LETS ALL LAUGH AT PEOPLE WITH DEPRESSION!!

DeVore

You are using "ego" in a way most people are going to misinterpret (egotism, arrogance, self-obsession etc). In fact I believe you mean it in the strictest psychological terms (at least I'm willing to give you that much leeway). But you might be better off re-expressing it in unambiguous terms. Depressed people face enough "you need to stop being selfish" from genuine arseholes not to add to it from people who don't mean it offensively.

Just a thought

looking_around

ColumnAutofit wrote: »

Your ego is what is causing your depression most likely. I would wager that you nearly always have thoughts running through your head?

Take the time to look at a tree for example, don't name it, don't compare it, don't think about it, just look at it and notice it. Notice the texture of the bark and the leaves. When a thought enters your head, ( it will), notice it, but don't follow it where it wants to take you, just let it go and notice the tree again.

Just to clarify when I say ego I'm referring to the self image people have and how that becomes linked to self esteem. I believe the attachment to this self image can cause mental health problems.

No offense, but I would appreciate you don't make assumptions on what I am and amn't doing.

I know about mindfulness, I make efforts to practice it.

No, that does not always help. There are times it makes no difference, and times it makes things harder.

As usual what works for one, may not work for others.

I cope quite well with my depression now. When I have a bad day. I recognise it as a bad day and know it will pass.
Sometimes I can pull myself out of a bad day, most of the time, ...I just have to wait. Try to keep up the usual habits, keep going...but mindfulness doesn't make it go away.
My depression can be sudden after exercise.

I can tell you, if you're not focusing on the just the bike and the trail when you're out, you WILL fall.
Sometimes, I just finish off completely depressed. Sometimes it's to over thinking. Sometimes it's really not.

Depression is a Brain Disorder. It's physical. We can do things to help, to aid and to prevent, but it is physical and sometimes the only thing you can do is to give it the time it needs to recover.

daithi7

looking_around wrote: »

No offense, but I would appreciate you don't make assumptions on what I am and amn't doing.

I know about mindfulness, I make efforts to practice it.

No, that does not always help. There are times it makes no difference, and times it makes things harder.

As usual what works for one, may not work for others.

I cope quite well with my depression now. When I have a bad day. I recognise it as a bad day and know it will pass.
Sometimes I can pull myself out of a bad day, most of the time, ...I just have to wait. Try to keep up the usual habits, keep going...but mindfulness doesn't make it go away.
My depression can be sudden after exercise.

I can tell you, if you're not focusing on the just the bike and the trail when you're out, you WILL fall.
Sometimes, I just finish off completely depressed. Sometimes it's to over thinking. Sometimes it's really not.

Depression is a Brain Disorder. It's physical. We can do things to help, to aid and to prevent, but it is physical and sometimes the only thing you can do is to give it the time it needs to recover.

Yes and no. Depression is a mood disorder, probably hormonal driven, which can impact on our thoughts, But I don't think it impacts our brains much at all unless very chronic and augmented with things like serous long term substance or alcohol abuse, etc, and even these are reversible normally over time.

I think depression can even have a function in certain cases, it is a symptom of medium/long term low mood, this mood may be driven by being genuinely unhappy with where you are in your life, it may be driven by memories of being an unhappy place e.g. childhood, or it may be driven by genuinely purely physiological reasons e.g old age, post natal, post illness event. But if you can control your destiny to get yourself to a better place e.g. new friends, New hobbies, exercise, job, etc, etc I think depression(whilst it may be a caustic overreaction) can indeed have a function.

LA, getting back to exercise, I wouldn't be surprised if your negative reaction post (aerobic??) exercise may be driven by physiological rather than psychological factors solely . It could be a reaction to dropped blood sugars, which might be a precursor of diabetes. See your doctor and get it checked out would be my advice. We should all feel better after 20 to 30 mins (actually doing it) of appropriate exercise every day or every other day, preferably aerobic exercise such as swimming, cycling, running. Others such as yoga, Pilates and circuits (dancing, etc) are all good to do too in combo with aerobic exercise in other days preferably. That's what I find good anyway and it's good for more than just mood, it's good for physiological and psychological well being in general, and that is all good!! Enjoy!!

