Dealing with depression?

[Askari0]

There are tons of symptoms, thought one that is really common is probably the lack of motivation to do things, more or less something like "I don't give a fuck".
Add some constant mix of bad mood, lack of sleep, quick anger etc etc...

One key thing I've found out to be especially true is that you start withdrawing yourself from your friends and from activities you previously enjoyed.

More than anything else that I have noticed in terms of my thoughts of depression is I have an incredibly hard time keeping interest in something. That's the main reason I quit FFXI. I've been trying but nothing can hold my interest for more than a month or so.

Also with the detaching yourself from your friends note. I started to do that but it only lasted about three days before I basically said "fuck you" to myself and became social again.

Thanks for this. Seeing two people basically say the same thing makes me want to talk to my parents and see about talking to my doctor and doing what I need to do.

[Rhinox]

after having been in a pyschward for close to 10 years i can safely say that 90% of the people that either talk about their problems or say that they are suicidal are the liars, the ones that refuse to talk are the ones that you need to worry about and watch.

And what you are going through is completely normal for most people, also stay away from zoloft if not all depression drugs entirely it will be best in the long run.

They are liars because they ask for help.....? you had to be a patient at the pyschward because god help us if you were in a position to give advice.

[Omnipotent]

Anyone seen Dabis?

^ ????? Where art thou?

[Falisa]

Something I am curious about that is somewhat related to this discussion. I was interested in going to a psychologist but I was curious how any of you that have gone have been able to pay for it/how often you went? I know it varies what you are going for, but I'm single, living on my own and can't go to my parents to ask them to pay for my sessions.

Anyways, just curious how you guys have paid for a therapist, or have any suggestions on how to go about seeing one.

[Vuitton]

Zoloft made me have 5 hour blackouts, most of the time I was riding the Metro / driving in DC area when that happened. I didn't realize it until I was coming out of work one day on the 3rd story in the Pentagon City Mall, and ended up on the bottom of the metro stairs with a sprained ankle, bruise the size of a softball on my head, and scratches up and down my arms from tumbling down more than one escalator.

Wellbutrin isn't as bad, but the sexual side effect is insane for me... (ie: zero to nympho. Seriously. almost no sex drive without it, and wanting to hump everything on it... ) Unlike someone previously mentioned though, my withdrawal is almost as bad as heroin though, so I tend to stay at a very low dose.

What dosage do you take? I was taking 150mg SR 2x a day, but dropped down to 150mg SR x1. I noticed after the first two months or so, all the side effects kind leveled off a bit. I still have the increased sex drive, ect., but its not as intense as when I first started.

[Emirii]

Ive had chronic depression sense I was 12. Ive had a happy life and no reason to be sad, just my body kept telling me i was sad. I went through a lot of counciling etc, ive learned to cope with it. While medication did help, it didnt solve the problem, just masked it. You just need to be satisfied with your self, do things that you feel proud of and build confidence, and just do things you love.

[guartz]

Drive out to the shittiest neighborhood you can find.

Talk to people, maybe get mugged or threatened or beat up.


Guaranteed to solve depression.

[Kwijiboe]

None of us are qualified to give you advice.

...Except maybe Kuya.

[Sobie]

Not much to say here, because this is after all a message board devoted to a video game. Many of the posts here on this topic are trash (so take this one as you will).

I led a relatively normal life until the age of 29 when a series of events triggered depression. I didn't know what it was at the time. I had a great job, and a lot going for me. But I found I was getting irritable, sad, disinterested in life and all the things I used to enjoy doing. I had no motivation. Imagine the feeling we all get once in a while where you are bored, but can't will yourself to do anything. Now imagine that full time.

Depression is a chemical imbalance in the brain. Chemical and biological testing has shown that a person suffering from depression has a different chemical makeup in their brains than normal healthy people. If you have it, you're sick. No biggie. We all get sick. And no one is to blame for that, anymore than someone is to blame for suddenly getting cancer.

Everyone gets down sometimes. Clinical depression is different than that; you can no longer "will it away" by "thinking happy thoughts" than you can repair a broken bone through force of will.

There are many options that people have posted here. Personally I tried Paxil and the results were less than spectacular, but most qualified doctors expect they may need to change medications for you the first time you are trying something. Therapy, exercise, talking with friends and family and even changing your diet may help - It also may not. There is no major cure all for depression quite yet, just ways to alleviate the symptoms. Some times it goes away on its own and never comes back, and for some unfortunate people it is chronic.

I guess my point is - It is a medical condition. So check the online literature, talk to your doctor and if you think that's you, definitely get help.

[amentis]

Something I am curious about that is somewhat related to this discussion. I was interested in going to a psychologist but I was curious how any of you that have gone have been able to pay for it/how often you went? I know it varies what you are going for, but I'm single, living on my own and can't go to my parents to ask them to pay for my sessions.

