discussion What Has Helped You With Depression/Anxiety?

[elevate]

When I was really dealing with it, I would say meditation over several months helped me more than anything else. I did 10-15 minutes three times a day of guided meditation. I don't do this as much anymore, but the breathing techniques I learned then have stuck and I find them useful to break myself out of a negative loop nowadays.

 

Walking / exercising, socialising with friends, eating well, all of this helpful. Rather than hard meds, you can try magnesium tablets (I use magnesium citrate) and food-based sources of magnesium (cocoa, seeds like pumpkin and sesame), etc. Magnesium has a really obvious effect on your nerves; you'll feel it within the hour, especially if you're not already getting enough. 

 

I'd also recommend just checking out from certain negative sources of your life as much as you can, like certain forms of social media for example, and just finding a hobby or focusing on something you know is going to bring you some joy over several weeks and not just for instant gratification, ie. getting into good books, some tv shows, a game, etc. 

 

Hope you feel better soon 

 

[x æ a-xii]

-Listen to music that could put you in a good mood, avoid depressing songs/artists(ldr/sappy ballads), music videos or anything that could trigger making you feel more depressed.

-Taking sunbaths once or twice a day.

-Try find something that keeps you busy, something productive (cooking/art/etc). 

-Avoid eating stuff that makes you feel bloated. Healthy food will do you good.

-Please try not to drink/smoke/medicate yourself. It could make things worse actually. 

 

What helped me the most when I was at my lowest point, were people close to me who pushed me into getting in touch with professionals who could hear my story and traumas and sort things out, by putting me into therapy and medication. I never felt shame about it, I made amends with myself and could finally let go of the guilt and feeling of being a failure that plagued me for so long. After that, I could finally leave my family's toxic home, after establishing myself and I've lived by myself since then, no regrets.

I love my family though, no matter what, I accepted the fact they're also mentally ill and realized they just can't help it or just don't care about it...

 

Working in my confidence day by day has been something that has helped me avoiding that dark place again. But no matter what, life has peaks and valleys, we just need to approach them and overcome stuff, I guess we don't have a choice lol

[JayG]

My talents, passions and music

[Johnny Jacobs]

Time

Music

The support of my boyfriend/friends

Taking a break from everything 

 

Meds occasionally 

Edited April 17, 2023 by Johnny Jacobs

[brooks]

a lot of xanax

[Aristede]

What helps me is accepting how powerless I am over everything. Whatever is going to happen is going to happen. There's nothing I can really do about it so I just let go of my need for control and let things unfold. 

[AMIT]

1 hour ago, GraceRandolph said:

This is how I’m feeling. Like the issue is either intrinsic to me or just a flaw in society that some people just can’t deal with. 

It is definitely a social issue, it's not exclusive to you or to anyone else that struggles with either or both. I mean, most of us do and it seems to be only getting worse.

 

 

This video might help you expand on this matter, hopefully you find it valuable. 

[GraceRandolph]

3 minutes ago, AMIT said:

It is definitely a social issue, it's not exclusive to you or to anyone else that struggles with either or both. I mean, most of us do and it seems to be only getting worse.

 

 

This video might help you expand on this matter, hopefully you find it valuable. 

Thanks 

[Jotham]

1. Therapy. You said in your original post that you've sought help with Betterhelp before and that's great. But also it's normal to find another therapist if your former one doesn't work well for you. Psychology Today has a good search engine that lets you find therapists in your area and what they specialize in.
2. Journaling. It's always helpful to find a place to write out and process your thoughts. There are a lot of ways to do this, I personally use an app called Daylio.
3. Hobbies. I find hobbies to be a good way to focus my mind on other things aside from what I am depressed/anxious about. In particular, I really like gardening and working out. I used to have a really bad time waking up such that my anxiety would make it hard for me to get out of bed, but now that I garden and go to the gym every morning it gives my mind something to look forward to in the day.

[Archetype]

Like others said, regular exercise and going on long walks can help a lot.  If you are a creative person, try practicing an art you are good at and set some small goals to meet.  If you like movies, go to the theater instead of staying home and streaming it.  Make a point to try and shower more often, dress nicely, etc.  Do things that make you think of what you have to look forward to or what has made you happy or feel the most “you” in the past.  
 

