questions for people with depression...
 

Hi,
I have some questions for people who suffers from Major depression (unipolar).
I am clinically depressed and there are a few things that I am thinking about right now.

1.) What does you help to deal with your depression? (I mean, the things that help you when you are really, really down.) Perhaps you know something that can others help to cope with depression, too.

2.) Are you afraid whenever you have a good time (may it be hours, days or weeks) of "falling" again? Do you get panicked when a good time lasts some time because you know that sooner or later depression will hit you even harder? (Thought: "The happier you are now, the harder the fall down will hurt you because you are not prepared then, so it is better to never be really happy because then you cannot fall that much.")

3.) How open are you about your depression?



Here are my answers:

1.) On my worst days, sometimes I need someone around me (friends, family) who cook something for me and hold me in their arms and say to me over and over again that they believe in me.
But sometimes, there are days the only things that help me are sleeping (if I can) or watching a movie on my own (DVD).
But first of all, my meds help me more than anything else because since I have been taking ADs, the very bad days are not that often anymore.
Well, I hope that my therapy will help me, too.

2.) This is one of my main problems. Whenever I have a good time, I start to get panicky and fear the "falling down". My thoughts start to spin and I think about anything and I am afraid of everything and that goes till I feel very, very bad again.
I know that I pull myself again into the darkest holes by thinking too much but I cannot stop it.
I cannot trust and believe that there won´t come any catastrophes because my life has always been this way :-( .

3.) I am very open or even too open about my mental problems.
All my friends know about it and furthermore, my parents and at least my little favourite cousins and some of my relatives (I am not sure who understand that I am mentally ill) know about it.
I try to be as open as I can at university and application meetings (for a practical intership) but I do not tell everything then.

Take care,
Judith

1) I guess I know my limitations. So when Im low but in self preservation mode instead of self destruct mode (which is rare!!) I will not push myself. If all I feel like is staying in bed- Ill stay in bed or if I dont feel like going out, I wont.

2) I dont really worry about the fall if I have a good time. I guess I dont really feel like I ever have a good time, and if Ive been ut and its remotely good, I punish myself by cutting.

3) I have just started to be more open because Im beginning 2 realise that sooner or later, Im probs gunu b placed in hospital. @ which point, they have 2 know. But Im a private person and I HATE people knowing about stuff.

1.) My coping methods? I generally take a very long walk, miles. and if that doesn't help I sit in a quiet corner and just think, seethe in the moment and then destroy it in my head, I know it sounds weird but it works...

2.) Yes, I spend weeks and weeks of happiness worrying. I usually lie awake most of the night worrying "Will I collapse tomorrow?", "Will I wake up with my sanity?", "Will all this hatred ruin my happiness?" And i can't stop it mostly.

3.) Only to people who can help me and who I trust, so very few people currently.

1. Listening to really upbeat songs and dancing crazily to them, exercise, playing a computer game.

2. Oh yes, I think about that a lot. On the rare occassions where I feel ok i'm usually worrying about how long it's going to last. It can help to remind yourself how important it is to focus on the here and now and enjoy the moment as it is.

3. Not very open with my family because they don't seem to understand. And I hate telling anyone that i'm depressed.

1. Sleeping, listening to music, reading and work really offers a great distraction and boosts my self esteem.

2. I used to think about that a lot, I am bipolar so a crash can happen all the time, but now I realize that I basically know how to deal with my moodswings and I know how to get out of a really deep dark hole.

3. I'm a very closed person but some of my best (online) friends and my family know a bit of the full extend of my problems.

Marte

1. I have to reach out to my friends because when I'm really down, I can't think straight. When I'm depressed, only they can help me see the reality of life instead of the dark hole that I see.

2. I don't really worry about what happens after I have a good time because I know that any feelings I have aren't permanent. I've spent so long insulating myself against any emotions that nothing really penetrates anymore.

3. I am very open about my depression although I don't tell anyone what goes on inside my head.

1.) What does you help to deal with your depression?
Being Wiccan I am quite lucky. When I am very low i use some of my magiks Now i know this sounds stupid but it works. Meditate on a candle, the book says green but i opt for purple the coloru of protection. Imagine the great godess, holding you and hugging you. Keep going until you feel better. Many people will also burn incense while doing this.

If thats not an option i have to be alone. I will find any excuse to go for walks or out of the room and i will lay myself down somewhere, amybe take off my shoes and "feel" everything. Take in every detail how it feels looks smells etceterea.


2.) Are you afraid whenever you have a good time (may it be hours, days or weeks) of "falling" again?
Very, cpnsequently i find it hard to ever let myeslf go completely and get truly happy.

3.) How open are you about your depression?
Probably too open. I don't tell anyone about waht im thinking but if people joke i go. Please dont joke I have unipolar depression.