Health Depression

[smasha]

As a depression sufferer all my life, I have been able to stay on top of it in recent years without using any drugs.

It hasn't been easy, but I used something very simple to get my head around that has been fantastic.

Make a concious decision to be happy now. Not when you have hotter partner, a bigger house, a more satisfying or higher paying career, or a faster car, but right now.

With depression, if you can't be happy without those things, you won't be happy with them. Likelyhood is with depression running rampant you'll never get them anyway.

So yeah, teach yourself to be happy now, right where you are (and who you are). It's not easy to do, but it's not complicated, and if you keep it at the forefront of your mind every time you start slipping, it becomes easier to keep the demons at bay.

It also helps ease some of the self loathing too.

It's the world that programmes this.

Put on Tv 10/10 chick with everything.

Adolf Hitlers perfect race plan is in action right now.

Advertising and that thing that has humans by the balls-money.

Kids that watch those dumb reality shows.

Anyway good looking girls have baggage.

I've been there and felt awful.

No trophy woman for me.

Just person who I can talk with and make me laugh and happy.

Plenty of w***ers out there to marry the trophy women.

The nice ones seem nice because they follow footballers with lots of money and the fame factor so they keep quiet because they'd rather enjoy the spotlight.

Hitlers girls.

 

[krisholio14]

It's the world that programmes this.

Put on Tv 10/10 chick with everything.

Adolf Hitlers perfect race plan is in action right now.

Advertising and that thing that has humans by the balls-money.

Kids that watch those dumb reality shows.

Anyway good looking girls have baggage.

I've been there and felt awful.

No trophy woman for me.

Just person who I can talk with and make me laugh and happy.

Plenty of w***ers out there to marry the trophy women.

The nice ones seem nice because they follow footballers with lots of money and the fame factor so they keep quiet because they'd rather enjoy the spotlight.

Hitlers girls.

I don't waste my time with TV so I wouldn't know.

I was really only using those things as an example of reasons why people think they can't be happy.

My point really is that personally, i've stopped dwelling on the reasons why I'm not happy/can't be happy/shouldn't be happy, and started dwelling on the reasons why I can/am.

There's not much you can do about this when you feel like you're in the blackest of black holes, because theres nothing on this great earth of ours that can uplift you in that situation (no, not even drugs). But no matter how depressed you might get, there are always times when the sun pokes through the clouds. even for a fleeting moment. You have to take advantage of those moments.

The other thing for me is as much as I hated being depressed most of the time, in a perverse kind if way it was sort of comforting because it was something I was so very used to, so I would let it continue because I didn't know anything else, and there was a fear of what might be on the other side.

I found it very hard to let go not just of the things that were keeping me depressed, but my depression as a whole. But in a moment of clarity, I decided I was going to fight for my happiness and ability to enjoy life and feel and function like a 'normal' human being. And so far it's worked for me.

This is not to say that i've got it beaten. I know the minute I take my eyes off the ball it will all come crashing down. At least for the moment anyway. So basically I just try to take some time to remind myself i'm happy and things are going well. It's an ongoing thing, and always will be, but i've been able to make huge strides in the last 3 or so years.

And if I can do it, anyone can.

 

[Lemma]

Wow, from a perspective of someone who has never suffered depression but occasionally can get pretty down (like everybody else), this discussion has really opened my eyes. It was only a couple of decades ago that mental illness starting getting treated like physical illnesses - when they can of course be just as, most often more, debilitating.
Anyway, best of luck getting through your troubles. Chin up, mate.

 

[Reincarnation]

It's the world that programmes this.

Put on Tv 10/10 chick with everything.

Adolf Hitlers perfect race plan is in action right now.

Advertising and that thing that has humans by the balls-money.

Kids that watch those dumb reality shows.

Anyway good looking girls have baggage.

I've been there and felt awful.

No trophy woman for me.

Just person who I can talk with and make me laugh and happy.

Plenty of w***ers out there to marry the trophy women.

The nice ones seem nice because they follow footballers with lots of money and the fame factor so they keep quiet because they'd rather enjoy the spotlight.

Hitlers girls.

This is not depression, this is whinging about a perception of the world.

