any suggestions for a autistic young man who is depressed?
148714
For austic people depression often stems from boredom and just feeling very alone.  I think he needs to be with friends and family and have more things to do that he is interested in.
15805
I have hears numerous times that saint johns wort works, but honestly you should try and figure out why you are depressed and talk to your Dr. about it. There are many medications both short term and long term that can help.
404911
Find a new therapist who will help you and not just fill you full of pills!  \n\nAlso, try working out at the gym - that should help with self-esteem, make you feel less tired, increase your sex drive, and increase your motivation.  Research has shown that just 30 minutes of exercise can be more effective than an anti-depressant.  If you are doing both then maybe things will start to look up!
521200
Try group therapy.  There are free ones.  Look in the newspaper under the community calendar.  There are ones through churches, different clubs and hospitals.  Being able to anonymously talk about things may very well help.  Also, you should try to exercise and eat healthy.  This certainly can affect your hormones, etc...  Search out things you've always wanted to do and do them.  Make an effort to enjoy yourself.  Even when you would rather just sleep, do something.  If the sun is shining, go outside.  It is not easy recovering from depression.  Half the battle is making yourself aware that the only true cure is making the choice to be positive and happy.  It is terribly hard to do.  I did have the help of welbutrin (anti-depressant) for about 3 months to help me through some serious depression.  It simply gave me more energy.  Other than that, I just had to realize that depression comes from within me.  There is no outside source.  I didn't become depressed because I was going through bad things.  Lots of people go through bad stuff all the time and they are not depressed.  It was my mind and heart.  I finally decided I wanted to be happy and consciously made an effort to be so.
764880
Keep a list of good things to refer to when you are feeling down - things that you have achieved or that make you happy. Be your own best friend, who reminds you of what's best about yourself. \n\nDon't stay in with the computer all the time - go out, get fresh air, smile at people, be part of your community. Also, have a proper routine for the jobs that have to be done - cleaning, self-care, paying bills, etc - you will feel better for being on top of them. You can give yourself a reward for each job completed....\n\nThink about the activities you enjoy most or are best at and plan more time for them in your life, and in ways that involve other people.\nSo if you are a good cook, cook good meals for yourself, but also volunteer to cook for a local project. If you enjoy singing, join a choir. If you feel you have no particular skills, why not take an evening class to learn a new one. \n\nExercise is good for your self-esteem as it makes you fitter and better able to cope with stress, but it has to be the right exercise for you. If you are not into team sports or the gym, consider walking, cycling, jogging or dance.\n\nImagine that you are a photographer or journalist with an assignment to record something beautiful or joyful every day. This will make you go looking for the positive things in yourself, in other people, in nature and in the world around you.\n\nBudget for a small treat each week, whether it's a magazine, a movie, a bright scarf, a new picture for your wall, a manicure, whatever you enjoy.....\n\nMake a list of ten things you would like to achieve or experience in the next few years, and start doing them! Don't get anxious about things you have not yet done - you still have them to look forward to.\n\nDon't give into negative thoughts about yourself or other people, or guilt about the past. Treat each day as a fresh chance to do some good in the world, to look for the best in other people and in yourself and to enjoy life.\n\nGood luck!
609352
Talk to someone you trust, either family or friends. If they cannot help, see a doctor, try psychotherapy support, ask the specialist if anti-depressants may help you. \nAlso try to enjoy yourself, go out, look for a hobby, there must be something of interest to you, go to the movies, mix with happy people that make you laugh. Try to laugh a lot even if you feel you can`t. Good luck!
