What helps when you're feeling depressed?

[Calypso]

I take medication for my bipolar disorder, but I've noticed that when I'm depressed there are some things I can do that help. Most of all, I've learned I have to push myself a little when it comes to initiating new activities--when I'm depressed I don't want to start anything, but I usually find that if I can make myself start something I end up enjoying it. Another thing that helps me is to reach out to friends for extra support.

What helps you when you're depressed?

[Green-Moo]

If I'm beginning to feel down, I find that the best remedy is fresh air and exercise. Physical movement seems to stop me from turning inwards and fresh air does leave me feeling brighter.

[tater03]

Yes, I would have to agree getting out in the fresh air is the best thing for me to do. Sometimes if possible just getting away for a night will also help.

[mollyL]

Yes, fresh air and sunlight can be a total tonic if you can get yourself outside. My hubby knows just how to hold me and tell me what a poor baby I am, also a steaming hot cuppa and something chocolate help alot. It's important to not let a little depression grow into a big problem; that's where friends and loved ones can be so invaluable.

[Taggart]

I think a walk has helped me in the past. Also I like to get into a good movie or book, as a kind of escape sometimes, but I haven't been spending as much time reading as I'd like.

[live]

nothing influences mood like music. If I put on happy music i'm smile'n

[katharina]

Originally Posted by live

nothing influences mood like music. If I put on happy music i'm smile'n

I think a lot of these things are good for the kind of depression that is actually "the blues"... but chemically imbalanced clinical depression isn't really going to be helped with music... at least not for a very long time.

[Taggart]

Originally Posted by katharina

I think a lot of these things are good for the kind of depression that is actually "the blues"... but chemically imbalanced clinical depression isn't really going to be helped with music... at least not for a very long time.

I think that's true, and I also believe that some people have been prescribed medication when it wasn't necessary.

I guess the critically difficult thing is to know when a problem requires medication.

[SageMother]

Originally Posted by tater03

Yes, I would have to agree getting out in the fresh air is the best thing for me to do. Sometimes if possible just getting away for a night will also help.

A walk always works well for me. It helps me clear my head and I swear the sunlight clears my head.

When I cannot walk, I take a little break and do some crafts. Tapping into that creative side seems to leave me feeling less oppressed by my problems.

[Calypso]

Originally Posted by katharina

I think a lot of these things are good for the kind of depression that is actually "the blues"... but chemically imbalanced clinical depression isn't really going to be helped with music... at least not for a very long time.

Katharina, you're right about this. I try to do these self care type things in addition to taking my medication as prescribed. Treating major depression or bipolar disorder is not a do-it-yourself type endeavor.

[mollyL]

Absolutely right, Katharina; trying to reason or self-medicate yourself out of a bi-polar depression can only end in ruin. Your brain convinces you that you are making sense when that is the last thing you are doing. You need someone to observe and guide you.

[SageMother]

Originally Posted by Calypso

I take medication for my bipolar disorder, but I've noticed that when I'm depressed there are some things I can do that help. Most of all, I've learned I have to push myself a little when it comes to initiating new activities--when I'm depressed I don't want to start anything, but I usually find that if I can make myself start something I end up enjoying it. Another thing that helps me is to reach out to friends for extra support.

What helps you when you're depressed?

This question sparked something in my brain....LOL!

Do you ever have a warning signal that you are about to get depressed? I know that I get a barely detectable ache near my stomach , which gets my attention and lets me know to stop, take a deep breath, and change my activities.

I guess it is much like the aura that some people get just before a migraine sets in, or a seizure takes place.

If you battle depression or similar conditions, you you get a little "warning flare" before things get out of hand?

[Swastik]

Whenever i feel down the best remedy for me is crying. Nothing else works on me. As most of the time i feel low because of my personal reason so most of the time i am crying sometimes i become helpless as how much a person will cry continously. But now i start siting on internet and answering these types of things.

[The right way]

I think a walk is best for me too sometimes but if the problem is partly due to not having enough to do or having the problem of getting started on something then what about volenteering for something. I would not jump into anything too intense but sometimes helping out at a seniors facility or similar even for just an hour or two a week might remind you that there are many others out there with more problems who might just love to use up a little of your time.
Pets are good if you can have one where you live, and keeping the good friends, get rid of the ones that might bring you down or see them less often. The internet is an awsome place to look at something new and even help someone else out of their downer moods like here. I don't think I get depressed but I do worry about stuff now and then more then I should and a good comedy show kills it for me usually. I just need another train of thought or like most a hugh reasuring hug from the big guy, that is why I buy him warm soft shirts, hahahahahaha.

[justontime]

Originally Posted by Calypso

I take medication for my bipolar disorder, but I've noticed that when I'm depressed there are some things I can do that help. Most of all, I've learned I have to push myself a little when it comes to initiating new activities--when I'm depressed I don't want to start anything, but I usually find that if I can make myself start something I end up enjoying it. Another thing that helps me is to reach out to friends for extra support.

What helps you when you're depressed?

A good friend of mine has bipolar disorder. When he is depressed he tends to isolate himself from everyone. He has gradually gained more insight, he knows that when he is low he needs to make more effort to keep going and to keep up communication, but he also knows that he can not completely avoid the downs. He has developed a number of strategies, to help him. when friends send texts because they are worried he has a standard template response saying he is OK but low, don't worry and keep texting. It stops him from completely cutting off. When his mood starts to come back up he finds that walking and talking (to trusted friends) are the most helpful things to bring his mood to a level again. He and his friends recognise that the manic episodes when he is feeling on top of the world are the most dangerous because he makes foolish decisions, spends too much and takes on too much because he feels capable of anything.

[jess_moore]

i try to do something creative as well . . . let it out musically. or like a bunch of you have already said i try to get outside but i can honestly say sometimes its just impossible to get up and do anything. you need someone to force you up and get out otherwise i'd still be stuck in my bed or in the shower.

[HereToday]

A really good laugh takes me out of my "mood", even if I want to stay depressed. Sometimes it's downright dangerous, but those who can make me laugh have the key to me...

[The right way]

Me too, I love a good laugh and if I feel down a good sitcom on tv does it for me at times. I love comedy even when I don't feel like having fun, it changes the mood quickly. I also believe as I said on another thread, possitive people help me in the biggest way. I have found negative people can bring me down from my best moods and that is just not a good thing so I try to keep them out of my life or avoid them when I can. My biggest beef is a continual complainer coming over for a coffee to spill their stuff on me, not that I would not help but when it is their life to complain they need a new coffee house and I think if most kept this policy for themselves they would see happier days for themselves as well.

[Squish]

Being a person who lives with constant depression, I have the low I live with and the bad lows. During these bad lows, I put on emotional music or a movie that gets to me and cry. This lets me get connected to the feelings I'm having, even if I don't exactly know where they're coming from. The crying is a bit cathardic (sp?) and lets me get back to my normal low.

[sam]

If I'm down, I will sometimes try to get a little bit of something done. Even if it is just to empty the dishwasher. It makes me feel so good to have accomplished something. (then I don't feel so bad about myself)
I also read a good, easy to read, book called Cracked Teacups by B.E. Moore. I could relate so much to the main character. It gave me hope and a few laughs.