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Post by ButterflyLady on Jul 18, 2014 15:11:11 GMT -5
Depression is something I know many of us struggle with, myself included. Many times I will stay in a depressive mood even if I am excited about something or somewhere that I am getting ready to do or go. I think it is at the point where it may be considered Chronic for me but I can't afford to get it diagnosed and get help, even if I could find a medicine or other solution that would actually do me some good instead of nothing or negatively affect me. Anyway, here I will be posting some things to help us all with our battle against depression so we can beat it together!
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Post by Warwick on Jul 18, 2014 15:18:47 GMT -5
I think this is a very good idea butterfly, we all need support at some times, some more so than others.
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Post by ButterflyLady on Jul 18, 2014 15:36:03 GMT -5
yea I just figured since I know several of us struggle with it we should have a place with tips to help us and then maybe in the Support section (since this is the Resource section) have a place for actual support.
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Post by sportster on Jul 22, 2014 21:42:21 GMT -5
Those who have not experienced it haven't a clue. The one thing I really hate to hear is, "You just need to snap out of it." They act as though it's something we can control or voluntarily invite into our lives. It affects everyone differently. For me, it usually comes on as quickly as someone flipping on a switch. It may last a moment or several days. During a rather bad bout of it, I had some "well meaning" individual tell me to "snap out of it."
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Post by Warwick on Jul 22, 2014 21:53:12 GMT -5
I think that also applies to any one with any physiological disorder, most people don't know what it is like. it is an assumption, and assumptions are 99% wrong.
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Post by wyverary on Jul 22, 2014 21:53:24 GMT -5
Oh man, depression. The thing that has kept me back so often in life.
I don't have any deep thoughts, though I'm sure I will a couple of hours after writing this, heh.
My psychiatrist have me the best advice I have ever heard on the matter: If you find yourself in a bout of severe depression, the best thing to do for yourself is to do your best to ACT like you're NOT depressed. This includes simple things like getting out at least once a day. I know that when I am able to do my daily hikes with my Darling Sweetpea, it does wonders...I suppose it is the combination of the exercise itself as well as being out and doing SOMETHING.
Unfortunately, sometimes it gets so bad, I have trouble doing even that. And if I had no pets, and my only exercise option were to join a gym? I don't know what I would do. And I have been in that place, and it is bad. I wish, during those times, I had had access to a support group, or at least a competent therapist (which I am now lucky to have).
What no one understands is, there is NOTHING that anyone can say that will provide some sort of "instant cure." There is no easy solution. It's a dark, dark place, and it's awfully friggin' hard to find a candle in that darkness.
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Post by Warwick on Jul 22, 2014 21:57:04 GMT -5
I want to thank Sporster and Wyv for being so Open about it, we can only learn from you
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Post by sportster on Jul 22, 2014 22:03:16 GMT -5
My psychiatrist have me the best advice I have ever heard on the matter: If you find yourself in a bout of severe depression, the best thing to do for yourself is to do your best to ACT like you're NOT depressed. This includes simple things like getting out at least once a day. That's interesting, because that's how I've dealt with it over the years. I thought it was my own unique method.
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Post by ButterflyLady on Jul 22, 2014 23:09:53 GMT -5
I agree about getting out helps, my excuse to get out is my photography and that helps even more now that I have the Canon to play with. I hate when people think that depression is something you can "just snap out of" my brother is one of those people who says shit like that and it pisses both me and my mom off something terrible.
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Post by IzabethS on Jul 23, 2014 1:38:55 GMT -5
I also agree that doing things helps curb the depression. There really is no cure for depression, but you can manage it. "Snapping out of it" is not an option. You can't just "fix" a chemical imbalance. My diagnosis is bi-polar 2, which involves a lot more depressive than manic episodes. I manage though and haven't had a major melt down in a while. Last one I had was when I was still in college.
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Post by wyverary on Jul 23, 2014 18:11:32 GMT -5
I also agree that doing things helps curb the depression. There really is no cure for depression, but you can manage it. "Snapping out of it" is not an option. You can't just "fix" a chemical imbalance. My diagnosis is bi-polar 2, which involves a lot more depressive than manic episodes. I manage though and haven't had a major melt down in a while. Last one I had was when I was still in college. Curious (and you don't have to respond if it's presumptuous or too personal), but are you on meds for your bipolar disorder? I am on Lamictal (a mood stabilizer and anticonvulsant) for both a seizure disorder and Seasonal Affective Disorder. It has helped an awful lot.
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Post by ButterflyLady on Jul 23, 2014 21:35:21 GMT -5
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Post by IzabethS on Jul 24, 2014 0:40:54 GMT -5
I also agree that doing things helps curb the depression. There really is no cure for depression, but you can manage it. "Snapping out of it" is not an option. You can't just "fix" a chemical imbalance. My diagnosis is bi-polar 2, which involves a lot more depressive than manic episodes. I manage though and haven't had a major melt down in a while. Last one I had was when I was still in college. Curious (and you don't have to respond if it's presumptuous or too personal), but are you on meds for your bipolar disorder? I am on Lamictal (a mood stabilizer and anticonvulsant) for both a seizure disorder and Seasonal Affective Disorder. It has helped an awful lot. No worries, I am on medication for it. I've tried the lamictal, but it just caused me to gain a lot of weight so now I'm back on the Abilify. The medication that curbs my depression is the Celexa.
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Post by thepenguin on Nov 10, 2014 20:08:46 GMT -5
I find my depression got really bad since I moved to Nova Scotia in 2009. The reason for the move was for my father to help me out since my income level was not good and was struggling. I didn't have a good experience with my father or family. I faced endless discrimination living here. People are very unreliable. I find it very hard to connect with people since I'm not from this province and I'm not use to the way how people are here. There is also not many things to do here and people grow up here admits this.
When I got my driving licence a few years ago and did my first camping and hiking trip outside the city, I started to feel better. I realized me connecting with nature makes me feel better. There also lots of places to see here. I haven't been able to do trips for a while due to my job lost last year.
I had someone recommend me getting a pet fish so I don't feel lonely. I bought one a month ago and it does helps me feel better. Making some online friends a few months ago that understands me also been a help.
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