Comments on: 5 Small (But Big) Ways to Beat Depression Every Time http://www.thedailymind.com/stress/5-small-but-big-ways-to-beat-depression-every-time/ Sat, 13 Mar 2010 00:10:39 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 hourly 1 By: romina http://www.thedailymind.com/stress/5-small-but-big-ways-to-beat-depression-every-time/comment-page-1/#comment-23768 romina Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:49:52 +0000 http://thedailymind.com/?p=235#comment-23768 I came acroos your post trying to find some tips or info about how to beat depression.I`ve been fighting it for years. If I had to look back and think when it started I would say after I finished highschool, not that before that was a bundle of joy but I was a happy child though I remembered I always felt inadequate and when I didnt feel that way there were always people around me that made me feel that way(grownups)So, I guess that had an effect on my self-esteem. As i was saying,when I finished highschool I felt under so much pressure to keep on studying a career and making the right choice "because what you choose to study is what you`ll end up doing the rest of your life" it sounded so menacing almost like apocalyptic. I had to measure up to my parents expectations, I felt I wasnt able to make a career choice fearing that I would take a wrong decision and I succumbed to depression. I did some therapy for a year and it turned out to help me a little bit though I was not cured when I finished it .It`s a long road, It`s been 9 years of that and I`m still struggling with it. The problem is that it seemed to get worse because when you get older it looks like people and even yourself have higher expectations about where you should be in life and when you realize that your expectations dont match your reality it`s a bitter blow. The worst part of all is that I dont feel in control of my destiny it`s like everything escapes my control. When I`m depressed I use "relief thoughts" like thinking that I`m going to quit my job, catch a bus to a province and start my life there all over" or that I just want to get on a car and drive... just drive without ever thinking where to ( like runaways thelma and Louise)or I think that I will become a nun so that I can have plenty of time to think and reflect upon my life though this idea is usually discarded because I have a boyfriend whom I would have to stop seeing or sometimes I just think that this is what I have to go through and that something really good is in store for me in the future or sometimes I just know that the only control I have in my life is the knowledge that I can end it whenever I want, thoughts of suicide usually linger in my mind and the worst of it is that I think of it as a normal thing. Have you ever felt the need to escape when you are depressed? some days the only thing I want to do is sleep, I don`t sleep well at night because a dream starts me up and then I cannot get back to sleep and start thinking ways of solving my problems but they seem to have no solution and I feel frustrated and hopeless and those feelings start building up until I feel like I`m a balloon about to burst and that`s when I do something to relieve that tension ( I used to cut myself and then watch in the mirror how my blood trickle down my body)I had to stop doing that when I was operated on a cyst in my neck that I believe appeared due to the cutings and infections I did to myself. you are surely thinking that instead of cutting myself I should have talked to someone about my feelings, but I`m not the kind of person that finds relief in being listened. Have you ever been paralaysed " literally" by fear that If you move you have to go on with your life and you don`t want to go on you just want to remain there, seated, without moving, trying to think what it would be like life for you in ten years from then and wishing time wouldn`t go by so you never have to leave that position in the bench, in the park, in your life... I came acroos your post trying to find some tips or info about how to beat depression.I`ve been fighting it for years. If I had to look back and think when it started I would say after I finished highschool, not that before that was a bundle of joy but I was a happy child though I remembered I always felt inadequate and when I didnt feel that way there were always people around me that made me feel that way(grownups)So, I guess that had an effect on my self-esteem.
As i was saying,when I finished highschool I felt under so much pressure to keep on studying a career and making the right choice “because what you choose to study is what you`ll end up doing the rest of your life” it sounded so menacing almost like apocalyptic. I had to measure up to my parents expectations, I felt I wasnt able to make a career choice fearing that I would take a wrong decision and I succumbed to depression. I did some therapy for a year and it turned out to help me a little bit though I was not cured when I finished it .It`s a long road, It`s been 9 years of that and I`m still struggling with it. The problem is that it seemed to get worse because when you get older it looks like people and even yourself have higher expectations about where you should be in life and when you realize that your expectations dont match your reality it`s a bitter blow.
The worst part of all is that I dont feel in control of my destiny it`s like everything escapes my control.
When I`m depressed I use “relief thoughts” like thinking that I`m going to quit my job, catch a bus to a province and start my life there all over” or that I just want to get on a car and drive… just drive without ever thinking where to ( like runaways thelma and Louise)or I think that I will become a nun so that I can have plenty of time to think and reflect upon my life though this idea is usually discarded because I have a boyfriend whom I would have to stop seeing or sometimes I just think that this is what I have to go through and that something really good is in store for me in the future or sometimes I just know that the only control I have in my life is the knowledge that I can end it whenever I want, thoughts of suicide usually linger in my mind and the worst of it is that I think of it as a normal thing. Have you ever felt the need to escape when you are depressed? some days the only thing I want to do is sleep, I don`t sleep well at night because a dream starts me up and then I cannot get back to sleep and start thinking ways of solving my problems but they seem to have no solution and I feel frustrated and hopeless and those feelings start building up until I feel like I`m a balloon about to burst and that`s when I do something to relieve that tension ( I used to cut myself and then watch in the mirror how my blood trickle down my body)I had to stop doing that when I was operated on a cyst in my neck that I believe appeared due to the cutings and infections I did to myself.
you are surely thinking that instead of cutting myself I should have talked to someone about my feelings, but I`m not the kind of person that finds relief in being listened.
Have you ever been paralaysed ” literally” by fear that If you move you have to go on with your life and you don`t want to go on you just want to remain there, seated, without moving, trying to think what it would be like life for you in ten years from then and wishing time wouldn`t go by so you never have to leave that position in the bench, in the park, in your life…

