Depression & You!

[the sandman]

OK, I don't mean this to be flip. The Sandman is going through a pretty dark period right now. I'm struggling with bad depression. I don't want to get into specifics; I just want to know if I'm alone.

Anyone here struggle with depression? I have my whole life, and it's bad right now. How do you cope? I'm at my wits end.

[Lady Renae]

I've been diagnosed with chronic depression since I was nineish. When it hits I tend to distract myself by finding something to get absorbed in that overwhelms my brain so I can get lost for a while in something other than my head. I surround myself with people, play a video game, listen to loud music and force myself to dance to it until I'm actually dancing... anything that makes me look like a sensation junkie.


And over time I actually have become a sensation junkie.

[King Leopard]

I've been struggling with depression since I was 15 and once had a legitimate (i.e., non-attention seeking) suicide attempt, followed by two smaller crises shortly after. The thing with depression is that it doesn't go away on its own or through strength of willpower, like I thought for many years. Neither does it go away by taking pills that may as well melt your grey matter. In fact, I'm not sure it ever goes away, at least not completely. Personally, I've never found anything that even makes it better. I just know that when I get in one of my "moods", I get tense and short-tempered, as well as incredibly anxious in social (or even pseudo-social, like the internet) situations. Also, my inferiority complex tends to shift into high-gear during those times.

I'm not sure what it feels like for you, Sandman, and neither can I give you empty words of comfort except to say that you are most definitely not alone.

(Massively edited, but the tone is still the same)

[wmdkitty]

(((((Sandman)))))

Depression sucks, I've been medicated for it since I was ~14, and the meds really helped. I still have bad days, yeah, but I'm mostly having good days now. There is hope, and you're NOT alone.

[DeadpanDoubter]

I'm dealing with something, have been since I was 12ish, but I don't know for certain what it is. Some aspects indicated mild bi-polar disorder, others just plain ol' moderate-to-severe depression. I used to try to strangle myself (this has been a few years back) and blacked out a few times, but I was never brave enough/confident in the ceiling's strength enough to try to actually, uh, hang myself.

There are a lot of ups and downs, with the ups almost immediately following the lowest downs, and the only remedy I've found is distracting myself- with books, the internet, sleep, school, something. I have no idea, though, what real depression is like and whether I actually have it or am just an attention-seeking whore...but Mr. Sandman, you're definitely not alone. *offers hugs*

[devilschaplain2]

Oh, this is totally my thread.

Well, I've had suicidal thoughts since at least 6th grade, which grew progressively worse over the years. My depression would manifest itself in a couple of ways: I could become quickly angered by other people for no reason or I'd want to harm myself. During my senior year in High School I saw my doctor and he prescribed Prozac. I was on it for about a year, but I didn't feel any noticable effects. Actually that was my first year in college (big adjustment right there) as well as the year my grandmother died, so I had a lot on my mind at the time. It was like nothing was going right for me. Then, the next year it started getting even worse due to relationship troubles and other issues. I started to see a therapist on campus and that helped a great deal. Just the fact that I could talk to someone made me feel a little better. At the same time, I saw the campus psychiatrist and after talking to him for a while, he decided that I'd do better on Zoloft. At first it was only a half a pill a day to get used to the drug, then one whole pill a day. I remember when I first started taking it--about a half hour after I ingested the pill I'd become happy for no reason at all. Now I feel quite stable. Since you've had this your whole life I'd guess your problem is genetic as well. I say, go the route of a therapist and/or psychiatrist and see what they can do. If nothing else, at least you'll be able to open up to someone.

[wmdkitty]

AWWW, you need an Emergency Kitten.


Seriously, there have been studies that show an animal companion (cat or dog, usually) helps to reduce depression. Even having contact with (petting) a friendly animal helps.

