I hate putting my business out there on the spot, but I suffer from depression. I hate antidepressants because they don't really help me. Currently, I feel so disconnected from everyone around me, nothing seems to be going my way and I try to act like this anxiety and depression doesn't exist.

I really started battling with this 2 years ago and its been on and off, I tried to the school therapist and she helped me alot, but I just want to shake this thing. It tends to happen when I'm really stressed out or I reflect on where I wish my life would have been. I'm just reaching out to see if anyone has been through the same thing and how did they learn to cope with it. I hate the restless nights, racing thoughts, and feeling of despair. I pray about it all the time and I tend to feel empowered when I do, but the feelings always manage to come back. I thought I shook it, but apparently I did not. Maybe it is school and bills, not finding a job, family issues and being sad because I've always been alone...

Please don't down me for this, I accept it on any other thread, but I just want to know how someone else got through this. I really appreciate it.

You should go back to therapy. The main purpose of taking medication is to help with a "crisis" because it works faster than therapy. It is supposed to help short term until the person in need develops the coping skills to deal with stress. Medication is also the best thing for someone who suffers from depression because of a chemical disbalance. For everyone else, therapy is the best option.

It seems to be like you have to stick to therapy long enough to learn the coping skills you need to deal with ALL stressful situations, not to just specific issues. I strongly recommend you see a cognitive behavior therapist.

Hope you feel better.

All I can suggest is find people that love you and make them the center of your life.

You mentioned you pray. I sure get a lot out of Lakewood Church and Joel Osteen. If you can come to Houston, you'll not be sorry. They have great support groups at the church for just this type of situation.

If not, maybe they know someone where you are that they recommend. Call the church or if you want, I'll do it for you.

Yeah definitely continue with the therapy and maybe career counselling or joining a job agency if you're having difficulty in getting a job. I suffer from bipolar disorder though I was told depression in the past, I have anxiety with it too, so I know how you feel. Do you exercise or get out by any chance? I'm always told that helps though I get lazy too.

IamFunkay7 said:

I hate putting my business out there on the spot, but I suffer from depression. I hate antidepressants because they don't really help me. Currently, I feel so disconnected from everyone around me, nothing seems to be going my way and I try to act like this anxiety and depression doesn't exist.

I really started battling with this 2 years ago and its been on and off, I tried to the school therapist and she helped me alot, but I just want to shake this thing. It tends to happen when I'm really stressed out or I reflect on where I wish my life would have been. I'm just reaching out to see if anyone has been through the same thing and how did they learn to cope with it. I hate the restless nights, racing thoughts, and feeling of despair. I pray about it all the time and I tend to feel empowered when I do, but the feelings always manage to come back. I thought I shook it, but apparently I did not. Maybe it is school and bills, not finding a job, family issues and being sad because I've always been alone...

Please don't down me for this, I accept it on any other thread, but I just want to know how someone else got through this. I really appreciate it.

I have had a lot of depression. I am not a doctor because of it though. What i found was the most helpful to me was peer support. There are places popping up all over. It is huge relief to speak with others who have what you have or another mental health diagnosis It has been proven that peer support is invaluable in keeping people who regularly visit mental wards out of them. There is also a great deal of info out there.

One huge thing that no doctor emphasizes enough is how important diet and getting outside are. Meditation is also vety very helpful. Think of your mental health like you would lupus or any other reoccuring conditon. You may not be able to remove it but you can limit the stresses that trigger it. You can do a great deal on your own and should whether you see a councelor once a week or not. Most councelors are only in your life once a week at best. therefore you need to be your own best friend and advocate.

a male friend of mine i used to work with was always stressing out and going through bouts of anxiety. he found that vitamin b helped him very much. after about 3mos, he told me he was doing much better and felt less stressed than before he added vitamin b as a supplement.

this is not advice, but maybe a supplement will help. here's a small bit of info.

if you choose, you can go online and seek for yourself. or talk 2 ur doctor about the benefits of vitamin b.

