Coping with depression...

[wmheel1287]

So for those who are experienced in such things, how does one cope? I'm super aware of it and I've tried traditional methods like a therapist or antidepressants. I honestly think both of those either make me worse or more annoyed. Talking things out is not my style. I just get annoyed with the questions and even more annoyed with the strategies/etc. No, breathing doesn't change my mood. Focusing on something for 10 minutes isn't going to help. Been there, tried it, got the t-shirt, and it doesn't work. Anti-depressants just make me feel completely void and I'd rather be depressed.

So, is there something I'm missing in this puzzle or is it just a matter of getting over myself and moving on? I can deal with being unhappy personally. I just hate it for those around me. They don't deserve this version.

By the way, I'm posting this here because this is pretty much my only social outlet. I have 10's of thousands of people I can interact with on social media, but that's an audience, not a sounding board. Just growing weary of having to be the entertainer on a daily basis I suppose while I internally feel like anything but one.

 

[GeeWhy]

Suck it up, buttercup.

Not serious. I can tell you what is not the answer. Carolina football or U.S./World politics. Unless anger works as depression suppression. Whatever you do, don't quit searching for an answer.

 

[CFordUNC]

I’m not even remotely qualified to weigh in on how to best manage depression or anxiety, but I just want you to know that, as one of the only people on this board whom I know in real life, that you are someone to whom I’ve long looked up and admired and appreciated. You are one of the kindest, most generous, most wonderful people I know. We first met when I was a student at UNC and you invited me to a baseball tailgate before the 2012 Regionals in Chapel Hill. I did not have any money or anything to bring and you couldn’t have cared less- and instead provided me the best meal I had had in a long time. Fast-forward a decade and coming back into the Sheraton lobby on the evening of April 2, 2022 right after beating Duke in New Orleans and finding you and your parents and giving y’all an enormous bear hug was one of the best moments I’ve ever experienced as a Tar Heel.

I don’t know if or what I could ever do for you, but I do know that you wouldn’t even have to finish asking the question and the answer would be ‘hell yes’ on my end.

 

[ChileG]

I have no expertise to give except that if you drink alcohol, try stopping for 4-6 weeks. And replace it with something productive.

 

[wmheel1287]

I’m not even remotely qualified to weigh in on how to best manage depression or anxiety, but I just want you to know that, as one of the only people on this board whom I know in real life, that you are someone to whom I’ve long looked up and admired and appreciated. You are one of the kindest, most generous, most wonderful people I know. We first met when I was a student at UNC and you invited me to a baseball tailgate before the 2012 Regionals in Chapel Hill. I did not have any money or anything to bring and you couldn’t have cared less- and instead provided me the best meal I had had in a long time. Fast-forward a decade and coming back into the Sheraton lobby on the evening of April 2, 2022 right after beating Duke in New Orleans and finding you and your parents and giving y’all an enormous bear hug was one of the best moments I’ve ever experienced as a Tar Heel.

I don’t know if or what I could ever do for you, but I do know that you wouldn’t even have to finish asking the question and the answer would be ‘hell yes’ on my end.

I appreciate you friend.

 

[wmheel1287]

I have no expertise to give except that if you drink alcohol, try stopping for 4-6 weeks. And replace it with something productive.

No smoking, drinking, pot, etc. Wish there was something I could give up. Hell, I'm healthier now than I've been in 30 years. Lost a ton of weight, gym with a trainer 4 days a week, 12,000 steps a day, even started running a little.

One would think all that self improvement would leave me improved

 

[HeelingAg]

I have no expertise to give except that if you drink alcohol, try stopping for 4-6 weeks. And replace it with something productive.

I’d argue start with simply stopping. Sometimes putting the pressure of “productivity” on depression and malaise can make things worse. Ideally, finding something that feels productive, in the long run, is a great goal, but allowing it to evolve without pressure is pretty important.

 

[Geisterfahrer]

No smoking, drinking, pot, etc. Wish there was something I could give up. Hell, I'm healthier now than I've been in 30 years. Lost a ton of weight, gym with a trainer 4 days a week, 12,000 steps a day, even started running a little.

One would think all that self improvement would leave me improved

Maybe try a cannabis gummy, see how you like it. You seem pretty Type A, so maybe an indica forward hybrid.

 

[DougDaBroadcasta]

As someone who has been on and off depressive for years, find a positive escape. I know that's easier said than done, but that's the key. If you have a brain that won't shut off, you need to find a happy place that allows you to focus on the good and allows you to forget about the outside world.