Like others have said, therapy and medication are always there.  However, I would recommend at least trying out what I and others have already mentioned before going with meds unless you feel like nothing is working.  

[MotoPapi]

Nothing worked for me until I decided to get on meds. My psychiatrist prescribed me Zoloft. the only down side for me was that they take about 3 weeks to start working and sometimes your dosage needs to be increased (I started with 50mg which is very weak but after 2 months I got my dosage upped to 100mg and that has worked the best for me) 

[AMIT]

24 minutes ago, GraceRandolph said:

Thanks 

Always make sure that your therapist is anti-capitalist as a principle. I spent last year with one that wasn't and it was not working out, I just got worse, started drinking more, smoking/vaping, stopped exercising and really just stopped giving a **** about anything. Though this was before I got into left politics/realize all the harm capitalism actually does to the majority of us. She was just trying to make me act like another cog in the machine, trying to pin everything going on in my life as if it was solely about my choices and actions and that is really a ****** up thing to do to someone struggling. I stayed with her during almost all of last year because I was commited to the treatment. I knew something was off but I couldn't put my finger on it, either way at the start of this year I realized the best action forward was to call things off and I'm really glad I did tbh.

[Sadie Saxton]

I would say to make sure you’re taking the time to be active. Definitely get some time outside, that’s always helped me immensely. 
 

Kind of echoing what others have said - make sure you’re doing things that you love. Like if you like creating art - make sure you actually practice it instead of just thinking about it.

 

I will say I just passed a point in my depression where I had mostly isolated myself away from friends and family. I stayed in my own bubble long enough that I’d been able to reevaluate how I wanted to live my life and what I wanted to do - and who I wanted to surround myself with. So just make sure that you have a good support system around you - and make sure to keep those that have a genuine care for you as a person close. 

[Ice Cream Skies]

Music

Fresh air 

Walking

Writing

Grounding/earthing 

Animals/pets

Focusing on nutrition (eating the rainbow/color wheel)

Watch YouTube videos of people jumping out of planes 

Hot baths

Magnesium Glycinate 200mg + Vitamin D 5000iu taken *together*

 

Edited April 17, 2023 by Ice Cream Skies

[Ice Cream Skies]

1 hour ago, elevate said:

. Magnesium has a really obvious effect on your nerves; you'll feel it within the hour, especially if you're not already getting enough. 

 

This, though. I highly recommend Doctor’s Best Magnesium Glycinate tablets and Vitamin D 5000iu (you can find both on Amazon). 
 

You can read about their affect on mood online, especially if you think you might be deficient in either (most people are).

 

I’ve never seen a therapist. The one time I needed one and actively sought out a LGBTQ+ friendly therapist, I was denied service because I apparently make too much money (?!?!?!?). I definitely don’t. So I gave up. But the list I sent you really helped me.

 

It seems odd, but paratroopers and Navy SEALS documentaries shifted my mindset a little. Jumping out of airplanes and just people basically subjecting themselves to torture. I felt better. Maybe it’ll help you.

[znake]

Katy Perry

Mexican food

fruits and ice cream

New Studies degree -  MBA

Shopping 

Videogames 

Concerts 

 

 

[Leptine]

I second the long walks into nature suggestions or any other physical activity you prefer.

 

As for medications, before taking certain kind of pills, I will try something natural and less invasive like certain vitamins-supplements-herbs-homeopathy, they don't do miracles but they can still give you a support without being harmful, I remember you're vegan so you should have the right mind for that stuff.

 

Therapy is not easy, in the sense that you need to find the right person for you to do it and it's not easy, most of the times you heard from those people banal or predictable stuff like I guess it's already happened to you, majority of people that I know that went to therapy never truly solved their issues, they just ended up taking pills-medications from which they became dependent with their consequent side effects, it's really up to you.

