# Dear Steemian, What Do You Think Can Be Done To Beat Depression?

in life •  7 years ago  (edited)

Dear Steemian,

I am struggling with a higher dose of anti-depressants, as if I take them they make me feel like a zombie all day and really tired and if I don't take them I get odd days when I am inconsolable.

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I will be going to doctor's to go back on the lower dose, as I didn't get those side effects then, but are anti-depressants a necessary evil, or can depression be managed successfully by other means?

One thing that works for me sometimes is to write down all those emotions in my head into a poem. I can effectively empty my head of those negative thoughts in a creative way. Writing those thoughts down in a journal could also work, or thinking about all the things that you are grateful for in your life.

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Another tactic that can work is trying to live in the moment. Taking the time to fully take in your surroundings with all your senses. Taste the air, smell the flowers, listen to the raindrops, touch the trees (hell give them a hug), see the beauty of nature. Or a piece of chocolate using all your senses and slowly savor the taste. Or take the time to realize how happy you are too with your partner or children and enjoy the moments of now.

Another one I am just researching is the law of attraction for depression...

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The law of attraction is not a magical formula, where you wake up and you feel completely fine, it a way of life. This is not someone asking you to put up a facade of happiness or lie about how you’re feeling. The law of attraction is a total way of life and the aim is to cause a change in your mindset to bring you the ultimate happiness and quality of life that you deserve.

You Are Manifesting Your Depressed State

If you are already experiencing symptoms of depression, it’s almost certain that you’re manifesting it yourself. Of course, it doesn’t mean that bad things haven’t happened or that you need to sweep it under the rug and act like everything is perfect. What that statement means is that you have been chained to the negative aspects of your life for too long and that has made it difficult for the positive aspects of your life to express itself.

Constantly living in a depressed state is a sign that your thought patterns are knee deep in sadness just as if you stepped foot in a lake of quicksand. It seems you can’t get out of the situation, the more you struggle to rid yourself of such negative thoughts, the deeper you fall into a depressed state. This is true. Today, you need to change your approach completely, stop the constant struggle and find an effective way to slowly recover and avoid falling into the same trap in the future.

Mumbo jumbo, or worth investigating more?

Do you think that there is a medical necessity for anti-depressants, or do you think that by using a number of tactics to beat depression, it is possible to ditch the depression naturally?

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Or is the best thing to do both, just to be on the safe side?

Yours Sincerely

@hopehuggs



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Depression is something a lot of people are dealing with and is a circle hard to get out of. In my job I had a lot of young people that I volunteered to help getting out of it. If I learned anything it's such a individual case that it's almost impossible to say for sure what would work.

My suggestion would be to take a step back, look at what makes sense in your life and when you don't feel completely down channel your energy into those things. Whether it is writing, painting, traveling or family, change your behavioral pattern towards the good things in life although it's hard.

Also some scientific proven methods is sharing your thoughts and feelings with other people, getting it out of your head.
Also letting yourself Cry and if you feel like running are activities that your body will make your feel stronger and more capable of handling your own reality.

Hope this can help:)

A good cry sometimes works, but sometimes is hard to stop. Yes I had a phonecall the other day that threatened to take me down the spiral, but talking to a couple of people about it (and yes a cry) stopped me.

Hi @adsactly, Depression certainly is one of the misunderstood mental illnesses! The worst part is when people tell you that it's time to pull yourself together and get over it! I went through a very bad clinical depression years ago. Being in that deep dark pit where you feel totally isolated despite having your loved ones around was absolute hell! I certainly am not a negative thinker so could not understand what was happening to me!
Anti-depressants saved my life for sure; I was on a 'maintenance dose' for a couple of years once I ‘normalised’. The medical experts say it's a chronic condition and some people have to take their medication for life. I was fortunate that I could stop, but with the help of a wise homeopath through counselling and homeopathic meds.
I do not take any meds for this condition today, so can say with much gratitude, that I am a survivor!
I believe that unresolved issues bring this horrible and sometimes 'terminal' illness on, as it sadly can lead to suicide, which was the case with my brother many moons ago.
So my question is, if you're a diabetic, should you stop taking your insulin?
Yet people say anti-depressants are bad for you, yet this is what can corrects the chemical imbalance in the brain! It still is an illness.
But one has to find the correct anti-depressant and I firmly believe that can only be done by a specialist in the field, and that is a Psychiatrist, definitely not a General Practitioner!
Further, one should not simply only rely on medication; go for counselling, take up some form of physical exercise/activity, walking, yoga and meditation are all excellent forms of therapy, eat lots of fresh veggies & fruit, do more of the things you enjoy, be it listening to music, going to the beach, etc etc
My best wishes for your recovery from this horrid illness which can be overcome even though it feels like that dark cloud will never ever lift!

Wise words. Thank you.

Wonderful post. It is very important to be able to talk about our problems and depression is a common one that we tend to hide because we may feel ashamed. There is nothing to feel ashamed about. It's something that most of the people go through in their life time, whether they are aware of it or not. Depression is caused by changes in the brain chemistry. What causes it? It varies by person. I think it is important to go deep and look for the things that bother us, because often there is one or more particular problems that may have been eating us up inside and until we don't recognize the problem, we can't solve it. When that particular 'problem' takes control over us, we feel sad, hopeless, angry, guilty and also we tend to loose interest in doing things we loved doing before. The good thing is that we can defeat depression, because we are much stronger than what we think. Once you find that problem, you can start working on finding a solution for it. To answer your question, medical treatment is not the only solution, it will not help you find the problem you are looking for. You need to have someone who you can rely on and talk to, who can help you find that problem. Depression is real and must be taken seriously, however, let's remember again what it is. It is a mental health disorder which of course is 'not just in our heads', but at the other hand, it is there and let's not forget how powerful a mind can be. More powerful than a medication.

Wish you all the best.

Yes I agree, I think it is one of the things that can help. Anti-depressants do keep you on an even keel, whilst exploring root problems and talking makes you realize that you are not alone, people have had the same feelings as you, maybe not the same circumstances, but the empathy is there and that helps a lot, for sure.