P.s. imho at least half our mood and thoughts are dictated by what we do with our bodies, start treating yourself with respect through good diet, sleeping habits and exercise and I'd wager 80% of depressed people's mood would begin to improvea bit within a couple of weeks.

Yes, there may be other things that need to be addressed through therapy, etc, but I'd urge people to give themselves the best possible chance of success with a solid foundation of good diet, rest, exercise, hygiene, grooming, social interactions, etc, etc After all life is there be lived and lived to the full, and depression(while it may have solid reasons to occur & may even have a function in some cases) prevents people making the most of themselves and of their lives, and that is the real tragedy. Be the best you can be!! :-) Live well, love well & laugh often.

TheSegal

daithi7 wrote: »

LA, getting back to exercise, I wouldn't be surprised if your negative reaction post (aerobic??) exercise may be driven by physiological rather than psychological factors solely . It could be a reaction to dropped blood sugars, which might be a precursor of diabetes. See your doctor and get it checked out would be my advice. We should all feel better after 20 to 30 mins (actually doing it) of appropriate exercise every day or every other day, preferably aerobic exercise such as swimming, cycling, running. Others such as yoga, Pilates and circuits (dancing, etc) are all good to do too in combo with aerobic exercise in other days preferably. That's what I find good anyway and it's good for more than just mood, it's good for physiological and psychological well being in general, and that is all good!! Enjoy!!

P.s. imho at least half our mood and thoughts are dictated by what we do with our bodies, start treating yourself with respect through good diet, sleeping habits and exercise and I'd wager 80% of depressed people's mood would begin to improvea bit within a couple of weeks.

I find that if I haven't eaten anything before an intense exercise session I feel like absolute crap afterwards, almost worse then before exercise. A quick bite to eat of even a few sweets perks me right up.

I've also found that while I loved exercising by running and other activities on my own, playing as part of a casual team sport has made everything better. I sometimes panic before a game of something but afterwards the fun of making new friends and meeting people for post training food or a pint makes me feel like i'm part of something and gives me something to look forward to. This Summer i've made a whole new circle of friends from different sports and I look forward to weekends because I get to spend time with them whereas before I used to dread the weekend because i'd just be in bed worrying about things.

DeVore

That first bit sounds dangerously "sugar-crashy"...

looking_around

daithi7 wrote: »

Yes and no. Depression is a mood disorder, probably hormonal driven, which can impact on our thoughts, But I don't think it impacts our brains much at all unless very chronic and augmented with things like serous long term substance or alcohol abuse, etc, and even these are reversible normally over time.

You think this based on what degree?

The amygdala is shown to play a major part in many "mental" illnesses.
If it was just hormonal. Anti-depressants would work better. However they very largely fail.
It is still an illness we are very much learning about. Again. Please stop with the assumptions.

Some harm caused is reversible, some is not.

I think depression can even have a function in certain cases, it is a symptom of medium/long term low mood, this mood may be driven by being genuinely unhappy with where you are in your life, it may be driven by memories of being an unhappy place e.g. childhood, or it may be driven by genuinely purely physiological reasons e.g old age, post natal, post illness event. But if you can control your destiny to get yourself to a better place e.g. new friends, New hobbies, exercise, job, etc, etc I think depression(whilst it may be a caustic overreaction) can indeed have a function.

This is called situational depression. And is not the same as chronic depression.

LA, getting back to exercise, I wouldn't be surprised if your negative reaction post (aerobic??) exercise may be driven by physiological rather than psychological factors solely . It could be a reaction to dropped blood sugars, which might be a precursor of diabetes. See your doctor and get it checked out would be my advice.

My blood sugars are fine. Checked, not an issue.

We should all feel better after 20 to 30 mins (actually doing it) of appropriate exercise every day or every other day,

Should?
Well, I don't....now what?
Just because for MOST people it works, and helps, does not mean that's the case for everyone.
Again, we are still learning the affect of mood disorders on the brain and body. There is so much we are discovering still.
Should..would be normal.
However I'm not "normal". I have an illness that affects my day to day life. One of the ways it affects me, is the fact that exercise doesn't help.

