Depression...what to do?

[chayton]

Hey gang, anyone have any input on any non-pharmaceutical ways to deal with depression?

I've been in a real downer phase since my surgery and I can't seem to shake it. I'm still not feeling 'normal' physically and it's been six bloody months already. The doctor says it can take up to a year to recover fully, so I'm sure that's part of why I feel so down. The rest of my situation...meh. It's not great but it could be worse. It's been worse.

Anyhow, I'm just wondering if anyone has any tips or advice...what do you do when you're feeling blue?

 

[skiny]

Just Play had a thread on this subject a while back.

https://www.casinomeister.com/forums/threads/6-natural-ways-to-feel-happier.38336/

 

[Jasminebed]

Speak to your family doctor about your mood. Routine bloodwork and perhaps other tests should first rule out any physical cause.

I've been draggy, lethargic and weak, and certainly expected my recovery to be further along than it is. Turns out I'm deficient in B12. Not saying this is your case, but step one, see your doctor.

Get a counsellor. If I recall correctly from my Psych 101 days, mild to moderate depression responded as well in six months of weekly pschyotherapy as six months of treatment with tricyclic anti-depressants.

 

[oldtrvlagt]

It can be a dark and dreary place....I know..been there...about ten years of the Mayo Clinic and University Hospitals in Iowa City,Iowa. (Plus a LOT of pain killers and then a little Xanax on top of it). I forced myself to go outside plus I started eating a lot healthier and believe it or not it did make a difference. I know it sounds like a cliche....I do love my junk food but it did help. Everyday I forced myself to do one thing different than the day before. (And this isn't for everyone but I quit the painkillers and eventually the Xanax cold turkey) I don't think there is one clear answer to everyone but knowing you are not alone does help. I sincerely wish you good luck with whatever it takes to help

 

[just play]

Hey gang, anyone have any input on any non-pharmaceutical ways to deal with depression?

I've been in a real downer phase since my surgery and I can't seem to shake it. I'm still not feeling 'normal' physically and it's been six bloody months already. The doctor says it can take up to a year to recover fully, so I'm sure that's part of why I feel so down. The rest of my situation...meh. It's not great but it could be worse. It's been worse.

Anyhow, I'm just wondering if anyone has any tips or advice...what do you do when you're feeling blue?

Try something new. Something you can look forward to. For instance I cross stitch and it keeps my mind busy, I get to look forward to the finished product. I do very small ones, because I get anxious about them getting finished and why is it taking so long...lol...paint by number, sounds childish, but they have adult ones that are gorgeous.

Buy a Wii...OMG this is the best thing ever invented!!! It comes with baseball/tennis/bowling/golf/boxing. You will have sooooo much fun. The price has gone down tremendously. We also have the Wii balance board with those games too, which I highly recomend (sp?) but you don't "need" it.

If you don't like any of those suggestions, get a boyfriend on the side, the excitement will be fun.

 

[lnspin]

Theres 2 things i do when feeling depressed.

1. Go to the gym. Push yourself really hard, amazing how you feel better after a really hard workout.

2. Go to a gun range. I always feel better after shooting at targets. (P.S. If your really depressed, might be better to not play with guns?)

 

[anniemac]

Has your Dr. checked your hormone levels? After what you went thru, might be a good idea. That said, there have been some really good suggestions here. When I get to feeling really blue, I go for a walk. I grew up on a farm and spent alot of time outdoors and I find that a good long walk in the woods makes me feel 100% better. Don't just walk to walk, walk to look and enjoy. Makes the whole picture alot clearer.

 

[RobWin]

When I'm feeling depressed, down and out...I watch this video and then I thank my maker that I am good to go!


____
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[vinylweatherman]

The herbal supplement "St John's Wort" has been tested, and has been shown to be similar in effect to the SSRI range of modern antidepressants. It is important NOT to combine the two though, since there is a risk of a nasty side effect called "Serotonin Syndrome". There are some other medications not compatible with St John's Wort, and this should be checked before trying this supplement.

Exposure to the morning sun has also been shown to raise mood. Near the arctic circle, a disorder known as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) occurs during the winter when there is little or no bright sunshine. A light-box for around 10 minutes after waking has been shown to be of benefit.

Exercise releases endorphins, which elevate mood, and this is why regular exercise is also recommended for people with light to moderate depression.

Getting out of the house, especially doing something you KNOW you enjoy, or HAVE enjoyed when in "normal" states of mood, also helps. It gives the brain something else to do, and less free time to think about feeling low.

Having tests is NOT "medication", and if nutritional deficiencies are uncovered, they can be addressed through diet, and perhaps supplements, without the need to have "pills from the doctor".

Many supplements have not been tested, and this is mainly because they cannot be patented, and thus there is no money in funding proper clinical trials. Choosing supplements is a bit like running your own clinical trial on yourself, and seeing if you improve.

Unlike over here, using non pharmaceutical treatments will save a great deal of money since they have to be paid for in the US (we get most on the NHS for a fixed charge that can be far lower than actual costs). If pharmaceutical products have not worked, and there seems no point in continuing down that route, trying alternatives does at least offer hope, which in itself could help with depression, giving a placebo effect boost to any supplement alternatives.

 

[skiny]

I give a flippant, sarcastic response to everyone who speaks to me. I don't know if it keeps me from getting depressed but it's illegal to smack them.

 

[winbig]

I don't know if it keeps me from getting depressed but it's illegal to smack them.

Only if you're caught.

 

[winbig]

Hey gang, anyone have any input on any non-pharmaceutical ways to deal with depression?