In a way @adsactly that is one question that you can only answer for yourself as we are all different, our live experiences are different. I don't know what has happen in your life to bring you to this question. Depression can sometimes be triggered by some event in our lives, something we might not have dealt with. Identifying that can be easy or hard. But this is something that we can do, we live in a world where alot of people are made to feel disempowered, we need to feel strong enough in ourselves to heal ourselves.

There are alot of really good responses to your question already, which can help, vit D definitely helps as does your diet, it's worth seeing if you have any mineral deficiencies . Selenium is a big one, as it has huge effect on our mood. These things will go hand in hand with you feeling more able to work through your depression. What factors externally and internally affect you the most. Identify them so that you can prevent yourself getting into a downward spiral, which can be difficult to get out of.

What worries me about antidepressants is that there are so many and are prescribed too readily, there is big money made from them, Doctors make alot of profit when they prescribe also. I would love to see people move away from using medication to help with their mental health. I hope you feel better soon.

Getting to know yourself and the depression triggers, can definitely be diet - caffeine is a big one for me. Will definitely look more into supplements and vitamin deficiencies. Yes everyone is different, but the emotions we go through are the same, we are all human.

I think a combination of sunlight, exercises, break free of the mental prison is more effective than drugs.

yes, sunlight - especially the midday 12 O' clock sunlight with around 390nm wavelength helps a lot. Just like the sunlight during the day a bad aspect is artificial light of the same / similar wave lengths during night - especially after 8:30 PM when our circadian rhythm starts producing Melatonin (called Melatonin onset) which induces sleep. The light acts as a switch, the more delay, the more trouble that we get into. All this is easier said and doing tough ...

Yes, I am creating a happiness toolbox, so that I have lots of things on hand to distract or do when I feel an episode coming on. That in itself has taken a little time to master, but it is doable. You have to learn about yourself and give yourself a break sometimes.

Hi @adsactly, in my opinion i think it is not necessary to rely on pharmaceuticals, largely cause you have the ability to overcome it. I think the issue might also be the emphasis on your thoughts, making it the be all end all of who you really are. Your thoughts are not you and even more so negative thoughts are definitely not you. Its easy for me to say but I too suffer from depression at times and everyone's circumstance is very different so theres no one answer. I believe to do the things you love and realise how when things are negative in your head, it is your mind actually trying to help you grow out of it. Its like a survival tool, just like the other five senses. So try and keep the momentum and do the things that really matter to you! I wish you all the best and also you can share with me your thoughts, my opinions are always changing and growing :)

Much love

it is your mind actually trying to help you grow out of it. Its like a survival tool, just like the other five senses.

Love this way of thinking about it.

Thanks for sharing @adsactly... very have education for me you post...

Yes, I'm learning loads too

Am not sure of what to do, I'll have to read and learn from your comments

And there are some great informative comments here @austinm

Yes....

Exercise regularly.

Practice gratitude, even when things feel hopeless. I guarantee there is something to feel grateful for.

Try to eat healthy, fresh, whole foods. Eating processed shit will not help. I find excess sugar also brings my mood down.

Experiment with supplements for improving your mood. I've found great benefit with ashwagandha, as well as other adaptogens.

Start a regular practice of facing your fears. Nothing in life makes me feel more alive than facing fears, and realizing that change is possible and that most of my hesistation in life are the result of my cognitive distortions.

Most importantly, change your patterns and habits. You are the makeup of your focus, intentions, and actions. Change the recipe and the finished product will inevitably change!

You outline such a nice wellness recovery plan! Depression is so tough because making oneself do just one thing can seem insurmountable. How do you encourage yourself to get yourself moving?

The first step is always the hardest with anything, as they say.

Once you acknowledge you need a change, it becomes easier to make that first step. Remind yourself of how much better things will be after making that change, remind yourself of what you envision your ideal life looking like, and start doing the things that support this.

Just move! Get off your ass and exercise. Change your physical state and you will have a much easier time with your mind :)

You need a strong reason and do force yourself to do something even if you don't feel like it, even if its just standing outside your front door for some fresh air.

Yes some great tips here, particularly the gratitude one. And facing your fears, and making daily improvements and challenges for yourself to motivate yourself going forward.

Depression is a very individualistic thing. Mine started in my teen years through some rough times, probably like most teens, but with a side order of other uncalled for events that I had to deal with. It carried on into adulthood after some pretty bad moments which have affected my life dramatically. I have been on antidepressants for many years, too many to count! But I decided to stop taking them a month or so ago. I am fed up of not being able to 'feel'. The problem I now have is that I am experiencing hyper emotions and I am extremely reactive. I don't know whether the best thing to do would just be to go back on the medication and become numb again ( @suesa has a brilliant story about emotions), or find a better way to deal with my depression and anxiety. I also have other health issues going on so I am battling with the urge of quitting all my meds right now, I am sick and tired of rattling when I walk! But I am probably being reactive again, due to my newly found emotions. It is a tough one depression, once you are in the medication cycle, it is hard to get out of it, but without the meds, I probably wouldn't be here today.

That is exactly how I felt. I hate the feeling of numbness and being zombified, but without the risk of hyper emotions. They can be crazy strong and unpredictable. Not good when you have little ones around (in my case). I think I have just talked myself into carrying on the medication for the time being (thank you) , but yes looking at all the fantastic and varied tips here and creating a goto list of things to do to boost your mood that you can tailor for yourself.

combinations work well, you can tweak things to suit you then Good luck :)

You all have effective and fascinating ways of responding to anxiety and depression. Responding differently despite the same or similar circumstance is the real key! Here's some things I have come across that help me: 10% of your neurons are in your gut. And HALF of your dopamine is produced in the gut. WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD DIRECTLY CORRELATES TO WHAT YOU EAT. Your food literally speaks to your DNA! It is the most beautiful form of communication and it's all happening right inside your body! What you eat translates to how you think and how you feel. Check on these ideas, try fasting once a week, and research fasting and the Dr. Sebi diet. Holistic methods are one tactic I use but thank you all for sharing your different ways of responding to depression.

That is really interesting. I will look into this idea more.

All is well don't worry my friend.

