Depression

[meezergal]

I finally faced up to the fact that I'm clinically
depressed. I'm eating WAY too much, have no interest
in the things I used to love to do (haven't even seen
Tiki for 2+ weeks), sleeping ALL the time, and so on.

It's partly the fall--I HATE the fall--I mean HATE
with a capital H--but this year for some reason I feel
I just can't bear the days getting shorter and colder!
The leaves falling off and the entire countryside
getting brown and ugly and the cold winds just seem
like an even bigger slap in the face than they usually
are.

I'm leaving work in a few to see my doctor and discuss
treatment options. I've also been setting small goals for myself--
I mean tiny ones, like "I'm going to do two loads of wash,
fix Tiki's supplements, and exercise today" sort of lists. I'm
glad I have a full time job, or I'd really be in sad
shape. At least I have that to wake up to.

Does anyone else have any suggestions for beating
depression? This is the second time in my life I've
been fighting it.

Comments

[pullthestars.livejournal.com]

I myself am checking into options RE anti-depressants. So keep me updated on your progress, and I'll see what I can do from this side :)

ideas for fighting depression

[renoir-girl.livejournal.com]

I hope you find some treatment options that work for you. That certainly is the most important thing to do.

Other things I would urge you to start:
--Counseling with someone who specializes in the sorts of issues you find yourself dealing with. I won't make a list because I'd be mostly guessing. You know yourself better than I know you.
--Buy a grow light (made for plants) at Wal-Mart and a timer. Time the grow-light to click on when you want to believe the sun is shining, and don't turn it off until you want to believe the sun is down. If it's too bright, give yourself a craft project and make a window to put in front of it. ;-)
--Subscribe to some daily affirmations by e-mail and read them (try these until you find something you like better, if you do: http://www.findamentor.org/inspemail and http://www.renaissanceunity.org/dailyemail.htm) or, if you're good about reading every day, buy a book or two of affirmations (such as this search found: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/104-6449120-4451912)
--Go to meetings, or more of them. You know the ones I mean.
--Keep exercising. If at all possible, find someone to exercise with you.

okay, that's all I can think of at the moment. I wish you the best, certainly!

[jarlsberg71.livejournal.com]

Have you thought about using Full spectrum lights in the rooms you frequent the most? I have them in the livingroom to make the gloom less ominous. My aunt suffers from Seaseonal Affective Disorder and my uncle has lights in the rooms she spends the most time in. It helps her a lot (plus a month in arizona during January....)

[benkenobigal.livejournal.com]

I've been there!! I had to see a counselor for a few months before I could shake it and I still take Lexapro daily. Staying active and keeping yourself busy are excellent ideas.

Definitely go see Tiki! I'm sure you're missed. :) Get to a counselor, too. My 2 cents of course. I don't know *what* would have happened if I didn't get to one...