depression

What do you all do to cope with depression? besides taking medicines.

Exercise, it's all that really works for me.  I haven't been in 2 days, and I can feel the depression creeping back in, so you know where I will be going soon.

I did lose a tooth yesterday, one I thought could be saved, but the dentist said it had to go.  I am sure that has something to do with it.

I try to capture all the joy of every minute of my life in all things around me . In nature, people ,and what i do with my own hands . Yesterday is gone, tomorrow may not come, all we have is now. I think it was well put in the saying,," yesterday is history, tomorrow a mystery , but today is a gift, thats why they call it,, the present ." We all fall down, we all crawl at times but we all get up again. This is life. Find joy in it.

I think the "humour" is unnecessary, Grandpa.

Lizard is seeking help and support and advice. I am editing your post, lest it put ideas in someone's head.

Ivy.

I do things that relax me and make me happy. Read, exercise..etc..I like to get outside and get a few minutes of sun whenever I can. I find that it helps make me feel better. My favorite thing is to just sit and pet my cat. He is such a sweet baby and he is one of those needy cats so he is happy to sit on my lap quite awhile just letting me pet him. I highly recommend pets. Having something to take care of can take your mind off yourself for awhile.

@debilitated - I'm fairly certain that nobody who has responded in this thread has an easy time of it, so I wouldn't be too jealous of them. I feel slightly envious that you have friends you can instantly call =/ (Don't get me wrong, I'm glad that you do. It's just that a lot of depressed people are isolated or don't have anybody they feel they can talk to.)

By the way, feeling that you are going backwards is a very normal feeling. I'm not sure I'd even see it as going backwards, unless you are trying to meet very specific targets or goals. Even for non-depressed people it's natural to have low moods and high moods. If you do "improve", then it's something you probably won't notice at the time. You'll look back on yourself 10 years ago or so (you're not quite old enough for the long-term perspective yet, but I am =/) and think, "ah yeah, I don't really do that anymore" or "I'm more confident now" or something along those lines.

Anyway, to answer the thread title, if I'm feeling depressed I do puzzles. Or make a cup of tea. Seriously. Anything which breaks up the day and makes it go by faster. When I'm depressed things like reading a novel or watching a film are too immersive for me; it's a struggle to lose myself in a fictional world. But I can do puzzles. I also browse the internet, which can be helpful in the short term but counterproductive if I spend too long on it.

Exercise is also good. The effect is short-term but significant; a brisk walk really can get the endorphins going. I do struggle with motivation on that front, but it's rare that when I'm actually out and walking I bitterly regret my decision to have gone out and quite often I'm actually glad I did.

And finally I set myself goals. I give myself a reason to keep on going. I had a major goal of passing my driving test, which I did in March. My current goal is to get Remicade this summer. I think that is important. Give yourself something to aim for, tell yourself depression is not forever (even if it comes back, this current bout won't last forever), and that you'll "make it."

Best of luck, topic creator.

Thanks, Ivy!

It didn't come easily to me, I have to say. I don't really know about driving tests in other countries, but in the UK it's quite hard. You have to drive for 40 minutes through some difficult roads and junctions and do two reversing manoeuvres as well. I failed it twice <_<. But I got there on the 3rd try. Quite proud of myself for being able to drive through some very bad nerves. Foot was shaking on the clutch and everything, but luckily not badly enough for me to stall :p

*yawns* I think the extra energy from the iron has worn off; I feel really tired now. But happily not depressed...

I am a single mum of 3 tryed meds but they dont aggree,Iv been taking a pain killer called tramadol which is a mood lifter to its made such a differance to how i feel my kids have seen a change to,but dont get me wrong i still get down but b4 i started tram, i was ready to commite myself i find if Iam feeling pain free i am obviousley happier x,hope this helped.

ivy6, That was totally meant to be funny, nobody could possibly take it for anything else. But I'll accept your decision just in case.

Lizard...my problem is I do not realize I am going into depression until I start digging out.  I just never think of it so I need to be reminded that I am not doing the things that make me grin.  When i realize I don't like any music, stop laughing and don't want to be around people...then i am in depresssion.  Now I am learning to recognize it sooner and then I immediately start playing more music, looking for humor in little things and I find people (like others said even if they are the grocery checker).

I am currently realizing that my job has had me depressed for a long time...a friend just pointed out that I don't smile like I used to and I seem less decisive and confident.  I am taking that control back and it is lifting me up out of the dark place now.