I am eliminating them worries :)

Hello @adsactly,

This is really a good question you have asked. I have been looking for somebody to ask this question in a while now.

For me, the way a person can beat depression is by eating healthy, like natural foods like vegetable.

One should cut down on their intake of refined sugar. For me i used to suffer from depression, but when i reduced completely my intake of refined sugar and refined food generally i noticed an improvement in my mood. I felt better and my depression left.

If you notice people in the village areas are less likely to report on depression than people living in the urban areas, this is because people in the villages eat more of natural food and so they don't usually have problem with depression

But depression is found more in people living in the urban areas and it is because they eat more of refined food like sugar.

Even studies here and there has shown that intake of refined sugar causes depression.

There could be other causes of depression, but i know that refined food can cause a lot of depression, if not even it is the main cause.

So again healthy eating can beat depression. You can do a research on healthy eating.

Sugar is definitely my Achilles heel. Had a sweet tooth since birth I think.

😁😁😁😁😁

When I'm feeling really low, I find that inspirational speeches tend to really help me get on with my day. Depression is something really difficult to beat, but it can definitely be defeated, with the right mindset and ressouces. Spend more time with the people you love and less time with your computer.

Tony Robbins is a motivational speaker, who I really admire and think can really help you and many others who are going through hard times.

Yes, yes, yes I'm adding this to my toolbox. TED and motivational yalks here I come :)

I suffered from depression & anxiety for years & decided to go to the doctor's to see if they could help.

I was prescribed three different types of anti-depressants which, all made me feel worse. The first meds made me pass out within 3 days of taking them so, I stopped taking them.

The second lot made me tired all day, feeling a bit zombified & useless so, I gave up using those.

The third type of meds I tried, made me massively overthink things which, in turn ruined any chance I had of sleeping.

All three meds dangerously suppressed my appetite for food, life, everything.

I decided enough was enough & seeked alternative methods of which, meditation was the method I persevered with as this was the only thing that managed to help clear my mind.

Since I went with the meditation method, life seems to be much easier & calmer & has enabled me to have a more positive attitude for life & everything around me & I've had no need for the dangerous medications prescribed from the National Health Service.

I'm not saying that I never get depressed now but, when I do, I can think myself out of it without poisoning myself with big pharma drugs.

Meditation changes your whole perspective in life for the better & helps you to let go of any bad past or negative emotions & move on, at least it did mine.

Give it a try, you have nothing to lose & everything to gain.

Love, peace & light to every one of you!

I take it that you are from UK too, from the mention of the NHS. Mindfulness has definitely helped me a lot, although I must confess that I have not made mindfulness or meditation part of daily routine and I need too.

I completely understand the feeling so tired every day feeling side effect, and how suppressed they make you feel. I stopped taking them at a time I had to make a life-changing decision to make sure it was the right one.

Yes, I am from Norfolk in the UK.

I am so pleased that you managed to stop taking meds as I'm very confident that they are not good for you (they certainly weren't good for me) especially when there are other safe alternatives out there.

Thanks for your reply & I wish you the very best in the future.

Love, peace & light my friend!

  ·  7 years ago (edited)

Also, you might want check your vitamin D levels if you are not doing manual labour in the sun all the day.

https://www.webmd.com/depression/news/20120627/vitamin-d-deficiency-linked-to-depression#1

"People often feel better when they take vitamin D," says Michael Holick, MD, PhD. He is the director of the Vitamin D, Skin, and Bone Research Lab at Boston University. "One of the effects that vitamin D has on the brain is to improve serotonin levels -- which is the same chemical that many antidepressants act on."

Yes. Most psychiatrists recommend that. His might have already done so.

And yet, a large percentage of people is low on vitamin D:

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/01/120110102058.htm

Vitamin D deficiency is a real problem in Europe as levels in the blood are low in 50% to 70% of the population. Pérez-López points out that "healthcare professionals should be aware that this is a common problem which affects a large part of the population in Europe, even those who live in sunny places."

I would rather recommend to get out in the sun a Vitamin D is generally synthesized in the body from certain variant of cholesterol and taking Vitamin D supplements can create adverse effects IMHO ( https://web.stanford.edu/group/hopes/cgi-bin/hopes_test/vitamin-d3/ )

I agree with spending more time in the sun. Unfortunately, for many people that seems to be not sufficient.

Citing https://caloriebee.com/vitamins-supplements/Vitamin-D-Deficiency-Why-You-Need-to-Act :

Do you …

  • Use a high SPF sun barrier cream
  • Work long hours in an office environment
  • Cover up your arms, legs, face for religious or cultural reasons
  • Stay out of direct sunlight because of sensitive skin
  • Have a restricted diet that excludes fish, red meat or eggs
  • Stay indoors all the time through frailty or ill health (e.g. live in a care home or other institution)

If any of these apply to you, you may need to take Vitamin D tablets. You are not getting enough exposure to natural sunlight.

agree ...

Do you realize that you'd practically have to live in the sun to get your Vitamin D levels up to what some people might need? A more realistic/practical approach for this is Vitamin D supplements.

I am not sure of the time required to generate enough Vitamin D. Do you have references for the same ?

Couldn't agree more. I would add probiotics / fermented food too. There is strong link between gut health and mind health.

https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/can-probiotics-help-treat-depression-anxiety-2017072612085

Following you, so I can learn more about food fermenting.

Yes, I think I will try additional Vitamin D. I do try to get outside every day too though.

I also suffered from depression and anxiety problems because of a bad childhood and parenting. My dad was a big pessimist and disliked everything around him. I got really tired from it, and when I broke up with my girlfriend that was the last drop to fill the cup. I had to do something.
I signed into a gym for the beginning, and a older friend of mine was a psychologist. She helped me a lot and the answer to depressed feelings and anxiety is: LET IT BE. Welcome this feelings and dont try anything to do about it. Just live your life. When you are chewing on lifes grizzle, dont grumble, give a whistle! And this will help things turn out to the best, aaand, always look on the bright side of life, tu tu, turu turu turu, always look on the light side of life! tu tu, turu turu turu! Does anybody know this song? :D

Always Look on The Bright Side of Life. Yes observing the thought, rather than getting immersed in it. Mindfulness. Also have "let it be" by Beatles going through my head too. Talk it out, helps so much.

