Depression and Other Similar Ailments Support Group

Growing old is mandatory. "Growing up" is optional.

Going through a major low time in my life right now, I find that any means of exercise helps so much. Like... I'm not even kidding.
When I mean exercise, it doesn't mean going to the gym or running on the treadmill for hours or jogging for miles on a beach etc (unless it's something you enjoy doing).


I've been taking dancing classes lately (anything from ballroom to shuffling for the lulz), and even doing some of those martial art classes to get that "anger" out and it feels so good. I know it's hard when you're drowning in all those low moods, but I remind myself that no one has expectations on you, ♥♥♥♥ the police, you're equal to everyone else, and hey it's your life and there's a big world out there for you to run around in. Make yourself big and own it.


I think I've been jogging around 5 to 7kms a day now, along with all those classes from time to time and it does make a major difference. Even having a fast 10 minute walk around your street can help. Hell, do cartwheels in your backyard or climb a tree somewhere.


It really does make a difference. Not even exaggerating here.

Originally Posted by Eternal Legend

Going through a major low time in my life right now, I find that any means of exercise helps so much. Like... I'm not even kidding.
When I mean exercise, it doesn't mean going to the gym or running on the treadmill for hours or jogging for miles on a beach etc (unless it's something you enjoy doing).


I've been taking dancing classes lately (anything from ballroom to shuffling for the lulz), and even doing some of those martial art classes to get that "anger" out and it feels so good. I know it's hard when you're drowning in all those low moods, but I remind myself that no one has expectations on you, ♥♥♥♥ the police, you're equal to everyone else, and hey it's your life and there's a big world out there for you to run around in. Make yourself big and own it.


I think I've been jogging around 5 to 7kms a day now, along with all those classes from time to time and it does make a major difference. Even having a fast 10 minute walk around your street can help. Hell, do cartwheels in your backyard or climb a tree somewhere.


It really does make a difference. Not even exaggerating here.

Yup, exercise releases endorphins which produce a general feeling of well-being. It's a great and healthy way to lower stress and heighten your mood.

This might seem strange, but another easy way to get your body to release endorphins is to eat spicy foods.

^Maybe that's why I love spicy foods. mmm

And that's f-in awesome EL, that's what I can recommend to anyone: deal with the anger/stress. see it as a bully - eventually you get tired of it and smack the shiz out of it. deal with it. don't be pushed, be the pusher
trying to always sweep it under the rug can't lead to anything good.
(of course, I don't mean venting as in physically or verbally abusing someone)

Eeerrhhnn.

I am considering going back on medication.
But if I do that, it'll be the THIRD TIME. @___________@ Both previous times, I've just gone all; " NOPE. " after a few months and thrown them away.
One would think that I at some point would learn that I am sick and need help.
( oh hey public forum let's air dirty laundry at you whooooooh! )

Have anyone else gone back and forth like this? I don't know whether or not medication is for me or if I've just not tried the right one yet.

Eerrhglbhlhlh.

Originally Posted by Celestria

Yup, exercise releases endorphins which produce a general feeling of well-being. It's a great and healthy way to lower stress and heighten your mood.

This might seem strange, but another easy way to get your body to release endorphins is to eat spicy foods.

Actually...

Anxiety and Spicy Food

It depends on the person.


This is what I recommend:

Are Potatoes Natural Prozac? | Healthmad

It's what I do. 3-4 hours after dinner, I get me a big ol' tater, bake it in the microwave, and throw on some butter and hominy or peas. Mmm! Makes you sleep like a baby and affects your mood the next day.

There's even a book about it, but I ain't rich.

Oh, and let's not forget other superfoods like: Avacados, blueberries, and watermelon!

Originally Posted by Buu

Eeerrhhnn.

I am considering going back on medication.
But if I do that, it'll be the THIRD TIME. @___________@ Both previous times, I've just gone all; " NOPE. " after a few months and thrown them away.
One would think that I at some point would learn that I am sick and need help.
( oh hey public forum let's air dirty laundry at you whooooooh! )

Have anyone else gone back and forth like this? I don't know whether or not medication is for me or if I've just not tried the right one yet.