Yes, there may be other things that need to be addressed through therapy, etc, but I'd urge people to give themselves the best possible chance of success with a solid foundation of good diet, rest, exercise, hygiene, grooming, social interactions, etc, etc After all life is there be lived and lived to the full, and depression(while it may have solid reasons to occur & may even have a function in some cases) prevents people making the most of themselves and of their lives, and that is the real tragedy. Be the best you can be!! :-) Live well, love well & laugh often.

Not disagreeing with this. I'm disagreeing with the fix for all.
I'm disagreeing with the assumption that exercise always help. And if it's not helping, that person is wrong in some way, or doing it wrong.

The fact is depression is an illness, it has physical symptoms and probable physical causes. Depression is not always helped by exercise. It's like saying diabetes can always be treated by diet.
I don't deny that it can hep to an extent, but give a diabetic sugar when their high is a bad idea, but when they're low it's the best idea in the world.
Exercise too can be seen similar for people with depression. There are times when it is useful and times when it's not.

EDIT:

"
P.s. imho at least half our mood and thoughts are dictated by what we do with our bodies, start treating yourself with respect through good diet, sleeping habits and exercise and I'd wager 80% of depressed people's mood would begin to improvea bit within a couple of weeks"

I just noticed this.
IN YOUR OPINION.
It's unfounded.
Yes, good diet can help. Yes for some people it's the answer, but you're basically saying depression isn't an illness it's a symptom.
And from personal experience I don't agree with that. Depression can be a symptom, but it is VERY much an illness. I find it insulting that you would try and say otherwise.
That apparently I'm depressed through faults of my own. Things I could change and do that would "cure" me of my depression.
I know you haven't straight up said that, but that is exactly what is coming across.

I do eat healthy, I do exercise, I do socialise. I try not to let depression affect my life too much. But it still hits me, out of no where, for no situational reason. And when it hits, I try to keep living as I was and as I should and I wait for it to pass. Which it always does. However it is NOT situational, it is not down to diet and it is not down to the way I exercise.
It's an illness and your claim of just "treat yourself better", is demeaning and reinforces that depressed people are just lazy or not looking after themselves and "could do better" and if they did, they wouldn't depressed. Depression IS an illness. No amount of what you think, what you wager, what you want to believe, changes that it is a very real illness.

Turtle_

daithi7 wrote: »

Yes and no. Depression is a mood disorder, probably hormonal driven, which can impact on our thoughts, But I don't think it impacts our brains much at all unless very chronic and augmented with things like serous long term substance or alcohol abuse, etc, and even these are reversible normally over time.
....
P.s. imho at least half our mood and thoughts are dictated by what we do with our bodies, start treating yourself with respect through good diet, sleeping habits and exercise and I'd wager 80% of depressed people's mood would begin to improvea bit within a couple of weeks.

You sir, are seriously talking rubbish. In fact, the rubbish you're talking is EXACTLY what keeps genuine illness stigmatized. I don't even think it's worth trying to explain anything to you because it's obvious that your mind is made up that depressed people are just lazy people eating rubbish who feel bad as a result. You've managed to confuse cause and effect, well done. Clap clap. Waltzing in here and showing ignorance about mental health issues is alive and well. :mad:

daithi7

Turtle_ wrote: »

You sir, are seriously talking rubbish. In fact, the rubbish you're talking is EXACTLY what keeps genuine illness stigmatized. I don't even think it's worth trying to explain anything to you because it's obvious that your mind is made up that depressed people are just lazy people eating rubbish who feel bad as a result. You've managed to confuse cause and effect, well done. Clap clap. Waltzing in here and showing ignorance about mental health issues is alive and well. :mad:

firstly, less on the anger would be appreciated, I'm just trying to propose some positive steps that help alot of people who suffer from depression. I never said it is not an illness, I never said what I proposed was a cure all, but I did say it makes a lot of people feel better. Does it help cure depression, I'm not sure, but it makes people feel better which is at least a start.

As for your constructive input, oh sorry, of course there was none.

daithi7

looking_around wrote: »

You think this based on what degree?

