How do you cope with the depression?

[bajope]

I know that my depression is a direct result of my anxiety. Anytime I've cycled into anxiety, it's always gone hand in hand with anxiety. At times, I don't feel depressed at all and then other times, it's like it takes over me and I despair. Just wondering how all of you cope with your depression.

Blessings,
Jackie

[Zee]

Hi Bajope
Im quite new to depression and I dont like it one bit!!. I quite suddenly seemed to develop health anxiety 11 years ago but had no depression and got through it in 8 months. It then when away until a year ago and came flooding back but this time with what the GP said was mild depression. That escalated to moderate depression a few months later. My depression comes from fear of physical ailments, sensations. When Im feeling fine the depression lifts.. How do I cope?..I tend to sit alone, deep breathing trying to relax and combat the negative thoughts by mentally shouting " I am not listening !!!"..I do try to stay busy around the house or have some background noise on. Outside of that, I dont know how to cope as its a feeling Ive no experience of previously.
Would welcome any suggestions.

[Patsta]

I think anxiety and depression to some extent go hand in hand. When we feel anxious, we just want to curl up and hope that it all goes away. When it doesn't, we get depressed. I know that I am depressed at the moment, as my anxiety flared up again a week ago, and just having that constant anxiety makes me depressed. I have started my medication again, and I know its only a matter of time before I start to feel well again.
Are you on any meds?

[bajope]

The only meds I'm on is Klonopin for anxiety. And I only take a small amount. .25 mg a day as I'm so afraid of becoming dependent. I'm sure I actually need more. I was prescribed Celexa for depression but have been afraid to take it. Are you taking meds? If so, can you share what you are taking and what your experience has been with it?

[boblepeche]

Hi Bajope
Im quite new to depression and I dont like it one bit!!. I quite suddenly seemed to develop health anxiety 11 years ago but had no depression and got through it in 8 months. It then when away until a year ago and came flooding back but this time with what the GP said was mild depression. That escalated to moderate depression a few months later. My depression comes from fear of physical ailments, sensations. When Im feeling fine the depression lifts.. How do I cope?..I tend to sit alone, deep breathing trying to relax and combat the negative thoughts by mentally shouting " I am not listening !!!"..I do try to stay busy around the house or have some background noise on. Outside of that, I dont know how to cope as its a feeling Ive no experience of previously.
Would welcome any suggestions.

Hi Zee,

Have you ever thought that perhaps the opposite of what you think could be true ? IE could it be that when you feel mentally well you also feel physically well. People with depression and anxiety can get somatic illnesses link to their mental health, myself included.

The best advice for anxiety and depression is to see your GP and get some medication or talking therapy or both. Lots of rest, eat well, excercise and socialise (A lot easier said than done). Sitting alone may not be the best thing in the longer term, social isolation is bad for depression and anxiety.

Im living proof that you can come through it and get on with life feeling much stronger and positive about the future.

I take 45mg mirtazapine and 10mg escitalopram. They make me very tired at times but they have lifted my mode and helped me recover.

[gary_2.0]

I sleep. I pull the duvet close and hope to feel better when I awake. Sometimes I do. At all other times I wish I could go on sleeping indefinitely.

[delightfuldior]

Mine just passes.... I suffer from severe anxiety, on a daily basis and it affects my life. In turn I then get depressed because I feel out of control of my life and thoughts.

I'm trying to get some long term CBT but the therapist is such a numpty and is messing me about Im going to try and get some support privately.

Im also taking fish oils and ginseng, I took up exercise and this also really helped.

[heavenly]

I suffer from anxiety and depression but 25mg Citalopram has helped me see the wood for the trees, also I make sure I get up, go out for a walk and not sit in. I also go to counselling which helps and I am making positive changes in my life, doing a course, doing some volunteering, so I can change the boring unfulfilling job I have. All these things have really helped with my depression.

[Captain Caveman]

I am making positive changes in my life, doing a course, doing some volunteering, so I can change the boring unfulfilling job I have. All these things have really helped with my depression.

Yes volunteering is a great move. I feel so much better these days since volunteering. I am reading the book "Me to We" by Craig and Marc Kielburger. It's about changing from living a self centred life, to one of helping others. Just earlier I was reading a little section in the book about how they learnt from Psychologist Dr Dorothea Gaither that she has "witnessed the benefits of reaching out time and time again. She has yet to meet a suicidal volunteer. Feeling needed by others gives meaning to the life of people are deeply depressed. They feel a community connection, an obligation to others, and a reason to continue living. Helping others, it would seem, can literally be a lifesaver."

[heavenly]

Yes volunteering is a great move. I feel so much better these days since volunteering. I am reading the book "Me to We" by Craig and Marc Kielburger. It's about changing from living a self centred life, to one of helping others. Just earlier I was reading a little section in the book about how they learnt from Psychologist Dr Dorothea Gaither that she has "witnessed the benefits of reaching out time and time again. She has yet to meet a suicidal volunteer. Feeling needed by others gives meaning to the life of people are deeply depressed. They feel a community connection, an obligation to others, and a reason to continue living. Helping others, it would seem, can literally be a lifesaver."

Thank you for this post, I totally agree. I feel so much better and I haven't even started yet! There is a great site called http://www.do-it.org.uk/, you just put your post code in and it comes up with loads of volunteering options in your area.

[Captain Caveman]

Thank you for this post, I totally agree. I feel so much better and I haven't even started yet!

No worries. Your comment about feeling better without having started yet matches a finding that the book mentions:

"Even thinking about helping others boosts our health. Psychologist Dr. David McClelland of Harvard University had a group of students watch a film about Mother Teresa's work in the slums of Calcutta. Sit and watch was all they did, but later tests revealed that students responded to the film psychically, with an increase in immunoglobulin A, an antibody that defends against certain diseases."

[StarryBlueGal]

I am job hunting at the moment and also am thinking of volunteering as well. But I haven't heard anything from the organisations who I am supposed to volunteer with. I do want my life to have a purpose and also to have a social life as well. It made me realise that I do miss working. But I am disabled myself so I find it hard to socialise with people and I hope to get a job or a voluntary job but it is making my life hell staying at home a lot.

Hope you can find a way to make your life more interesting - good luck!

Starry xx

[hypochondriac]

I used to b severely depressed and my way of getting over it was creating a dream for the future, one that i can make true (i even went as far as researching to confirm that it is possible) whenever i feel close to a relapse i think back on it and it helps me lift myself up again

[Patsta]

Hi bajope,
I am currently taking 50mg of Zoloft (sertraline). I have been back on it for 2 weeks now, and my anxiety has eased up.....just a little niggling feeling there now! I know my meds haven't kicked in 100% yet...but I am feeling much better, although still a little depressed...but also know that will improve over the next few weeks. I also know I have to make some life changes...I find myself at home all day doing the same things...cleaning, cooking, washing, etc...am so sick of it and feel that there has to be more to life than just this...I guess I'm just feeling sorry for myself and know that I need to do more with my life...but am unsure of what!
Hope you are feeling better...maybe increasing your meds will help!
Cheers
Patty