Yep. I have. Do you really think you need it? Perhaps you should try other ways to feel better before attempting meds, although I dont even know what category your problem belongs to.
For me, personally I haven't felt that helped by meds. It's individual though so I can't tell you not to do it, but I suppose I can say to not expect some sort of miracle from them


@Tom: Really, that's funny. I've eaten plenty of watermelon avocadoes and potatoes recently, and I haven't felt particularly extra good or anything that I can recall. Are you really sure this stuff actually has that much of an effect? I doubt it, although it's prolly better than some freakin' junkfood.

I can't afford medication, so I have no choice but to do things the natural way. It's hard, but at least I don't have to deal with the side effects.

I was once on Prozac and something else. Besides it not helping my anxiety, because I still felt it a lot, I was often very blah. Sure, it helped me with depression, but it kept me from feeling happy and energetic too!

Yeah, no medicine for me again. I'll just deal with it.

Recently I've been feeling down lately. It is hard to explain the reasoning behind it, it's more of a "just because".

I know I've been getting tired of doing the same old routine and things day in day out. I work 10-5 about five days a week, generally I go to the gym around 6 (or get some form of exercise), then hang out with friends in the evening. The one thing with my friends is that they aren't really reliable.

When I feel like doing something ambitious they aren't around. When I want to get out and enjoy this summer weather, they aren't there. When they want t hangout, they would rather be inside and play cards or play video games, which I don't mind, but on evenings when it's sunny and 25 celcius I would rather go to the beach. See what I'm saying. So my friends being unreliable is getting the best of me.

As well, although I've been single for well over a year now, I get emotional bursts of loneliness and wanting to have a significant other, and when I see that girl by herself and I'm about to make a move, a guy joins her or comes out of no where. This is what kills me the most. When this happens. Other contributing factors to my low state right now is that I'm just working and living one day at a time. Sure I'm going to school in the fall (only part time) but I want to be more occupied or at work with other stuff. I need a spark in my life, something that will go off and will give me a green light. Anything.

I feel like I'm in a rut right now and my life is stagnant. It sucks and is a crappy feeling. :/

Originally Posted by Celestria

This might seem strange, but another easy way to get your body to release endorphins is to eat spicy foods.

Really? I've never heard of that before. Not sure if it makes a difference to me.

Originally Posted by Buu

Eeerrhhnn.

I am considering going back on medication.
But if I do that, it'll be the THIRD TIME. @___________@ Both previous times, I've just gone all; " NOPE. " after a few months and thrown them away.
One would think that I at some point would learn that I am sick and need help.
( oh hey public forum let's air dirty laundry at you whooooooh! )

Have anyone else gone back and forth like this? I don't know whether or not medication is for me or if I've just not tried the right one yet.

Eerrhglbhlhlh.

Yeah this has been happening to me lately. >_> I don't think meds are worth it since they generally just ♥♥♥♥ me up and make my condition worse (hallucinating and ♥♥♥♥).

It's really frustrating because A. Any sort of dose tends to throw me off course like the Hulk just kicked my ass hard, B. I haven't found the best medication for me yet.

Have they done anything good for you from what you can remember? Like... has it made you calmer than when you're not on them? If not, I don't think you should continue taking them.

Originally Posted by Spidey-Man

Recently I've been feeling down lately. It is hard to explain the reasoning behind it, it's more of a "just because".

I know I've been getting tired of doing the same old routine and things day in day out. I work 10-5 about five days a week, generally I go to the gym around 6 (or get some form of exercise), then hang out with friends in the evening. The one thing with my friends is that they aren't really reliable.

When I feel like doing something ambitious they aren't around. When I want to get out and enjoy this summer weather, they aren't there. When they want t hangout, they would rather be inside and play cards or play video games, which I don't mind, but on evenings when it's sunny and 25 celcius I would rather go to the beach. See what I'm saying. So my friends being unreliable is getting the best of me.

As well, although I've been single for well over a year now, I get emotional bursts of loneliness and wanting to have a significant other, and when I see that girl by herself and I'm about to make a move, a guy joins her or comes out of no where. This is what kills me the most. When this happens. Other contributing factors to my low state right now is that I'm just working and living one day at a time. Sure I'm going to school in the fall (only part time) but I want to be more occupied or at work with other stuff. I need a spark in my life, something that will go off and will give me a green light. Anything.

I feel like I'm in a rut right now and my life is stagnant. It sucks and is a crappy feeling. :/

As someone who doesn't even have any friends irl... I can understand in some ways about the loneliness feeling. :\

I find that when I rely on people too much and they let me down, it lets me down as well. So I cut it off so that it no longer effects me. Like, okay they're there, but I don't want them to contribute to my sadness or weigh me down.
Friends can be like some sort of guide if you have good ones, but in the end it's your journey. So only you can make that difference and change.