On which anti-depressant are you?

citalopram.

I was a little bit worried that you are talking about benzodiazepins, because they can make very addicted.

Just eat chocolate everyday! 🤗

imagffsdfsdfsdfses.jpg

do that anyway haha

LOL! I love this post. Sweet and funny and I like that we all love chocolate! I always wonder about the people who hate it? 👽

Depression can be treated and want to know how?
your the one who can have control over your body in simple words your actions shape your future.

start taking small steps!

go outside meet new people enjoy their company, find your goal
and try to achieve it.
you only need a push and that push is your determination!

talk with people share your thoughts and try to express your feelings as much as you can!

hope it helps to someone reading my comment, bro wake up time is up you need to prove yourself you need to take a stand.
you are stronger than superman because you have dealt with the pain no hero can gain ;) and at last do remember your only gonna get tougher each day

My vote is for chocolate!! It is rich in magnesium...Depression is a major symptom of magnesium deficiency. Great Article! Resteeming

One square of dark chocolate a day.

I can't eat just one, lol

Hi adsactly.
I would first give natural remedies a chance,
because chemical psychotropic drugs
can have horrible side effects.
Have you heard of the medicinal plant Mucuna pruriens?
This medicinal plant seems to help many people
suffering from depression.
Have a look and inform yourself here:
https://nootriment.com/mucuna-pruriens-for-depression/

Do you know the herbal remedy product
"Feel Good" from thaivita.com?
This remedy contains the natural antidepressant
& natural mood booster Mucuna pruriens.
Take a look at:
https://www.thaivita.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=60&product_id=52
The information on this homepage is written in German,
but you can easily translate it into English here: https://www.deepl.com/translator

I wish you all the best and a quick recovery.
@guido7

So much stuff to look into and alternatives. Thank you for sharing this.

Nature is the best medicine. There are negative ions that are in abundance in nature that help to alleviate depression and anxiety. That's why a lot of the time we feel more relaxed when we're outdoors or hiking for example. Spend plenty of time out in nature and getting enough sunshine and you may notice an improvement :)

And take your shoes and socks off to feel the earth's energy even more.

Hi! Nice to meet you :) I just upvoted & followed You!

Hi @adsactly, sorry to hear about your situation. I've been down in the dumps many a times too... I managed to find a group of like-minded friends (skill groups, etc) and take up activities related to social works. Helping others that way helped me too... Speedy recovery to you!!
God Bless...

Yes I often throw myself into helping others and causes I believe in. Helping others makes my heart smile.

Bro,my condition is almost same as yours.I used sertraline.Initially it showed some side effects as you called them zombie like effect.But with the passage of time it becomes very relaxing.
Now I've left it and I also suggest u,not to be dependant upon anti depressants.Try to overcome your emotions.

Combinations of things seems to be way forward.

As a Native American and intuitive healer I would suggest getting off meds and take marijuana or cbd/hemp in its pure form if your state allows. Maybe think about if you have “gifts” as in empathic abilities or psychic. Many times most doctors do not acknowledge these gifts and call it bipolar or schizophrenia simply because they do not accept this aspect of spirituality. I wish you blessings and healing on your journey to your path.

If I went down that route, I might be relaxed, but I'd never get anything done. Yes I have been reading and identifying with a lot of empath abilities. Probably time to stop fighting it really.

@hopehuggs fighting it will cause more distress. I was debating if I should write about my empath experience next. I feel you helped me decide. I do not discourage doctors but they definitely have no idea what to do about those that are gifted, other than prescribe drugs. All that does for those with psychic abilities is cause fear, uncertainty and pushed further down the rabbit hole. Hugs to you. You will make it out. Just CBD or Hemp innits pure forms are being widely sold in stores now. No high. I would recommend samE to start. Good diet with no processed foods, no white flour, no sugar, grass fed meats. Plenty of veggies. Start by reading about grounding and protection, they’re a huge part of our world because we feel everything and magnets for negativity. So being with nature, salt baths or showers, walking barefoot in the dirt, hug a tree are things to start with. All these practices assist in the depression and anxiety leaving fairly quickly. If you need me, I’m here.🙏🏽

Thank you @eaglespirit, I have to admit I do love to hug a tree, as its like 100s of years of serenity hugging you back. Following and looking forward to reading your posts.

When I'm feeling really low, I find that inspirational speeches tend to really help me get on with my day

motivational speeches are in my happiness toolbox :)

If you are already experiencing symptoms of depression, it’s almost certain that you’re manifesting it yourself. Of course, it doesn’t mean that bad things haven’t happened or that you need to sweep it under the rug and act like everything is perfect. What that statement means is that you have been chained to the negative aspects of your life for too long and that has made it difficult for the positive aspects of your life to express itself.

like the law of attraction. I am getting there with concentrating on the positives.

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Have you heard of ruqyah, listening to the Quran with the intention of seeking healing. I know it sounds impossible, but it worked for me, maybe it can help you too and you definitely don't have to be Muslim to benefit from listening to the Quran.

I will certainly take a listen. I have an open mind.

You need to do exercises .. it gives your brain the sensation of happiness ... ive battled depression and finally got a hold of it... take time out to quiet your mind w meditation .. sometimes u need the medication because of imbalance inThe brain.. also get as much sunlight as u can if u cant get a mirror that the do sell that gives light like the sun .. i hope it helps u..

Thank you, it does help.

thank u for sharing

Hi, @adsactly i'm not a dr. But you have to understand that you can't stop the anti-depressants. Face depression requires both: anti-depressants and face it with good attitude. I have written a post talking about The bell Jar, by Sylvia Plath. She was a great poet, and suffered depression and bipolar disordes. I'ts a great novel.

There is a really mixed bag of the advice here. But will go back on weaker dose for a while.

Everyone is different, I would think an in the predatory styles of modern capitalism be the best defense against depression in this world. We could have a wonderful place to live out of utopia, but still things would not be perfect. But at least our basic needs would be met!

I'm sure there are pockets of utopia to discover.