]]> By: How To Beat Depression | Health Care 4 Me http://www.thedailymind.com/stress/5-small-but-big-ways-to-beat-depression-every-time/comment-page-1/#comment-23712 How To Beat Depression | Health Care 4 Me Wed, 17 Feb 2010 09:47:31 +0000 http://thedailymind.com/?p=235#comment-23712 [...] thedailymind Share and [...] [...] thedailymind Share and [...]

]]> By: Mark http://www.thedailymind.com/stress/5-small-but-big-ways-to-beat-depression-every-time/comment-page-1/#comment-23340 Mark Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:53:45 +0000 http://thedailymind.com/?p=235#comment-23340 Very good post. I'm just "coming out" on the other side of a battle with depression. It was very difficult. One of the things that I really connected with in your post is the fact that depressive thoughts still come and go. Even though I can look back 10 weeks ago and define very clearly how much better I am doing now than I was then, I still feel depressed in fleeting moments from time to time. The big difference is that now, when those feelings come, I go pick up a book, listen to some music, call a friend or start making a list of things I need to do by tomorrow or the end of the week. But when I was truly in the deep stages of the depression and those thoughts and feelings creeped in, I fed them. I dwelt on the causes of my depression, tried to explain them away or worst of all, I would just SIT THERE, let my eyes well up with tears and let it possess me. The problem with labeling, as you implied, is that you tend to use it to feed your depression. When you don't feel like being around other people or watching a funny movie, you start to tell yourself things like, "Well, it's ok that you don't want to be around other people. You're depressed and that's what depression does to people." This is true, but you could just as easily tell yourself, "Hey, I don't really feel like going out right now, but I might have a good time. I might make a new friend or make somebody laugh. Maybe I won't have any fun at all, but how is that any different from what I am doing right now as I sit in my room and stare at the wall?" Very good post. I’m just “coming out” on the other side of a battle with depression. It was very difficult. One of the things that I really connected with in your post is the fact that depressive thoughts still come and go. Even though I can look back 10 weeks ago and define very clearly how much better I am doing now than I was then, I still feel depressed in fleeting moments from time to time. The big difference is that now, when those feelings come, I go pick up a book, listen to some music, call a friend or start making a list of things I need to do by tomorrow or the end of the week. But when I was truly in the deep stages of the depression and those thoughts and feelings creeped in, I fed them. I dwelt on the causes of my depression, tried to explain them away or worst of all, I would just SIT THERE, let my eyes well up with tears and let it possess me. The problem with labeling, as you implied, is that you tend to use it to feed your depression. When you don’t feel like being around other people or watching a funny movie, you start to tell yourself things like, “Well, it’s ok that you don’t want to be around other people. You’re depressed and that’s what depression does to people.” This is true, but you could just as easily tell yourself, “Hey, I don’t really feel like going out right now, but I might have a good time. I might make a new friend or make somebody laugh. Maybe I won’t have any fun at all, but how is that any different from what I am doing right now as I sit in my room and stare at the wall?”