When my life becomes a little boring and it just makes me feel terrible, I force myself to break my daily routine to do something different and see if it helps. I try out another hobby, or go out there and try some sort of exciting outdoor sport. And I do these things on my own, but I'm having fun with myself.
Not sure if it works for anyone else, but it helps me.

Yeah I tend to do a lot of things on my own. I've learned to try and be happy just being me and being myself over the past 2 years. I go out and kick the ball around, go run 6km, swim, I love being active. I like being me, but sometimes I just need a friend to be around. Someone to chat to, you know. And for me it is like when I need a friend the most they are not there.

With the whole thing on change and that I can only make it happen, funny because I just had this same conversation with my mom the other day. My simple reply back to her was "but if I don't know what I want in life, then I wont know what changes to makes for myself".

A part of me just wants to take off and travel again, go explore the world. And another part of me wants to figure out what I want to do with myself for the rest of my life. What I want to go to school for and do for a career.

Options like these is what makes life stressful and gives me a bit of anxiety. I'm at a point where I want to act but I just don't know what to do with myself. If I knew, then I would be making the changes that are appropriate to reaching these goals. But in truth, I just don't know.

EDIT:

I know what few things I am passionate about in life, but I just don't know how to turn them into careers, or what routes to take. I know if I am looking for anything prestigious then I will need to move out of my hometown and go to the big city. Then it's thinking about changes like this is what stresses me out as well.

I am such a wreck right now :/

Originally Posted by WillZ4E

@Tom: Really, that's funny. I've eaten plenty of watermelon avocadoes and potatoes recently, and I haven't felt particularly extra good or anything that I can recall. Are you really sure this stuff actually has that much of an effect? I doubt it, although it's prolly better than some freakin' junkfood.

Trust me, every little bit helps. They're full of great benefits for your health. But, just like medicine, they're not miracle cures. They'll aid you, but won't cure you. Only you can cure you.

Originally Posted by WillZ4E

Yep. I have. Do you really think you need it? Perhaps you should try other ways to feel better before attempting meds, although I dont even know what category your problem belongs to.

Originally Posted by Eternal Legend

Have they done anything good for you from what you can remember? Like... has it made you calmer than when you're not on them?

Last time I was on any medication, I was on Citalopram Sandoz.
I stopped having panic attacks and emotional outbursts, so to speak. So that was nice.
But it didn't help with the constant anxiety. . - . Everything was just very dull.

I have no idea what I need. Medication and combined therapy works very well for other peeps I know, so that's why I keep trying it. @___@
I am just very tired of walking around being anxious and angry/sad every day.

Thanks for responding, guys. ♥ This thread is helpful.

Maybe.

---------- Post added at 07:28 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:27 PM ----------

I have tried the advice of listing things earlier but I'm not quite sure what it was supposed to give me.
This sounded more logical. Thanks, Bravo. ♥

Originally Posted by Buu

But it didn't help with the constant anxiety. . - . Everything was just very dull.

This. That's why I'll never go on meds again.

@Buu: Yea, medication isn't always the answer, maybe your problems can be solved through a change of lifestyle, or talking to a therapist to get to the root of your anxiety etc.
I mean meds can only get you so far..I'd say the meds are mostly a crutch if anything.

Just like you said, they can make you feel less worse, but at the same time kinda numb. It's like both the negative and the positive is switched off. Maybe not for everyone but for some atleast.

At times we can develop defense mechanisms, in response to traumatic/difficult situations in order to cope, which get in the way of the things we actually need, like social interactions, intimacy, etc.
So when that happens it basically becomes self-sabotage, like a bad circle (ond cirkel, you know what I mean Buu :p)
In turn, that can lead to depression and anxiety as it gets in the way of what every human needs.
As a metaphor you can say it stops the breeze from coming in to cool our minds down.
And then, we wonder why we feel that way, because sometimes we can be self-sabotaging without realizing it. It can become second-nature.

Hope that helps. I'm no expert but this is my take on it.

Just to clarify

Originally Posted by Buu

I don't know whether or not medication is for me or if I've just not tried the right one yet.