( stress can be a dawg and can be such a waste of time and energy.)

Chile,

we ALL go through our tough patches in life. Any life worth living has its ups and its downs. I am so glad you pray. Because prayer helps, it shows you still have hope... and that is a VERY good thing.

You should never turn away help... if that therapist doesn't work, then seek another. I would take the anti-depressants for a bit until a better plan is in action. Dysregulated is right on point with his/her advice. Stick to the meds until a plan of action is in place!

The exercise and staying active helps because it releases chemicals in the brain... so does the act of touch. As people we need eachother .. we NEED to be touched. Hugs go a long way to making us feel better, massages, etc. Touch is healing, so find a way to get touched by a person or a pet. Touching and being touched has a soothing effect that releases chemicals to the brain. It is why pets have a "healing" effect as well.

So do NOT isolate yourself! Get out there and force yourself to keep pushing through this, prayer, meds, exercises, petting a friend's cat/dog if you don't own one yourself.

Get involved in something productive that puts a smile on your face. Go to therapy, and let that person put you in a good path towards healing and teaching you coping skills.

We all go through that in one form or another. I get depressed too when I don;t have the answers I need. Keep your chin up and do not worry. Just keep reaching out and get busy finding the answers you need. You can and will get through this.

Also try EFT Therapy on yourself and have food with fish oil in it.

If i had a therapist offer me help...i would jump at the chance. I have had my share of depresion. I am currently taking Nortriptyline, its actually for migraines, but i hate the way it makes me feel...like u said.."disconnected" I know that feeling of being Overwhelmed...its awful. I was thinking of going back to church...is that something to consider?

just believe that things will get better... good luck~~

I go through spells of sadness and anxiety (many times I'm thrown a curve by friends and their creative success and fame), and I think many people do. I do think that sometimes pushing yourself into a new situation, new friends, or anything that could be contructive to your life, even if you don't feel the will or a happiness in trying, can slowly lead to a day where you seem to rise out of it. Almost like you had some kind of flu, went throught the chills, and then got better to a point where you don't even remember exactly how you got so down.

I do think many many people go through cycles like this, but it's true some people do better with direct help.

But you have to keep in mind that you will rise out of it.

DysregulatedToxicity said:

You should go back to therapy. The main purpose of taking medication is to help with a "crisis" because it works faster than therapy. It is supposed to help short term until the person in need develops the coping skills to deal with stress. Medication is also the best thing for someone who suffers from depression because of a chemical disbalance. For everyone else, therapy is the best option.

It seems to be like you have to stick to therapy long enough to learn the coping skills you need to deal with ALL stressful situations, not to just specific issues. I strongly recommend you see a cognitive behavior therapist.

Hope you feel better.

Thanks these answers really help and as much as I hate the meds, Ill keep trying until one fits me and I will be looking for a therapist under my health insurance so they can help me with that.

Deadflow3r said:

IamFunkay7 said:

I hate putting my business out there on the spot, but I suffer from depression. I hate antidepressants because they don't really help me. Currently, I feel so disconnected from everyone around me, nothing seems to be going my way and I try to act like this anxiety and depression doesn't exist.

I really started battling with this 2 years ago and its been on and off, I tried to the school therapist and she helped me alot, but I just want to shake this thing. It tends to happen when I'm really stressed out or I reflect on where I wish my life would have been. I'm just reaching out to see if anyone has been through the same thing and how did they learn to cope with it. I hate the restless nights, racing thoughts, and feeling of despair. I pray about it all the time and I tend to feel empowered when I do, but the feelings always manage to come back. I thought I shook it, but apparently I did not. Maybe it is school and bills, not finding a job, family issues and being sad because I've always been alone...

Please don't down me for this, I accept it on any other thread, but I just want to know how someone else got through this. I really appreciate it.

