it wouldn't matter on that stuff. But, see, that was the problem - I WAS being thrown against a wall. I was 'depressed' because I was in an abusive relationship, and back then reporting spousal abuse meant that the victim wasn't 'behaving' in the marriage.

Well, I finally figured out a simple cure - I won't kill myself, I will kill what is upsetting me. ("Kill" is figurative. No one can find the body anyway. :o ) Seriously, depression is all too often a feeling of inadequacy to deal with a problem in one's life - be it a bad job, an abusive spouse, a friendship gone sour, a fear (rational or not!) of the future, of flying, of living in a new place, of leaving home - all sorts of causes. The best way to get oneself out of a depression is to think everything through, find a rational explanation for one's depression, and make a goal-oriented plan to get out of the situation that is causing it. This normally reinstates one's feelings of competency and ability, gives one something to look forward to instead of dread, and ultimately gives satisfaction of accomplishment when the goals are reached.

For mild depression, I find that a long indulgent bubble bath, some Godiva's chocolates, a nice bottle of wine, and a trashy novel, taken behind a locked door (no phones, either) for at least an hour, will change one's whole outlook. ;D And yes it works for men too - whether or not they admit it. Sometimes a little indulgent self-love is all one needs to regain one's perspective. Stay away from the quacks with the pills if you can... most folks can self-heal.

[Cuffo]

I too have suffered form depression. I would find someone who has some training and talk to them. I found that a supportive, knowlegeble person really helped. I could at lest talk my feelings through with and get a reality check and another point of view. I would go see your doctor, depression is nothing to mess with. Also if you think it is hormone related I would see a ob/gyn. I could be a symptom something else wrong with you. I found when I started taking Meds for irregular periods my depression got a little better.

[msta999]

If things start to bother me too much, I wait till the week day, the kids are at school, wifes at work and I call in sick at work, then head up to the mountains. There is a lake on the top of this mountain, about an hour away and I just walk around, take in the sights or maybe do some casting....sometimes both. Seems to help, kind of like my own special spot, hardly ever anyone up there on the week days.

You know, I haven't been up there since last year.....think maybe it is time to go check it out again. ;D

[Funkhouser]

Sometimes just turning on (and turning up) your favorite music is all it takes to snap out of the blues. It happens to me all the time, and the great thing about it is...it doesn't necessarily have to be an upbeat song...at least that's been my experience.

[Native87]

Depression is horrible. After i got out of the Army there was a time I couldnt do or feel anything for a year. i did want to die at that time. It is much more serious than ppl think. Thank God I am better these days. Walking helps. releases endorphines.

[ellenwyo]

I agree with Shamrock1121. I used to have monthly bouts of depression which lasted for 3-4 days. After I started taking fish oil and cod liver oil every day, these tapered off and now I rarely feel depressed. I also include a lot of eggs and high quality fats in my diet.

[momma_to_seven_chi]

I don't have experience with the problem, but I have heard that St. John's Wort is actually a prescription medication in some other nations. It is the drug of choice for depression in many nations, used as a prescription drug.

[Penny_Plinker]

Dean Ornish said of depression:

"When you are depressed, for the first time in your life you think you have seen the world with absolute clarity. And the reality is painfully depressing. No good can come of this existence, and your personaly contribution is worthless. Until then all the times you thought you were happy, you were just deluding yourself."

When i read this it seems to have deep meaning, but i don't know what it is. I wonder what it means when you think you have seen the world with absolute clarity. Maybe it means you admit things you have been in denial about in your self and others. Maybe it's like you gained knowledge like when Adam and Eve partook of the forbidden fruit and they lost their innosence.

Penny

[Iwoots]

Proverbs 14:7 Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.

Started obeying that over a year ago. Stopped having anything to do with the in-laws; & no, I am not joking.

Won't go into details (except to say that wife & I are trying to rebuild this marriage).

What I am saying is that if there is anyone in your life who regularly tears you down, tells you that you are wrong about everything (including things that they know nothing about), and basically treats you like an "extra"- then walk away. And DON'T listen to anyone telling you otherwise, 'because so-and-so ain't so bad'- they don't know the person as well as you, and No, they are not going to believe you when you inform them of just how bad so-and-so has been (unless they are a real good friend from years back, or so-and-so has also treated them like shit, & they were once in the same boat as you- wondering why everyone in church thinks so-and-so is a godly person).

