Dealing with Depression?

Contributor: captainsgirl captainsgirl
Do you live with depression? Have you had it? How do you deal with it? I have been battling depression for almost ten years now. I lost my first daughter at 2 days old in 2003..that started it. Then in 2008 I lost my grandma who was a mother to me. Very very hard. I am on a medication, that seems to slightly help. But I feel like I am spiralling backwards now
Answers (private voting - your screen name will NOT appear in the results):
I have it now
37
I have dealt with it
21
someone i know has/had it
23
never had it
3
im not sure
1
i see a light at the end of the tunnel
20
i see no light at the end of the tunnel
9
other
5
Total votes: 119 (59 voters)
Poll is closed
03/23/2013
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Contributor: Noelle Noelle
Quote:
Originally posted by captainsgirl
Do you live with depression? Have you had it? How do you deal with it? I have been battling depression for almost ten years now. I lost my first daughter at 2 days old in 2003..that started it. Then in 2008 I lost my grandma who was a mother to me. ... more
I am so sorry to hear of your loss! I have bi polar and it has taken MANY yrs to find the right meds and dr that has helped me to manage it very well. I do have my manic days but very seldom. You need to find a dr that can find a mood stabilizer and whatever else u may need. Definitely seek counseling. You will never get over your loss, but it is time to move forward and know you will be with your sweet angel someday.
03/23/2013
Contributor: MissCandyland MissCandyland
Those are such terrible losses. I am so sorry.

I'm dealing with mild depression at the moment. I haven't seen my family in over a year. I'm just homesick and really down. It's nothing serious though, but it definitely has affected my life in a negative way.

Hugs to you!
03/24/2013
Contributor: RonLee RonLee
Quote:
Originally posted by captainsgirl
Do you live with depression? Have you had it? How do you deal with it? I have been battling depression for almost ten years now. I lost my first daughter at 2 days old in 2003..that started it. Then in 2008 I lost my grandma who was a mother to me. ... more
Please talk to your doctor about the new feelings.
It is a continuing struggle, I know. I've dealt with it too.
03/24/2013
Contributor: Airen Wolf Airen Wolf
Quote:
Originally posted by captainsgirl
Do you live with depression? Have you had it? How do you deal with it? I have been battling depression for almost ten years now. I lost my first daughter at 2 days old in 2003..that started it. Then in 2008 I lost my grandma who was a mother to me. ... more
I have clinical depression that only responds to medication even though I only take a very low dose. If I do not take the small boost I am left bouncing from high to deepest low sometimes all in one day. Since my depression leaves me homicidally angry I take my meds like a good girl.
03/24/2013
Contributor: evie.amor evie.amor
That is so horrible that you lost a child. I do not wish that on anyone. I have dealt with depression on and off in my life, I have been on meds but unfortunately they didn't help me. One medication I was put on actually made things very, very worse. Right now the things that are working best for me is staying busy and taking classes. Taking a yoga class or a pole dance class for me is really fun and gives me something to look forward too. Send me a message if you ever want to talk!
03/24/2013
Contributor: Aishiteru Aishiteru
I'm sorry, I hope you find something that helps you feel better. I've also been through a lot, but I feel like things are starting to get better. Time and focusing on positive things helps.
03/24/2013
Contributor: Leather & Lace Leather & Lace
I have it, take Lexapro for it, and it is mainly under control now. And yes, I see the light at the end of the tunnel!
03/24/2013
Contributor: kitty1949 kitty1949
I'm on medication for depression and PMDD.
03/24/2013
Contributor: sunnyc sunnyc
I too lost a daughter when I was 8 months pregnant. I realized that is it alright to be sad sometimes. I love her and will always love and miss her. Stay on your meds. and having someone to talk to helps too. Hope you feel better soon.
03/24/2013
Contributor: bratcat bratcat
Those are terrible losses, and it's unbelievably hard to deal with such a loss. If you are feeling suicidal please contact a suicide prevention line: 800-273-8255 as well as a close friend/love one. Dealing with something such as major (even minor) depression is very hard - i myself have been suffering from a mixed mood disorder since my early teens.
Are you regularly seeking a consoler? Or participate in group therapy? These are two options that really help when dealing with one's feelings/depression - i would highly suggest looking into a local meeting for group greif counseling in your area as it often promotes togetherness and it really helps to know you're not alone in how you feel. Also another notable question is who prescribed you your depression meds: was it a psychiatrist or your general practitioner? If it's the latter, please consider looking for a psychiatrist in your area that can give you a better idea of what medications are available, effective and may work better for you. I would definitely suggest talking with your doctor and explaining to them that you feel your medication is not working and see if there is a different medication that would better work for you.
If there is any questions you think you may have that i havent adressed and would feel more comfortable, or even if you just need someone to listen, feel free to PM me to talk.
03/24/2013
Contributor: Allstars316 Allstars316
Never dealt with it.
03/24/2013
Contributor: mdnght mdnght
I was diagnosed as a teen. Finding the right therapist and the right meds for me has done wonders (when I remember to take my meds, that is)
03/24/2013
Contributor: Bme Bme
Finding the right meds is a key. Sometimes you need a combination of meds. Get someone who is good with medications. I have had depression all my life. When I am on the right meds it is a world of difference.

