Yes, I have tried counseling & most of the anti-depressants on the market... but had to go off of them due to horrific side effects. I also was in and out of the Psych unit a couple of times in my teens and early 20's. I'm sorry you too have experienced the suicidal thinking like myself. I'm definitely considering counseling again as I've been deeply depressed due to recent circumstances. Thank you for sharing with me OMB.

Does journaling truly help you when feeling depressed?

Yes, it does because when I journal, I try to make it humorous. The ability to laugh at myself and share it with others turns things around a bit. Let me put it this way and see if this describes you as well. Depression is like a Nuclear Submarine. You spend most of your time submerged and when you do surface it is indeed like a breath of fresh air. Also, Like a sub, depression has destructive capability that harms others and comes back on us. Journaling is like using the periscope, it keeps us in touch with the world above.

I also write short stories sometimes where people work through their difficulties. That, too can be therapeutic.

freud called it a talking cure. you need to get what is inside you OUT. so you can do the automatic writing thing, or you can look in a mirror and yell at it, or you can take a long drive and yell at the car...but whatever evil(bad) is within, it needs to come out otherwise it will weigh you down.

so yes, i think journalling is a great thing and a cure all probably.

do you spend a tenth of your day outdoors (not including sleep)?