I have had a lot of depression. I am not a doctor because of it though. What i found was the most helpful to me was peer support. There are places popping up all over. It is huge relief to speak with others who have what you have or another mental health diagnosis It has been proven that peer support is invaluable in keeping people who regularly visit mental wards out of them. There is also a great deal of info out there.

One huge thing that no doctor emphasizes enough is how important diet and getting outside are. Meditation is also vety very helpful. Think of your mental health like you would lupus or any other reoccuring conditon. You may not be able to remove it but you can limit the stresses that trigger it. You can do a great deal on your own and should whether you see a councelor once a week or not. Most councelors are only in your life once a week at best. therefore you need to be your own best friend and advocate.

yeah it is like a reoccurring illness and I don't get out much other than school and home. maybe I should start going for walks or something, your answer is really appreciated. This is a struggle but its so helpful knowing other people go through it. I know my school has group workshops maybe I should check them out.

alphastreet said:

Yeah definitely continue with the therapy and maybe career counselling or joining a job agency if you're having difficulty in getting a job. I suffer from bipolar disorder though I was told depression in the past, I have anxiety with it too, so I know how you feel. Do you exercise or get out by any chance? I'm always told that helps though I get lazy too.

I use to work out alot, but now I stopped, my funds are low and I will have to put my membership on postpone for the time being. guess maybe a walk around the neighborhood might help. It use to help me working out so I do agree with that.

RodeoSchro said:

All I can suggest is find people that love you and make them the center of your life.

You mentioned you pray. I sure get a lot out of Lakewood Church and Joel Osteen. If you can come to Houston, you'll not be sorry. They have great support groups at the church for just this type of situation.

If not, maybe they know someone where you are that they recommend. Call the church or if you want, I'll do it for you.

aww thanks, I was thinking about calling the church too, or getting more involved, its obvious I need a support group for this one.

free2bfreeda said:

a male friend of mine i used to work with was always stressing out and going through bouts of anxiety. he found that vitamin b helped him very much. after about 3mos, he told me he was doing much better and felt less stressed than before he added vitamin b as a supplement.

this is not advice, but maybe a supplement will help. here's a small bit of info.

B Vitamins

• There is a correlation between depression and vitamin B deficiencies, Hall-Flavin said. Whether depression causes the deficiency or the deficiency causes depression is unknown. However, B vitamins are essential for normal brain function and mood regulation. Hall-Flavin recommends taking a B vitamin supplement to help combat depression.

if you choose, you can go online and seek for yourself. or talk 2 ur doctor about the benefits of vitamin b.

( stress can be a dawg and can be such a waste of time and energy.)

This is how I think, the body is lacking and needs something to make it up. After seeing these useful comments I think I might combine them all and go into really taking care of my mind and body. I will take a look into it and try it out. Thanks for this!

paintedlady said:

Chile,

we ALL go through our tough patches in life. Any life worth living has its ups and its downs. I am so glad you pray. Because prayer helps, it shows you still have hope... and that is a VERY good thing.

You should never turn away help... if that therapist doesn't work, then seek another. I would take the anti-depressants for a bit until a better plan is in action. Dysregulated is right on point with his/her advice. Stick to the meds until a plan of action is in place!

The exercise and staying active helps because it releases chemicals in the brain... so does the act of touch. As people we need eachother .. we NEED to be touched. Hugs go a long way to making us feel better, massages, etc. Touch is healing, so find a way to get touched by a person or a pet. Touching and being touched has a soothing effect that releases chemicals to the brain. It is why pets have a "healing" effect as well.

So do NOT isolate yourself! Get out there and force yourself to keep pushing through this, prayer, meds, exercises, petting a friend's cat/dog if you don't own one yourself.

Get involved in something productive that puts a smile on your face. Go to therapy, and let that person put you in a good path towards healing and teaching you coping skills.

We all go through that in one form or another. I get depressed too when I don;t have the answers I need. Keep your chin up and do not worry. Just keep reaching out and get busy finding the answers you need. You can and will get through this.

