[Slacky]

Best thing anyone suffering depression can do is make sure they get dressed and go outside  their front door every day

Yes. I am lucky I think, in that however bad Im feeling Ive always been able to do this which helps immediately. My sister is the same, she is also able to get up when she is down/depressed/low, but to not do this is the beginning of a downward spiral thats only going one way.


It was explained to me about a year ago the level of depression in my family. Which kinda helped too.

My grandmother on my mothers side committed suicide.

My mother was an alcoholic and depressive  with borderline personality, who regularly threatened suicide.

My sister is a recovering alcoholic with depression.

My other sister is depressed.

One of my nieces has depression.

One of my other nieces has depression.

[nathankaye]

 

Think it also highlights one of the important things about depression as well.   There is depressing news and circumstances that can make ones depressed and then there is clinical depression which doesnt go away and you are totally dependant upon your medication.  The sad part though is that anti depression tablets can actually add to your depression and suicidal thoughts.  One such medication was what my mrs was on and if it wasnt for someone callingbon my mrs a while ago, she would have ended her life upstairs, whilst leaving my little ones downstairs watching a disney film.   Thank fully it was identified that her meds had a large part in that and they were quickly changed and she hasnt gone down that rabbit hole again.



 

[RPCCS]

I have had bouts of it, since 2017 in the months since my dad passed away. I never took anything for it and at first I didn’t know what was wrong with me or why I felt that way, it was my wife who worked it out and  since then I have  had the odd bout and now I know what causes it, I can manage it better.

[dazmond]

I wouldnt say I suffer with depression anymore since I stopped drinking,maybe a low mood sometimes esp working outside during this rubbish weather but like a few on here I find the gym lifts me up mentally, seeing family and friends,playing drums with my band,walking the dog and of course seeing my girlfriend,luckily shes like me,she loves sex and date nights which makes a hell of a difference to my mood(and our relationship).......IMO it cures everything and we both walk around with a large grins on our faces for a few days.....

[NWH]

She loves sex lol,that what she tells you Daz they all like sex with the right bloke lol god the thought of it makes me depressed.

[G Griffin]

I wouldnt say I suffer with depression anymore since I stopped drinking,maybe a low mood sometimes esp working outside during this rubbish weather but like a few on here I find the gym lifts me up mentally, seeing family and friends,playing drums with my band,walking the dog and of course seeing my girlfriend,luckily shes like me,she loves sex and date nights which makes a hell of a difference to my mood(and our relationship).......IMO it cures everything and we both walk around with a large grins on our faces for a few days.....

It's not luck, Daz; it's you; take the credit for it, mate.
I don't know what the fwig a date night is but I might try that sex thing when the weather picks up.

[johnwillan]

I wouldnt say I suffer with depression anymore since I stopped drinking,maybe a low mood sometimes esp working outside during this rubbish weather but like a few on here I find the gym lifts me up mentally, seeing family and friends,playing drums with my band,walking the dog and of course seeing my girlfriend,luckily shes like me,she loves sex and date nights which makes a hell of a difference to my mood(and our relationship).......IMO it cures everything and we both walk around with a large grins on our faces for a few days.....

Brilliant as always! LOL!

[dazmond]

I wouldnt say I suffer with depression anymore since I stopped drinking,maybe a low mood sometimes esp working outside during this rubbish weather but like a few on here I find the gym lifts me up mentally, seeing family and friends,playing drums with my band,walking the dog and of course seeing my girlfriend,luckily shes like me,she loves sex and date nights which makes a hell of a difference to my mood(and our relationship).......IMO it cures everything and we both walk around with a large grins on our faces for a few days.....

It's not luck, Daz; it's you; take the credit for it, mate.
I don't know what the fwig a date night is but I might try that sex thing when the weather picks up.

a date night is when you both make an effort for each other,dress in your best clothes,maybe go for a nice meal and get back early for an "early night".....it does wonders for your relationship esp if you ve been with each other a while(7 and a half years me and the missus have been seeing each other)......my missus is great...she ll wear whatever i tell her to wear.....you ve got to keep your sex life fun and exciting IMO........it never fails to  lift my mood(and hers!) into the stratosphere......

[NWH]

What do you say to her can you dress up like a window cleaner with a hot system lol,not too hot though eh Daz a bit like yours lol.

[nathankaye]

I think daz has this in mind

[G Griffin]

I wouldnt say I suffer with depression anymore since I stopped drinking,maybe a low mood sometimes esp working outside during this rubbish weather but like a few on here I find the gym lifts me up mentally, seeing family and friends,playing drums with my band,walking the dog and of course seeing my girlfriend,luckily shes like me,she loves sex and date nights which makes a hell of a difference to my mood(and our relationship).......IMO it cures everything and we both walk around with a large grins on our faces for a few days.....