Anyways, just curious how you guys have paid for a therapist, or have any suggestions on how to go about seeing one.

Well, at first, my insurance paid for it. But all the therapists in my network fucking blew, so I went to a therapist recommended by some family members.
He works on a sliding scale, so I "only" (it's half my paycheck) have to pay 60/week for him. IT sucks, but honestly, he helped me so much, it was worth every penny.

If you have insurance, definitely try in-network before seeking outside. A lot of therapists will work with you if you're on the lower-income end, like me.

Also, in reference to the wellbutrin... I actually got the opposite, maybe it was the depression but it just absolutely killed my sex drive.
Lexapro, on the other hand...put me into overdrive, but made it waaaaaaaaay harder to finish.

Anyone else on Lexapro? I took myself off it recently (bad idea), but that shit was...interesting.
When I first went on it, it pretty much made me trip balls for 2 weeks straight.

[shepardG]

Long time poster, first time reader.

Depression sucks brosuf, no doubt about it. I guess instead of telling you about personal experience with depression, I'll give you some ways to deal with it.

1. GO TO THE GYM, Dedicate 10 HRs a week to working out, and I mean, like sweating your ass off on a run, on a treadmill, lifting weights, and DON'T QUIT. You'll be sore as shit, but just keep going, after 8 weeks I can almost guarauntee you'll feel better.

2. Things that stress you out, shouldn't be around you. If your stressed about school. Quit. If your stressed your parents will be upset, fuck them. If they're decent parents at all, they'll understand and support you throughout your life. Just don't mooch of them. That depresses other people. If your stressed about FFXI, take a f'ing break, save up 50 bucks, and buy a lap dance from an extremely attractive lady (DO NOT DATE THE STRIPPER, no offense to strippers)
3. Get a hobby. NOT FFXI. It feels good when someone asks you if you want to get coffee and you say: "I'd love to, but I can't I have to go volunteer at the local Zoo." OR "I can't stand coffee, makes my teeth bleed, but I'd go grab a bagel with you, but I have to serve some soup to some people that didn't come equiped with a home." That last line was funnie, which brings me to step 4...

4. Say What you feel! Stupid people need to be told when they're being stupid, or else they'll never not be stupid. If you say something that's gonna hurt someone's feelings, think about this little fact: "Not saying what you feel, is gonna hurt your feelings, then your gonna be bitter and angry withyourself for not being honest, with yourself and with others."
(I'm gonna be honest this is segwaying nicely, 2 wheel gyroscoping motion ya'll)

5. TO YOU, THE MOST IMPORTANT PERSON IN THE WORLD SHOULD BE YOU. I used to hate hurting other peoples feelings. Fuck that shit brother. When you neglect to hurt others, you end up hurting yourself, then your "chemicals" get all out of whack. Never ever sacrifice things you care about, personally, for things someone else cares about.

6. There are exceptions to every rule, BUT YOUR 19. You will learn the times when the rules can be bent as you get older. It's not a race. I know your depressed, but enjoy the journey. Do what you want!, I mean hell, anyone that want's to bust your ass for the decisions you make, can go suck a cock. They need to worry about their own lives, and not yours.

7. Please don't go crazy and shoot up your self or some schools. I mean seriously, do you want your life to be a cliche'?

8. I would honestly recommend going to a MMA school, or some sort of 1vs1 contact type of training. If you haven't been doing step 1. then I'd maybe get that 8 weeks under your belt before you go get the snot beat out of you.

9. Getting the snot beat out of you isn't a bad thing. hell, it's how tanks in FFXI level up, and it's how humans in real life level up. I mean you understand the correlation here right? Life has clearly been kicking you in the balls, either from decisions you made, or let others make for you, or just because. (life does that sometimes, just up and randoms the fuck out of you. SEE #6) AND THAT'S O.K. So long as you make the decision to get back up, with your callous'd nuts, and your tear streamed face, and your teeth grinding rage, YOU'LL BE O.K. Eventually Life will go to kick you in the nuts and you'll break it's fucking leg off with your testee's of steel.

10. I know it's easy to sit here and write all this shit, and then it's easy for you to read it, thousands of miles away (I'm in afghanistan). Doing it is another thing entirely. I guess if none of my other things stick, remember this: ....Seriously...Just insert some random catch phrase right here, cause either your going to get it now, or your gonna get it later. Have faith in the fact that one day it'll all make sense. (Trust me, It will)

Shepard

[_chuchu]

Surrounding yourself with positive people can also help

[chillin]

Exercise and thinking positive aren't going to do anything. What the fuck is this, like narconon? If you're depressed, get professional help from a psychiatrist. While you're at it, have your psychiatrist write you scripts for xanax in addition to the SSRI of your choice and sell that shit on the street. Cash money, mother fucker.