 

[Asgardian]

Doctor Reincarnation
M.B., B.S., F.R.A.N.Z.P.C.
Dip. Psychotherapy

Did I get all of it Reincarnation, or do you have more qualifications?

 

[Reincarnation]

Doctor Reincarnation
M.B., B.S., F.R.A.N.Z.P.C.
Dip. Psychotherapy

Did I get all of it Reincarnation, or do you have more qualifications?

Unfortunately I have been there done that. Do some cases feel worthless? Yes. Some cases feel small, useless, ugly, unappreciated, insecure? Yes.

Depression is not about 'hitler's girls', 'lucky breaks' and 'silver spoons'.

 

[rayven]

Depression is not about 'hitler's girls', 'lucky breaks' and 'silver spoons'.

Please do tell what it is about, some us unenlightened would like to know, for future reference!

 

[nicky]

Unfortunately I have been there done that. Do some cases feel worthless? Yes. Some cases feel small, useless, ugly, unappreciated, insecure? Yes.

Depression is not about 'hitler's girls', 'lucky breaks' and 'silver spoons'.

I see where you're coming from but having a negative perspective, even if it revolves around the shallow things in life, is symbolic of someone depressed.

 

[MF]

Too late.

Today,I feel lower than all the lows put together.

There is something wrong with me that can't be fixed.


Suicide thoughts all the time but I'm too gutless to do even that.

Put on the radio and everyone is happy with their high paid jobs makes it worse.

I have no owned house or car.

I only have my drumkit and my 2 cats that save me from misery and going to watch Richmond.

People just think yopu can switch depression off and everything will be alright./

The fuinny thing is the first timer I remember geting down was 1980,the year Richmond won their last flag.

I remember my marks at school droppd off,I never talked to anyone and got bullied as a consequence.

People love seeing others down that haven't been born with the lucky dip.

Everything is not earnt in life.

You have those traits when you are born.

I believe that very strongly.

Clearly, but you're wrong mate.

Sure, some people are born with better features, in better situations than others, have better upbringing, have better opportunities, have better genetics but that doesn't change the fact that you have control of your own life and who you are.

If there are things you dislike about yourself or your life, you can change them.

I don't think you can 'just switch depression off' but you know what... you certainly can't overcome it by giving up, doing nothing and saying "that's just the way it is".

I don't want to come off as preachy but from the sounds of your posts the only thing that's wrong with you is your view of the world. Change a few things in your life and your whole perspective can change.

Stop comparing yourself to other people. Make some changes in your life each day, even small ones and then start comparing yourself to who you used to be.

 

[nicky]

Stop comparing yourself to other people. Make some changes in your life each day, even small ones and then start comparing yourself to who you used to be.

Wow malfan, i'm not used to being inspired by you....

kidding, that is an awesome quote. i will use it.

 

[krisholio14]

Clearly, but you're wrong mate.

Sure, some people are born with better features, in better situations than others, have better upbringing, have better opportunities, have better genetics but that doesn't change the fact that you have control of your own life and who you are.

If there are things you dislike about yourself or your life, you can change them.

I don't think you can 'just switch depression off' but you know what... you certainly can't overcome it by giving up, doing nothing and saying "that's just the way it is".

I don't want to come off as preachy but from the sounds of your posts the only thing that's wrong with you is your view of the world. Change a few things in your life and your whole perspective can change.

Stop comparing yourself to other people. Make some changes in your life each day, even small ones and then start comparing yourself to who you used to be.

All good points

I would just add from my experience that it does pay to look at where you are now (in your own head especially) to where you used to be. I would say though that it's important to get some time under the belt and just concentrate on making those small daily changes first before considering making any comparisons.

I found in doing what you've suggested that you don't really notice any real change at first, and that can be a bit deflating. But if you look at it say, after 6 months, it starts to become quite uplifting because at that point you do start to see a quantitative change. I look at where I am now in terms of how I feel, and how I deal with things compared to what I was like even 12 months ago and the difference is huge. I look back even further and it's almost like a different person. In fact I occasionally come across things that remind me of how I felt in my younger days and it makes me sick to realize exactly how bad I felt about myself and the world.