It's not luck, Daz; it's you; take the credit for it, mate.
I don't know what the fwig a date night is but I might try that sex thing when the weather picks up.

a date night is when you both make an effort for each other,dress in your best clothes,maybe go for a nice meal and get back early for an "early night".....it does wonders for your relationship esp if you ve been with each other a while(7 and a half years me and the missus have been seeing each other)......my missus is great...she ll wear whatever i tell her to wear.....you ve got to keep your sex life fun and exciting IMO........it never fails to  lift my mood(and hers!) into the stratosphere......

We've a little 'un- well, big young 'un- Daz, and we get a sitter once every blue moon.
I couldn't have an early night after a nice meal unless I just had a starter. And if my Missus would wear what I told her to, I'd tell her to put on her pyjamas and I'd head off to the pub.

[G Griffin]

Back to being serious:

A few have mentioned diet helps. What foods do you recommend or avoid? I know alcohol isn't good but what about other foods and drinks.
Saying that, I do enjoy a drink- enjoy it too much- but it doesn't affect me too much these days.

[deeege]

I suffered terribly about 10 years ago, mainly due to a couple of close family members passing away. 

Went down the route of antidepressants for a year or so but was able to stop them and use positive thinking and exercise to overcome the depression.

I find that having loads to look forward too, holidays, weekends away, nights out etc really helps for me.

Also I try and set at least one day aside for myself every month to get into the mountains and get some real fresh air into my lungs, living within 90 minutes from Snowdonia, Lake District and Peak District really helps.

It’s really difficult to stay depressed after admiring the stunning views from the top of a mountain after hiking 10+ miles to get there.

[dazmond]

for me its  getting the basics right first.....

1.not drinking alcohol
2.eating a (mainly good) diet
3.regular sleep pattern
4.exercise
5. keeping in touch with family and friends
6.keeping my hobbies/interests going
7.not doing too much each day(work hard but dont hammer it every day)

personally i think some forms of depression are caused(or made worse!) by people looking too inward at themselves and isolating themselves from family/friends coupled with a build up of stress due to poor diet,lack of sleep, and not opening up and expressing their feelings to their nearest and dearest,throw an addiction problem on top and its a recipe for cultivating a disaster movie mind with feelings of worthlessness,apathy and despair......

i find my adult life so much easier these days than  in the past...when i was younger i didnt have a clue how to live well........

[nathankaye]

You should also look into a vegan or plant life diet.
Its good for your well being, nutritionally speaking and for your skin etc as well.
For me, im about 80 per cent there and dont really miss meat nor cheese now.  After a couple of weeks you do actually feel the difference. Its not fully about saving the planet etc for me doing so but more the health benefit side. 

[dazmond]

You should also look into a vegan or plant life diet.
Its good for your well being, nutritionally speaking and for your skin etc as well.
For me, im about 80 per cent there and dont really miss meat nor cheese now.  After a couple of weeks you do actually feel the difference. Its not fully about saving the planet etc for me doing so but more the health benefit side.

lifes too short to miss out on all that good food vegans CANT EAT!!

how can you not eat eggs,cheese,yoghurt,fillet steak,fish,chicken,ham,etc?i love it and will never give it up! ..i do like vegan food as well but not every day for the rest of my life.....

[Shrek]

The weather has a massive effect on you, however for the past few weeks (I do this a few times a year) is get obsessed with videos like this

https://youtu.be/GnWlERK0UJc

You need to reprogram your mind into thinking you are awesome and happy etc. Iv been going to sleep with this on my tv , waking up and watching it and watching it maybe once during the day if I have time. There are loads of videos like this and it will completely change you within a week. The results are amazing! Give it a try

[dazmond]

The weather has a massive effect on you, however for the past few weeks (I do this a few times a year) is get obsessed with videos like this

https://youtu.be/GnWlERK0UJc

You need to reprogram your mind into thinking you are awesome and happy etc. Iv been going to sleep with this on my tv , waking up and watching it and watching it maybe once during the day if I have time. There are loads of videos like this and it will completely change you within a week. The results are amazing! Give it a try

my missus calls me "dazmondo the great"........thats enough for me!

[NWH]

Sounds like you should have been a carpenter Daz the amount of hammering you’ve been doing lol

[G Griffin]

Something that I've picked up from this thread, is about not being alone.
I quite like my own company though. I know I'm part of a very close family but I need a bit of time to myself. Add my Mother-in-law coming round to ours and going to see my Dad to a busy schedule and I need some solitude.
I enjoy watching sport and listening to music (maybe some CIU) alone. Just me and my thoughts (and a few drinks).
If I was single or if my son was older it might be different.
Does anyone else feel like that they need that time alone?