Just curious. Do (or have) any of you suffer from depression? If so, what are some things that you do to try to make yourself feel better? Just a poll....

Yep, I've been Diagnosed with one of my symptoms being Chronic Fatigue.. which also leads me into some crappy days or also called Depression... How I deal with it is with the Man upstairs and a mindset of not going to allow it to overcome and ruin my day(s) I'm also perscribed an anti Depresent because of some of the other medications which are inducing depresents...

one has to stay busy with things they enjoy and keep their mind off the nature of the Negative things...

Hog

I have been clinicly depressed (now that I found out what that was) as long as I can remember. My mom is bipolar (diagnosed) and I'm sure my dad was depressive (not diagnosed...but explains the alcoholism.

I was counseled by 4 professionals over a couple of years to try medication before I finally caved due to the deepest depression I've ever experienced. I have been on Zoloft since the middle of December (2002).

Contrary to popular ignorance, depression medication is not a "happy pill" that you take to make everything all better. It chemically resets your seratonin (sp) flow and allows your emotions (and consequently thoughts) to stablize and "clear up" so you can deal with the issues that are present (my depression, althought chemical, also contains other issues that I must deal with...medication just allows me to do that).

There are other things I can and need to do besides medication and continued counseling (medication alone rarely cuts it...get counseling also!!). I need to get off my ass and exercise...I'm obese. I need to be more deliberate in my professional and academic ambitions and not wait for things to happen. I need to learn to control my spending better. Those issues are personality/circumstantial things that medication doesn't cure.

I'm not a mental health professional (yet) so don't take my thoughts to the bank. However, they are a glimpse into my 29 years of experience with depression.

Hope this helps...

In my opinion, a good way to combat depression is to give things away...

Especially if those things are Hemis or Brazilias...

And especially if they are to me...

hehe

Both my brother-in-laws suffer from chronic depression (one is bi-polar and the other won't go back for follow up doctor visits) ... and neither one of them will take the meds or go to thearpy to contol it, as perscribed by their doctors.

Both families are in a living h£ll, their lives are miserable and their quality of life is beyond horrible.

My sister finally, after 27 years of marriage and the childeren had all grown and left the nest ... filed for a divorce. She just couldn't take the abuse anymore when he went into his 'funk'.

My wife's sister-in-law, on the other hand, has developed the 'battered woman's syndrom', and thinks she is useless and can't make it on her own. She, over the years, has lost all self esteem ... due to her constant abuse ...

... and consiquently, has developed her own form of depression, and won't so anything about it, except sleep all day, and ignore her two ADD daughters and autistic son.

The sad thing is ... it's all preventable, if diagnosed correctly, and the proper medication is taken followed by the appropriate therapy.

My brother is bi-polar, rapid cycling, which is a unique circle in the Hell that is mental illness. It has taken 10 years of a caring doctor with infinite patience to get my brother on the right balance of drugs so he can life a 90% normal life. I am blessed that my "depressions" are just everyday down spells. I share some wine with my wife, I smoke a good cigar (often), I play with my grandbaby, I fish, I hunt, I buy cigars from CBid. All these things make me feel better.

billyjackson

for others who do not know, clinical depression is not feeling sad, it is a chemical imbalance that subtly takes over your entire thinking and feeling. if it is not treated, you can find yourself thinking of suicide as an option.

as an example. a sudden dramatic increase in adrenilen
(sp) caused by anger when comeone cuts you off on the freeway, can trigger "road rage". your body simply reacts.

a lack of enough seratonin can cause clinical depression, your body just reacts.

my doctor, who knows me for 20 years or so recognized my clinical depression.

i too fought the idea of happy pills. i also take zoloft (sertraline} and have been for for 5 or 6 years.

i started at 50mg and over the 5 or 6 years i am now taking 150mg. i knew when i needed to bump to 100 mg and 150 mg and the doctor agreed with me each time i felt i needed to increase my medication.

Tar, Curious to why you posted this question???

