Depression Talk

I think anytime anyone ever asks for tips on dealing with depression or asks for advice on the subject the number 1 thing I say and that I’ll continue to say and shout from the rooftops is this- Depression is a chemical imbalance/medical condition and you NEED to seek help from a professional, be it your Dr, finding a therapist, a psychologist, a psychiatrist.... whatever you feel most comfortable with doing. It’s easy to get lost in the thinking that “if only I follow these top ten suggestions for dealing with depression I’ll be healed” when no amount of suggestions, even well meaning ones, should replace care by a medical professional!

That being said... the number one thing that helps me deal with my depression is allowing myself to count “baby steps” as successes. For example, in the past my depression has been so severe I’ve struggled to get out of bed... so instead of feeling useless and worthless about it I started allowing myself to think “You might not be able to get out of bed, that’s ok, but sit up and read for a few hours or work on some paperwork from bed, or call your daughter in and watch a movie and snuggle“ I allow myself to “take credit” so to speak, for little wins like that.

Another for some people is showering/self care... so no, maybe you didn’t feel well enough to shower but spray on some dry shampoo, brush your hair back into a pony, roll on some deodorant, wash your face and throw on a new pair of sweatpants. Little baby steps are still steps, too!

A day in bed doesn’t feel like such a wasted day when you’ve accomplished a couple little things while being in bed. You won’t feel so much self loathing and self hatred about ignoring your self care if you’ve taken even the smallest amount of time to address it.

All of the other things that I do to help address my anxiety and depression- yoga, meditation, exercise, going outdoors, connecting with other people, writing gratitude lists, journaling, etc are helpful as well... but no one seems to understand how on difficult days forcing myself to go for a walk outside feels as daunting as forcing myself to climb a mountain. So count the smalls things, too. You’ll tank yourself later.

Swaptillyoudropnys really has it right. Dr visit. Do what you can and celebrate that. I have a planner and give myself stickers for all the things I got done no matter how small. Since I got sicker, I've struggled hard with it. Dr helps a lot. Journaling, crafting, leather work, yoga, any activity I enjoy helps some too. Helping others helps me a lot too.

I guess this is US-only because you want to send something in the mail for your partner, seems a shame for an electronic swap to be limited by country though!

(Swaptillyoudropnys has some stellar advice here.)

To help my depression, I have to stay busy. I either have to focus on studying, my friends, swapbot, going out, etc.

I can change it to International if people want me to! I have enough international stamps!

Going to a professional is definitely the best way to deal with things. I really love hashing things out with my therapist and getting those "Aha!" moments where something finally clicks in my head and I can start doing something differently or seeing my life in a new way.

Besides that, I think just treating yourself gently is good to work at. It's really easy to just put yourself down or compare your progress to other people (especially in the digital age). But something my therapist told me is "Would you treat your best friend this way?" And that really changed my perspective on things, because no, I would never be so harsh or unforgiving on my best friend if she was going through a depressive patch.

It's just important to take a step back and remember that you are human too, and no one has these Herculean expectations of you except for you yourself.

Dealing with a depression is when i do not say or thing it mine.... but to talk of it (depression )

I find that when i am giving i am taking the focus off myself and putting onto something fun and positive and not watching stuff thats not affecting my life it can limit it from becoming heart felt emotions gets in the way and also by helping someone else releases the depression takes the focus off myself fulfills with good vibes and a new mind of getting over depression,reading a really good book until my mind is filled with overcoming the battles of depression. hope that helps...

If you are sending something in the mail, this should be Type 2 or 3, not electronic.

The reason I made it electronic is because I am the only one sending something. I did not want to confuse anyone.

I talk it out or remind myself that it's just a bad day and it will pass.

I have had depression and mental health stuff since I can remember. I haven't always been good at coping with it, but everything has its ups and downs. I have coped by being open and honest about my experiences and through this have a support system that uplifts me when I can not even lift myself out of bed. I take the risk of asking for help and being vulnerable and it has provided me with even better relationships than I think I would have even had if I didn't have depression. It is okay to need to take a day in bed and I have loved ones who make sure I don't need to feel ashamed for taking my time, especially on my worst days and who are there when I need extra encouragement even to brush my teeth and put on pants.

I agree that seeking medical advice/help is important. The more that people can talk about this illness the more attention and understanding depression will get. There are still so many people that do not see depression as an actual illness/disease and that is terrible. I have noticed that on days that I just want to nap, instead of lying down, I sit and pet one of my dogs or I go into my craft room and look at things that make me smile, or sit outside and watch the birds. Instead of feeling guilty or mad because I really didn’t accomplish much that day, at least I was up and experienced something that makes me feel good.

I NOT only seek professional help for medical help but I also seek Therapy. My husband and I received the opportunity to receive a puppy (Nevi) in 2018. So for Christmas My husband went about an hour out of town and we picked up the most craziest and wackiest puppy ever!! That is apparently HARD OF HEARING!! HAHA!!

My point is that when we did this I had a reason to get up, something to take care of, and something to love (I have had many dogs!!) Just never a female!! She may have tried every nerve in her first year but she is the sweetest most anxious dog ever!! and I love her sooo much!!

I am not saying to go buy a dog. But I just know that for us we became a closer family with her in it. and also I try very hard to keep to a schedule. I am up by 7 MOST days. Most mornings I'm up at 5. and we are in bed by 10 every night (Hubs works at 4 am!)

I Hear eating right helps (I haven't tried this) I also take vitamins but I was also Deficient and just bought some good for Stress. Vitamin B and D are great for Aiding in the De-Stress Process As LONG as you know what you are doing!! Go see your Doctor for help!!

I guess this is perfect for me .. my oldest son past away December 12 2017 and from that day on my life stood still and at the same time has past by so fast ! Depression took over me and my life. I now see a dr once a week just to talk and I’m starting to do everything I stopped doing INCLUDING swap bot That I did for years.i have my first grandchild due this July and I kno my son would be so excited. He wouldn’t want me to live in the world of depression. So as I try to learn to live what’s going to be my new normal life i include him in everything and I remind myself what he would want every day. I keep a two foot tree up all year on my fire place and I decorated it for everything, I just started doing it again two weeks ago of course I also have a few of his pictures on it also but it looks just so cute with all the tags and hearts he would have loved it too ! It’s the little things that can help with depression!

I know that professional help is very important. I take antidepressants and in the past I went to counseling .I go to the swimming pool and I feel better .This type of exercise helps me a lot since I love water .Recently I started watching videos on You Tube .In the past I used to read self help books .I realized that I don’t love myself enough and that since I can’t change my circumstances,I will have to learn coping skills to empower myself and help with my low self esteem. When I eat better I feel better .Prayer comforts me also

I'm a Japanese.

In my country, I feel that many people are discriminatory for mental illness...

I think that professional help is very important, too. I have been to counseling for a long time. When I talk with therapist I feel better :)

I like to reading books (especially self help books, beautiful photo books, essay, manga, and so on!)

What I do is I just try to do things that make me happy! Such as watching the Simpsons or pen paling!