Mine is.......Final Fantasy XIV. I run a FC (guild) on Diabolos. Having people respect me for what I've built there, after being given the reigns there after our founder decided to make a life change after Covid nearly killed him early in the pandemic, helps me put into perspective what's good and bad. And it makes me feel appreciated and helps with the downers in real life. I know it's no substitute for things IRL, but it helps me mentally escape.

Find what makes you happy. And let it make you forget the outside world. Easier said than done, I know. But that's the key IMHO.

 

[UNCatTech]

So for those who are experienced in such things, how does one cope? I'm super aware of it and I've tried traditional methods like a therapist or antidepressants. I honestly think both of those either make me worse or more annoyed. Talking things out is not my style. I just get annoyed with the questions and even more annoyed with the strategies/etc. No, breathing doesn't change my mood. Focusing on something for 10 minutes isn't going to help. Been there, tried it, got the t-shirt, and it doesn't work. Anti-depressants just make me feel completely void and I'd rather be depressed.

So, is there something I'm missing in this puzzle or is it just a matter of getting over myself and moving on? I can deal with being unhappy personally. I just hate it for those around me. They don't deserve this version.

By the way, I'm posting this here because this is pretty much my only social outlet. I have 10's of thousands of people I can interact with on social media, but that's an audience, not a sounding board. Just growing weary of having to be the entertainer on a daily basis I suppose while I internally feel like anything but one.

No, it is not a matter of getting over yourself and moving on.

It is real and there is no one size fits all solution.

As far as therapist, they have been wonderful for my family. BUT, you have to find one that works for you. They are working to help you, if it isn't working as you expect, don't hesitate to move on to the next one and keep moving on until you find the one you connect with.

My daughter has been seeing a therapist for 15 years. She probably talked to over 30 before she finally found the one that really works.
Of course, she also uses medications. The same there, we tried everything, until we determined what worked. Ketamine treatments really helped her.

I've been to therapist, some were a waste of money, some were helpful. I'm seriously thinking of finding one in the near future as I'm struggling also with so many things going on in life right now.

For me reading has helped a lot over the years. Also, talking with other people and posting things has helped. But it seems to be a life long journey.


Either way, don't give up, don't settle. You deserve to live your fullest life without the depression. Just keep searching for the answers. Hopefully with advances in this area, you are able to find something that works for you.

 

[wmheel1287]

Maybe try a cannabis gummy, see how you like it. You seem pretty Type A, so maybe an indica forward hybrid.

I've tried pot gummies a couple of times and it was a disaster. It makes me crazy for whatever reason. I guess I'm too uptight for it.

 

[UNCatTech]

No smoking, drinking, pot, etc. Wish there was something I could give up. Hell, I'm healthier now than I've been in 30 years. Lost a ton of weight, gym with a trainer 4 days a week, 12,000 steps a day, even started running a little.

One would think all that self improvement would leave me improved

You have improved. These are good accomplishments. Don't sell yourself short because you haven't solved everything. Take the wins and continue to grow, learn, and fight.

 

[Geisterfahrer]

I've tried pot gummies a couple of times and it was a disaster. It makes me crazy for whatever reason. I guess I'm too uptight for it.

I’m not saying self-medication is the way to go but sometimes it is. There are a lot of variables with cannabis strains and hybrids.

 

[wmheel1287]

I’m not saying self-medication is the way to go but sometimes it is. There are a lot of variables with cannabis strains and hybrids.

You could well be right but I don't think i can manage the experimentation. When I say disaster, I mean I would have gladly jumped off a building to get away from the feeling before the stuff cleared my system. It was absolutely horrible. I'm not in any hurry to tempt fate like that again.

 

[EhringhausSouth]

So for those who are experienced in such things, how does one cope? I'm super aware of it and I've tried traditional methods like a therapist or antidepressants. I honestly think both of those either make me worse or more annoyed. Talking things out is not my style. I just get annoyed with the questions and even more annoyed with the strategies/etc. No, breathing doesn't change my mood. Focusing on something for 10 minutes isn't going to help. Been there, tried it, got the t-shirt, and it doesn't work. Anti-depressants just make me feel completely void and I'd rather be depressed.

So, is there something I'm missing in this puzzle or is it just a matter of getting over myself and moving on? I can deal with being unhappy personally. I just hate it for those around me. They don't deserve this version.

By the way, I'm posting this here because this is pretty much my only social outlet. I have 10's of thousands of people I can interact with on social media, but that's an audience, not a sounding board. Just growing weary of having to be the entertainer on a daily basis I suppose while I internally feel like anything but one.