All of these things to give you some inspiration to keep going and continuing to make changes.

There is a quote I always think of if/when I start to feel myself sliding into the depths, and I think some of the things smasha has said and the responses to them reflect this....

'We don't see the world as it is, we see the world as we are'

 

[Dan Moody]

smasha,
i had a shit year in 2009, under threat of retrenchment since mid 2008, how do you think it feels knowing you're a dead man walking and not knowing when the axe will come. mortgage, wife and 3 kids and nudging 40. **** i didn't want to start all over again at that age.
well the axe did come, it took 24 hours, was told to reapply for my job and interviews would be the next day, saw what was happening and got the boot. could've dwelled on it, was out of work for 3 weeks.
took the first shit job that came along, paid less than half of what i was on, kept applying for other jobs while doing this job in the rain and shitty weather, very demoralising. but, it did give me a couple of good things, time to think by myself for 8 hours a day, listen to motivational tapes on the ipod, and plenty of walking made me fit and lost 8 kgs.
had to try very hard to "fake it" to my friends and family, very close to breaking down most days and feeling sorry for myself. kept thinking about the good days when i was at the top of my game, great job, plenty of travel, disposable income and some self-esteem. i very nearly lost it during that time and had plenty of depressing thoughts.
but, i kept at it, discovered that i wasn't nearly as weak as i thought, found that i was a hell of a lot tougher than i thought tbh.
i applied for and missed plenty of jobs in my previous field and every time i missed out on an interview or didn't get a response i realised that i was one step closer to a good job. well, i got a call from out of the blue after applying for a job that i thought may be out of my reach. 5 interviews, 4 online assessments and a presentation later (total 4 months) i got the best job i've ever had. 1 year on, i'm better than i've ever been. i've put those kilo's back on but that's only because i'm working harder than ever but i realise that my resilience got me throught it and now i can handle anything that's thrown at me.
the moral for me is, i always thought positively, even when i was at my lowest i "pretended" that things would soon turn around. i kept at it and at it until eventually things turned my way.
some people may call it bullshit but i firmly believe in positive thinking.
i empathise with you smasha, but posting negative comments and always thinking negatively will only compound your feelings. why not try thinking positively, at least give it a chance to either succeed or fail.

by the way, your comment about 10/10 trophy girls, mate less than 1 % of the males on here would have them but i still think my missus is the best chick in the world, besides, beauty fades anyway mate!

hope this helps, worth a try anyway.

 

[demondude]

I have read through most of the posts in this thread, I too am suffering from depression, I was diagnosed with manic depression as of July of this year. I saw psychiatrist/psychologists, while I believe they are a fantastic avenue and probably a must-have in my positon I have opted to fight it by myself. Previously prescribed a mood stabiliser and anti-depressant

Dad passed away late last year from cancer, and I have had times of absolute rock-bottom since, times where I have hated people, the world and even my own family. I even hate myself for thinking this way. I have also had times where I have felt invincible.Things only get harder each day without my best mate here, and sometimes I don't have anyone to turn to, dad would have been that person. I try to get on with life but constantly get pulled down, I can't take criticism like I used to and have trouble concentrating which has affected my marks at Uni. Sometimes I just feel as if I'm a liability to those around me.



I don't know If I can honestly get on with my life

 

[krisholio14]

I have read through most of the posts in this thread, I too am suffering from depression, I was diagnosed with manic depression as of July of this year. I saw psychiatrist/psychologists, while I believe they are a fantastic avenue and probably a must-have in my positon I have opted to fight it by myself. Previously prescribed a mood stabiliser and anti-depressant

Dad passed away late last year from cancer, and I have had times of absolute rock-bottom since, times where I have hated people, the world and even my own family. I even hate myself for thinking this way. I have also had times where I have felt invincible.Things only get harder each day without my best mate here, and sometimes I don't have anyone to turn to, dad would have been that person. I try to get on with life but constantly get pulled down, I can't take criticism like I used to and have trouble concentrating which has affected my marks at Uni. Sometimes I just feel as if I'm a liability to those around me.