I would never take any anti-depressants. You just need to be greatful for what you have, do what you love, maybe try some excesicing that could help. And always keep ding smethin so you haven't got any time to thik about bad stuff.

Keeping busy. yes.

Have a think about the thoughts that you are currently allowing to dwell in your mind. These limiting thoughts are making you feel a certain way at this very moment, and most of them are tied to your emotional experiences, your worries and concerns.

Yes I am slowly mastering catching thoughts and challenging them.

Alas, but depression is a disease. With it, the biochemistry of the brain changes. And the person feels, as if inside the poison is developed, which removes all colors, except black.

Enjoy life in this state will not work, no matter how hard you try. And chocolate will lose its taste.

Therefore, if you have a real depression, you must definitely take antidepressants. But when they act, start to enjoy the little things in life. Gradually the work of the brain normalizes, and it will be possible to refuse depressants.

My mind fights that it is not a disease. That's part of problem.

I am new in steemit. Can you learn about vote bots

Upvote help people, just happy

UPvoted...I say spend time with family and friends just simple things like that will get you out of it...do something to keep your mind going

Yes, the simple things in life are underrated, but it is them that can bring on the most happiness.

Thanks for sharing what works for you. I myself have recently come out from a 6yr or so major depression and find myself in a "pink cloud" at lest thats what my Dr. says but I'll take it feeling positive and having energy again is amazing. Im on a new journey and i'm terrified for falling back..

Good luck on your journey. You have done hard part, keep looking forward.

If you need help come contact me or
Anyone in this comment thread hit me up @Kundalini Meditation {sinned} #1563 on discord.
Meditation and rigourous esoteric and hermetic studies destroyed by products of a shitty upbringing.
The study of esoteric and hermetic studies are akin to innermind studies.
Joining steemit helped as well.

Steemit is literally a life saver.

JWas in this same boat 2015. Then i was jobless and of marriageable age. My family pressured me also the society. I overcame was by moving with positive minded people who believed in me. Avoiding of negative people helps too. Also avoid being alone. Stay with friends, and go out more often. Be busy

Yes I have pruned my life, so for the most part I am surrounded by positive and non toxic people.

Hey @adsactly I also said that combination of sunlight and exercises break free of the mental prison is more effective than drugs and I appreciate your post 👌👍

I believe your best bet is to try to reconnect with nature. This includes getting more sunlight, exercising , and maybe even barefoot walking. Connect your skin to the earth. Unplug from technology for a while (but don't forget to keep steeming!) I have to go out on a limb and mention pot too. It is medicinal in many ways, and in my opinion better then any pharmaceutical drug. Just remember that if you are going to try to get off your meds, to consult your doctor and wean yourself off. Quitting cold turkey can have unwanted results. Prayer might help too. Good luck, God bless and be safe.

Sound advice there. Thanks.

If you're stuck in the past, you're depressed. Worried about the future, you're anxious. Once you realize they fall along a continuum, you begin to understand the importance of the present. Being mindful of, and immersing yourself in, the present allows you to enter your flow state.

Your flow state is where you derive happiness. Morning routines, positive affirmations, meditation, and the practice of letting go helps me remain in the present. Do not run away from your emotions, they are the driving force in our actions. Remember, we are in this together

Yes, I have an accountability partner at the moment to make sure I do daily improvement tasks and get more productive, but they also include personal care goals as well, which is doing me the world of good. It is all about getting into the flow state.

The success can beat the depression !

Unfortunately, there are many people who are successful, who still suffer from depression.

Depends on your definition of success and how balanced the other areas in your life are.

Very interesting and educative content.

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I am no doctor so I cannot speak to the medical aspect. From my experience, exercise, sunlight and doing good deeds for others can help. But each individual is different. I truly hope you are able to find something that works for you.

Thank you. Doing good deeds is my daily mission. :)

Depression is often the sickness of teachers and smart people. If it's seasonal a complement of D vitamin is a better option than chemicals. Each winter i eat a lot of mushrooms as they contain a lot of this vitamin and i also complement myself with iron, c vitamin and B12 as i'm nearly vegan.

But the problem is that it's difficult to know when you are depressed except when you're completely depressed, then it takes time to come back to a normal state of life, especially if your depression is related to something else like a loss in your family or a bad social and economical situation as it's often the case for a lot of people.

Yes, I'm sure there are is multitude of people with undiagnosed depression.

Hello... I have dealt with depression before and these worked for me.
#1 not to sound churchy....but I prayed to God about it.
#2 Exercise
#3 Increased Sugar intake, I do not know why, but sugar makes me happy and gives immediate relief
#4 Channeling your thoughts to good things happening in and around you

There is a lot to be said for putting all your worries into God's hands.

Really... Like?

It works to remove the worries from your head and put them into the hands of God.

Dopamine levels are low. Increase it and you will feel better- B vitamins , sunlight for vitamin D, stay away from sugar because it causes insulin resistance, apple cider vinegar - manage your cortisol levels from stress with nutrition....this is just a start. Get Dopamine to get motivated to do life...:)

Sounds a good plan.

Something that you are doing right to fight depression is to write a journal. This should definitely help you to get rid of the empty feeling that you have after having those heavy anti-depressant pills. I would suggest you to try binaural beats and meditation. In fact you can try both of them at the same time. Just find a peaceful place in your home, garden, or anywhere you want, wear your headphones, and listen to some 20-55 Mhz binaural beats, while concentrating on your breaths. I often feel a severe headache in my brain and this technique helps rejuvenate my mind to get a good nights sleep.

I get migraines sometimes, especially after something particularly stressful. Binaural beats, Yes I used to have them on my mp3 player. Another one to research and search my laptop for, as I'm sure I have some somewhere...

All these problems come from within your subconscious mind. I am a psychic person and am giving autosuggestions on Fiverr and am sure you'll get some relief from your migraine if you try my gig. Have a look:--

https://www.fiverr.com/vinayghosh/give-you-an-autosuggestion-through-telepathy

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Dear @hopehuggs,
I have found Steemit to be an inspiration for me, an outlet for creative expression and my interactions with others on here have been friendly. When I have been able to immerse myself in writing a story, I can forget my negative emotions. As for drugs, I don't get the option; I have to follow the doctor prescribed treatment plant endorsed by my disability insurance (and probably big-pharma.) I don't think they do much of anything. Meditation is always helpful. The biggest struggle for me is not knowing what I should be doing, but finding the motivation and courage to put myself out there and create the life I want.