Religious at all? I suffered from GAD (generalized anxiety disorder) for a while, the low dose Sertraline plus the desire to become more involved in my faith helped a ton. More Jesus helped me, maybe it could help you in addition to some other methods.

 

[Geisterfahrer]

You could well be right but I don't think i can manage the experimentation. When I say disaster, I mean I would have gladly jumped off a building to get away from the feeling before the stuff cleared my system. It was absolutely horrible. I'm not in any hurry to tempt fate like that again.

Yikes! Well yeah, nevermind then.

 

[UNCBAdookJD]

Exercise

 

[wmheel1287]

Exercise

I work out 4 days a weeks with a trainer for strength, get 12,000 steps a day, and do some jogging on non gym days. Been on this regimen since June.

 

[BillOfRights]

So for those who are experienced in such things, how does one cope? I'm super aware of it and I've tried traditional methods like a therapist or antidepressants. I honestly think both of those either make me worse or more annoyed. Talking things out is not my style. I just get annoyed with the questions and even more annoyed with the strategies/etc. No, breathing doesn't change my mood. Focusing on something for 10 minutes isn't going to help. Been there, tried it, got the t-shirt, and it doesn't work. Anti-depressants just make me feel completely void and I'd rather be depressed.

So, is there something I'm missing in this puzzle or is it just a matter of getting over myself and moving on? I can deal with being unhappy personally. I just hate it for those around me. They don't deserve this version.

By the way, I'm posting this here because this is pretty much my only social outlet. I have 10's of thousands of people I can interact with on social media, but that's an audience, not a sounding board. Just growing weary of having to be the entertainer on a daily basis I suppose while I internally feel like anything but one.

I want to emphasize what UNCatTech wrote:

No, it is not a matter of getting over yourself and moving on.

It is real and there is no one size fits all solution.

As far as therapist, they have been wonderful for my family. BUT, you have to find one that works for you. They are working to help you, if it isn't working as you expect, don't hesitate to move on to the next one and keep moving on until you find the one you connect with.

My daughter has been seeing a therapist for 15 years. She probably talked to over 30 before she finally found the one that really works.
Of course, she also uses medications. The same there, we tried everything, until we determined what worked. Ketamine treatments really helped her.

I've been to therapist, some were a waste of money, some were helpful. I'm seriously thinking of finding one in the near future as I'm struggling also with so many things going on in life right now.

For me reading has helped a lot over the years. Also, talking with other people and posting things has helped. But it seems to be a life long journey.


Either way, don't give up, don't settle. You deserve to live your fullest life without the depression. Just keep searching for the answers. Hopefully with advances in this area, you are able to find something that works for you.

Some medications haven't helped me. Some made things worse. Keep trying until you find something that works, until it doesn't. Then try again. Same with therapists. It's a science, but the biggest variable is the individual, you, so you have to try different solutions until you find what works FOR YOU. There is no one size fits all for mental health.

I've had to significantly restrict my consumption of news over the last several years. I haven't found anything yet that makes mine better, I just try to distract myself more with work, exercise, etc. I was skeptical of meditation, but it helps, even if only temporarily. I've had some limited success with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. For me, what seems to help the most is music. For me it's still one day at a time, and I try to make each day a good day. I don't know if any of this will help you. Just keep trying. Find what works for you.

 

[LosPollosHermanos]

You could well be right but I don't think i can manage the experimentation. When I say disaster, I mean I would have gladly jumped off a building to get away from the feeling before the stuff cleared my system. It was absolutely horrible. I'm not in any hurry to tempt fate like that again.

Start with 5mg Delta 8 and work up from there. If you don't take it much and then take too high of a dose it can suck. But there is powerful relaxation and contentment to be had at the right dosage. Especially if your life doesn't actually suck.

ETA: I also take 4 prescription meds for depression and anxiety. It took a while to get the combination right but eventually I found one that worked. I don't do therapy regularly but I did 12 sessions of basic stuff with a set timeframe. It heped me understand a lot of things. My main issue was my life was pretty idyllic overall but I was still pretty unhappy. In the past though I had gone through massive stress dealing with various family and work issues and you sort of get stuck in fight or flight mode all the time even when the stresses are resolved. I'm talking the kind of stress that stays with you 24/7, sometimes basically paralyzes you. Your cup stays full of that stress even when the stressors are gone unless you figure out a way to empty it and even small annoyances still cause that cup to overflow. Basically a form of PTSD. When I went in, I was like there is nothing wrong with my life and I have no reason to feel like this. I wanted them to kind of reset my mind. I can't say it has worked as well as some of the psylocybin cases I've seen but I'm way more content and chill than I was without the meds.