What do you do when you're depressed?

[Sarah Kerrigan]

I play some Witcher 2. Makes things better :3

 

[intheweeds]

I haven't had a good week. I've been very depressed and yesterday and today there were a couple family deaths that just put the icing on the cake. I'm not particularly thrilled with life right now. I'm not trying to attract pity or anything I just wanted to provide a bit of perspective/backstory, as I usually do when I make threadshing always leads me to make a thread.

Anyways, I've been playing lots of video games, hanging out with friends, watching lots of movies and rugby, re watching old Simpsons episodes and staying up until I pass out from exhaustion. I also had a couple nice long pulls of my favourite tequila today when things got a little too much and I was on the verge of an emotional breakdown. But I digress.

As stated in the title, partly for ideas and partly for kicks, what do you do when you're depressed?

I have had a long and involved history with clinical depression. I have been hospitalized in the past, but have been able to get along just fine these days. Sure I get depressed but I can fight it.

Here is the what I have learned: Lots of psychologists/therapists, etc. will tell you that your emotional reactions are a choice you make. On the surface, it is pretty clear they are wrong, but if you think a little harder, it's just the way they say it that makes it seem wrong.

There is a cycle. You are depressed so you don't do things you would otherwise enjoy because you are sure you will feel like shit. So you don't do them and your right - you feel like shit. The worse you feel, the more you need to ignore it and go on.

Do what you would normally do. If you need a minute to compose yourself, take it - but NEVER let your emotions control you for long or you begin to wallow and make yourself worse. You CAN choose to react differently. You can be your own warrior. No matter how weak you feel, remember that your mind is playing tricks on you. You are capable of MUCH more than your brain would have you believe. I don't need to know you to know that.

Be well. Don't stop fighting even when you feel weak and it will pass eventually. When it comes back (if it does) you will be stronger every time and the effects will be less pronounced. Try and limit the alcohol, it really does only make you feel worse. Honestly, I know different people are different, but weed helps my brain 'calm down' sometimes to a reasonable level of thought. Your results may vary.

I'm very sorry you have been going through a hard time and I truly wish you the best. I have a personal empathy towards your situation. PM me if you ever need to chat.

 

[FolkLikePanda]

Have an outburst of anger then break something
Then Listen to the following songs:
Bob Marley - Three Little Birds
Bobby McFerrin - Don't Worry Be Happy
Joe Dolce - Shaddup You Face
Monty Python - Always Look On The Bright Side Of Life
and various other songs

Then force a smile and then feel happy afterwards.

 

[standokan]

I watch sitcoms, it helps.

 

[Sarcastic_Applause]

I try to keep busy like going to the gym/yoga or taking on some project around the house or work. Something that has me feeling productive, and hopefully accomplished in a relatively short window of time.
I actually find video games to be a terrible thing for me to do when feeling blue (might not be the case for everyone). They're fun and all, but a lack of fun isn't what usually gets me down (more so a lack of purpose).
Concerts also put me in a ridiculously good mood for a long period of time, but they are so few and far between.

Pretty much what i do; except i just get times where i feel very happy and just suddenly Feel Miserable. Keeping busy with Training and Martial arts really helps.

Also, with my work, it gets me socialising with lots of people: one time in particular i got chatted up by quite a few people of both genders which really made me happy.
Finding something Productive to do, like a project or something your interested in REALLY helps i find as well, or i listen to Anamanaguchi or read Scott Pilgrim, both are so uplifting to me.

 

[Lukeje]

Play guitar. Preferably loudly.

Yeah, then followed by smelling your guitar case as well? If you have a Gibson you know what I'm talking about. IF not, I'm so sorry your missing out, seriously.

Ermm... no. Unfortunately not.

 

[VladBlok28]

All of these posts are valid but i don't think i saw (in my opinion) the best solution to depression there is:

Physical Activity


of any sort. Bicycle, running, gym, carrying heavy boxes, whatever. It's hard to force yourself to start, but it really takes your mind off everything, it releases endorphines and afterwards you are too tired to be depressed

 

[I.N.producer]

This video helps me.
There's also violent and non-frustrating games, like Just Cause 2, Super Smash Bros., etc.
You could always try some music. Weird Al is usually good.

 

[SilentCom]

Music, video games, and lots of sleep.

 

[thefrizzlefry]

Uh, well, given that I'm a clinical case, I'm almost always depressed, so, yeah.. I mean, I guess when it gets really bad I lay in bed for days on end and listen to This Mortal Coil's It'll End In Tears and The Smiths' self titled record on repeat and/or watch the entire runs of Daria and My So-Called Life.
Also, Scott Pilgrim.

 

[jackpackage200]

when i'm depressed, i stop being depressed and start being awesome instead.

true story

 

[TheKruzdawg]

http://8tracks.com/thekruzdawg/you-are-now-happy-you-re-welcome-d

This is a mix of songs that always manages to make me smile. Hopefully they can help bring you out of this.

 

[TonyVonTonyus]

Look in the mirror, yell "I am a man!" and then listen to the Rocky Theme Song (Gonna Fly Now not Hearts on Fire or Eye of the Tiger) on my Ipod whilst running from my house. That tends to cheer me up.

 

[Dogstile]

Full blown depression? Not much will snap you out of that. Alcohol usually makes it worse too.

If you're any good at making stuff (for instance, locking mechanisms) do that. It takes up a lot of attention due to all the tiny details.

 

[dexxyoto]

Usually find a good friend who's willing to listen to me emote or just curl up by myself and let it all out. I cry, rant, beg, whatever helps me express my emotions. I usually find that holding things in and suppressing them just makes it worse so I prefer to get it all out.

After all that *usually a day or two* I start trying to be a human being again. Slowly go outside either just for a short walk or to the shops or to spend some time with understanding friends. Basically I try and accept it hurts like fucking hell and won't go away quickly.

Find something else to focus on helps, be it music, shows, friends, hobbies or stuff to make you laugh can help too. The Escapist or Cracked are my main choices.

Also a clinical depression case here but the cliche of "It gets better" still does apply. Sometimes talking to a pro can help. If you check around your area or google you can likely find grief counseling services and they can be really great.

I'm sorry to hear about your loss. Losing folks never seems to get any easier. *Gives e-hugs and cookies*

 

[soren7550]

I listen to the instrumental bits from The Lion King. Works every time.

 

[MiriaJiyuu]

GTA San Andreas
Infinite health
Infinite ammo
Very Crowded Area

Great solution for depression, anger or when you just want to go on a rampage

 

[chaosyoshimage]

I'm pretty depressed all the time, and one of the reasons is I don't have much a life or friends or any of that neat stuff people take for granted. I tried, you know, living life, but I just had that blow up in my face. I can usually distract myself with a good film or some music. Drawing and writing songs personally help, but I can't draw very well nor do I know how to actually write music, so that can sometimes bring me down even further.

Sorry, I'm not all to helpful...

 

[James Bridge]

When I'm having one of my down phases I tend to get nuzzled and cuddled by my two cats which is very helpful. other than that I try and engage myself in some of my studies to try and keep my mind distracted for as long as possible. Also, exercise really helps, going for a walk while listening to music is my preferred method

 

[SomebodyNowhere]

When I'm depressed I tend to watch Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. The movie starts off depressing and as the arc of the story progresses my feelings tend to parallel those of the movie to the point that once it does gets to the end I'm not in near as bad of a mood.