I don't know If I can honestly get on with my life

I wish there was some kind of magic wand I could wave to fix the problem. Alas, there isn't, but believe me I know where you're at.

When you're in the state of mind you're in it's paralysing. It's like someones come along and tied a big sack over your head and you can't see, can't breath, can't think, nothing.

I went through a period about 4 years ago where emotionally I hit rock bottom. Even when my self loathing was at its worst back in my high school and uni years, I was still able to at least care about a few things. But at that stage I had lost it.

I won't bother going into all the things that brought me to that point, but I knew I was in trouble when I didn't even care about footy any more. I'd lost all interest in everything, and the important things that still mattered to me even at my most depressed suddenly lost all meaning - my family, my friends, my hobbies, hell even the most basic functions of day to day life. At that time, geez I did some stupid things and went to some very dark places in my mind. And not just 'I want to throw myself under a bus' kind of places.

It had reached a point where every night as I would go to sleep i'd be thinking about getting a gun and blowing my brains out. Even when I didn't think I was feeling all that bad, I would still have these thoughts each and every night as I went to sleep. It also wasn't like 'Right, how can I go through with this?'. It wasn't even necessarily a conscious thing. I would just find a vision of me smoking myself floating through my head as I dozed without even being in a suicidal frame of mind.

It was at that point I realized I had to do everything I could to try to get above my depression, because it was owning me completely. And I was letting it, even welcoming it. I suppose it was as though I felt I was such a lump of shit, I deserved to feel and think like that, and the worse I felt, the more it validated my low opinion of myself.

I also had to avoid drugs, because while they smoothed out my depression somewhat, they also smoothed out my ability to enjoy things, or care about anything. When i'm on anti depressants it's like i'm in a constant state of static nothingness. Which for mine defeats the purpose because while you can't feel anything, you can't deal with anything or make any positive changes. You just end up like a bit of a zombie.

Of course I don't know you personally, and i'm not about to ask for the gory details of whats going on, so i'll say this.

You can feel better. You don't need drugs to feel better. But to do it, you've got to make a conscious and committed decision to beat this illness.
In many ways it's like someone who wants to lose weight. Like them, you have to base a lot of what you do in your day to day life around giving yourself the best chance to beat the problem. Make the decision to get on top of your feelings the most important thing in your life. As you move along the path, you will find the habits you are forming along the way become natural and you don't have to think about them too much. And they also act as continual source of positive reinforcement. It's tough at first, and the results don't appear immediately, but do little things each day and as the weeks and months go on the benefits will sneak up on you and start manifesting themselves in all kinds of good ways.

But to do all this, you have to be ready to let go of a lot of the pain you're holding on to. It's only natural given your recent experience to find yourself in the situation you're in, nevertheless, hurting yourself continually isn't going to help you or make you feel any better. In fact quite the opposite.

I'm sure you know all this already, so all I can say is find a way to deal with the pain you're feeling. I've had some issues similar to yours in the past, and I let them all pile up on top of me over the years without dealing with them. And the anger and hostility that had built up inside me caused me to do some shameful things when they all ended up boiling over in that emotionally void period I had a few years back. I went and saw some specialist help briefly, but what I found helped me was going to an isolated place and just screaming my lungs out, or going to an abandoned spot with some old dinner plates and smashing the crap out of them, or going to a gym and putting the boxing gloves on. It might sound strange, but believe me it works. I was able to release decades of hatred in a very short time while doing this, and the relief has been amazing.

I'd also recommend some relaxation and meditation. they also make a huge difference to your state of mind.

I just hope that you can find a way to stop feeling the way you're feeling ASAP, because the longer it goes for, the longer it takes to fix, and is harder to fix. I believe that you can get the Black Dog back on the leash if you want it to happen

 

[nicky]

I have read through most of the posts in this thread, I too am suffering from depression, I was diagnosed with manic depression as of July of this year. I saw psychiatrist/psychologists, while I believe they are a fantastic avenue and probably a must-have in my positon I have opted to fight it by myself. Previously prescribed a mood stabiliser and anti-depressant

Dad passed away late last year from cancer, and I have had times of absolute rock-bottom since, times where I have hated people, the world and even my own family. I even hate myself for thinking this way. I have also had times where I have felt invincible.Things only get harder each day without my best mate here, and sometimes I don't have anyone to turn to, dad would have been that person. I try to get on with life but constantly get pulled down, I can't take criticism like I used to and have trouble concentrating which has affected my marks at Uni. Sometimes I just feel as if I'm a liability to those around me.