The amygdala is shown to play a major part in many "mental" illnesses.
If it was just hormonal. Anti-depressants would work better. However they very largely fail.
It is still an illness we are very much learning about. Again. Please stop with the assumptions.

Some harm caused is reversible, some is not.


This is called situational depression. And is not the same as chronic depression.


My blood sugars are fine. Checked, not an issue.

Should?
Well, I don't....now what?
Just because for MOST people it works, and helps, does not mean that's the case for everyone.
Again, we are still learning the affect of mood disorders on the brain and body. There is so much we are discovering still.
Should..would be normal.
However I'm not "normal". I have an illness that affects my day to day life. One of the ways it affects me, is the fact that exercise doesn't help.


Not disagreeing with this. I'm disagreeing with the fix for all.
I'm disagreeing with the assumption that exercise always help. And if it's not helping, that person is wrong in some way, or doing it wrong.

The fact is depression is an illness, it has physical symptoms and probable physical causes. Depression is not always helped by exercise. It's like saying diabetes can always be treated by diet.
I don't deny that it can hep to an extent, but give a diabetic sugar when their high is a bad idea, but when they're low it's the best idea in the world.
Exercise too can be seen similar for people with depression. There are times when it is useful and times when it's not.

EDIT:
I just noticed this.
IN YOUR OPINION.
It's unfounded.
Yes, good diet can help. Yes for some people it's the answer, but you're basically saying depression isn't an illness it's a symptom.
And from personal experience I don't agree with that. Depression can be a symptom, but it is VERY much an illness. I find it insulting that you would try and say otherwise.
That apparently I'm depressed through faults of my own. Things I could change and do that would "cure" me of my depression.
I know you haven't straight up said that, but that is exactly what is coming across.

I do eat healthy, I do exercise, I do socialise. I try not to let depression affect my life too much. But it still hits me, out of no where, for no situational reason. And when it hits, I try to keep living as I was and as I should and I wait for it to pass. Which it always does. However it is NOT situational, it is not down to diet and it is not down to the way I exercise.
It's an illness and your claim of just "treat yourself better", is demeaning and reinforces that depressed people are just lazy or not looking after themselves and "could do better" and if they did, they wouldn't depressed. Depression IS an illness. No amount of what you think, what you wager, what you want to believe, changes that it is a very real illness.

Looking around,
that is fair enough. I was only proposing a few general principles and practices that help in a lot of cases. I was never suggesting depression isn't an illness , of course it is, which you are obviously living with and managing with daily.

Sorry to hear exercise does not help you at all, good luck otherwise.

bridgettedon

daithi7 wrote: »

firstly, less on the anger would be appreciated, I'm just trying to propose some positive steps that help alot of people who suffer from depression. I never said it is not an illness, I never said what I proposed was a cure all, but I did say it makes a lot of people feel better. Does it help cure depression, I'm not sure, but it makes people feel better which is at least a start.

As for your constructive input, oh sorry, of course there was none.

Where did you come up with the figure 80% of people would feel better after a few weeks of exercise?

daithi7

bridgettedon wrote: »

Where did you come up with the figure 80% of people would feel better after a few weeks of exercise?

I didn't. I expressed an opinion and qualified it as such at the time. Good Bye!!

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/depression-and-exercise/art-20046495

bridgettedon

daithi7 wrote: »

I didn't. I expressed an opinion and qualified it as such at the time. Good Bye!!

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/depression/in-depth/depression-and-exercise/art-20046495

So you picked it out of thin air.

Exercise may help with depression. I don't believe it is the key to combating depression. I like what someone mentioned earlier that exercise helps them to be in the moment. I find that helps me a lot. Sometimes I'd be worried about what might be happening in an hour, that night, the next day, the next week. Being in the moment helps ease the anxiety. It gives me a break from my thoughts.