I've been in a real downer phase since my surgery and I can't seem to shake it. I'm still not feeling 'normal' physically and it's been six bloody months already. The doctor says it can take up to a year to recover fully, so I'm sure that's part of why I feel so down. The rest of my situation...meh. It's not great but it could be worse. It's been worse.

Anyhow, I'm just wondering if anyone has any tips or advice...what do you do when you're feeling blue?

My advice - keep busy, as much as possible. No matter how mundane it is, just get up and do it. Whether it's walking, riding a bike, or whatever, any exercise is great. I'm not sure what your surgery was for, but if you're allowed to exercise, go for it

I've been battling depression for over a decade now, but my issues cannot be resolved without medication, but in any case, have you asked your doctor about medication, at least temporarily?

 

[anniemac]

Chayton, I already posted about what I do for my depression but my guy also suffers from depression of the severe, debilitating type. I have seen him go to bed literally for days. He takes medication for this and believe me, I do not let him go without it. So if your depression is severe, medication is not the worst thing.

 

[just play]

He takes medication for this and believe me, I do not let him go without it. So if your depression is severe, medication is not the worst thing

I can vouch for that. (I don't suffer depression, but do take medication)


I was thinking, and posted this in another thread...A few years ago I found weeding in my yard helped with my anxiety/panic, so maybe it would help depression. You are outside listening to the birds/wind/kids laughing, it really helps. It also gives you a workout but doesn't feel like one.

 

[Mavin1]

Great site for organic herbs for any ailments. www.herbdoc.com

 

[lost2much]

I understand the whole avoiding drugs thing. I was recently diagnosed with diabetes and since I've been taking my 5 meds a day, I have never felt worse. Thinking of chucking the whole thing. We all gotta die of something I guess!

 

[Mavin1]

I understand the whole avoiding drugs thing. I was recently diagnosed with diabetes and since I've been taking my 5 meds a day, I have never felt worse. Thinking of chucking the whole thing. We all gotta die of something I guess!

Check out the benefits of cinnamon.

 

[just play]

I understand the whole avoiding drugs thing. I was recently diagnosed with diabetes and since I've been taking my 5 meds a day, I have never felt worse. Thinking of chucking the whole thing. We all gotta die of something I guess!

Diabetes is very different from depression. You can't die from depression.

You have to tell your doctor about the side effects, and they are making you feel like crap. I don't know anything about diabetes, but there has to be more than one medication. Why not just give a quick phone call to your doc?

Can I just rant for a sec? I got another eye roll just a few minutes ago. It was my dads friend who I knew all my life. I forget how the conversation went but I said something like "I'm messed up" and he's like ya I know, (we normally just joke around, that was a joking thing, that comment) and then my agoraphobia got brough up and he rolled his eyes, so being sick of it, I said what are you rolling your eyes at? Like it's my fault? His attitude changed after that comment.

GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

When I was a little girl I dreamed of the day to be like this, I used to wish upon stars, throw change in wishing wells, for one day to have agoraphobia, it was my life long dream.

 

[lillyjclark]

Well darl its hard to break a depression once it sets in. Im not normal on any given day haha,I have ADHD and im bipolar (aka manic depressant) but bipolar sounds so less crazy Ive been fighting depression all of my life, suffered a couple of post partum psychosis after the bubs and when i had my accident well it all fell apart. Im usually a very outgoing totally off the wall person, but when i had the accident and broke my back things went to crap. The doctor told me I would be in a wheel chair...yeah pigs arse, that wasnt going to happen and after 13 very long months i was able to walk again with aids, today i run if I want to, still I have this little niggle in my butt (my other non husband material other half) OMG he is a walking depressing nightmare, i love him dearly but he is one of the most miserable SOB's out there so his do nothing, go nowhere and never have a good time attitude really brings me down at times. So this is what I do for a good pick me up.

I get up in the morning, sometimes only after having 2 hours sleep, I take a Berrocca or 2 for the vitamins and the B B Bounce, then i sit for a while and wonder what mischief i can get into for the day, of course that usually takes up half the day thinking of all the havoc i can get myself into. Sometimes I will jump in the car and just go for a cruise, or i go visit my 1 and only friend I have here where I live, and I always yap yap yap on the phone. Then when i get sometime i will put on Zumba or jump on the treadmill, or maybe get groovy with the wii, when im bored of that I crack out guitar hero...yep i rock

The thing is hun, that no matter how down you get and god knows i have been in the lowest of the lows, you have to push yourself just that extra inch, you have to drag yourself up if no one is there to give you a hand up. Remember we are here for a good time not a long one, and if you dont have anyone to help you than you only have you. So turn that frown upside down, walk outside and breathe in the fresh air, think about all the things that make you happy and smile, because life without smiles, fun and laughter is a mud pitt that you will sink deeper into. I havent been on meds now for over 3 years, well actually i was only diagnosed in 2007 and i took them for 3 months lol Im a self medicator if i feel my way isnt working i will turn to the meds but so far so good.

So relax, take time out for yourself and if someone is giving you a hard time and preventing you from doing the things you want to do, donk them on the head and knock them clean out, then go and have some "me time" get out, socialise, party, go hang out and play bingo with all the little old ladies and remember to have fun.

 

[chayton]

thanks all - I don't have time to respond too much right now, I volunteered myself to help Ray's sister pack up her house, she's moving to her new house on Monday and she's hardly gotten anything done. So I'm definitely keeping busy - and getting exercise! But I might have to take a day off tomorrow cause my tummy is already hurting a bit, and last night I was pretty well exhausted. By the time I'm done today I might be done for good.

But some good ideas here, thanks.