I don't know If I can honestly get on with my life

Demondude my heart breaks for you. I haven't lost a parent yet but ever since I learnt about death it's done my head in that I will have to suffer through them not being here. It's so bad that I sometimes keep my distance from them because by not being as close to them is a way to mitigate against the hurt of losing them.

If I were in your position I would look into getting help by professionals who specialise in this kind of trauma. From what you have described it's clear that your depression is a result of losing your father, yet you've been diagnosed with manic depression? Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought bi polar / manic depression was caused by a chemical imbalance in your brain, not by a trauma - I could be wrong though.

Anyway, I empathise what you're going through and think that the potential you have to work through this is one of the greatest human experiences you can have.

 

[BarneyBent]

If I were in your position I would look into getting help by professionals who specialise in this kind of trauma. From what you have described it's clear that your depression is a result of losing your father, yet you've been diagnosed with manic depression? Correct me if I'm wrong but I thought bi polar / manic depression was caused by a chemical imbalance in your brain, not by a trauma - I could be wrong though.

From what I know, it's both. The chemical imbalance is the underlying condition, the death is a big ****ing trigger that makes it 100x worse.

Demondude, I can't imagine what it's like for you right now. As I said earlier in this thread, I have my problems, I have my low points, but I've never had anything as devastating as a parent (or friend, or sibling) die.

Just try to remember, this too shall pass. That's a philosophy that has got me through a few painful times, physical and emotional!

 

[Lemma]

Shit I haven't told any of my friends this yet, but last week my dad got diagnosed with leukaemia. Wow that feels better just to tell someone, even if it's anonymous.
He's ok, but I tell you what - there are very few things more depressing than seeing a loved one in a hospital bed.

 

[HARKER]

Shit I haven't told any of my friends this yet, but last week my dad got diagnosed with leukaemia. Wow that feels better just to tell someone, even if it's anonymous.
He's ok, but I tell you what - there are very few things more depressing than seeing a loved one in a hospital bed.

I hear you Lemma
I was there to watch my father draw his last breath at his home.

Not easy, but let's just say that old people die.
Not being flippant about it but it hurt me a lot more to have had a young friend pass away from cancer, than it did for my 70 year old father.

Grieving is one thing and as hard as it may be, there does come an accpetance level for such matters.
Depression though is quite different. Not saying that one can't trigger the other, but depression for the sake of it is not an easy matter to deal with, as an "out-clause" may seem so distant.

Having said that there are others here who've already showed us ways of dealing through these difficult matters.

All the best to you and your pa.

 

[Doctor Moffet]

smasha,
i had a shit year in 2009, under threat of retrenchment since mid 2008, how do you think it feels knowing you're a dead man walking and not knowing when the axe will come. mortgage, wife and 3 kids and nudging 40. **** i didn't want to start all over again at that age.
well the axe did come, it took 24 hours, was told to reapply for my job and interviews would be the next day, saw what was happening and got the boot. could've dwelled on it, was out of work for 3 weeks.
took the first shit job that came along, paid less than half of what i was on, kept applying for other jobs while doing this job in the rain and shitty weather, very demoralising. but, it did give me a couple of good things, time to think by myself for 8 hours a day, listen to motivational tapes on the ipod, and plenty of walking made me fit and lost 8 kgs.
had to try very hard to "fake it" to my friends and family, very close to breaking down most days and feeling sorry for myself. kept thinking about the good days when i was at the top of my game, great job, plenty of travel, disposable income and some self-esteem. i very nearly lost it during that time and had plenty of depressing thoughts.
but, i kept at it, discovered that i wasn't nearly as weak as i thought, found that i was a hell of a lot tougher than i thought tbh.
i applied for and missed plenty of jobs in my previous field and every time i missed out on an interview or didn't get a response i realised that i was one step closer to a good job. well, i got a call from out of the blue after applying for a job that i thought may be out of my reach. 5 interviews, 4 online assessments and a presentation later (total 4 months) i got the best job i've ever had. 1 year on, i'm better than i've ever been. i've put those kilo's back on but that's only because i'm working harder than ever but i realise that my resilience got me throught it and now i can handle anything that's thrown at me.
the moral for me is, i always thought positively, even when i was at my lowest i "pretended" that things would soon turn around. i kept at it and at it until eventually things turned my way.
some people may call it bullshit but i firmly believe in positive thinking.
i empathise with you smasha, but posting negative comments and always thinking negatively will only compound your feelings. why not try thinking positively, at least give it a chance to either succeed or fail.