Gremlinertia

Like in the LTI forum this place is a kind of support thread, many may disagree with points raised by many other people, if you do either block or report.. I know that I personally find it hard to deal with too much upset on here even if it is After Hours. My best to all that either contribute or read this thread,it's a hard time of year for many and a time where facts and figures don't much interest people who are down/unwell in themselves..

timecurve12

I too hate the idea that depression results from people doing something 'wrong' - eg not taking care of themselves, not eating well. A lot of people with depression and other mental illness are incredible brave, strong and intelligent people. There is definitely something physiological that causes depression in my opinion, as it seems to hit people with huge variations in personality, temperament, and background... I guess the idea that depression is caused by something someone is doing incorrectly is part of the stigma of mental illness. It can be very devastating to be so ill and have that added strain on you, that you are someone doing this to yourself. When you search and search to try and figure out what your are doing, with your self esteem plummeting simultaneously.

DeVore

We should bear in mind that just because something helps doesn't mean the lack of it was the cause in the first place. If exercise helps me, great.. but I exercise regularly anyway, depressed or not. Its not the lack of it that caused my bout, but it might help me get through it or shorten it.

We can also say for certain that there is no single cure because if there was, we'd have found it by now. Depression (or more accurately in my opinion, a range of mental health issues that are grouped together under that moniker) seems to strike across ages, class, fitness, monetary economics, and more... in some it may have a chemical imbalance aspect, in others it may be situational, in others is may be historical occurances that reoccur as depression. But we can be sure that there doesn't seem to be one cause and there doesn't seem to be one cure, so... with that in mind, I say we all try everything we can find and what works for you, keep doing it!


These last two weeks have been rough for me, a lot of turbulence in my life and I'm not really up to doing stuff like the SSF or indeed Xmas at all but I'm working through it and hope to be back to my usual self soon. These "patches" happen to us all, I'm no different.

daithi7

Bressie's Ironmind on network 2 now, and next episode on 9.30pm sun.

This programme explores the link between exercise and training with a purpose and alleviating depression. Enjoy!!!

Gremlinertia

LucaDat wrote: »

I can no longer hide my depression. Seems new lows come every day. And I am beginning not to care
My counselor tells me to have more fun. My clergy makes light of it.
And nothing changes.
Atleast not for the better.

You're far from alone, even if that doesn't bring any consolation right now. Have you seen your gp?. My wee path with mental illness is a long one, rough patches along with severe bumps, believe me when i say this though, it will pass.. Night time is hard, winter is hard - be nice to yourself you do deserve it..

StewartGriffin

Gremlinertia wrote: »

I know that I personally find it hard to deal with too much upset on here even if it is After Hours.

Yeah, it seems a strange place to have such a sensitive thread. It's like having a support meeting in the pub at 10pm, there's always a few drunks wandering up trying to be smart. I understand it's here (in AH) to get a high profile but I think it's risky, considering some of those who most rely on the thread may be emotionally fragile.

DeVore

Its watched by a lot of people, believe me this thread is hallowed ground and the fastest route off the site for trolls. In several years its had rarely a hiccup and to be fair on AH, its boisterous yes, but has its heart of gold too

L.Jenkins

Anyone else feel that the thread relating to how suicide affects family and friends threw a little curve ball into the mix this week? Some maybe thinking that suicide is one of the most selfish things any person could do, but I've felt so low at certain points in my life that it felt like the only way out. I wasn't even thinking about family and friends at the time, because what ever had gotten me down had consumed me so much, it wasn't that I couldn't talk about it, I didn't want to, it didn't even cross my mind to do so either.

For me, it was a constant dread of waking up in the morning and having to get through the day with no will to do so. So one afternoon standing on a bridge, my own mortality flashed before my eyes and that's when I knew that I had to do something. Thankfully College provided free counselling and somewhere to go to vent with someone who could point me in the right direction. Now I have a diagnosis of Bipolar 1 and well managed. Yes, sometimes I only have the energy to lase around and watch movies, but my own feelings at my worst nowadays, are a million times better than at my lowest. So my lowest nowadays are really, ah sure I'll watch a film instead of walking the rain, even if it is good for me.