Hog

I've been on Zoloft and Buspar for the past few years to help treat both depression and panic attacks which have burdened my life for many, many years. The meds do help a great deal, but they aren't the end of the story. To answer the original question, I find that I feel better when I provide myself with numerous constructive distractions: I have a number of hobbies that I make lots of time for--fishing, metal detecting, golf, collecting comic books and all sorts of historical stuff, etc. I'm also starting my own non-profit to get a bit out of myself and give something to others. And, of course, I enjoy my daily cigars! I've found that too much idleness is very destructive for those of us who suffer with depression; admittedly, though, one of the greatest struggles is pushing yourself to keep active--depression carries with it a tendency toward entropy and inaction, which encourages the vicious cycle. Anyway, my antidote is meds, hobbies, and pets--they all help!!

I started this thread because I have been fighting depression my whole life. I had the toughest battle in 1998 when I was in London. I had the day off, and had just dropped my daughter off at her day care. On my way home, I just broke dow, I could not stop crying for nothing. The pain was deep inside me, and I didn't know where it was coming from or why it was there. I eventually went to the doctor (at my wife's request). After talking with the doc, I realized that my breakdown had been coming for weeks. For at least 3 weeks prior, I had wanted to do nothing but sleep. I would come home from work, and just go to bed, then get up and go to work, then come home and go to bed. The cycle continued as I said for about 3 weeks. I though I was just tired. After reflecting on my past, including my childhood, I remember that I had "episodes" all throughout my life, and this was just the worst, and most eye-opening. I was diagnosed with "Major Depressive Disorder". Since then, I have had many, much smaller episodes. I have also had a few anxiety attacks that really scared me. I have taken quite a few feeble attempts on my own life, but was only saved by the thoughts of my daughter. Talking about my problem sometimes helps me slide through an episode, which is why I posted this thread. Thanks to everyone who responded.

'battered woman's syndrom'

Yep, unfortunatley this is what I have suffered from for many many years due to my last marriage. The feeling of no self worth is a major part of my ever day life. I tried Zoloft but had allergic reactions to it. Tar, just one day at a time is all I can suggest to you. Some days are hell, some are okay. I have only thought about suicide, but never really attempted it. Thank God for my kids. If it was not for them, I probably would have taken my own life. Regardless what people think or say, unless they have walked a mile in your shoes they have no damned idea what you are going through. They can give you a book, suggest all kinds of rememdies, nag and bitch at you, tell you that you are mental, sympathise with you, fill you full of drugs, but when it comes down to it...It is all up to you. I found my peace in music and God. I played the organ and piano to get me through the worst days. My boys, who also suffer from depression because of the life we lived, found their peace as well in hunting and music. I'll keep you in my prayers.

Mrs. Usahog

Ever -- every

sorry

Mrs. Hog

Good discussion thread. I have always wondered about my level of fatigue sometimes. May be a milder form of depression. Or it's just being so busy with home, kids, work, bills, bad running cars, events, family requirements, trying to find time for recreation only to find the recreation is more fatiguing than relaxing.

It is interesting that fatigue is a symptom across the board. I get so whupped every day, that I tend not to take care of things that really need taking care of. I read an article about something they call "Baby Boomers Syndrome", a version of chronic fatigue.
A lot of it rings true in that every day looms ahead like another day of non-stop activity and events....have-to's. I guess its time to stop and smeel some roses.

I have a confession to make. This was mine:

http://www.cigarbid.com/auction/forum/forum.cfm?action=list&forumID=9&messageDisplay=0000000011301 

I thought that was yours Tar...

I to have writen things like that before!!! not just once but many times...
thats why I asked why did you bring up this topic also...

Hog

I wish I could find the collage I made in art class. I was going through a rough time then, and the collage I made showed my true feelings.....

tarheel4ly

please don't look for it. it is the past. it is no longer part of you. finding it and looking at it will not help you with anything. forget it.

Thanks, Rick.

Prayer said Jason on helping you with your inner strength. Sincerely best regards, brother. Continue to move forward is the only thing I can say as I won't even begin to understand what it must be like.

Just when I begin to think that hope is lost for these forums because of all the name calling and arguments, I see a post like this that realy restores my faith in humanity and the brothers and sisters on this forum. I can assosiate with almost all of the symtoms that everyone has had the courage and strength to share. I have not been able to talk to anyone ,even my family about these feelings that I have been having but I need to thank everyone for being so open and honest when talking about such an important topic. I have said it before I do feel we are like a family,we have our differences and sometimes fights but when things are tough we are all there for one another...Sorry just my two cents.