"snap out of it"? Living a less depressed life

[white knight]

It's the saying most used against us without ill intent but it is also the most naïve comment. I suppose the most ideal reply to this is "can you tell me how to do that... do you have an instruction manual because I'd be most interested in your source of such valuable psychological intelligence".

Yes, a little anger there but like all topics and information that flows through my mind I wonder if there is indeed any truth to the technique of "snapping out of depression". Well, sadly, there is no such thing as snapping out of it, however you can take all precautions and steps to overcome some symptoms and that is the way forward.

Without doubt in my experience medication plays a most important role in maintaining a state of mind with far less depressive cycles that pre medication days. I was 53yo before I took medication for depression (and bipolar and dysthymia) so I had several decades enduring both clinical depression, depressive cycles from bipolar and constant low mood depression from Dysthymia. Last week I reduced my medication of anti depressants (approval from my GP) only to find myself in a poor state of mind and a big low period of a number of days until raising the medication restored my mood. So medication, if you are determined by medical staff that you need it, please remain steadfast with taking it. I look at it like democracy ... it is better than the alternative.

Lifestyle- I had a friend that had depression. He worked in the Govt sector for 20+ years in the city. His lifestyle was the same 5 days a week- walk to station, catch train, work, return home, watch TV and sleep and repeat. Us depressed people are in control of our destiny and we are more at risk than non depressed people to poor mental health. My friend lasted another 5 years before he was retrenched, then he moved to a regional area and drove a school bus. His demeanour changed for the better. Sometimes we need to look outside the square for answers and a boring lifestyle can suppress us.

Do you have ideas on how to lower your risk of depressing episodes? What works for you? A good relationship? People with empathy? Diet and exercise? Help others here consider them in their quest to live a less depressed life.

TonyWK

[white knight]

Hi the rising

"Self mastery" love it. You go through a depressive episode and realise you've gained another spoke? a bit like a portion of wisdom received? For decades I've believed I've been emotionally immature for my age until 50yo when I believed I caught up. Means when joining the RAAF at 17yo I was 13yo emotionally, 21yo as a warder= 16yo, 30yo = 23 and so on. As with you each time I fell in a heap (not diagnosed with anything other than anxiety until 53yo) I'd feel more mature as if falling into depression landed me on a rocket.

The term "snap out of it" is the most common term used by the naïve, ignorant or simply those that choose to not give mental health a thought. I have a friend I'd call a "good" friend in that if needed he'd be there. However when ever the topic of mental health comes up "I dont know anything about it" which I've learned to mean "I dont want to know anything about it".  That's ok with me, not all friendship need to qualify for the TonyWK  mental health award to be my friend. However, he's much older than I and the many times he has needed assistance with repairing cars, building his house etc makes me think I could just say "I'm dont understand that stuff much sorry". 

But thats tit for tat and as a friend I have decided to let it ride. But there is imbalance there.

I';m chuffed you've benefitted with that thread "why wait". A sequel to it is this-

In 1992 Kathy Watt the bike rider entered the olympics. She won gold. Journalists asked her how she did it. 

"I was taught well by my coach. I'd work as hard as I could to reach the front then just as my energy was dropping I'd pull out another 10% after all we can all manage another 10%. Then after 15 minutes as I tired again I'd pull out another 10% and another and another. Before I knew it there was no competitor in sight."

TonyWK