When I was there, I never thought it was selfish or my family would be better off without me, I thought all the bad in my life would be gone and I would have peace at last. Now I'm married and utterly happy. Healing takes time, something some of us never had the chance to have and was not their fault, as people need to be more aware of the warning signs where possible.

bridgettedon

Itzy wrote: »

Anyone else feel that the thread relating to how suicide affects family and friends threw a little curve ball into the mix this week? Some maybe thinking that suicide is one of the most selfish things any person could do, but I've felt so low at certain points in my life that it felt like the only way out. I wasn't even thinking about family and friends at the time, because what ever had gotten me down had consumed me so much, it wasn't that I couldn't talk about it, I didn't want to, it didn't even cross my mind to do so either.

For me, it was a constant dread of waking up in the morning and having to get through the day with no will to do so. So one afternoon standing on a bridge, my own mortality flashed before my eyes and that's when I knew that I had to do something. Thankfully College provided free counselling and somewhere to go to vent with someone who could point me in the right direction. Now I have a diagnosis of Bipolar 1 and well managed. Yes, sometimes I only have the energy to lase around and watch movies, but my own feelings at my worst nowadays, are a million times better than at my lowest. So my lowest nowadays are really, ah sure I'll watch a film instead of walking the rain, even if it is good for me.

When I was there, I never thought it was selfish or my family would be better off without me, I thought all the bad in my life would be gone and I would have peace at last. Now I'm married and utterly happy. Healing takes time, something some of us never had the chance to have and was not their fault, as people need to be more aware of the warning signs where possible.

I saw that thread too. It was sad to hear of people losing loved ones to suicide. However some seemed quite angry and felt the person had given up. At my worst I felt like I was in a living nightmare. To be frank I feel if you haven't exprienceded mental health issues like depression and anxiety then you have no idea how it can affect a person. Every morning from the moment you wake up to the moment you feel asleep those feelings of dread, unhappiness,fear, anxiety, thoughts of self hate are there. Everyday is exhausting and every day you are getting worse and worse. You have no interest in participating in life and zero energy. You may lose your job, relationships, friendships and lose interest in hobbies and interests. It is a constant part of your life. Even when you do something that you enjoy it may briefly go, but it will come back.

One thing you bring up which is a great point is that people need to know the warning signs. I ignored the warning signs for years. In fact other people did play down my feelings, told me to buck up, that I was fine, that everyone feels like this, to socialise more. Things that are so hard to do when all you want is to stay away from people and life in general. My advice is, know the warning signs and if you think there is a possibility that there is something amiss then go to your doctor. Do it before it becomes an even bigger issue.

It is an illness just like cancer or any other physical illnesses.

Gleeso_Finglas

Just thought id weight in a bit here on the conversations on the last 2 or 3 pages You may relate to my post or you may not.

I have had a horrible month and cannot wait for November to be over. I could feel myself losing grip and starting to spiral down so i went to my doctor and demanded to be put on the next strength of my anti depressants and up my anxiety meds too. it worked and now the cloud has somewhat shifted and anxiety has decreased although i do still have the constant shake in my right leg that makes me look very anxious even when im not. I am not sure why but when i wake in the mornings this is when my anxiety is worse its like my nerves had been so relaxed when i sleep that when i wake it all rushes back and anxiety is somewhat un bearable. I would not wish it on my worst enemy. Anyway the medication has worked for me everytime to pull me out of depressive states and i could not cope with out them.

When I get through an episode and things start to pick up I get back to the gym 3-4 times a week. After about a month of regular exercise I start to feel better in myself and my diet becomes clean as can be. It helped me stay mentally healthy for 12 months and I will do everything I can to get back to that place as it really helps with my anxiety. Make no mistake it is not a miracle cure but it is another way of coping and it does benefit the brain. Something to do with seratonin and dopamine levels increasing. Again what works for one wont work for the other.Depressive episodes still happen for me but in the time in between i do for a short period get some sort of enjoyment and a boost in self esteem. Right now I write this from coach potato state and I have got to literally try and force myself into the gym this week. BADLY!!! need to lose 3-4 stone.

What i will say and this is from my own experience that when i am going through a really bad episode i do not move from the house all i am able to do is sit around crying 24/7 i am literally floored for weeks-months so forget about exercise. It is like a process my body goes through and its weeks before i can even think about the gym. Dont let people who are annoying you about exercise and eating well get to you. You will do things when you are good and ready and on that day u will give yourself a little push to do it. Sure i can wake up on any day and start spiralling.