This really helps, I forced myself to go out today so I know exactly what you mean. I have a dog, all she does is sleep all day now, I guess because she's old now. But I will def pet her more now and I use to always gets my nails done and massages when I had the money so that def is very much true. I will keep my chin and heart up, even if its tiring to do so. This too shall pass, I just have to keep telling myself that.

Talk to God like you're talking to a friend. Have a private moment with Him, and speak from the heart. Tell Him he's needed right now. Also, check your diet. For an example, too much sugar can give you a low down, depressing feeling. Someone suggested vitamins. That's good. There's sunshine at the end of the tunnel. Just believe it. Wishing you all of the best. You're not alone.

sonic said:

If i had a therapist offer me help...i would jump at the chance. I have had my share of depresion. I am currently taking Nortriptyline, its actually for migraines, but i hate the way it makes me feel...like u said.."disconnected" I know that feeling of being Overwhelmed...its awful. I was thinking of going back to church...is that something to consider?

just believe that things will get better... good luck~~

yeah it is a blessing to atleast get offer the resources for help, church is always a good answer.. I just have to find a new church in this town, Im an hour away from my old church but thats a good idea. I will keep believing it will get better. Thanks for your advice, I really appreciate it.

ufoclub said:

I go through spells of sadness and anxiety (many times I'm thrown a curve by friends and their creative success and fame), and I think many people do. I do think that sometimes pushing yourself into a new situation, new friends, or anything that could be contructive to your life, even if you don't feel the will or a happiness in trying, can slowly lead to a day where you seem to rise out of it. Almost like you had some kind of flu, went throught the chills, and then got better to a point where you don't even remember exactly how you got so down.

I do think many many people go through cycles like this, but it's true some people do better with direct help.

But you have to keep in mind that you will rise out of it.

Thats what keeps me going on, I agree though with this depression having a very intense moment to where its still there but it hurts less and you can actually think without the cloudiness. I guess life does have these cycles, I just need to learn how to cope.

[Edited 11/13/11 21:18pm]

angel345 said:

Talk to God like you're talking to a friend. Have a private moment with Him, and speak from the heart. Tell Him he's needed right now. Also, check your diet. For an example, too much sugar can give you a low down, depressing feeling. Someone suggested vitamins. That's good. There's sunshine at the end of the tunnel. Just believe it. Wishing you all of the best. You're not alone.

Since I'm a writer, I feel my most heartfelt thoughts can go to him through my writing and often listening to what God says above what my mind says. I do feel that "keep going" urge inside of me and its not from me. Wow.. never knew sugar did that, I thought it made me feel better because I eat sweets when I'm feeling down. Thank you so much, there always a rainbow after every storm somewhere.. so that certainly is true. I'm just happy to reach out and you all to take the time out to comment on this and share your experiences and your advice. It really means alot. Thats why I replied to each comment.

[Edited 11/13/11 21:17pm]

IamFunkay7 said:

angel345 said:

Talk to God like you're talking to a friend. Have a private moment with Him, and speak from the heart. Tell Him he's needed right now. Also, check your diet. For an example, too much sugar can give you a low down, depressing feeling. Someone suggested vitamins. That's good. There's sunshine at the end of the tunnel. Just believe it. Wishing you all of the best. You're not alone.

Since I'm a writer, I feel my most heartfelt thoughts can go to him through my writing and often listening to what God says above what my mind says. I do feel that "keep going" urge inside of me and its not from me. Wow.. never knew sugar did that, I thought it made me feel better because I eat sweets when I'm feeling down. Thank you so much, there always a rainbow after every storm somewhere.. so that certainly is true. I'm just happy to reach out and you all to take the time out to comment on this and share your experiences and your advice. It really means alot. Thats why I replied to each comment.