Originally Posted by Buu

I have no idea what I need. Medication and combined therapy works very well for other peeps I know, so that's why I keep trying it. @___@

I have never believed that I could take medication and suddenly all problems would go away. Everything is rooted a lot deeper than that.
I do, however, think that something to keep my anxieties and outbursts in check while I deal with the problems in other ways might be a good thing.

I apologize if I sound defensive, but the skeptical comments about medication made me a bit uneasy. . - . Anti-anxiety medication can be a very helpful thing for some people.

EDIT: But I am grateful for your support, bbys.

EDIT2: Aah, I'd like to add that I am very aware of what kind of issues and problems I have. While it sometimes feels like a sudden anxiety attack/sudden sad/SUDDEN RAAAGE is unprovoked, I can easily find the trigger when I backtrack.

Originally Posted by Buu

Just to clarify


I have never believed that I could take medication and suddenly all problems would go away. Everything is rooted a lot deeper than that.
I do, however, think that something to keep my anxieties and outbursts in check while I deal with the problems in other ways might be a good thing.

I apologize if I sound defensive, but the skeptical comments about medication made me a bit uneasy. . - . Anti-anxiety medication can be a very helpful thing for some people.

EDIT: But I am grateful for your support, bbys.

EDIT2: Aah, I'd like to add that I am very aware of what kind of issues and problems I have. While it sometimes feels like a sudden anxiety attack/sudden sad/SUDDEN RAAAGE is unprovoked, I can easily find the trigger when I backtrack.

Alright. I guess I read your post wrong. Fog in my head today.
And yes, definitely, meds that are the best for you along with therapy sounds like the way to go.
And that is good to hear that you have self-awareness, whereas some people have like no idea whatsoever what's going on with them and why.

Originally Posted by Eternal Legend

Really? I've never heard of that before. Not sure if it makes a difference to me.

Well Tom Servo clarified that it depends on the person, so I guess it doesn't work for everyone. To be honest I don't think it works for me either.

So..Yeah. Let's pretend I didn't post that, and just move on..

Actually, I think I'll let this one out..Except this time, I won't be all angry about it. I grew up gaming. I always played video games when I came home. But I'm not a hardcore gamer. I was NEVER a hardcore gamer. Sure, I enjoy it as recreation..But its not a passion or anything, like I treated it to be. I played video games when I came home from a friends house, or came home from basketball or some other outdoor activity that got me sweating. I did it in the evenings, when it was dark out. To pass the time.

It was the same thing with my depression, except this time..It changed. I was playing video games every day 24/7. But I didn't do it to pass the time. I did it because I was plain miserable. I was trying to distract myself from misery.

I realize this because after my depression ended, I even find video games boring. But I still do it, because..What else is there to do?

There's no excitement in my life. I'm 19 years old, and I don't even have a job. And to this day, I'm still looking..And I don't even have friends. Nobody to hang out with. Onlines good, but..I need someone to hang out with.

I'm frustrated. All this time, I could've been improving my life up to this day..But I didn't. I just sat at home, depressed as ♥♥♥♥.

Now, I'm just a newborn. I have nothing. I want to be my old self again, because I FEEL like my old self again. But those six years have changed me a lot. I'm soft around the edges, and my skin is white. If somebody were to look at me, they would assume that I've always been this way..

I need some excitement in my life. A thrill. That same thrill I craved before I turned into a ♥♥♥♥ing miserable robot.. But before I can even do anything, I have to get a job. I just have to. That's the only way to make a living..The only way to get started..The only way to get my license, and the only way to save up for those motorcycle classes I've been meaning tot ake for the longest time.

But it takes so long..And its boring. Maybe I could work on exercising..Get my body back to a slender build.

I have to do something, or I'm just going to go crazy.. The only excitement I ever get is going on the internet and picking fights. But I guess its better then picking fights in real life.

I remember some people telling me that I would never get better..That I'd never fix things.

I don't want to die. My life may be a bore, but I still love it. I love being alive. But sometimes, I get a little nagging thought that says "In the end, suicide is the only answer to your problems and its what others would want."..

I was thinking about going to group therapy..But there's not much I need therapy for, anymore. Just recovery..

I feel just like a bird, whose wings are bound..and I'm sick of them being bound. But no one will let me fly..

And god dammit, why the ♥♥♥♥ am I so tired all the time? It's because of this weight, isn't it? Its made me lazy..

I DON'T WANT TO BE LAZY. I DON'T WANT TO FEEL TIRED.