{Thanks for letting me vent. It helps. Last 5-6 years are a blur because of bad depression brought on by a lot of bad choices by myself and the wife (individually & together), but mostly being told lies by the in-laws because my hopes, dreams, & ideas don't fit into their tiny little box of "that's the way life is, you need to be content". Oh, and because I didn't know enough to stand up, and say "No, this is not the way things should be."}

Summary: Run, don't walk, away from those fools around you. And listen to your intuition about who is a fool & who isn't- even your spouse may be more concerned with a fool than you if that fool is her father and/or mother.

[Southerngirl]

Proverbs 14:7 Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.

Started obeying that over a year ago. Stopped having anything to do with the in-laws; & no, I am not joking.

Won't go into details (except to say that wife & I are trying to rebuild this marriage).

What I am saying is that if there is anyone in your life who regularly tears you down, tells you that you are wrong about everything (including things that they know nothing about), and basically treats you like an "extra"- then walk away. And DON'T listen to anyone telling you otherwise, 'because so-and-so ain't so bad'- they don't know the person as well as you, and No, they are not going to believe you when you inform them of just how bad so-and-so has been (unless they are a real good friend from years back, or so-and-so has also treated them like shit, & they were once in the same boat as you- wondering why everyone in church thinks so-and-so is a godly person).

{Thanks for letting me vent. It helps. Last 5-6 years are a blur because of bad depression brought on by a lot of bad choices by myself and the wife (individually & together), but mostly being told lies by the in-laws because my hopes, dreams, & ideas don't fit into their tiny little box of "that's the way life is, you need to be content". Oh, and because I didn't know enough to stand up, and say "No, this is not the way things should be."}

Summary: Run, don't walk, away from those fools around you. And listen to your intuition about who is a fool & who isn't- even your spouse may be more concerned with a fool than you if that fool is her father and/or mother.


I have to agree with this post!
I too went through bouts of depression, still do but not as much as I have in the past.
I was desperate, to the point of going to the doctor and asking for meds for depression. Many people I know have taken them, but after reading about them, I did not want to depend on these meds to make my day pleasant. Even though people I have talked to swear by the meds the doctors gave them...
I started to look at what and WHO (mostly) was causing me anxiety attacks, who was taking my attention away from my children, who was just getting down right under my skin... and yes... it was my husband's family. Not just one or two, but a whole mess of them. So I ticked a few of them off... by cutting off the endless money supply and helping hand that I always had... and with making one mad, several more got mad at me. But once I sat down and realized it was a blessing, because each person that got involved and got mad at me because I stopped giving everything we had, I saw who all was using us and who only loved us for what we did for them.
My life has much less stress and drama in it for no longer having those people in our lives. I protect my children from them, as their children are the same way their parents are and my children are happier with their kids out of their lives. Sad really, how people can have that much of an affect in our lives..
I still have my days... but I think I can handle the rest of life's wrinkles by making a few changes. I might try the natural remedies listed above.
And turning my attention and time back to my faith and my readings.... I can get through anything!

[Laura]

14:7 Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.

Started obeying that over a year ago. Stopped having anything to do with the in-laws; & no, I am not joking.

Won't go into details (except to say that wife & I are trying to rebuild this marriage).

What I am saying is that if there is anyone in your life who regularly tears you down, tells you that you are wrong about everything (including things that they know nothing about), and basically treats you like an "extra"- then walk away. And DON'T listen to anyone telling you otherwise, 'because so-and-so ain't so bad'- they don't know the person as well as you, and No, they are not going to believe you when you inform them of just how bad so-and-so has been (unless they are a real good friend from years back, or so-and-so has also treated them like shit, & they were once in the same boat as you- wondering why everyone in church thinks so-and-so is a godly person).

{Thanks for letting me vent. It helps. Last 5-6 years are a blur because of bad depression brought on by a lot of bad choices by myself and the wife (individually & together), but mostly being told lies by the in-laws because my hopes, dreams, & ideas don't fit into their tiny little box of "that's the way life is, you need to be content". Oh, and because I didn't know enough to stand up, and say "No, this is not the way things should be."}

Summary: Run, don't walk, away from those fools around you. And listen to your intuition about who is a fool & who isn't- even your spouse may be more concerned with a fool than you if that fool is her father and/or mother.

Can I please SCREAM DITTO from the hill tops??? Please??

