Your techniques for managing depression/sadness…
Discussion
Councelling and medication changed my life. I also take time to ensure I have me time. Before I would consider this to be a selfish activity but once a month I take myself away, book a room, book a restaurant, have a drink. There are so many people who will chat to you, irrelevant chat, some open up, it's cathartic to chat with people you don't know.
I hope you find a way through.
I hope you find a way through.
I've tried loads of stuff, basically realise now I'm damaged from childhood. I just try to not get stuck on it. Like sometimes I get up think, I'm alive let's drive to a point a map. Have a wander and come back. It focuses the mind. Set little goals, thing to look forward to. Try to become self aware, when you know you can't fight it, anymore just realise it is part of who you are, try to find a safe place.
Also try to open up to people you trust, yes a lot will not understand but some will, and it is worth trying to find them.
But I'm on Venlafaxine 150mg which after trying loads of other stuff really working for me.
Also try to open up to people you trust, yes a lot will not understand but some will, and it is worth trying to find them.
But I'm on Venlafaxine 150mg which after trying loads of other stuff really working for me.
Edited by Ouroboros on Friday 12th August 06:13
I've taken citalipram on and off for years, makes a huge difference, and just wean myself off when it's done its job. Therapy has never made any difference.
I do a lot of talking to myself - not the crazy sort, mostly talking out loud about what I'm thinking and how I'mamaging it, and that really helps stop things getting out of perspective.
But in my view meds are the lifesaver, and those researchers who say they're a placebo and don't actually do anything have never had depression.
Citalipram works for me, but sends my wife into a major anxiety attack (whereas sertraline helps her anxiety)
I do a lot of talking to myself - not the crazy sort, mostly talking out loud about what I'm thinking and how I'mamaging it, and that really helps stop things getting out of perspective.
But in my view meds are the lifesaver, and those researchers who say they're a placebo and don't actually do anything have never had depression.
Citalipram works for me, but sends my wife into a major anxiety attack (whereas sertraline helps her anxiety)
sociopath said:
I've taken citalipram on and off for years, makes a huge difference, and just wean myself off when it's done its job. Therapy has never made any difference.
I do a lot of talking to myself - not the crazy sort, mostly talking out loud about what I'm thinking and how I'mamaging it, and that really helps stop things getting out of perspective.
But in my view meds are the lifesaver, and those researchers who say they're a placebo and don't actually do anything have never had depression.
Citalipram works for me, but sends my wife into a major anxiety attack (whereas sertraline helps her anxiety)
It might be that the placebo effect is a major part of their effectiveness. It doesn't matter if they work for you.I do a lot of talking to myself - not the crazy sort, mostly talking out loud about what I'm thinking and how I'mamaging it, and that really helps stop things getting out of perspective.
But in my view meds are the lifesaver, and those researchers who say they're a placebo and don't actually do anything have never had depression.
Citalipram works for me, but sends my wife into a major anxiety attack (whereas sertraline helps her anxiety)
I took SSRIs for a time, well two times in fact. The second, I felt a little better with the script in my hand. Whether or not they are big pharma's biggest con, for me they were, literally I think, a life-saver.
I used a psychologist. Helpful. I was seen by a psychiatrist for a few sessions. He was the biggest influence on my recovery, but he came late on in my depression so who knows. The psychologist told me to write about what had, in my opinion, caused the problem. Very useful for me. I turned it into a book. Well reviewed on Kindle. It actually changed my diagnosis; something exciting for him, but with little effect on me.
So pills and professionals helped.
Once I started to come out of the real depths, I did the exercise thing, cycling all over the Sth Downs, supporting my youngest in his rugby, videoing all his matches. Doing things was the thing that cracked it for me, but not at the worst time.
Different people require different methods.
Biggest asset for me was my wife and family.
If you're consistently feeling low or anxious you should speak to a doctor. Getting medicated was really helpful for me, I'm on 150mg of sertraline a day and it just helps me deal with my anxiety and negative impulses in a sensible way before I resort to dealing with them in a harmful way.
In order of effectiveness for me:
1 - Exercise, nothing beats this for a sudden hit... Going for a 5k run only takes 20 mins and its really effective, long bike rides are good if I've got more time
2 - See my family (I live away by myself and as much as I'm an introvert who does enjoy my own company, I still get lonely)
3 - No booze/ healthy eating
4 - Getting jobs done and feeling productive
5 - Tidying the house/ garden
6 - Walking the dog
7 - Watching football (only applies when we win though)
1 - Exercise, nothing beats this for a sudden hit... Going for a 5k run only takes 20 mins and its really effective, long bike rides are good if I've got more time
2 - See my family (I live away by myself and as much as I'm an introvert who does enjoy my own company, I still get lonely)
3 - No booze/ healthy eating
4 - Getting jobs done and feeling productive
5 - Tidying the house/ garden
6 - Walking the dog
7 - Watching football (only applies when we win though)
Not suggesting that everyone should jump to medication, it works for me because it gives me the space to think about what I'm doing before I do something harmful.
I would still say that if you're feeling depressed and/or anxious regularly it would be worth talking to a professional, whether that's your GP who might be able to refer you to local NHS therapy services (usually CBT, which you can also read up on and practice in a self guided way) or if you have the money to go private then maybe an appointment with a therapist.
I spent years thinking that everyone just feels that way and self medicating with booze and other stuff. I wish I'd actually spoken to someone years ago.
I would still say that if you're feeling depressed and/or anxious regularly it would be worth talking to a professional, whether that's your GP who might be able to refer you to local NHS therapy services (usually CBT, which you can also read up on and practice in a self guided way) or if you have the money to go private then maybe an appointment with a therapist.