A key I found was learning to love myself. I got there through my faith in God and my wife showing me I was worth loving. I know that God made me for a purpose here. Those that I love that are in heaven, I will see them again. I am sure your grandmother loved you and would not want to see you depressed. She is up there with my Mom who recently died. She would want the best for you, so please do not give up.
03/24/2013
Contributor: captainsgirl captainsgirl
thank you everyone. i think i might look into a counceler. i tried grief counceling once, but i feel it made it worse. i started out on one med, didnt work and switched. the second one seemed to help, but now i feel like im going backwards again.
03/24/2013
Contributor: SourAppleMartini SourAppleMartini
I had depression back when I was sixteen( after my parents' divorce) and was kind of hoping it would never come back. But it is back unfortunately and it is worse than ever.
03/24/2013
Contributor: Martiniman Martiniman
I deal with it everyday as my mother has it and she lives with us. My heart goes out to you!
03/24/2013
Contributor: Lildrummrgurl7 Lildrummrgurl7
I'm currently dealing with it. I'm against meds (too many side effects--inability to orgasm, no thanks) and I'm using them as a last resort. I'm trying to manage it through a healthy diet, exercise, meditation, and relaxation techniques first.
03/24/2013
Contributor: XxFallenAngelxX XxFallenAngelxX
I've known people who went through it.
03/24/2013
Contributor: DawnStar DawnStar
I've dealt with it, I'm trying the best not to get that way again.
03/24/2013
Contributor: bratcat bratcat
Quote:
Originally posted by Lildrummrgurl7
I'm currently dealing with it. I'm against meds (too many side effects--inability to orgasm, no thanks) and I'm using them as a last resort. I'm trying to manage it through a healthy diet, exercise, meditation, and relaxation techniques first.
Have you tried herbal supplements, that promote healthy serotonin levels such as ST Johns wort? Herbel meds are great if you are coupling them with the methods you described, but for anyone interested, always talk to a doctor before trying an herbal supplement for mood disorder especially if you are on a medication already for something like depression because herbal resources can have MAJOR negative side effects.

