Ways I have found useful to beat depression

[creativesoul]

Hi all,

I have only just joined beyondblue but have struggled with depression for much of my life. If you suffer depression, you will know it is not something that simply just goes away or that you can just easily switch off. As such, support from those who are going through it or have been through it is vital in my opinion.

I have suffered from depression over the years and it is always hard, but there are ways to alleviate the problem. I have never been one for antidepressants and refuse to take them, but I am not knocking them either - if they help, that is what is important, at least to help lift your mood. I prefer the natural route myself, but that is just me. Not judging, it's just the way I choose to go. One thing I have found help me a lot when I feel depressed is humour. I normally have a great sense of humour, but when you feel depressed, you don't feel like laughing much! I have a great collection of comedy, which I use to lift me up and get myself to start seeing things differently. This works, but you might need to keep at it a bit and start slow.

Deep breathing and a simple walk can do wonders to change your outlook. The worst part about depression is how it skews your perspectives and makes you see things negatively, and not necessarily as they really are. Its so hard to see outside the 'box' you are in when you are depressed. Even worse, others who are not going through it or have not been through it, often don't know what to say or do to make you feel better, I know. So, be your own best friend! I have found, thinking on paper helps a lot - at the very least, make a list - a long one, of things you are proud of, happy about, things that make you feel good, or confident, loved, respected, and elaborate on each one in writing. Keep it to yourself, so don't be afraid to write down anything - it's your list, no one else will see it. Just doing this, puts you in a better frame of mind.

Hope these help, and lastly, please realise it is never as bad as it might seem in your own mind. There are ALWAYS answers and ALWAYS people who care and can help, if you give them a chance.

Grant

[Neil_1]

Hi there Grant,

I agree with your user name; you are a creative soul and thank you for coming here and posting this.

You take us through a number of different strategies and give examples of measures that we can use.

While they are never the ‘be all and end all’, they can go some way to helping us progress, if not forward, but at least sideways.

I hope that you are generally feeling ok.

Ps: for the humour side, I really love Carl Barron.

Neil

[creativesoul]

Thanks for your reply Neil, yes I love Carl Barron's humour myself lol! Depression can be so hard when you are going through the thick of it, and it is hard to see the wood for the trees. I am ok - just recently been dumped by text message from a person I had been with a while! Ha doing it ok though, and that is the main thing. It was a bit weak to say the very least, but takes all sorts I suppose.

The key really to handling depression and anxiety really comes down to how we perceive the messages we get, I find. The trap is that when you already feel like you've got more than you can handle, it all seems very real and in your face. Been there many times. Humour is such a powerful way to lift ourselves up so we begin to feel empowered again and regain a sense of control over our lives. Even simple gratitude or feeling loved (there is always someone who cares, even if you don't yet know them) helps to break depression's negative grip on us.

[Lookingforpeace]

Thank you for sharing this. I'm going to try the list - it's very easy to forget all the good when you're going through depression

[white knight]

Anything that helps those with depression is worth mentioning.

Thankyou

Tony WK

[creativesoul]

You are very welcome, hope it helps you. Just a tip, stretch yourself and try fifty items, then you will feel really good!😀