Yes, Steemit has been instrumental in getting through this last year. People who care who have never met you, its amazing.

A few studies have shown magic mushrooms to be beneficial for depression. Running and exercise will increase endorphins as well as getting out the house and talking to people.

I've stayed away from the shrooms, as heard they stay in your system for many years. I am slowly becoming more sociable.

Hi adsactly have you read my post. I think I have discovered something very very interesting. https://steemit.com/anxiety/@readallaboutit/suffer-from-anxiety-disorders-depression-etc-try-this-it-s-free-and-easy-and-worked-100-for-me

I suffered from depression back home, in fact I still have it but nowhere near as bad. I simply left, I left my family, I left my freinds, my job. All because I wanted to see more of the world, to travel.

If you haven't done it yet, traveling makes you much more independant and stronger as a person. I actually think its better traveling alone, you meet so many people and himan interaction is a very good way of tackling depression. New faces, new freinds, new adventures. Happiness

That is a very brave and courageous thing to do. But I think that defining your dream and what YOU want to do and not what society expects of you is a key.

depression filters,
out of the mind of chaos,
distilled from the one.

One of the most overlooked sources of depression is heavy metals. How do we know we have heavy metals in our system? If we have ever been vaccinated, have silver amalgam fillings (mercury) or are a human, heavy metals can come from anywhere. One of the largest sources of mercury comes from silver mercury fillings. Mercury is a neurotoxin. Apart from the actual causes of depression, life can be an asshole sometimes but things will always be okay <3

life can be an asshole sometimes, but things will always be okay

that's going up as a quote on my wall :)

Woohoo ^_^

I used to have the same problem (the feeling like a zombie because of the mass amounts of antidepressants) over time i came up with various methods that helped me cope, one of them being meditation, and the other being writing. Different things help different people however and what worked for me or someone else may not work for another person. Depression is a hard thing to deal with, and even though alot is known about it and its cause, people can be very negative and have no empathy towards people struggling with it. Just find something that distracts you from it and do it as often as possible. This is the best advice I was ever given and the only thing thats got me this far in life.

Yes, writing helps me too, in fact, there are times in my life when it has probably saved my life. Reading too. Escaping into the world of Harry Potter came at a needed time.

There's a book that you can read: https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/840520-the-power-of-now

Concentrating your mental and physical energy in the present moment instead of reflecting on past events or needlessly worrying about the future...

Mindfulness, It is coming up a lot in the answers. Now is the time to live in.

thank YOU so much....to check my blog.... i followed you

The worst part about depression is feeling isolated around people who expect you to be happy and get better. The only thing that helped me was to isolate myself from those people and not try to fight the depression but accept it! It then transformed by itself..
If you want to know more about this journey, I wrote a blog post about it today - go and have a read, maybe it helps you!

acceptance is very important, yes.

Hi @adsactly, thank you for sharing your story with us. This is a topic that effects many people. Many of the comments have shared a number of ways to cope with depression that can be very helpful, the most important thing is for you to find out what works for you. I don't know how long you have been taking the antidepressants but depending on the type, it is very important that they be taken at the same time everyday. Sometimes they have to be in your system consistently for over two weeks before your system can normalize, some of the side effects may dissipate as well (assuming you aren't being prescribed too high a dose). If you want to stop taking them, your doctor should ween you off slowly over the course of weeks, otherwise you can see a reemergence of symptoms. Taking the prescription inconsistently, skipping days, and drinking alcohol can all negate the effects of what the antidepressants are supposed to be doing. Generally the effects of antidepressants bring temporary relief and long term improvement is seen when taken while also going to counseling. A counselor can also help you navigate the myriad of techniques mentioned in this feed, and help you find what works for you.

In addition to vitamin D, Omega 3 and Methylfolate deficiencies have been linked to antidepressant resistant depression.

In some studies, walking 30 minutes daily has been shown to be as effective for improving depression symptoms as antidepressants, again consult your psychiatrist before stopping any prescribed medication.

Journaling, mindfulness, meditation, yoga, healthy diet, exercise, nature, music, thought stopping, positive reframing, art, surrounding yourself with the people you love and anything that you might consider enjoyable can help. It can sound like a lot, especially when you are in the middle of battling depression and enjoying anything is the last thing on your mind, but just doing any one of these things can be the spark to moving you out of depression.

From a neurology standpoint any of these things help your brain to rewire to a more positive balance. Neurons that fire together wire together. Essentially the more positive things you do, the more your brain and body will to respond to it. If you are interested in working directly on your brain pattern, neurofeedback is an option as well. Neurofeedback also may lead to a decreased need for medication.

I am sorry that you have to face the battle with depression that you are fighting. You sound like a fighter and I hope you find the answers you are looking for. I have so much more I want to share with you on this, but this post already went longer than I wanted. Just keep researching, there are so many techniques, theories, studies, books, and groups out there!

Best Wishes!

Yes, getting to know yourself, acceptance and doing the things you love and it can be fun finding out what those things are, so trying new things is good too.

Nice post . ludo star has make me very depress. I have delete it many times but reinstall it again. Tell me how to lose it.

Since I quit doing drugs in 2011 I am fighting depression aswell. Especially in the wintertime. Some winters it was so hard that I rarely went out of bed at all so i lost nearly all of my muscles - like muscles that hold you straight, not like a sixpack or something - which i had to build up over the rest of the year again. I dont take meds tho. What I have figured out over the years, what makes it better a lot is: 1. If you have a really bad day: accept it. Don't try to get yourself feeling better, it won't really do anything. But accepting that you have a really bad day, makes it a little easier. Say to yourself: Okay, I feel like shit to day. But it's fine. Secondly: Make yourself clear that depression can't be handled with willpower. Getting angry is often a good first step, but can't change things long term. Thirdly: You are missing the following thing: Vitamin D, Serotonin and most likely Oxytocin. You have anyone that you can hug a few minutes a day? That gives you oxytocin. Then, there are daylight lamps that can help get your vitamin d levels up. Thridly, cold showers help alot with those neurotransmitters. If you can get yourself to shower cold regulary, it will help a lot. Last point is diet. Try to eat healthy as far as possible. And don't be too hard with yourself if you can't apply all the tips you get, it takes time. Good Luck!