[Edited 11/13/11 21:17pm]

Many years ago, I had a very good friend that I would confide in when I would go through my depression moments. I would feel physically out of it as well. I had a bad habit of eating lots of sweets, and today I need to curb it. He noticed this habit, and told me about depression and sugar consumption. Curbing this habit and exercise has helped a lot, and I noticed a difference in myself. I have just came across two articles link that's may be of interest to you:

http://psychcentral.com/b...epression/

http://www.three-peaks.ne...-Sugar.htm

Since you have that "keep going" urge inside of you, that's a good sign things are going to be alright. Hang in there.

Magnesium and calcium tablets helped me with the restless nights and rhodiola tablets for the anxiety and racing thoughts. Regular exercise can get the serotonin pumping through your brain.

Therapy is always good and having people you can share honestly and deeply with has always helped me.

IamFunkay7 said:

Deadflow3r said:

I have had a lot of depression. I am not a doctor because of it though. What i found was the most helpful to me was peer support. There are places popping up all over. It is huge relief to speak with others who have what you have or another mental health diagnosis It has been proven that peer support is invaluable in keeping people who regularly visit mental wards out of them. There is also a great deal of info out there.

One huge thing that no doctor emphasizes enough is how important diet and getting outside are. Meditation is also vety very helpful. Think of your mental health like you would lupus or any other reoccuring conditon. You may not be able to remove it but you can limit the stresses that trigger it. You can do a great deal on your own and should whether you see a councelor once a week or not. Most councelors are only in your life once a week at best. therefore you need to be your own best friend and advocate.

yeah it is like a reoccurring illness and I don't get out much other than school and home. maybe I should start going for walks or something, your answer is really appreciated. This is a struggle but its so helpful knowing other people go through it. I know my school has group workshops maybe I should check them out.

yes, a million times over about checking out the school. I joined a group located in worcester, massachusetts called the RLC, the recovery learning community. They have them all over Massachusetts. The thing is that not only will the experiences of others strengthen you but your experiences will strengthen them. And when you start hearing "thank you' what you said really helped me a lot, you start to feel like you matter. Your experience matters and you are not just sucking up air on this planet.

I met a woman in my brief stay at a psychiatric ward, about 3 days. She was a nice lady and when she shared I realized that she was always in and out of this ward. It was my one and only time and I was self admitted. She had someone watching over her, suicide watch. This was a regular thing for her. She was on Total disability and the psych ward was her home away from home.

4 years, not even, later I join this RLC. Who comes to greet me? This lady. She was working full time at the RLC as a peer support worker and totally off of SSDI. How her meds are doing I do not know but her hospital stays are things of the past. Peer support works wonders and I can not say enough about it. Some peers swear by their meds and therapists and some ween themselves off of both. That is actually something we do not discuss so much there because it is your body, your mind and your life and you need to be in the drivers seat. Peer support helps you realize that whether like me you have a diagnosis (bipolar II in my case) or not, you are still your own person.

Walks are my salvation BTW and I swear by them.

Real depression and anxiety is not something that we all go through at some point. It is not a normal part of life at all, it is not just a part of growing up and it's not something that just eating well, exercising and praying will take care of.

Sure, people get anxious and get the blues but when you really suffer from depression or panic attacks or have real anxiety it's just fucking awful. I know this.

Yes, eating well, exercising may help, but you're supposed to be doing that for your physical and mental health anyway.

I'm not a believer of drug therapy either, but if you have a true chemical imbalance then it might be necessary, at least in the beginning, to get those levels a bit more in check. When you're at a point where even simple tasks take forever to accomplish because you can't relax or concentrate, you need an intervention of some sort.

I am a strong believer of cognitive therapy, though. You NEED to talk to someone.

Whatever you do, don't ignore it.

I’ve dealt with depression on and off most of my life and while exercise and eating well and “just getting out there” helps some, it may not always be enough. Many on this website know, I really put my life together a few years ago. I quit smoking, lost a bunch of weight, trained and ran a 10 mile race, bought a condo by myself, have received significant promotions at work, found a great relationship and so on. And then I got smacked in the face with depression once again. Everything in my life was going great and I still could barely get myself out of bed in the morning.

