How do you cope with depression?

[Hoshino]

Depression.

 

[WhaleSprite]

There isn't really a one size fits all on how people treat their depression. But generally I found out least for myself, it helps to have someone you can talk to. For me seeing a counselor helps, though I know not everyone fully benefits from that. For some people the answer is meds. Sometimes you need a change of environment. And sometimes, you need more sunlight. Sometimes finding a creative outlet helps. Sometimes it helps to walk yourself to logical process in your head. Sometimes the answer is to take a walk. Sometimes you need to go pet some kitties or doggos. It depends on the person and the time. All the things I've listed are things I've done in that past that sometimes helps.

 

[laccoff_mawning]

Sing songs of praise to the LORD.

Well, it's more for when I'm physically tired I do that, but if I ever were depressed, it sounds like a good method to me.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

First of all, recognize the difference between depression and burnout. If you need rest, get it. If you're well-rested, take a walk and get some sunshine.

 

[Deleted member 84247]

I often take a walk outside. It's important to maintain doing something. If you default to doing nothing, you will make yourself feel worse. Regular exercise is also important.

 

[SternenklarenRitter]

First, you need to visit your primary care doctor. Depression has dozens of root causes including but not limited to: underactive thyroid, mild allergies, vitamin deficiency, vitamin overdose, infection (often including tooth or gum infection), extended noise exposure, high blood pressure, low blood sodium (uncommon but easily overlooked), carbon monoxide poisoning, lead exposure, body injury (other than head, including over-strenuous exercise habits), anemia, wildfire smoke exposure, drug use/exposure (including secondhand tobacco smoke, coffee, and alcohol use as low as one can of beer per week), etc...
And we haven't even started mentioning neural and psychologic origins which are more common. But visit your primary care doctor first; the more physical causes for depression are often easier to identify (and thus rule out), easier (and cheaper) to treat, or more dangerous when left untreated. Ruling some of these causes out before you go to a psychiatrist can save a lot of time if your symptoms end up being non-psychologic in origin. To be clear, antidepressents CAN actually improve depressive symptoms even when the cause is something physical/environmental, which might mask the problem if the source is something like an underactive thyroid or lead exposure.

 

[Deleted member 166465]

Most people are not depressed, they are bored, they have nothing going on and feel useless, that is not depression.
So, before you get pumped up with pills, try to focus on something, anything, if that doesnt work, there is always titties.

 

[Bartun]

I just carry on with the day until the night and then start writing, which is the only thing that keeps me together.

 

[CharlesEBrown]

So far, "wait it out" has worked. My longest bout was about 6 days (though my wife claims I seem to suffer from it regularly).

 

[akif313]

Depression.

Definitely not with alcohol, I learned that the hard way. For years, I tried to drown the depression in drinking. For a little while, it felt like relief. A few hours of numbness. But the next day, it was worse, heavier, darker, like the sadness had doubled while I slept.

Eventually, I hit a breaking point and got help at Legacy Healing Center in Los Angeles. It wasn’t just about stopping drinking. They helped me face the depression I’d been running from for years. I learned real coping skills, ways to sit with the pain instead of masking it. It was messy. Some days felt unbearable. But slowly, slowly, I started to breathe again, to feel hope creeping back in.

If you’re struggling, please reach out to a therapist. Get real help. Temporary fixes, alcohol, distractions, numbing yourself, they only dig the hole deeper. Facing it is painful, but it’s the only way to start healing. You don’t have to do it alone.

 

[Peagreene]

Sertraline.

 

[Conqueror_Quack]

Definitely not with alcohol, I learned that the hard way. For years, I tried to drown the depression in drinking. For a little while, it felt like relief. A few hours of numbness. But the next day, it was worse, heavier, darker, like the sadness had doubled while I slept.

Eventually, I hit a breaking point and got help at Legacy Healing Center in Los Angeles. It wasn’t just about stopping drinking. They helped me face the depression I’d been running from for years. I learned real coping skills, ways to sit with the pain instead of masking it. It was messy. Some days felt unbearable. But slowly, slowly, I started to breathe again, to feel hope creeping back in.

If you’re struggling, please reach out to a therapist. Get real help. Temporary fixes, alcohol, distractions, numbing yourself, they only dig the hole deeper. Facing it is painful, but it’s the only way to start healing. You don’t have to do it alone.

Dude you necro'd the thread.