by the way, your comment about 10/10 trophy girls, mate less than 1 % of the males on here would have them but i still think my missus is the best chick in the world, besides, beauty fades anyway mate!

hope this helps, worth a try anyway.

Excellent post More inspiring than anything I've read in a book or heard from a psych. Great to hear how things worked out and all the best for the future. Wish I discovered this thread a while ago.

 

[Sebastian Balboa]

This has been a great thread for the 'silent types' among us. Yeah, we come on here and post funny shit and spray others but it's BigFooty, and we're largely anonymous.

Anyway...long story short:

Feb 2009, worst time of my life: My long-term Mrs -- love of my life, soulmate, etc -- wants out. Never saw it coming, how to deal with this? Hmm, there's some rope in the shed, or alcohol and heavy meds might do the trick. "But the kids, my friends and family would be devo'd." Depression beginning... then: "Nope! **** this, I can survive this!"

Took a look in the mirror. Ugh, not very fit! Gradually, I: bought a bike, bought some weights, bought some jogging shoes, improved the diet, cut down on (my occasional) alcohol intake, read up on relationships, women, mens health, etc...

...Almost 2 years down the track, I'm the fittest I've ever been, look and feel GREAT, back playing footy, have some lady interest, well and truly over the initial shock of Feb 2009.

Bit of a confessional here but to smasha and co.: Like that saying in footy, "Raise your eyes", i.e. have a look around you. Push through every day because, as obvious as this may be, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO CARE FOR YOU AND YOUR WELL-BEING! Take whatever steps you see fit to improve what's going on upstairs. With every breath you take, there's hope.

Hope some of this helps...

 

[HARKER]

Bit of a confessional here but to smasha and co.: Like that saying in footy, "Raise your eyes", i.e. have a look around you. Push through every day because, as obvious as this may be, THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO CARE FOR YOU AND YOUR WELL-BEING! Take whatever steps you see fit to improve what's going on upstairs. With every breath you take, there's hope.

Hope some of this helps...

That it may be Seb, but you just never know whether ones good intentions may just be the difference in another life or not.
Just because you can't gauge this should in no way stop us from trying and giving the best of ourselves for the betterment of others.

Some pretty good sports on this thread, and after all the banter through other areas on this board I am sure no-one really wishes harm upon one other.

Every word counts, but you'll never know which one may have just made the difference to another life.
Good on all of you.

 

[Lemma]

I hear you Lemma
I was there to watch my father draw his last breath at his home.

Not easy, but let's just say that old people die.
Not being flippant about it but it hurt me a lot more to have had a young friend pass away from cancer, than it did for my 70 year old father.

Grieving is one thing and as hard as it may be, there does come an accpetance level for such matters.
Depression though is quite different. Not saying that one can't trigger the other, but depression for the sake of it is not an easy matter to deal with, as an "out-clause" may seem so distant.

Having said that there are others here who've already showed us ways of dealing through these difficult matters.

All the best to you and your pa.