I have been told all my life that 'everything is my fault'. I am the scape goat for YOU NAME IT.
Slowly but surely I have eliminated those who chose to destroy instead of build, out of our lives.
MIL got the boot in 1999, after destroying our marriage.
It is STILL not the same today.....I don't know if it ever will be.
A "friend" of the family got the boot shortly before that.
Used to tell me all the time what a lousy this and that I was.....liked to throw my past up in my face and remind me how bad I used to be.
My brother quit speaking to me 5 years ago.
See.....this is a family trait. My dad would get 'mad' and that was his way of controlling you. "Cold Shoulder Treatment".......So you would beg and gravel to get him to talk to you again......then if you were lucky, he would bless you with his presence.....
Which leads me to my folks.
Alcoholism, and manipulation for all of my life.....finally I said DONE.
I have not spent time with them in 3 years. Have not spoken to my dad in 2, and only have emailed my mom every once in a blue moon.
This week?
This is my last week at work.
My boss is an alcoholic (I am freakin' surrounded!!) He is a lunatic and really......acts like my dad did. Manipulation, tempertantrums, and angry outbursts are his mode of operation.

Every time I eliminate one of these "fools" from my life, it is like a giant burden raised off my shoulders.
I find that with distance, I can have compassion.......
But I am no longer being bombarded with what a POS I am.....and how I will never amount to nothing, and how I am so incompetent......
Never under estimate the power of the spoken word.

Prescription for Herbal Healing by Phyllis A Balch
Prescription for Nutritional Healing by Phyllis A Balch

Both have AMAZING information.

But at the end of the day......Cry out to the Lord. Seek Him in the pages of Scripture......Pray, a lot. Cry out to Him. Pour your complaint out to Him. Get to know Him and His Ways in the pages of Scripture.

That alone, has saved....my life.

Laura

[CastIronCook2]

Seriously, depression is all too often a feeling of inadequacy to deal with a problem in one's life - be it a bad job, an abusive spouse, a friendship gone sour, a fear (rational or not!) of the future, of flying, of living in a new place, of leaving home - all sorts of causes. The best way to get oneself out of a depression is to think everything through, find a rational explanation for one's depression, and make a goal-oriented plan to get out of the situation that is causing it. This normally reinstates one's feelings of competency and ability, gives one something to look forward to instead of dread, and ultimately gives satisfaction of accomplishment when the goals are reached.



Amen. Been there, done that, and you're right, Coyote: perceptions of inadequacy (and the consequent buried rage that engenders) CAN be at the root of clinical depression. A lifetime ago, I dug myself out of that same pit of despair just by identifying the rage I was stuffing, rage it wasn't "safe" to express to the real source of the rage (a domineering spouse), and by setting myself a course of action--the goal-oriented plan you spoke about. Took a couple of months to really get back to feeling "normal," but my daily plan got me there, inch by inch.

Another part of the deadly cycle of suppressed rage is the guilt that also gets stuffed: guilt at feeling so terribly angry at someone who, after all, you are supposed to love. So part of my prescription for self-healing was to assuage that guilt.

I set myself this task: every day I had to do at least one nice thing for someone else . . . and tell no one about it. Like you, I still took good care of myself--got out of the house at least once each day, took the bubble bath, took care with my grooming--but I also actively sought ways to be good to others, anonymously.

And as I began to feel better about myself, I began to feel better.

[cinok]

Most of the issues I see here are more self esteem issues. Depression can be caused by environment or lifestyles but it is also caused by chemical imbalances in ones body.
Telling someone to get their life together and deal with it will work with some but it will also drive others to the edge. Bipolar depression is a life long battle for some and is misunderstood. Anyone who has issues should speak to a qualified licensed professional to help sort out the issues.

[Pokeberry Mary]

I've been writing a bit about depression in my own life on one of my blogs lately--timely. I tend to get that way when I'm 'overdone' by stresses I can't control, but also --beginning in the fall and peaking at mid-winter I do think I have some seasonal depression.

You have to fight the giant despair--who will as some have said belittle and blame you.

I do that by more or less talking to myself--asking myself-- what is it that you are thinking? If someone seems to be putting some sort of blame on me--or maybe I am oversensitive and am 'picking up' blamish vibes from someone--I ask myself--well what of it? Is there some truth to it? If so --is it something I can fix?

I also remind myself that NOBODY is perfect--but Christ and that He remains with me in spite of my faults--which He was more than aware of when He died for me. I also remind myself that those who I may be perceiving as sending the blamish vibes my way --have faults too.

I don't have to break ties with folks--but sometimes I let there be wide spaces between myself and folks who I don't trust.

Now-- that is the 'mind battle' there is more.

Depression effects the body as well as the mind--you 'feel' as well as 'think' badlly.

You get tired, sad, desperate, anxious, bleak etc...

It is good to be kind to yourself and to also do things that are physical --like walking outside, gardening, cooking,art, writing... whatever helps you personally.

I am not one who cares for the pill route--not saying it never helps--just it is not for me.

Yes, it will be over in time-- in the meantime-- don't beat yourself up and do what you need to to make the days seem less awful.