]]> By: Anu Malhi http://www.thedailymind.com/stress/5-small-but-big-ways-to-beat-depression-every-time/comment-page-1/#comment-23297 Anu Malhi Fri, 23 Oct 2009 20:11:10 +0000 http://thedailymind.com/?p=235#comment-23297 You are so right about the careful use of 'i have depression'. Too many people use it in passive conversation and this can naturally impact on the way you are feeling and can start to introduce a natural negative feeling within your thoughts. Thanks for your suggestions and as you say it is key to make physical contact and keep thinking about the positive things in your life no matter how difficult it may seem! Thanks for a great positive article You are so right about the careful use of ‘i have depression’. Too many people use it in passive conversation and this can naturally impact on the way you are feeling and can start to introduce a natural negative feeling within your thoughts.

Thanks for your suggestions and as you say it is key to make physical contact and keep thinking about the positive things in your life no matter how difficult it may seem!

Thanks for a great positive article

]]> By: JRM http://www.thedailymind.com/stress/5-small-but-big-ways-to-beat-depression-every-time/comment-page-1/#comment-21926 JRM Mon, 14 Sep 2009 23:22:58 +0000 http://thedailymind.com/?p=235#comment-21926 First allow me to say thanks for the excellent article. Please accept me critique, however, regarding your perception of "bad depression". I was hospitalized last year while suffering from a major depressive episode. I became completely unable to feel even an inkling of joy or hope. There was literally nothing that could help. It was as though I was lying in a battlefield with a giant, agonizing, gaping wound in my chest and nothing short of death could help. I was planning my suicide. "Even the unfortunate souls with the most severe cases of depression are happy sometimes. There are a few moments in the day when their depression fades and another emotion sweeps over them." I was one of the "unfortunate souls" and your statement is simply inaccurate. Even with AD's I spent over six months in this Godforsaken state of mind before experiencing just one moment when my depression faded. I still fight a daily battle, one where my depression is much less severe and one that can now benefit from your suggestions. I'm not sure what kind of depression you went through, but is sure wasn't what I had. - JR First allow me to say thanks for the excellent article. Please accept me critique, however, regarding your perception of “bad depression”.

I was hospitalized last year while suffering from a major depressive episode. I became completely unable to feel even an inkling of joy or hope. There was literally nothing that could help. It was as though I was lying in a battlefield with a giant, agonizing, gaping wound in my chest and nothing short of death could help. I was planning my suicide.

“Even the unfortunate souls with the most severe cases of depression are happy sometimes. There are a few moments in the day when their depression fades and another emotion sweeps over them.”

I was one of the “unfortunate souls” and your statement is simply inaccurate. Even with AD’s I spent over six months in this Godforsaken state of mind before experiencing just one moment when my depression faded.

I still fight a daily battle, one where my depression is much less severe and one that can now benefit from your suggestions. I’m not sure what kind of depression you went through, but is sure wasn’t what I had.

- JR

]]> By: Pretty Me Pink http://www.thedailymind.com/stress/5-small-but-big-ways-to-beat-depression-every-time/comment-page-1/#comment-19957 Pretty Me Pink Sat, 22 Aug 2009 21:54:30 +0000 http://thedailymind.com/?p=235#comment-19957 So agree with every thing you say! Its soooo easy in our busy lives to forget about human contact and love, and we just try to guard our hearts with chains and metal plated doors, just have to enjoy life and not to step into that spiral of the D word! So agree with every thing you say! Its soooo easy in our busy lives to forget about human contact and love, and we just try to guard our hearts with chains and metal plated doors, just have to enjoy life and not to step into that spiral of the D word!

]]> By: Maggie http://www.thedailymind.com/stress/5-small-but-big-ways-to-beat-depression-every-time/comment-page-1/#comment-19146 Maggie Thu, 13 Aug 2009 18:40:54 +0000 http://thedailymind.com/?p=235#comment-19146 Hello, I really enjoyed reading your article and everyone's replies. I am just coming out of my depression. Never experienced anything like this before, and I never want to go through this again. I can honestly say, it has been one of the worst experiences in my life. Doctor gave me anti depressants, but I have refused to take them, as I wanted to get through this without relying on medication that carried many risks of nasty side effects etc. Was also told I'd feel even worse for the first two weeks, as the medication built up in my body. There was no way I was going to put myself through even worse torture for two more weeks. It's been bad enough already. Anyway, with the help of my family, and friends I am coming out of it. Also keeping myself busy and not allowing myself to become bored, and as you mentioned also, spending time out in the sun has helped heaps. Thanks for your article, it really does help. Hello,

I really enjoyed reading your article and everyone’s replies.

I am just coming out of my depression. Never experienced anything like this before, and I never want to go through this again. I can honestly say, it has been one of the worst experiences in my life.

Doctor gave me anti depressants, but I have refused to take them, as I wanted to get through this without relying on medication that carried many risks of nasty side effects etc. Was also told I’d feel even worse for the first two weeks, as the medication built up in my body. There was no way I was going to put myself through even worse torture for two more weeks. It’s been bad enough already.