[Ehran]

Something I am curious about that is somewhat related to this discussion. I was interested in going to a psychologist but I was curious how any of you that have gone have been able to pay for it/how often you went? I know it varies what you are going for, but I'm single, living on my own and can't go to my parents to ask them to pay for my sessions.

Anyways, just curious how you guys have paid for a therapist, or have any suggestions on how to go about seeing one.

I'm pretty fortunate to have very comprehensive health insurance. I have a $10 co-pay on my weekly visits. For people who aren't as lucky, you can always open your phone book and start looking for local free mental health services.

Since I'm insured I've had a pretty positive experience with my psychologist and with my medication. I know several people who have experiences similar to what elphaba has described using county services. Even if its discouraging, you have to force yourself keep looking, and keep seeking help. Eventually, you will find that one superb person that you connect with and who will be able to help you.

As a side note, I was scared out of my mind to start taking medication for my depression. Now, after having been on antidepressant medications for the last 1.5 years I can't begin to tell you how much of a difference they have made for me personally. It takes a while to find the right therapeutic dose that will work for you, but if you work with your doctor it can make a huge difference in your quality of life.

There have been a lot of garbage replies to this thread, but I hope you can sift through all of that and find something helpful.

[Yuri-G]

Surrounding yourself with positive people can also help

I tried that but I just got AIDS

[Yuri-G]

Exercise and thinking positive aren't going to do anything. What the fuck is this, like narconon? If you're depressed, get professional help from a psychiatrist. While you're at it, have your psychiatrist write you scripts for xanax in addition to the SSRI of your choice and sell that shit on the street. Cash money, mother fucker.

I wouldn't say they won't do anything, but yeah, when you're at the level of having suicidal thoughts, they're not going to solve the problem on their own.

Also, I got halfway through your entry before I thought "I don't think Xanax would be right for him..." then I got to the end. Well-played.

[_chuchu]

I tried that but I just got AIDS

well played :<

Exercise and thinking positive aren't going to do anything. What the fuck is this, like narconon? If you're depressed, get professional help from a psychiatrist. While you're at it, have your psychiatrist write you scripts for xanax in addition to the SSRI of your choice and sell that shit on the street. Cash money, mother fucker.

In addition to seeking professional help, we're all human, so a positive circle of friends can help. Encouragement to do well can help. Exercise gives you something to do and for some people, helps build mental strength imo.

[Faris]

dont get pussy, cus seeing from this thread you're emotional, you might fall in love and end up even more depressed when the girl leaves you, its inevitable.


Convert to Islam, you'll be happy guaranteed.

[_chuchu]

dont get pussy, cus seeing from this thread you're emotional, you might fall in love and end up even more depressed when the girl leaves you, its inevitable.


Convert to Islam, you'll be happy guaranteed.

I have read/heard some news that Islam seems to be the only (mainstream) religion gaining followers yes? Pretty amazing imo :<

As far as getting any sexual activity goes, Firas is right. If it was that easy, it's definitely not worth staying around for nor worth getting emotionally attached

[Devek]

/bump

This may be kind of tl;dr, but this is the coolest thing ever.

I've been depressed my entire life for the most part. I tried a lot of different medications when I was younger but none of them worked, so I had to learn to just deal with it. The other day I was thinking that there might be new stuff on the market that came out in the last decade and that I should give some of it a chance. I went to my doctor and they hooked me up with Lexapro.

The sexual side effects are amazing.

I've never cared for sex much in of itself. I mean, I have had a lot and even have kids but.. If I really cared about a girl on an emotional level I got a lot of satisfaction from pleasing her, but having sex with a girl I didn't really care for just wasn't worth it when you consider all the risks and bullshit. Easier and more satisfying to just go masturbate. Friends are always like, you haven't met the right girl blah blah..

The first night I was on Lexapro I tried to go jerk off, and it didn't work.. I was kind of worried so on the second night I grabbed some good porn and made a serious attempt to get off. It took me like an hour, and when I did it was amazing. Even the day after, I was like.. wow.

Now I am thinking.. I need to go get a girlfriend. I'm walking to work downtown and catch eye contact with this girl, so I invite her to some breakfast.. long story short the next day I fuck the shit out of her. I felt like Al Pacino on the Devil's Advocate cause she didn't see that coming. I'm 28, but I feel like I had never had sex before until now.

They say it takes a month for Lexapro to fully do its thing, but I don't care. Being able to fuck a chick as hard as you want for an hour makes you feel great. I could before, but I would have to hold back and it wasn't as good.

Your millage may very, but that is my story.