I particularly like the hugging tip. Cold showers, I know someone who swears by them. Great tips, thanks.

Try doing light exercises like walking or jogging outside in the morning. Yoga is the most effective in lifting my mood. Take mutlivitamins too.

I walk every day. Need to try some yoga.

You can stop taking anti-depressants and switch to alcohol. When you drink you feel fine, the next day you are busy fighting alcohol withdrawal syndrome and trying to remember what you did the previous day

Good sense of humor never hurts.

Sorry, inappropriate joke

Dear@hopehuggs, the fact that you can analyze and write down how you feel and can talk about it, is already an achievement. Try talking to people and release the blocked emotions within you. Get interested in some out door activities and when you are tired, you will not have time to dwell on things. Do continue to see the doc for advice and pray for Peace within you. Will pray for you.
Take care and God Bless
@jackpot

Yes a lot is about acceptance and releasing the build up. Been really good at bottling things up and that often manifests in depression.

Dear @hopehuggs - I hope as you've typed this post, you've somehow managed to undo a couple of mental knots that skew in the favour of a better mental health. Keep strong and stay on course, you're battling the unknown but you're definitely armed with strength!

Thank you, it certainly helps reading all this support and advice.

what agreat post (always i guess), so impressing lucky me i never been in such bad condition,since my familys and friends love me....I trust their love is real

Love is beautiful and healing.

Congratulations @adsactly!
Your post was mentioned in the hit parade in the following category:

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The depression is not necessarily caused by a obvious traumatic event but it is the symptom caused by the stress that we are even unaware.It may be in everyday routine, the things we force ourselves to live with and even we foce ourselves to love.The worst part of this is we even don't understand that we are in stress until it is too late.I recommend professional help since you can't fix the system while you are in the system.

I too suffer from depression. However much less these days. I never took medication for it. Did not know what it was until age 47. I just summed it up over the years as having another bad day or week. Once I discovered what it was I treated it spiritually. Lots of prayer and meditations. Also I spoke over my life what I wanted my life to be and went on to live that way. It was not a struggle. Depression reared its ugly head in my life about 2 weeks ago the first time in 5 years for the entire day I thought my life was ending. I was not afraid and I knew what it was and I rode that wave of darkness until it ended . It lasted 1 day. What I have found to help depression the most is exploring your options and finding out what works for you and doing that or those things, only you will know. I also have seen tremendous success with having an accountability partner/life coach(which I am one)someone to use as a mirror to bounce ideas and feeling off of, that will be there for you around the clock, if needed. And if you require it or permit it, give you feedback. If you are interested in my services just let me know, I am willing to help. Much success to you, wishing you health and wholeness.

Thank you @rensoul17, I think it is definitely important to recognise what depression is and and know it is just a wave to ride over, it won't last forever. I am in a couple of great self-improvement groups in discord that are really helping with the accountability and keeping on track everyday.

Just relax everything will be good my friend I was in similar situations :)

Hi @adsactly please read my latest post on anxiety/depression etc. https://steemit.com/anxiety/@readallaboutit/suffer-from-anxiety-disorders-depression-etc-try-this-it-s-free-and-easy-and-worked-100-for-me Maybe this will help you too. This is my true story as an anxiety and depression sufferer for 50 years. Try it as you have nothing to lose. Good luck.

A quiet time in a peaceful relaxed tranquil environment with friends to communicate with is worth more than any anti-depressant

Two small kids make that environment impossible sometimes, but yes I try to make sure I go out and see friends. Have some fantastic friends here on Steemit too actually.

My son has suffered from depression for many years, so I am very familiar with all the points made in the article. Medicine has seemed to help him; however, he has also had some serious downsides with medication so you have to be very careful. I think the solutions lie in a variety of ways you have suggested, not one thing, but utilizing all those that seem to have an affect on you of relief, empowerment, peace, and hope.

Hey, i just uploaded a video sharing a technique that might be able to help you with your mental health challenge. Please check it out.

The law of attraction is not a magical formula, where you wake up and you feel completely fine, it a way of life. This is not someone asking you to put up a facade of happiness or lie about how you’re feeling. The law of attraction is a total way of life and the aim is to cause a change in your mindset to bring you the ultimate happiness and quality of life that you deserve.

You Are Manifesting Your Depressed State
If you are already experiencing symptoms of depression, it’s almost certain that you’re manifesting it yourself. Of course, it doesn’t mean that bad things haven’t happened or that you need to sweep it under the rug and act like everything is perfect. What that statement means is that you have been chained to the negative aspects of your life for too long and that has made it difficult for the positive aspects of your life to express itself.

Constantly living in a depressed state is a sign that your thought patterns are knee deep in sadness just as if you stepped foot in a lake of quicksand. It seems you can’t get out of the situation, the more you struggle to rid yourself of such negative thoughts, the deeper you fall into a depressed state. This is true. Today, you need to change your approach completely, stop the constant struggle and find an effective way to slowly recover and avoid falling into the same trap in the future.

Mumbo jumbo, or worth investigating more?

Do you think that there is a medical necessity for anti-depressants, or do you think that by using a number of tactics to beat depression, it is possible to ditch the depression naturally?

4.png

First and foremost , stop trying to be happy ! Extremely unnecessary. Accept the reasons for your sorrow as real ! Then get up, make your self a cup of coffee and set yourself a routine. Get into a format of doing things on the clock. Not as per your wishes. Slowly things will improve. But please don't seek improvement. Tried and tested technique :)

Yes, I will try and get into some kind of routine. My life has rarely had routine. Just a lot of chaos and being surrounded by chaos.

I understand that. And chaos leads to more depression. In a state of depression, getting up to do anything is a herculean task. Hence , being bound to a routine ensures that there is no stagnation of energy. You have to let your mind alone to think and feels what it wants. You have to get into physical discipline. It helps the mind to get the desired balance. 😊... True 😊

Search for the philosophy of Ido Portal. I think his lifestyle will help a lot. Movement and being active is found really helpful in fighting depression.