captainsgirl, some of the best advice i got for dealing with depression: is take fish oils daily as it helps with mylanization, (try to) exercise when you're feeling stressed, surround yourself with people that make you feel good, as well as sticking to a good sleep schedule/getting 6-8hrs of sleep.
03/24/2013
Contributor: Rossie Rossie
Quote:
Originally posted by bratcat
Have you tried herbal supplements, that promote healthy serotonin levels such as ST Johns wort? Herbel meds are great if you are coupling them with the methods you described, but for anyone interested, always talk to a doctor before trying an herbal ... more
She can also try a natural mood enhancer named SAMe, it's a chemical found naturally inside everyone's body, but some people cannot produce enough of it on their own. SAMe is safe to consume along with antidepressants.
03/24/2013
Contributor: Vanille Vanille
Quote:
Originally posted by captainsgirl
Do you live with depression? Have you had it? How do you deal with it? I have been battling depression for almost ten years now. I lost my first daughter at 2 days old in 2003..that started it. Then in 2008 I lost my grandma who was a mother to me. ... more
I've battled it on and off since 2003. There's been a few times where it almost won.
03/24/2013
Contributor: Sera26 Sera26
I'm sorry to hear about your depression and losses. I've been depressed for about half of my life. I didn't do anything about it for a very long time, which was a mistake. You definitely have to find what works for you. On the days when it isn't so severe I find it most important to try to focus on something that interests me.
03/24/2013
Contributor: married with children married with children
I have a friend who has it, and he writes a blog about it. I have never dealt with depression. Just hang in there, things will get better.
03/24/2013
Contributor: ViVix ViVix
Quote:
Originally posted by captainsgirl
Do you live with depression? Have you had it? How do you deal with it? I have been battling depression for almost ten years now. I lost my first daughter at 2 days old in 2003..that started it. Then in 2008 I lost my grandma who was a mother to me. ... more
I was recommended to take medicine for depression not once, but twice. Now, I'm just too proud to acknowledge how down I get to anyone.
03/24/2013
Contributor: hillys hillys
I have a lot of ups and downs. It's good to try to keep yourself busy and I've noticed that when I exercise I tend to do better emotionally.
03/24/2013
Contributor: Peggi Peggi
First off, I'm so sorry to hear about your loss, and what you are going through.

I suffer from depression and mood disorders and have my whole life. Even as a toddler my parents (who adopted me) noticed odd behavior, like types of self-harming such as ripping my hair out in handfuls if I was frustrated because I was put in a time out, or being moody. It turns out I am bipolar and also suffer from something called IED, which is just how it sounds, it's an anger disorder called intermittent explosive disorder, which basically means I'm hot-headed with a temper, but have put holes in the walls more than a few times. Luckily I'm not violent towards others or animals (unless backed in a corner, I did have an abusive ex who would push me around and I started to push back).

As far as my depression goes, I started off with a lot of medications that basically numbed me completely, but I couldn't feel other emotions either, like happiness, excitement, etc. So now, I learned to deal with it in other ways, and I no longer have SIB (self harming) even if I have the compulsions, I learned to handle it creatively, by writing or doing things I love.

SOME days, I have to physically be removed from the bed, forced to take care of myself such as eating, brushing my hair, etc. because the depression gets bad. Luckily, my hubby knows exactly how to handle those moods, since his mother had the same issue. And he doesn't mind taking care of me, because I take good care of him as well when he has a problem
03/25/2013
Contributor: Chilipepper Chilipepper
As a person with dysthymia (lifelong depression that never abates), I totally get the feeling of "Wait, I'm on something, so why do I feel like I'm spiraling down right now???" Depression comes in cycles when you're dealing with it constantly - the normal state, and then the "no reason to have it" state like you're experiencing. It's still being studied, but it's generally accepted as it being an even worse than normal movement of brain chemicals going on.

Sometime an increase in antidepressant dosage for the time being helps (get psych doc permission for it!), and getting in touch with a talk therapist to help you work through it gives you better odds of leaving the deeper depression sooner.

It's okay. You'll come out of the deeper depression. Continue to heal yourself.
03/25/2013
Contributor: spiced spiced
What you've been through lately is awful. Too much.

I suffered from depression for years. I was on a few different meds. They helped when things were at their very worst, but they didn't help me get healthy.

What DID work for me was cognitive behavior therapy. The basic idea is that emotions, thoughts and behavior are all linked. If you can improve one, you can improve the others. The best thing about it is that, going forward, it teaches coping tools which can actually PREVENT depression in the future. I leaned it 20 years ago and (knock on wood) haven't had any major issues since.

I recommend you ask your doctor or counselor about it.
03/25/2013