678047
I think the most important thing you can do for yourself is accept that there are no magic pills. If you put too much faith in medicine, chances are you will be disappointed because pills do not always address the underlying causes of depression.\n\nThings that you could try instead:\n\n1. Examine your diet. Is it healthy and balanced? If it isn't, think about taking supplements for a while. I know everyone booed Tom Cruise when he suggested vitamins as a cure for Post-partum depression but, actually, he made an important point badly. Poor nutrition is a factor in a vast number of mental illnesses. If you want to get serious about nutrition, buy a book called 'The Optimum Nutrition Bible' and follow the supplementation regime for depression. It will work - promise!\n\n2. Another thing to try (in conjunction with 1) is to take more exercise. It's the last thing you feel like doing, I will bet. But exercise gets those serotonin and endorphin levels elevated and you come out on a high. Even if you are unfit, you come out feeling like you have achieved something when you finish a class. Think about taking up aerobics or using a cross-trainer regularly\n\n3. Try to talk about your feelings. Depression is often caused by repressed anger. Women, in particular, tend to suffer from depression because we tend to internalise stress. The best way to not get depressed is to get used to expressing and asserting yourself. If you type 'depression and anger' into Google, you will be surprised by the amount of material on the web about this.\n\n4. Try to get enough sleep. If you prop your body up with lots of cigarettes, coffee, alcohol or soda (or even recreational drugs) try to cut right down. Try to cut out alcohol as it is a depressant. You know by now that trying to bury your feelings in unhealthy habits isn't working. In fact, it may be making you feel worse. It's time to give up all those bad habits for good.\n\n5. Do what you can to shift your mindset. If you sit there all day saying 'I am depressed', you will feel depressed. I guarantee it. Instead, wake up in the morning and say 'it's a gorgeous day today. I think I'll go for a walk'. Then do it. Or look at your feet and promise to paint your toenails a pretty colour. Listen to some music (no mopey love songs or funeral dirges - listen to upbeat tracks that make you want to dance or sing along). \n\nI too have suffered from depression, for many years. It has only lifted in the last 6 years. I did the pill thing, the alcohol thing, the hospital thing and therapy. But what really helped me was a determined effort to change my mindset - from cup half empty to cup half full. I try to be positive but I keep things real. I think about how I feel about things a lot. And if I am angry, I express it. Why shouldn't I?\n\nIt will not be easy but make a commitment to yourself to take some of these steps. Only then will you position yourself to be free of this burden forever.\n\nTake care and good luck.
908561
Exercise.\n\nGet a hobby.\n\nCall a friend.\nIf you don't have any friends, talk to people more.\n\nWatch/read/do things that make you laugh or feel good.\n\nDo not sleep more than 7-8 hours.\n\nAnd last but not least, exercise.\n\nIf you feel overwhelmed or that you are unable to cope with your depression on your own, then by all means seek help. There is an abundance of help available with absolutely no excuses not to utilize them.
209364
You should just be there for him, let him know that drinking is not the answer, that it will just make him more depressed. If that is not enough, i really do think you should let his parents know what is going on.
793605
get some ice cream.\n\nit always brings me up when im down!
527926
Dear Carer, Having dealt with this illness myself, I would firstly encourage you.It is no small 'task' to assist and care for someone with this condition. Yet in spite of it all, you haven't given up, for he is indeed the man you love.\n\nI don't know where you live, so I'm sending this from Australia,and an email address where you can receive a printout, or you can read,[if you have no printer]\n\nemail: mha@mentalhealth.asn.au   or look up their website: \n       www.mentalhealth.asn.au \n\nThe printout is in the form of 14 pages, and for you it will not be 'difficult' reading, as it is structured for the carer and the sufferer as well.\nShould he also suffer from Depression, which complicates the illness a little, you also can download the 'Depression' pages as well.\nBeing a man, and dealing with Dads in Distress,I am the first to say that with men it is a challenge, but do-able.\n\nEncourage him to go with you or a trusted friend to see a Dr.and be reassesed for his sake, [not just yours], because you love him.\n\nPerhaps find the reason he went off the meds, and begin there,\nfor it seemed to be working for him. But, he needs to find a Dr that will set up continued visits, say once each 3 weeks.\n\nAlso find in your area where you can best receive the assistance you need.Take care. sc
458789
I think you could benefit from some psychological counseling. It sounds like you're depressed.
1069034
Try the Chicken Soup books and Erma Bombeck.  I am sorry you are hurt.  Maybe these will bring a smile.
412948
I don't know how old your son is, but change for an Autistic child is extemely hard. I'm sure you know this already, though.  my brother has asbergers and he is going to be 21. each year he seems to be getting better and has had his medication reduced quite a bit over the years. he too has dealt with death and changing schools. a stable environment and support system is key for these two mental disorders.\n\ni think that children/people with autism need to be on some form of medication and therapy for the rest of their lives. unfortunately they were not made to function in the real world with as much comfort as others. \n\nthe key right now is stability and support, though. the right balance of these two things without making too much of a fuss that they are "special" is the best for them. i never felt embarassed or ashamed of my brother, and that has helped him grow into his own person.