I have been officially diagnosed with recurrent major depression and am also being treated for anxiety. I am currently on antidepressants and seeing a cognitive behavioral therapist. Both have done me worlds of good. I am ever so thankful I found the right therapist and while I don’t plan on being on antidepressants forever, I can tell you they have been freaking awesome for me. I am not numb, I am not euphoric. It doesn’t take any problems away, it just makes everything seem a bit more manageable. I’m able to get out of bed in the morning and I’m able to find joy in the little things.

Keep fighting. Keep looking for a different therapist and be willing to try a different medication till you find the ones that work for you. It is so utterly worth it. You don’t have to be miserable. You just don’t.

I have not read all of the responses so forgive me if I am being repetitive.

When my mom died, the level of depression I experienced--I didn't even know it was possible. I was being stubborn and put off getting help because I kept telling myself it would blow over. However, I seriously couldn't bounce out of it. I tried going out more but I got tired of people asking me if I was okay. It got to the point where simple tasks seemed as if I was climbinga mountain and eventually, I was stressed out by decisionmaking that used to be simple for me. Then on top of that, I slowly became a moody bitch (for those of you who know me, a moodier bitch on a warpath)

I wasted a lot of time....I tried some natural stuff, I prayed, I talked to friends. I didn't want any of that freakin medication. Finally, I broke down, met a therapist I hated and she offered me drugs. Not wanting to deal with her trifiling ass, I took the drugs. The next week, I felt as if I could run a damn marathon and do it with a smile. Obviously, I had some serious chemical imbalance issues. I didn't stay on the meds. When the prescription ran out, I didn't refill it (although, you should be careful with stopping prescribed drugs). I am stll happy and healthy. Make sure you get some sunlight and whatever you do, dont isolate yourself.

I hated the idea, but sometimes you just need the medicine. Dont waste too much time like I did. If It just causes the depression to worsen.

Feel better soon!

Love is what keeps me in balance because love truly does make the world go round.

May you find all you need to keep your personal universe spinning happily ever after.

IamFunkay7 said:

I hate putting my business out there on the spot, but I suffer from depression. I hate antidepressants because they don't really help me. Currently, I feel so disconnected from everyone around me, nothing seems to be going my way and I try to act like this anxiety and depression doesn't exist.

I really started battling with this 2 years ago and its been on and off, I tried to the school therapist and she helped me alot, but I just want to shake this thing. It tends to happen when I'm really stressed out or I reflect on where I wish my life would have been. I'm just reaching out to see if anyone has been through the same thing and how did they learn to cope with it. I hate the restless nights, racing thoughts, and feeling of despair. I pray about it all the time and I tend to feel empowered when I do, but the feelings always manage to come back. I thought I shook it, but apparently I did not. Maybe it is school and bills, not finding a job, family issues and being sad because I've always been alone...

Please don't down me for this, I accept it on any other thread, but I just want to know how someone else got through this. I really appreciate it.

I suffered with Depression for almost 3 years, as a result I changed many things in my life that I found where not helping me.

I cannot tell you how to sort this out, as we all have different reasons for Depression to strike. But I would ask that you go back to your Doctor, tell them your Medication isn't working, not all Anti Depressants work on each person, I found that after 6 months or so on mine, I started to feel bad again and had to take different medication. Seeing a Therapist is a good idea.

Avoid alcohol at all costs, this is a big no no, Alcohol is a natural depressent and will do nothing to help you. I can speak on this with personal experience, Alcohol can be your worst enemy right now.

If you have problems, be they financial or personal, try to tackle them head on or get help to sort them out. This sounds harder than it is, but honestly when you tackle that first problem, things feel / look better.

Try and find local support groups as well if you can.

i don't really have expert advice, but i hope you find your peace and wellness.