Yeh I see what you're saying - I don't suffer depression, but moments like these give me a lot of compassion for those who do.
Because as sad as the possibility of losing my father is - and believe me it has crossed my mind more than once in the past week - he has lived a full life and is almost 60.
When I was very young, my grandmother died - and my dad always told me to hold onto the happy memories I had of her - because that's the way she should be remembered. So I'll probably take the same advice with my dad.
Anyway, thanks for the kind wishes Harker

 

[HARKER]

Yeh I see what you're saying - I don't suffer depression, but moments like these give me a lot of compassion for those who do.
Because as sad as the possibility of losing my father is - and believe me it has crossed my mind more than once in the past week - he has lived a full life and is almost 60.
When I was very young, my grandmother died - and my dad always told me to hold onto the happy memories I had of her - because that's the way she should be remembered. So I'll probably take the same advice with my dad.
Anyway, thanks for the kind wishes Harker

I gave myself a saying many years ago to see me through these tough issues, and one I carded more often than I care to remember is:

May you grief be short and loving memories long.

By the way, I am in no way attributing this to your situation for now, as you have a father with an ailment that needs treatment, so who knows?
My mother had two strokes and with a little support did her first pilgrimage only a few months back.
Had have you told me that there would have been any travel forthcoming in her life two years ago, it would have been almost laughable.

Support and encouragement go a long way.

 

[rayven]

I

I don't know If I can honestly get on with my life

You actualy are , you might not see it(but you will), but your reaching, letting emotions out. Good chance your going to grab onto something.
People who dont get on with life, get lost in the bottle or the needle, not be very brave over an internet forum,IMHO!

Diet, when people have ups and downs as you described, the depressive nature can have a cause, ANXIETY. Anxiety can be triggered by diet/lifestyle! Controling that does have huge benifites for anyone, espiecaly someone with Anxiety!

I find low GI foods, and basicaly if you cant kill it dont eat as preservitives, sodium,added sugar and such provoke anxiety, as do soft drinks, alchopops....
No cheap bread, plenty of fibre, watch the carbs at the back end of each day, forget Caffine based stuff!

I find grog in moderation, good, but not premixes, VB or crappy made beers of similar ilk........ get off on milk based(slow release)
Things like shell fish, corn, mushrooms (particular when stressed) really really help,exercise, especialy something vigorous once a week..........

I find these things helpfull, swimming especially. I find it helps eliavate anxiety, help stops the mind going downhill. Believe me i Have a horror story, a profound one, but one for another time to share. I find these things helpful. I also find lonlyness better than socialising with negitive influnces or the very people/family that created/creates/provokes my Anxio depressive disorder!

All contribute to the ups and downs, I now know the higher points of my feelings are a warning of a lower point that is imenant, a warning to do these things better, to acknowlage if shit is going to happen in my life ,now is not a good time, so i plan what i face, what situations i put myself in.

Drugs are not for me, but they are for some.IMO the drugs they put you on should be a saftey net for you to able to change the factors in your life that created the disorder, or at least be enlightened to why your prone to a disorder.....and there should always be a plan to stop them..........

 

[rayven]

Also, it is of many people's belief depression is a disorder of the whole body, not the mind! They say the Thyroid, the digestive sytem, the heart ,lung function all slow. That makes things diffulcult as somethings got to give when the body is out of balance.
Everyone who is midly to whatever level depressed has a vice of some sought, this also has side effects, a drain on some part of the overall bodies function!
It can be good to know just what the damage is, what vitamins or nutrients your body requires, or what part of your sytem that struggles so you can add whats required to fill the void.
Chromium is a mineral lacking in western diets that is very important to helping the body level out sugar levels, psycholgical stress and physical strip the body of this nutrient, most doctors dont investigate this, they try and look at type two diabetes and treat the defiency that way, without a thought of your chromium levels....Sugar level drama's have been mis diagnosed and lead to as a depressive disorder many a time!
People who use alcohol lack in b vitamins, b vitamins are very important to the nervous system and energy levels, sought of a double whammy for the depressed person.

Peoples thyroids commonly slow down when useing Anti depressants, it can be helped by chewing on the leaves of vegtables grown underground before each meal (as you prepare) the leaves of such vegies stimulate the digestive sytem, something like a very very minute amount of bitters before each meal helps the severe cases but that has to monitored.......

Your doctor wont tell you this stuff, because his sponsors (drug companies) lose trade(plus he hasnt the time or training), they offer a pill to counter the pill they sold to counter the pill they sold you and so on, it is so much more pronounced in the Psych market!