Anyway, with the help of my family, and friends I am coming out of it.
Also keeping myself busy and not allowing myself to become bored, and as you mentioned also, spending time out in the sun has helped heaps.

Thanks for your article, it really does help.

]]> By: Jasha http://www.thedailymind.com/stress/5-small-but-big-ways-to-beat-depression-every-time/comment-page-1/#comment-17972 Jasha Sun, 26 Jul 2009 09:08:34 +0000 http://thedailymind.com/?p=235#comment-17972 I just want to say thank you to everybody who left their comments on this page. I have been going through some hard times within myself for the past year and honestly, just knowing I am not alone with this feeling is enough. I too have learned that being around people, even if I have to force myself to get out of the house helps sooo much. Also praying about it and asking for support is something amazing. I was at the brink of suicide and have now found a way to handle my emotions..just knowing I am not alone and that it wont last was enough to keep me here and where I am to this day. Thanks guys:) I just want to say thank you to everybody who left their comments on this page. I have been going through some hard times within myself for the past year and honestly, just knowing I am not alone with this feeling is enough. I too have learned that being around people, even if I have to force myself to get out of the house helps sooo much. Also praying about it and asking for support is something amazing. I was at the brink of suicide and have now found a way to handle my emotions..just knowing I am not alone and that it wont last was enough to keep me here and where I am to this day. Thanks guys:)

]]> By: Bookmarks about Depression http://www.thedailymind.com/stress/5-small-but-big-ways-to-beat-depression-every-time/comment-page-1/#comment-11440 Bookmarks about Depression Wed, 01 Apr 2009 05:00:12 +0000 http://thedailymind.com/?p=235#comment-11440 [...] - bookmarked by 1 members originally found by sjtryon on 2009-03-07 5 Small (But Big) Ways to Beat Depression Every Time http://thedailymind.com/stress/5-small-but-big-ways-to-beat-depression-every-time/ - bookmarked by [...] [...] – bookmarked by 1 members originally found by sjtryon on 2009-03-07 5 Small (But Big) Ways to Beat Depression Every Time http://thedailymind.com/stress/5-small-but-big-ways-to-beat-depression-every-time/ – bookmarked by [...]

]]> By: Jules http://www.thedailymind.com/stress/5-small-but-big-ways-to-beat-depression-every-time/comment-page-1/#comment-10831 Jules Mon, 23 Mar 2009 22:03:07 +0000 http://thedailymind.com/?p=235#comment-10831 Thank you so much for writing this article! I was feeling like crap, looking for something positive to read, to help lift me out of this state, and was actually surprised that ur strategies helped me feel better already! The part about depression being transient was the most eye opening...I have to have hope that it will pass, and it will. I agree with everything else, esp the contact, having my friends come over to my house and force me out really kept me alive. It's funny how a kind act can have such an affect. The parts that I'm still struggling with is exercise and eating healthy. I'm a junk food fiend...eating things that taste really good and satisfying to me comforts me when I'm feeling depressed, it distracts me, and rewards me. Nobody says "omg I hate my life!! now where are those celery sticks??" And excercising is soooo hard to get into, esp when you've been a couch potatoe for most of your life. When I do excercise I end up feeling like a lard ass because of how out of shape I am. I really hope I can start treating my body better, but it's sooo difficult! Depression is so hard to get out of, because the things that help it, like thinking positively, eating healthy and spending time with people, is the opposite of what you want to do lol. thanks again :) Thank you so much for writing this article! I was feeling like crap, looking for something positive to read, to help lift me out of this state, and was actually surprised that ur strategies helped me feel better already! The part about depression being transient was the most eye opening…I have to have hope that it will pass, and it will. I agree with everything else, esp the contact, having my friends come over to my house and force me out really kept me alive. It’s funny how a kind act can have such an affect. The parts that I’m still struggling with is exercise and eating healthy. I’m a junk food fiend…eating things that taste really good and satisfying to me comforts me when I’m feeling depressed, it distracts me, and rewards me. Nobody says “omg I hate my life!! now where are those celery sticks??” And excercising is soooo hard to get into, esp when you’ve been a couch potatoe for most of your life. When I do excercise I end up feeling like a lard ass because of how out of shape I am. I really hope I can start treating my body better, but it’s sooo difficult! Depression is so hard to get out of, because the things that help it, like thinking positively, eating healthy and spending time with people, is the opposite of what you want to do lol.
thanks again :)

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