[Leptine]

16 minutes ago, Ice Cream Skies said:

This, though. I highly recommend Doctor’s Best Magnesium Glycinate tablets and Vitamin D 5000iu (you can find both on Amazon). 
 

You can read about their affect on mood online, especially if you think you might be deficient in either (most people are).

Yeah I second the magnesium supplements and D3 as well, along with Vitamins B (especially B12).

[Robert]

Counselling helped me a lot at one point but it can be difficult to get or expensive depending where you live. Sometimes I delete all my social media apps from time to time and I turned off notifications. St John's Wort can be good if you don't want to go on anti-depressants (I had a bad experience with them). 

 

The next part isn't something you can do overnight but looking at your life and asking what changes can you make and putting things in place. I moved country and got a new job (England was so ******* depressing) and now feel much better overall. 

Edited April 17, 2023 by Robert

[Afterglow]

I used to deal with such bad anxiety and depression. I believed I was going insane. It was absolutely impossible to deal with and I felt nobody understood. I still deal with it but have found ways to significantly help. 

 

- Social Interaction within a hobby. Finding individuals that share your interests really helps you feel more seen and more at home in society. You may even find a significant other this way that will be a truly positive force in your life if you don't have one already. These kinds of things help you stay social and away from being in too similar of a space (aka "home") all of the time. 

 

- Marijuana. I've been educated on the mental heath benefits of weed. Certain strains are amazing for completely natural relaxation and sometimes complete (but temporary) relief from anxiety, and increasing your ability to come out of the depression zone and feel inspired/hopeful. 

 

- Fitness. I say it's increasing your health bar. I think of it just like The Sims. If it's not green, how is our brain supposed to be operating at its best potential? When we haven't fed it properly, taken care of our muscles properly, etc we're running ourself in "the red". It makes it harder to help our mental health stay green. Not saying worry about body type, but just give your body a couple full body workouts every week (walking, gym, home workout in YouTube, etc).

 

- Treat Yo' Self. Buy a vinyl or two you always wanted. Stay up late and order Doordash with a movie. Maybe buy a concert ticket, hell, have a safe grindr hookup or save up for future cruise to give yourself things to look forward to. Do stuff for yourself once a month at least. Let yourself know you matter and deserve things that make you happy whether materialistic or not. We create these things to make ourselves happy, it's okay to indulge in life's pleasures.

 

Environment - when you're at home,  make your space "yours". Don't let a plain room stay plain or be messy. Give your room mood lighting instead of using built in lights or harsh lamps. Put relaxing YouTube videos on in the background, I recommend Ambient Renders, Dancing Bacons, or another channel that shows material that can transport you somewhere else and feel inspired/hopeful to travel (maybe relocate) and experience more in the world. 

 

Just some things I've learned that have helped me and a lot of others.

Edited April 17, 2023 by Afterglow

[MaxMartin]

4 hours ago, GraceRandolph said:

I’m struggling right now. What has helped you?

A combination between the right meds and the right therapist. The meds will help you stabilize and with your symptoms until the long term effect of the therapy kicks in.

Some extra tips:

-practice some meditation every night along with calming tea 

-Never spend too much time indoors , even if you don't feel like leaving the house , do it.

-Talk to your close friends about the situation, open up and say yes to every plan they suggest (unless it's something you

 really don't want to do)

It's not easy , but there is hope , believe in it.

Edited April 17, 2023 by MaxMartin

[jim19911126]

Therapy works for me and did helped me to build a new/healthy mindset, but when things were very overwhelming/urgent, I did also use medication to help me to calm down first.

 

When your mind is running all over spaces and fully loaded/functioning, you may need to use medication to help you to slow down, this is for you to be able to have a room in your brain/body to breathe and reorganize, you can't do things when everything is already overwhelming.

[Uncatena]

well the cause is living in a capitalist hellscape that is inescapable and all consuming so im not sure what one can do except cover up the symptoms with therapy and meds. 

[playboi]

nothing has ever worked 

[JustHoran]

5 hours ago, Lipgloss said:

Nothing helps and nothing will. We will be stuck in this endless loop of suffering.

You don't say this to someone suffering from depression. Shame on you.