Remember and respect that this is a support forum and all people are doing are throwing out ideas on what may have worked for them or family and friends. You never know just like medication from the doc something may stick

DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO GET THROUGH THE DAY. Anything after that is a little bonus. Only you know you.

StewartGriffin

Gleeso_Finglas wrote: »

Remember and respect that this is a support forum and all people are doing are throwing out ideas on what may have worked for them or family and friends. You never know just like medication from the doc something may stick

Beautifully put. This quote should be stickied at the top of the thread.

Lone Stone

just wondering does any one go to any depression support groups ? i was thinking about it recently seems to be hitting me hard the past week.

mickstupp

F*ck this darkness. I live for December 22nd, when every day after that I know it'll be getting a little brighter.

L.Jenkins

Lone Stone wrote: »

just wondering does any one go to any depression support groups ? i was thinking about it recently seems to be hitting me hard the past week.

I don't attend one myself, but this might help http://www.aware.ie/help/support/support-groups-locations/

Hugo Stiglitz

Lone Stone wrote: »

just wondering does any one go to any depression support groups ? i was thinking about it recently seems to be hitting me hard the past week.

I went to Aware a few times. It was good to talk to people about all this. The attendance can vary greatly sometimes and the people there might be a lot older/younger than you, but hopefully that won't be an issue.

Sorry to hear that you've been having a tough time there this week, my friend. Feel free to let off some steam here if you need to.

Drumpot

Hugo Stiglitz wrote: »

I went to Aware a few times. It was good to talk to people about all this. The attendance can vary greatly sometimes and the people there might be a lot older/younger than you, but hopefully that won't be an issue.

Sorry to hear that you've been having a tough time there this week, my friend. Feel free to let off some steam here if you need to.

I tried aware and found it helpful. I ended up doing an aware sponsored CBT course that led me to other support networks.

I find that my depression/anxiety likes to strongly encourage me isolate myself. When I feel low I don't want to be around other people and don't want to necessarily talk about how low I feel. Paradoxically I don't want to be on my own when I am in this zone and end up feeling desperately lonely.

I felt aware and other support groups helped me open up and feel less lonely. Hearing other people share their own pain and stories was extremely helpful to me.

I found the thought of a group therapy setting daunting. It was certainly an odd experience at first but I soon realised that it was something I should of done years ago.

My instinct is still to isolate and go into myself but I have learned very useful tools from these support groups that make my life much better and my low moods manageable.

Hello. I hope you guys don't mind me coming in here. The last few pages have motivated me to post.

There are lots of ideas trotted out which may help alleviate the pain and sadness of depression. Take a nice walk somewhere pretty, eat well, get up early and go for a run, meet a friend, play with an animal, watch a funny film, laugh. These are all valid and can work for many but they can also be futile. When you are lying in bed in a haze of blackness or going through the motions of your life, then those lovely things become impossible to do.

As awful as the feelings are just sit with them, slow it all down. Stay curled up on the couch if that's what you want to do. Feel feel feel. Cry if you want to, eat a tub of Ben and Jerry's if you want to. Give yourself permission. There is no pressure to run 5k or drive up the mountains.

A common factor I've found which exists with depression is how hard people are on themselves and the huge expectations they place.

Now that is my experience. Again we are all different.

Hugo Stiglitz

Drumpot wrote: »

My instinct is still to isolate and go into myself but I have learned very useful tools from these support groups that make my life much better and my low moods manageable.

That instinct is very strong here. I've honestly largely given up trying to fight it.

My only negative experience of the support groups was that, at least in my area, there was often a huge generational gap between myself and the others in attendance. It was like I couldn't view them as my peers, if that makes any sense at all, which I doubt it does.

Deleted User wrote: »

A common factor I've found which exists with depression is how hard people are on themselves and the huge expectations they place.

My expectations are very high and rationally I know that they're unrealistic, but it's hard to alter them. I fear I find it easier to cope with them as they are rather than to face the brutal truth and fight to change them.