prevent depression

[xnez]

I have had problems with depression for much of my life.

I just went through a rather rough patch, which lasted almost 8 months. I felt about as depressed as i can ever remember feeling.

Now i feel great. I really feel like a different person, and it is wonderful.

My question is what are the things i can do to prevent future depression?

What tips and ideas does everyone have for something like this?

[Alvin]

Let go of worries about future depression

What if you became worried about how much happier you might become in the future? What if you were to become so happy that you couldn't handle it - happier beyond your wildest dreams?

Ok, it's pretty ridiculous to worry about that isn't it? I guess you could look forward to it instead

Because you tend to attract what you put your attention on, it's no new age-hookey thing, just think about blue dresses all day and see how many blue dresses you see all of a sudden!

Now that you're feeling great, why not take this chance to look forward and see, hear and feel a greater brighter future for yourself? Now, leaving your depressed past in the past, what would that look like?

[Baltar]

Chronic depression is a pretty complex issue. Usually your predisposition to it is inherited genetically. I've been suffering from bouts of depression since I was about 18, so that makes it around seven years. Eventually I found out that it runs in my family, which made me feel better because for some time I thought it was something wrong with just me.

What has helped me a lot is cardiovascular exercise (running about 20 minutes 3-4 times a week). This makes a huge difference in how you feel in general. Also, I've also found Steve's Overcoming Depression article very helpful. One time I was able to apply those techniques to get out of a depressive episode in just one day. Currently when I get depressed it usually doesn't last more than a few days, a week tops.

Finally, I have to say from personal experience that depression is usually induced by triggers. Something happens that causes you to start a chain of depressing thoughts, and if you don't take control quickly a chain reaction will occur putting you into a full-fledged depressive episode. A good analogy is a nuclear reactor. If they don't use the lead rods to control the magnitude of the nuclear reaction, an uncontrolled chain reaction (explosion) will occur.

It's the same with depression. The most effective way to stop it is to not let it start. It takes time to train yourself to recognize when you're starting to spiral into negative thoughts (that's really what depression ultimately is -- a self-sustaining cycle of negative thoughts), but once you're able to recognize that you're starting this cycle you can quickly neutralize it by interrupting your train of thought. Perhaps eventually it's possible to get so good at this that you can prevent depressive episodes completely.

[da1prophet]

I've had my own bouts with depression over the years--like one of the other posters said the worst thing to do is to fret over when the next one will come. I've gotten pretty good at identifying when I'm at risk and taking remedial action. One of the best things I've done is exercise regularly--not only does this have physical benefits it raises your endorphin level which produces a feeling of well being. Generally taking care of yourself physically has also helped me greatly--I've not gone the vegan route like Steve (I like cheese too much!) but I've eliminated almost all sugar, meat, caffeine, and dairy products from my diet. I honestly cannot believe what a difference it made not only in my mental state, but in my energy level as well. This combination of eating well and exercise not only helps mentally and emotionally, but you'll inevitably get in great shape and likely look better than you ever have.

I also think you can set your life up in such a way as to minimize or prevent the onset of depressive episodes. Don't isolate yourself and keep your circle of friends close--one of the most effective measures if I feel a depressive episode coming on is to just spend more time with friends. That's why its also important to have a career that you enjoy and are passionate about--its alot easier to sink into a depressive episode if you have work that doesn't challenge or motivate you; I've been fortunate to have a career that challenged and excited me greatly and that's helped immensely.

I'm sure you've heard of "seasonal affective disorder" but even if that's not your specific problem its always helped me to get out in the sun for a little while each day. I've not missed a day walking my dogs in over two years, which is not only good for them but good for me.

Those are just a few things that have worked for me--I'm certainly not going to minimize depression, but I've greatly reduced its hold over me with a few simple proactive steps...

[stacey]

I love to hear that someone has "gotten out of depression". That is a very big accomplishment. I've been depressed many times and it seems to come and go whenever I think too much about something that upsets me. It could be your job or your relationships. It may be something important to you and you only. Whatever it is, seems to turn from an emotional state of being to a physical state of being that can become so overwhelming you may think you are dying or want to die. Yet, if you say you are doing better,that's great news! That means it is not permanent and if you can do it so can I. Thank God for the calm after the storm and for those who can talk about it. You should consider writing down all of the things that caused you to become depressed and how you survived so that way if you feel this way again you can reflect back and know there is a way out. Praying usually helps me.

[taylor2]

I got out of a deep depression by going to the dr. and getting a perscription for zoloft.I am like a different person.I was 245 in weight.i kept going up and up and finally the zoloft helped me. i was emotional eating and i did not even know what was wrong.I have lost 61 pounds since oct.18th when i went on zoloft.i am not down and sleeping and depressed.I get out now and walk and do not weep over the slightest thing.so my answer was drugs.it has changed my life.taylor2

[ncos]

After many years of dealing with this myself, I've found several things which can really prevent depression.

First, physical exercise is the most important part of beating depression. You probably won't believe it until you try it, but it really works. It just makes you feel much better.

Also, I'm at a higher risk of depression if I'm bored or left to my own thoughts for too long. I try to find engaging, challenging, interesting activities which I can participate in. It's good to be with other people, be it friends, family, volunteer organizations, or even a job. But even when you're alone, it's possible to occupy yourself by reading or working on some sort of project - give your mind something to think about.

It's when I get wrapped up in my own thoughts too much that I'm at risk of becoming depressed. Think of it as a game - try to keep finding distractions so you don't allow yourself to have negative thoughts.

