SELF HELP TIPS FOR MANAGING DEPRESSION

[AGrace]

Hi Everyone,

Here are some ideas you might like to try for managing symptoms of depression. Of course everyone's different, so let us know what works for you, and please feel free to add to the list...

Mindfulness – through breathing or engaging the 5 senses

Distress Tolerance – Accepting Emotions and Self Soothing

Distraction – Put the thoughts/feelings aside and come back to them when you are ready to deal with them

Positive Affirmations – Have some affirmations written down repeat them to yourself daily

Sleep/Exercise/Diet – All 3 aspects of our lifestyle can impact the way we think/feel

Increasing Pleasurable Activities – Engage in at least one pleasurable activity per day

[Ash91]

Hi everyone! So I just thought I would post as I'm struggling with finding the motivation and energy to actually pull myself out of the depression slump. I have my tools of how to help myself but most of the time I feel so horrible and have such little energy that it makes doing anything almost impossible and feels like a failure. How do you cope with that deep feeling in your gut of depression/anxiety? Even if I think positive and change my thoughts, the stabbing feeling inside never goes away and cannot be ignored.

[quirkywords]

welcome Ash to the forum and thanks for first post. It can be hard to write down how one is feeling so well done.

I understand about that feeling and that no matter how positive you are, you still have that sinking feeling.

Have you tried to write down your thoughts and then look at it later and see what you can reword.

Scroll down and see IreneMs post where she describes what you do.

Sometimes I have just said ok I will feel like this but it is just a feeling and I can ignore it and just trying the positive thoughts.

I find if I can distract myself that stabbing feeling may nor go away but it lessens. Is there something that you really like, music, art, exercise.or anything you can do as a distraction.

These ideas may not suit you. Have you read some of the recent posts on this thread?

Feel free to post here and further discuss this topic.

Quirky

[Leon80]

It sounds like depression to me, have you spoke your partner and or your GP? It can be scary to raise depression with your partner for fear they might think you are crazy, but if they love (and I’m sure they do) they will listen and understand and help you to get the help.

i spent years not divulging the full extent of my depression and the terrible thoughts I was having because I feared I would get out in an asylum but when things hit rock bottom for me I spoke the truth to my wife and my GP.

3 years on and after some fairly intensive outpatient therapy I am making progress - it can be a long road but it’s worth the fight!

Something that I wrote down that came to my mind that I love because it seems to resonates clearly with people who are depressed and or have anxiety is;

’Having depression and anxiety is the loneliest feeling in the world’ - even though we have our loved ones and friends around us we still always feel misunderstood and on the outer or I do anyway! But we’re not alone and you’re not alone and asking for help is the first step to healing x

[do71]

I always feel like I am not good enough at anything..my looks..my weight gain..I feel numb I dont want to do anything and this gets worse when I drink, I then get abusive becaused I have bottled it up..I have to fix me otherwise I am going to loose everything...this is the start of recognising I am depressed

[kiga283]

I have more recently been feeling many different symptoms of depression. Always feeling bored. Like everything I'm doing is pointless. Feeling like sleeping a lot but it is hard because of anxiety. I don't have energy or motivation to do anything that requires leaving my bedroom.

Although these feelings are common and strong, trust me. Getting out and doing things REALLY HELPS. Exersizing and socializing makes me feel amazing. Even in downtime, I like to talk to loved ones or watch a show to keep my mind busy.

Another thing that helps me cope is remembering that this struggling will all be over one day and that I can get through anything.

[Hanna3]

I'm feeling depressed watching the bushfires today - I feel so helpless to do anything and it's all so horrible...

Anyone else feeling depressed by the fires? I've promised myself to watch a nice happy movie tonight to take my mind off it - and pat my dog - dogs are wonderful therapy...

[Nicko001]

Hi. Does anyone know of any daily motivation apps? what I am after is an app were I am sent a positive task to do for the day as soon as I wake up.

You help is appreciated

[demonblaster]

Hi everyone 😊

Nicko001 welcome lovey to bb ☺ here's such a good place with caring people looking out for eachother.

That's a really good question hun that unfortunately I'm clueless on but someone might know.

I know Smiling minds is popular here but I dont know if it motivates. I haven't gone far into it.

Maybe a google search. If you find something useful I'd love to hear and I know many people including myself struggle with motivation.

Maybe see you around 😊

Hannah hi lovey read your post just then. I hope the good movie helped you back then.

Yes very sad when nature takes hold and creates destruction.

Great the dogs keep you company they look cute 😊

[Addy_W]

Hi everyone

I am very new to all this I have never joined a forum before and I am confused about how it all works I read the rules and I?m still don?t understand

but hi I am a 17 year old male I have only really started noticing my depression this week and the other night I hurt myself as I was just over life but I am scared that it might get worse so I decided to get help and to hopefully talk about it on here and hear others storeys and how their getting though there tough times

And how to relax and stopping getting those thoughts

[Sophie_M]

Welcome to the forums, Addy W, we are so glad that you've joined the community and shared your struggle with us today. It sounds like you're really working toward finding ways to manage the depression, which can be so hard. We hope that you will find some comfort here on the forums. Please feel free to keep reaching out here on your thread whenever you feel up to it.