798607
The best ways to rid yourself of sadness and loneliness:\n\nJoin clubs any hobby you are interested in (chess club, astronomy club, bridge club, womens club etc) you will make all kinds of friends.\n\nGet out of the HOUSE often. You need contact with people, any people (like at the store, library, swim center etc)\n\nGet lots of exercize, it promotes serotonin for good feelings (go swim at a pool, jazzercise, biking, hiking, walks, tae bo etc).\n\nEat healthy, very important to nourish the mind so you wont be depressed (lots of fruit and veggies and lean meat) Also take supplements (vitamins and minerals and herbs) Talk to someone at a herb shop or health food store. They have amazing stuff.\n\nRead Books (fiction for pleasure and non0fiction to learn about health, wellness, hobby, and more)\n\nGet involved (community service, find something you can help with) My best days were spent helping others. Very important for your well-being.\n\nMake contact with family and friends (make the effort to visit them, talk on phone and email them asap) See your child more often you are her mother and she needs you.\n\nHere is an important book I want you to read. It can change your life for the better.\nThe Luck Factor by Dr. Richard Weisman (amazon)\nTells you the steps to make your life better, more luck in every aspect of living, even how to pick a mate. This is one of the best books I have ever read. Please read it too.\n\nGood Luck & keep you chin up.
616255
You definitely need to see a doctor before it gets worse to determine whether therapy, medication or both are the best route for you to take. Also, a quick fix that I found is eating dark chocolate - it gave me just enough to get over the depression feelings - but it doesn't last long - maybe a couple hours max.\n\n\nwww.mommastayshome.com
39339
I understand your desire to learn about depression and remedies for it. I have three things that have\ngotten me through times when I've been depressed, and\nthey're all gentle solutions that I think will suit an\nintelligent person like yourself. \n\n1 - The first is what Freud calls the "talking cure".\nHe insists that it must be performed by a\npsychoanalyst who you are paying for, but actually\nI've performed it by writing in a diary. The key is to\nbe very honest, and try to find connections that you\nmight otherwise be supressing, because these are the\nareas that need work. For example, what's the first\nthing that pops into your mind when you think of\n"depression"? If the answer is "flying a kite", then\nfollow the chain... What do you think of when you\nthink of "kite" and "flying"... You'll be surprised\nhow quickly this takes you right down to an event in\nyour childhood or an unresolved conflict that might\nhave happened a year ago.\n\n2 - Looking for lies. A chair cannot make you\ndepressed. A lampshade cannot make you depressed. Only\nanother person can make you depressed. I believe it is\nbecause a chair and a lampshade cannot lie. Only a\nperson can lie. Depression, it seems to me, comes from\nbelieving a lie. That conflict (between reality and\nthe lie) takes up so much mental energy to maintain,\nit drains you as a whole. You may find, after using\ntechnique #1, that it leads to you to this conclusion\n#2. For example, after free associating your way to an\nevent, you might find that it was when someone told\nyou that you weren't worth a hill of beans. The\nproblem is not that they insulted you, the problem is\nthat you believed the lie. Beware, giving up on a lie\nthat we've believed in for a long time is tougher than\nit sounds.\n\n3 - This one is going to sound goofy, especially after\nwading in deeply with the other two techniques. Get\nsome light to shine on the cells in the back of your\neyes. Go outside for an extended period of time\nwithout sunglasses (no need to stare at the sun or a\nlight-bulb, indirect light will do). Use one of those\ngentle light therapy products like www.everlyte.com .\nTake a trip on a sailboat. Spend a few hours in open\nfields on sunny days. It's those cells in the eyes\nthat produce much of the chemical that pills and\nherbal remedies seek to replace, but the cells in the\neyes put the chemicals where they are needed, in your\nbrain, and not in your stomach and everywhere else.\nThis third technique will help you with the other two,\nallowing you to think clearly, and get out from being\nstuck in a loop.\n\nI hope this "whole-istic" answer is as helpful to you\nas it has been to me over the years. A gentle look at\nthe whole picture is often better than a sledgehammer\nto just one piece of the problem.