[Mira]

I have had bouts of depression since I was oh, 4, I think. Two and a half years ago my dad killed himself and I went into my worst bout yet. I'd sleep 14 hours a day and still lack the energy to do anything. Some months ago, I had thoughts of suicide myself. The worst of it is over with, it seems. A combination of pills and therapy went a long way for me. A therapist is the best way to go, but if that alone is not sufficient go to a psychiatrist as well. If I am having an emotionally bad day, manual labour helps me a lot. Nothing with responsibility that could add stress, just maybe find something that needs working on. Keeps my mind off the bad things.

(((Sandman)))

You aren't alone, plenty of people to talk to here if you feel it getting worse.

You can feel better, it just takes time.

[Jedi Knight]

Aug 11, 2009 16:07:47 GMT -5 wmdkitty said:

Seriously, there have been studies that show an animal companion (cat or dog, usually) helps to reduce depression. Even having contact with (petting) a friendly animal helps.

I agree. I've struggled with depression for years. Now I'm less prone to fall really deep, 'cause my canine friend keeps me close to the surface. Otherwise, I agree with the Lady Renae. Stay active, I like physical activity. Playing sports, hiking, dancing, it all helps. Maybe the Sandman could use a sandbag to beat the crap out of?

I hope you feel better soon.

[David D.G.]

I'm truly sorry that you're having such a bad time, Sandman. I can relate; I've had depression most of my life --- I can recall instances of it at least as far back as age 11, though it wasn't actually diagnosed until I was about 29. In my case, therapy has done little (probably because I've just had bad luck trying to find a decent therapist), but meds have helped me to see the world less darkly --- sort of like getting corrective lenses for bad vision.

Even so, I still get bouts of it (in fact, I've had a rather drug-resistant series of bouts of it for the last year or so), and I usually try to cope with it by working on my D&D game or by reading a book (sometimes even just something really light, like a Calvin and Hobbes comic strip book --- wit helps to prod me out of the depths). And the folks who recommend a cat or other pet are right; unless you just outright hate them, cuddly animals can do a lot to help you cope with depression.

Absolutely, though, you can rest assured that you are not alone! Whether or not there's any outward cause behind your current bout of depression, I hope you get past this dark period very soon. I think I speak for many here when I say that you are well loved on this forum, and that we look forward to your having better days.


~David D.G.

[Sandafluffoid]

((((Sandman))))

That sucks, seriously. I have something, I have symptoms of bi-polar depression and I am prone to suicidal thoughts and that lark. The best thing I find, as Renae said, is to find something that stops me thinking. Something mindless and amusing that I can do without letting my mind wander into depressive thoughts.

[John E]

As you've already seen, you are definitely not alone. I too have struggled with depression for years. Medication helps, but it still gets pretty bad from time to time. The support of my family helps.

[Deimos]

I've had depression since 12 and have been on Sertraline since then. But having my millions of dogs help.


I have an urky feeling that RR is going to find this thread and bitch about how we need God or something like that

[the sandman]

The Sandman was on Paxil for a bit years back. NOT a good experience. It didn't make me feel any better...it just made me not give a shit that I felt horrible. <<SHUDDER>>

Oh, and Deimos, I have God by their standards. I am, in theory at least, a Christian. Hell, I'm classified as "called clergy" with the IRS. I can't turn to the church for help because A) in my line of work I don't dare let anyone with any connection to my place of work have the slightest inkling I have self-destructive thoughts or doubts, and B) the only "advice" and "help" I will get is prayer and counselling to "put my trust in God."

I think God put us here to help each other. I know, weird, but that's what I get from the teaching of Jesus.

[tygerarmy]

I've been depressed but I don't think long enough or often enough to ever say I've suffered from depression.

I like the idea that God put us here to help each other. It is one thing that I've taken from Christianity.

Like others have said having something to occupy yourself sports, hobbies or a pet will help. I like the pet idea if you have the time and space. because pets will love unconditionally and they need you.

Jon: Why am I here? What is my Purpose?
Garfield: To feed the cat