Hope you will find your way!

Depression is really tricky to be honest. There is no one way to resolve it nor there is a best way as well. You have to realize your own value, you have to do things, that you love. Are in you a relationship right now? If you are, then ask yourself if you are happy? If you are not - maybe it's time to find somebody? We are humans - we are made to love and to be loved, so just a mere being - or not being in an relationship thing may cure or significantly help to cure your depression.
Anyway, try to be more confident and do some things that will make you happier, without constant worrying about what I should or shouldn't do, work or money. It's not life is all about!

  ·  7 years ago (edited)
  • Get off the drugs your doc has put you on!
  • Take high dosages of Vitamine D3 daily or go sunbathing every day for at least 30 minutes - not just your face, your body!
  • Get Laid!
  • Eat healthy!
  • Workout!

Tell me in a month if it helped

I struggled with depression for many years and am happy to say that I've completely overcome it. I'm not a fan of anti-depressants because they create a dependency. This becomes a problem later on (one of which you described) where the process of getting off them becomes extremely difficult (and sometimes dangerous). The medical world's perspective is that depression is a problem that is out of our control. I think this is the most dis-empowering perspective you could ever share with the world. There are NUMEROUS avenues to overcoming depression (many of which you shared in this article). But in my opinion, sometimes depression is a process that really forces you to focus on going to depths of yourself that you would otherwise never go.

It's my personal belief that those who suffer with serious bouts of depression are being given opportunities to learn deeper lessons of human psychology. When you transcend these depths, you are left with gifts that can help many others.

It feels like you are on the right path @adsactly. Do what feels good and you will find your way!

You might enjoy my latest video: How To NOT Feel Like S#*$ In the Morning [PART I]. I had a ton of fun making it and it's quite relevant ;-)

I like this way of looking at depression and yes it does make you do a lot of soul searching.

I live with CPTSD caused by narcissistic abuse and for many years, I struggled with depression. I had thoughts of self-harm, but I didn't want to die. I just wanted to mutilate myself to punish myself. The only thing I ever did was hit myself.

Today, I still have CPTSD, but I am no longer depressed. Symptoms may cause certain regressions in certain thought patterns, but I am happy, I feel good, and symptoms have significantly reduced. I thought the symptoms had caused my depression, but even if I still have them, I don't feel what I felt for nearly ten years. And it's such a relief.

What helped at first was some Mind Detox and Mind Calm with meditation therapy. However, I think what has really proved the most helpful in my recovery is EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique) also known as Tapping Therapy. I have a therapist and we tap and heal and rewire those parts of my brain that need rewiring so that well-being can become the only way for my body to be.

It has been nearly two years since I truly feel that I am not depressed anymore, that I have truly overcome it. Although I know that everyone's journey is different, I would highly recommend EFT to anyone.

Also, what helped during some of the most intense moment was the Bach Flower Remedies. I've not taken them since I started EFT, so let the energy of the tapping do its thing, but I know they can work in combination. Bach Flower remedies are gentle.

Know that I do not take any form of medication or drug. I am allergic, therefore I cannot have any meds, no chemical products, no dairy products, no vaccines, and I don't react well even to natural drugs, no caffeine. So I have no boosters that I take, and I have never taken any anti-depressants in my entire life. I had to turn to natural and holistic methods of healing if I wanted to feel good. I have been my own guinea pig at times, but it has proven very fruitful.

When I have a panic or rage attack, it might be more intense than if I were on meds, but I've worked through it so that it doesn't happen as much. The meditation therapy reduced the rage caused by emotional flashbacks and panic attacks from 3 a day, to 5 a month. That is HUGE. And the EFT gives me something to do in the moment when it happens. I can seed out the root cause of the emotions, which I am discovering actually predate the abuse. I now can STOP an emotional flashback BEFORE it causes me to spiral into panic or rage. I'm still perfecting that, but I feel so proud of myself that I can do that now. I'm regaining control of my mind.

Perhaps the combination of all those natural products helped.

I was so numb for so long after the abuse that when I started to feel again, ti was intense. I had ignored my body's need to heal and rest, so it hit me with a burnout, so that I would give it my attention. The symptoms and trauma I had tried to bury deep within had resurfaced against my will, so I had no choice but to face it and heal.

Today, I am able to talk about what happened, I no longer feel ashamed about having been abused, I understand a lot more the why and how, I heal through knowledge, through naturopathy and alternative methods of healing, such the EFT energy work.

And this reply is a lot longer than I intended it to be, but that's me ;) I like to share and I am able to share. I hope that my experience can help others on their healing journey as well :)

Amanita muscaria. Psylocube. and Marijuana / things i would try before swallowing zoloft or prozac.

do some research. if nothing, theres lot of interesting read about it.

im not some witness, but ive seen some effects of it as a medicine for treating extreme forms of depression and PTSD.

i dont know what helped more though, chemistry, or feeling that you are tackling your problem, and not waiting for someones appointments, dosage and recipes.

Ibogaine saved my life 100%, no joke. Please contact me via discord (same name) if you'd like more info, a personal history re my suicidal depression, anxiety and chronic addiction. I went down the SSRI, SNRI, Triclyclic...blah blah big-pharma approach to no avail for over 25 years. I know this game inside-out and I make no bones in my highly critical opinion of current anti-depression protocols (((om)))

Looks to me like you already have a lot of good advice on depression. Depending on our situation some of us must live with the fact that medication is a necessity. Those synapses only fire with help. You must chose your own path. Be well.

There is tons of research to back up the idea that taking Shrooms in a safe and secure place, where you feel comfortable, can help overcome depression. There's a lot of research on it. I recommend trying some of your own research to see if it could help you. Below is a link to an article talking about the studies.

'Magic mushrooms' may 'reset' the brains of depressed patients, study suggests
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/10/171013091018.htm

Praying also helps me when I feel down. God is always happy to help us feel better when we ask him. God bless you. I hope you find your happiness again!

You did it already :)

I'm better every day.