Can't figure out how to conquer depression?
609143
This will work:\n\nTry a 4 hour job (part time) job; that you don't necessarily LOVE, but you do it for the sake of it, and some money. It may take your depression away forever.
985895
I totally agree with "The Birdlady" EXCEPT that you can't put a price tag on happiness. I'm adding a link on depression for you. You will need to see a counselor. Just talking about how you feel, to anyone who will listen, sometimes helps and you make realizations on your own as to some things that have caused you to be depressed and what to do next. Ask your counselor for a good book on overcoming depression. Some other answers on here are good. You have to make some lifestyle changes to feel better, rather than being stuck in a rut. \n\nGood luck. :)
89646
you can always talk to your doctor about anti-depressants, or if you know you or someone you know is depressed then find what makes him/her depressed and keep them away form it and lead them towards things of a fun and loving nature. If it is you yourself then find friends of a positive attitude to keep you mind off the thing that dpresses you and try to look on life with a positive attitude. Depression is like a major sadness that leaves you stripped of all desire to do anything, so the best way to cope with it is to stay active and deny your brain the though of the act that depresses you.
498074
For a little while yes but you cannot let anger overtake your life. You think you are alone now then wait until you alienate all your friends, family and anyone who tries to help you. The best thing you can do is try get a hobby or do something that makes you happy. You also might try talking to someone. A friend, or a professional or both. I don't know how you feel about it but antidepressants helped get me out of depression and then one day I could not afford them anymore so I dropped them cold turkey. Now that was not the right way to go but to this day when I feel down or depressed I just think about my willpower. Depression won't get me today! So far it works. My life is back on track. Once I looked up and saw that not everything is bad. I was just too involved in my own mess to understand that. Everything happens for a reason and I know that now. I have grown from everything I have been through and even learned from my depression. I wish you the best. And also if you are thinking about doing dangerous to yourself or someone else please get help... call a hotline if you have to. Just get info on the internet. Try webmd or doing a search for depression. If you have signs of it then maybe you have it and need to get help. No one should have to suffer through depression when there are people to help. Good luck!
847099
Write it down on paper. Be very honest about everything.\nI had to tell my dad this way about my depression and how I felt about him and my life.  It helped a lot.\nAre you getting medication?  You need to find a good doctor....and medication that suits you.  It may take a while to find but hang in there.
459179
you're always going to be at risk of recurring depression, it's similar to being a recovering alcoholic in that you can never really say you are cured, but that doesn't mean you can't feel better, with the right treatments, or that you can't live a full and exciting life.\nYou need to be aware of what triggered the depression, and have a plan in place whenever you feel those depressed thoughts coming back.\n  Exercise and sport are excellent methods of keeping depression at bay, as well as keeping fit :)
466216
Well, provided that you have been properly diagnosed with depression, it's possible you need to be placed on some long term medication. This will help regulate your body and brain into a more happy state of mind. You may also want to try some counseling to see if there are any underlying problems that you need to address. Good luck.
298973
Your question is difficult as there are so many factors involved with depression. I am no doctor, but have had many relationships with people who suffer from depression and will share what little I know. \n\nFirst, I would make sure that you are doing some basic healthy behaviors like eating a well balanced meal, exercising regularly, avoid acohol, tabacco and such, and get outdoors into the sun. Your personal health has a direct impact on your emotional health. \n\nSecond, find someone with whom you can speak, a professional or a very good friend. Having an outlet will allow you to release some of the tension you have built up. Holding it all in is not healthy and will lead to irrational thoughts. Go out and be with others if you can and avoid locking yourself in your room. \n\nNext, honestly think about what the underlying issues are that are causing you feelings of depression. Once you figure out what the issues truly are, think about what you can change about yourself and your behavior that may improve the situation. We can only control our own behavior, so it is best to start with ourselves. Since whatever you have been doing is not working, make sure not to continue behaviors that contribute to or agitate the situation. \n\nAfter you have started working on yourself, you really need to open the lines of peaceful, rational communications with the others involved. It is very possible that they may have no idea that they are causing you pain or even understand/believe you once you tell them what you feel.\n\nBe patient. I have never seen anyone instantly cured of depression. Like most things that are worthwhile in life, this is going to take some effort. If you really start to feel out of control, please seek professional help. \n\nFinally, God has a greater understanding of things than we do. If you believe in God, let him help you out. \n\nJames 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.\n\nLet me know if there is anything that I can do to help.
313494
If you have not already sought out help from a mental health professional I stongly suggest you do so.  Depression is extremely common and it can be managed by therapy and/or medications.  Either pinpointing the source through therapy or finding the right medications for you may allow you to enjoy those things you once used to.
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.
426279
Hi, \n\nI have suffered with depression my whole life & have been on medication since I was 17. I am now 28. I think you need to try & find a good therapist. Talking combined with medication is the only thing that truly works. Yes, being in love, doing sports, finding a hobby, etc can help, but these will not cure the problem. Maybe like me, you just have to accept that you may always suffer from this disease & just enjoy the times in between bouts of sadness. I keep a diary of he times when I am happy, then when I am down & feel like I am losing my mind, I can reassure myself. It helps in a small way.Whatever you choose, good luck.
48315
The first step in fighting depression is to understand what it is, how it affects you, and what causes it.\nAnyone can get depression.\nMost people with depression never seek help, even though the majority will respond to treatment. Treating depression is especially important because it affects you, your family, and your work. Some people with depression try to harm themselves in the mistaken belief that how they are feeling will never change. Depression is a treatable illness.   www.depression.com/
266700
First, ask yourself if you could be suffering from depression like millions of other people in the world. You can immediately reject that possibility if you want to, but I did too and found out later that I really had been suffering from depression. So at least go to www.WebMd.com or any other reputable medical information site and read about depression and how people feel when they experience it in their lives. You may very well want to change your life, but first make sure your thinking isn't distorted by something like depression that's beyond your control until you recognize it and open your mind to what may be making you have these feelings in your life.
1055378
don't ever give up! there is ALWAYS a better day in the future. exercise really helps to ease depression. you wouldnt think of it, but just a daily walk or jog outside will help you.
970046
depression, if not treated soon or correctly, could be fatal. Enjoying "favorites" is and can be of help but ultimately, you should seek out a professional. They have the tools and skills that you will need to overcome the depression. Along with therapy, they could provide you with some type of medication which will be of great help to you in the long run. \ngood luck.
481195
Therapy (and during desparation, drugs) will help the symptoms, but the root causes of depression have to be eliminated.\n\nI disagree with it being a brain diorder.  Your serotonin level depends on how good your life is going.  If you're going through a tough time, your serotonin is low.  Watching funny shows on TV and exercise allow you to make your own serotonin.\n\nThe best way to beat depression is to stay on a routine, betting up at the same time of day no matter what, have morning and bedtime rituals, and journal like crazy (I prefer notepad on my laptop.  Surround yourself with things that you feel are your identity.\n\nAbove all, stay around people.  What saved me was starting to hang around a church group.  And in them I found a ton of people to trust and feel comfortable around.  Gradually, my identity resurfaced, and I was back to my old self.
343647
With a psychaitrist and medication. Medication was like a miracle. Within a few weeks I was happy and content and could deal with anything and especially the cause of my depression.\nIt's really hard to get over this alone. The problem is that your mind is playing tricks on you, and you have unbalanced chemistry in your brain. Medication helps balance that out. \nThe medicine that they have today is incredibly good, and works really well.