Depression Support Group
Depression is a real and debilitating condition that is often misunderstood by family and friends. Its meaning can range from a prolonged period of sadness to an actual mental illness with specific symptoms. Find and share experiences with others who are going through the same struggles.
I've suffered from depression for as long as I can really remember. It's pretty much the default, neutral emotion I am most used to myself being. I've never had a period of recovery and I've had frequent breakdowns and suicidal thoughts/behaviors. Over the past couple of years as I've continued to struggle with heavy stresses as well as the always there depression I've made more attempts than I've had in the past to find a way to no longer have to deal with some of the harshest symptoms of depression so I could atleast manage life a little better.
I went to a moderately helpful doctor who let me talk to him and prescribed me a few different medications over the past few years. Almost everytime he has prescribed something, I take it for maybe two months and stop because I have such ingrained ideas about medication that I've yet to overcome that even if I believe it helped me at the time, I do not want to take daily medication. I began looking into philosphy and listening to lectures about the different scopes of life itself and its purpose and who we are as humans. I took medication for a few months in the beginning of this year but stopped again and began avoiding the doctor after he prescribed a series of medications in a row that just made him seem like a drug dealer more than someone who was legitimately analyzing my life. He referred me to a therapist and although I had the opportunity - I didn't go.
Instead, I kind of went extremely introverted. I still saw friends but I almost never participated in the conversation. I wasn't having obsessive thoughts like I normally would when I become like this, but it was almost like my mind slowly created a kind of meditative state and I participated in my friends conversations about themselves but I rarely talked about myself or what I was thinking or feeling.
I've been going through an on going issue that has come to a head lately and this issue created a lot of triggers for me in my already really closed off life. I did have a few minor breakdowns over it but in the past week or so I found myself dealing with it a lot differently until just recently I spent a night of really deep thinking about myself and my experiences so far and generally in these moments I would be breaking down. I wouldn't be able to handle it.
Yet, I am. Although it is hard and painful, I'm handling it without nauseating anxiety or suicidal thoughts or automatic negative thoughts.
But I've been depressed for so long that I don't even believe it? Am I fooling myself? Am I about to go crazy? Why aren't I freaking out and is not freaking out in the end worse than if I did? As you can see, I have anxiety about the fact that I don't have anxiety and it is clouding my judgements towards what I believe are positive resolutions I've come to through really hard personal reflection. But what if I just spent a night being totally nuts and I've convinced myself that they're positive when they're maybe just a concoction of my depression making excuses for things I've unknowingly yet to address?
I don't feel crazy. I feel calm and resolved, physically and emotionally drained from the work I put myself through. Instead of that brief serenity after freaking out and sobbing it is a whole feeling inside of myself and I feel good about some of these hard, cycle breaking decisions I am making for myself and lightly seeing that there is a future ahead and I could invest in it by just stopping my own immature and misguided cycles of behavior. I don't know what changed in me other than a resolve to work on myself with myself but what if it's a placebo effect?
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Hope the dog days of summer aren't getting you down!
That's what this sites for....
Your anxiety is really something.
You, we here.... can see a cycle if trying to get help. But not sticking with it.
So.... Here's my 3 and a half cents. (Inflation)
You've had Anxiety and depression ALL OF YOUR LIFE. Well, chances are you have clinical depression that stems from a chemical imbalance.
Guess what? Medication would probably be a big help. And sticking to it for at least six months to really know.
The problem with medications are, they don't really know WHEN to be released into your bloodstream.
Several friends of mine had severe Anxiety and Depression all their lives. Meds helped, but not as much as they wanted.
They sat down and began reading about foods, herbs and vitamins.
They drastically changed their diets. They found on the internet, the foods that help boost there Endorphin, Dopamine and Serotonin levels. The feel good chemicals our bodies make naturally.
Some peoples bodies are lacking those quality chemicals, (Hormones).
Also, there are foods that block or inhibit those good chemicals. You need to stay away from those foods.
Herbs are Awesome too. Then there's Vitamins. You can actually buy a bottle of Vitamins that are labeled, For Depression and Anxiety.
Foods, Herbs and Vitamins take more time to make an initial change. But after weeks and STAYING WITH IT, it can make a huge impact on your life and moods.
Exercise also.... is a huge help. And releases those Endorphins too.
My 3 friends feel great, its been maybe 5 years now. One also found an herbalist and after drinking a concoction he made. Her life time of migraines has Vanished.
The problem with diets, most people would rather eat the huge slice of chocolate cake. Than eat a bunch of blueberries.
I tell people about all this over and over. But they don't try it out. Or..... like you, just a short time.
Six months later, they're still here venting their frustration about depression and anxiety.
Just joined group have been fighting depress forever
"Although it is hard and painful, I'm handling it without nauseating anxiety or suicidal thoughts or automatic negative thoughts.
But I've been depressed for so long that I don't even believe it? Am I fooling myself? Am I about to go crazy? Why aren't I freaking out and is not freaking out in the end worse than if I did? As you can see, I have anxiety about the fact that I don't have anxiety and it is clouding my judgements towards what I believe are positive resolutions I've come to through really hard personal reflection."
I'm stating that I do not understand what coming out of depression looks like because I have been depressed for so long and I question the validity of the progression because it wasn't based on medication and seeing a therapist.
I got to this point by having a good diet, doing yoga everyday for two months, getting involved in my community etc. so to tell me that I should do this kind of demonstrates a lack of reading comprehension. To tell me I have clinical depression that needs to be managed by medication when I am stating my problem is not depression but the lack there of is asinine.
According to articles, it’s advisable to seek professional counselling and medication if someone is going through depression and anxiety. Your doctor can help you and give you suggestions of what’s best for you.
Exercise and sunlight are also effective in uplifting someone’s mood. Try also to join support group that you will meet in person, it will help to feel less lonely. I hope these will work for you and I hope you will feel better soon.
I pray that you will overcome depression. Take care of yourself, keep us posted. God bless.