[da1prophet]

Originally Posted by ncos

After many years of dealing with this myself, I've found several things which can really prevent depression.

First, physical exercise is the most important part of beating depression. You probably won't believe it until you try it, but it really works. It just makes you feel much better.

I agree completely...the impact of exercise in relieving/preventing depression is amazing. A healthy diet does wonders as well...

[taylor2]

well-that is the problem with depression..exercise may be good-but u are "too depressed" to get up out of bed.so if it helps or not is not the thing.the thing is-first -u may need meds. to help u get up first and then the exercise comes next. i have had a long history of depression.my dear hubby would come home and actually pull me up this big hill by our house and on the downside of the hill-i was actually feeling better.sometimes on half decent days ,i would trudge up there myself and feel good.on the bad days-nope! wouldn't and couldn't happen.too down-thanks taylor2

[Liara Covert]

I'm happy to hear that you feel you have conquered your personal experience with depression. It can seem to be a complicated illness, depending on the nature of environmental, social, biochemical and circumstances that influence it. Health professionals have had different experiences and offer a variety of views about it.

I posted an article in my blog on this subject that you may wish to read. For the research, I surveyed over 300 woman as to their perceived reasons for depression. Some of the profiles I chose to include explain how women perceived their depress ion and why they overcame it. Other profiles reveal certain underlying issues recur and seem to influence whether depression comes back or not. Your story may be very different, but hearing about other women may help you gain new insight into your own situation.

Fear of Failure: Women & Depression - Dream Builders - Dream Builders direct you to find Financial Freedom through Motivation and Goal Setting

Best wishes!

[taylor2]

i will look into it.i have a schizophrinic som with bi-polar and another son who is bi-polar and my daughter too.so i guess it is in the family.my son spent a yr in the mental hospital and with out medications-he can not function. i know when i was depressed...i had no reason or preconcieved ideas of why i was.there was nothing really wrong in my life.i was run down but i have been thin and blonde and size 4 in my new car and the sun is shining and it was a pretty day and i all of a sudden wanted to kill myself.no reason ...just asinking feeling in my whole spirit.now i don't feel any of it.so yes-i feel good and that is what i care about.i feel not depressed.it is horrible to feel this way.thanks taylor2

[KLmasina]

Depression is a state of mind... and when you being to separate out your sense of Self from your mind, then it becomes easier to deal with depressed thoughts. Anything that helps you to become more conscious, with a more disciplined mind is useful... I teach yoga and found it invaluable to overcome my depression.

The mind is just a tool for the Self, like an arm, or the lungs. Sometimes the thoughts that we have overwhelm us and we react to them and say we are depressed... but WE are not depressed, it's the mind that experiences despressed thoughts... access your True Self, and you will never fear depression again. Check out my website for more articles on and around this topic.

Much joy,

[Sacred-Dances]

I've had bouts with depression most my life,it is horrible thing to expirience.Terribly draining taking all of what we might normally expirience as good or even wonderful at different times and turning it into a nightmare we can hardly bear.I've come to believe that depression is caused by certain chemicals in the brain or lack of.For myself it is the depression,that hopeless worthless feeling that strikes first without cause or reason.When it hits I quickly and subcounciously look for something to blame it on.There is never a shortage of reasons for me to feel bad,so I find many of them reinforcing that feeling of hopelessness.One reason that has lead me to this conclusion is the same things that make me feel horrible and at one time can be the same things that bring great joy at another.The reasons I may feel suicidal at one minute are the same things that I really could'nt care less about at a different time.So what's changed?Not the outside circumstances I have.This is my pattern.The best way I've found to fight it,has been to get into some healthy habits,get involved in life!!!Depression loves to isolate and alienate me.When I feel good and when I feel bad I constantly work to make more productive choices and make habits out of them.Now when I start feeling hopeless,meaningless,worthless I naturally turn to those healthy things instead of sulking in depression.Anything healthy I enjoy that gives me a strong sense of purpose,meaning and definite connection to the world,people and my enviroment.There will be different things that promote happiness for each individgual.Sometimes those things can be hard to find,but definetely worth the search.The search alone helps one to feel good if there comitted to it. Also doing something for someone else when I'm feeling down and miserable taps into my love and compassion for others and myself.It brings some joy even if just for a moment that good feeling lingers.I do my best not to "Feed" the depression with more negative thoughts which only seems like the natural thing to do.Sometimes it can be difficult even when I'm doing all those more healthy things the thoughts can be extremely invasive.I am stubborn though and alot of times I get more determined to prove the depression wrong and I stick with the positive almost on spite.I refuse to give in and let the depression win.It makes me mad.Sounds strange but it actually works for me.
Best of luck to you, Keep hanging in there.There are just as many reasons to feel good as there are to feel bad.The glass is always half full if you choose it to be.

[bellbird]

After struggling for years I learned how to cope with my depression which started when I was 17. Basically it's good to realize what it is you've got and then to understand it takes a bit of time to come out of it. I was on medication for probably 4+ years. My mother and brother have had depressions too and it runs in the family. I have been really good since it was so bad when I was young. I have been 'normal' and healthy for less then 10 years. Now I find exercise, good diet, good sleep and vitamine b are the answer. Whenever I start to feel a bit down and drained I take
vitamine b for a wee while.
I emigrated to NZ which helped a lot in finding space, quiet, purpose and inner balance. I'm very sensitive to overcrowded areas and it's absolutely wonderful to live in a country that's restful and still has wide open plains, heaps of nature and quiet. It's beautiful and it's my new home. Works for me!