I spent years thinking that everyone just feels that way and self medicating with booze and other stuff. I wish I'd actually spoken to someone years ago.
V1nce Fox said:
Some very good posts, thank you for all the ideas.
Meds aren’t an option for me personally, i’m looking for day to day little stuff that helps. I believe young people call them “hacks”.
Interest to know why meds aren't an option, are you allergic or do you just not want to take them.Meds aren’t an option for me personally, i’m looking for day to day little stuff that helps. I believe young people call them “hacks”.
Feel free to not respond, it's your life and your situation, but I and many others have found them to be a lifesaver.
As for little stuff, keep yourself busy, whether that's work or hobbies. Although I found that only helps until you stop focusing on the task and then it all comes back again, so just a delay not a cure
I try stay out of the frontal lobe of my brain. You get trapped there, imagining and remembering all sorts of past and future failures, then you get tired, can't concentrate, get irritable, and it keeps you there for longer. An endless cycle, you need to repeatedly break.
More specific things, I exercise, I spend time with my children and tell them I love them. I look at pictures of good times. I try do small rewarding tasks like repairing things. I set out and work towards longer term rewarding goals, like learning a new skill. I force myself to spend time with friends and loved ones. I talk. I go for a walk and try and appreciate the beauty of the world I am lucky to live in. I practice "fag packet" meditation, I concentrate on my surroundings and breathe deep. I remind myself that all pain is transient and will pass. I look around me to see all that I achieved, and how even when all seemed lost, I made it through.
I've no claims to be an oracle or an expert in mental health issues, but (sparing details) it's a statement of fact that people seldom come back from where I've been, so I must be doing something right.
We're all different, but finding ways to stay in the moment is the trick to happiness I think, ask Phineas Gage.
Or a dog. Those f
kers are always happy.
More specific things, I exercise, I spend time with my children and tell them I love them. I look at pictures of good times. I try do small rewarding tasks like repairing things. I set out and work towards longer term rewarding goals, like learning a new skill. I force myself to spend time with friends and loved ones. I talk. I go for a walk and try and appreciate the beauty of the world I am lucky to live in. I practice "fag packet" meditation, I concentrate on my surroundings and breathe deep. I remind myself that all pain is transient and will pass. I look around me to see all that I achieved, and how even when all seemed lost, I made it through.
I've no claims to be an oracle or an expert in mental health issues, but (sparing details) it's a statement of fact that people seldom come back from where I've been, so I must be doing something right.
We're all different, but finding ways to stay in the moment is the trick to happiness I think, ask Phineas Gage.
Or a dog. Those f
kers are always happy.Sorry to hear you are experiencing this OP.
SSRIs increase the amount of time dopamine/serotonin has to be absorbed by neuroreceptors by blocking these receptors and leaving the chemicals in the space between neurons. This is known as the synaptic gap.
If you are against them, try and replicate their function. Exercise, green outdoor spaces produce those chemicals 'naturally'.
Improve your sleep. Matthew Walker is an expert on sleep, his book 'Why we sleep' is great. Theres 12 tips on his website for improving sleep too.
Grounding techniques for when things are difficult can be helpful too. A youtube tutorial would guide you through it or a headspace subscription.
Avoid alcohol or other illicit drugs.
SSRIs increase the amount of time dopamine/serotonin has to be absorbed by neuroreceptors by blocking these receptors and leaving the chemicals in the space between neurons. This is known as the synaptic gap.
If you are against them, try and replicate their function. Exercise, green outdoor spaces produce those chemicals 'naturally'.
Improve your sleep. Matthew Walker is an expert on sleep, his book 'Why we sleep' is great. Theres 12 tips on his website for improving sleep too.
Grounding techniques for when things are difficult can be helpful too. A youtube tutorial would guide you through it or a headspace subscription.
Avoid alcohol or other illicit drugs.
I'm only three or so months in of taking Sertaline, after finally admitting i have a problem.
Exercise, diet, learning and development, and selfish time out for reflection/mindfulness, combined with meaningful reconnection with friends and new people + experiences, finally CB therapy to manage positive reflection and thoughts.
My depression is inherited, but triggered by enviromental stressors of work, fatherhood, and covid errosion of social networks for resilliance and stress relief. It led to burn out and depression, and a deep desire to literally take the pain away - e.g. step out in front of a bus/train/tube, drive straight at bends in roads etc.
What works for me, may not work for you.
No one understands depression until they have it - i laughed and joked about it even when my father suffered from it. How the shoe is on the other foot.
Exercise, diet, learning and development, and selfish time out for reflection/mindfulness, combined with meaningful reconnection with friends and new people + experiences, finally CB therapy to manage positive reflection and thoughts.
My depression is inherited, but triggered by enviromental stressors of work, fatherhood, and covid errosion of social networks for resilliance and stress relief. It led to burn out and depression, and a deep desire to literally take the pain away - e.g. step out in front of a bus/train/tube, drive straight at bends in roads etc.
What works for me, may not work for you.
No one understands depression until they have it - i laughed and joked about it even when my father suffered from it. How the shoe is on the other foot.
“ My depression is inherited, but triggered by enviromental stressors of work, fatherhood, and covid errosion of social networks for resilliance and stress relief. It led to burn out and depression, and a deep desire to literally take the pain away - e.g. step out in front of a bus/train/tube, drive straight at bends in roads etc.”
I could have written this word for word.
As i’m sounding this out on here, it occurs to me that a significant amount of what i’m calling depression is actually stress blended in with it.
Thank you.
I could have written this word for word.
As i’m sounding this out on here, it occurs to me that a significant amount of what i’m calling depression is actually stress blended in with it.
Thank you.
Gassing Station | Health Matters | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff