Guide to Depression, Depression 101 Options

[superficial]

After seeing someone post a topic recently, I decided to create a guide for all of you who are currently suffering for depression. Hopefully this guide will help solve your problems. :). Let's get started, shall we?

1. What is depression?

• Depression: an illness that causes a person to feel sad and hopeless much of the time. It is different from normal feelings of sadness, grief, or low energy.

2. What are the symptoms of depression?

• You constantly feel irritable, sad, or angry.
• Loss in interest with hobbies that you used to enjoy.
• You feel bad about yourself—worthless, guilty, or just "wrong" in some way.
• You sleep too much or not enough.
• You have frequent, unexplained headaches or other physical problems.
• Anything and everything makes you cry.
• You’ve gained or lost weight without consciously trying to. Also, you have a loss of appetite.
• Loss of energy/low energy
• You just can’t concentrate. Your grades are suffering because of this and etc.
• You feel helpless and hopeless.
• You’re thinking about death or suicide. (If this is true, talk to someone that you feel comfortable with right away!)

3. What are the causes of depression?

• Major life changing events that can create stress, such as childbirth, death of a loved one, break ups/relationship problems, etc.
• Illnesses, such as arthritis, heart disease, cancer, or anything between those lines.
• Certain medications, such as steroids or narcotics for pain relief.
• Drinking alcohol, using illegal drugs. Being "under the influence."
• Physical, emotional, or sexual abuse.
• Other personal problems such as social isolation due to other mental illnesses, or being an outcast of a family or social circle.

4. How can you deal with depression?

• Accept that you're depressed and try to deal with it in a healthy way.
  
• Eat enough fruits and vegetables, and make sure your iron and thyroid levels are where they should be. Nutrition plays a major role in energy levels and bodily function. If something is not right in our bodies it may reflect in our mood. Pay special attention to your food intake.
  
• Expand your group of friends. Get close to your family. Join a club or a gym. Go to a class that you enjoy. Meet people. The more friends an individual has the less likely they are to be depressed. It is important to have someone you trust to share your feelings with.
  
• Keep a journal/diary. When you write your feelings down it will help you keep track of when your depressive episodes start. This in turn may lead you to any nutritional or emotional triggers, and allow you to control them before you start. You can share your problems with a trusted adult or friend whom you feel comfortable enough to talk to.
  
• Meditate. Meditation helps the release the mind from tension. A meditation tape can walk you through the steps. Relaxation and rest is key to keeping a sound mind. This can help with stress and help heighten your mental skills.
  
• Know that you're not alone. You might be surprised at how many other teens suffer from depression. You are not alone, and neither is your depression a hopeless case. Even though it can feel like depression will never lift, it eventually will—and with proper treatment and healthy choices, that day can come even sooner. ?In the meantime, you might need therapy or medication to help you while you sort out your feelings. Look into your treatment options with your parents. If medication is being considered, do your research before making a decision, as some antidepressants used for adults can actually make teens feel worse.
  
• Avoiding drugs and alcohol can help with your physical depression. You may be tempted to drink or use drugs in an effort to escape from your feelings and get a "mood boost", even if just for a short time. However, substance use can not only make depression worse, but can cause you to become depressed in the first place. Alcohol and drug use can also increase suicidal feelings. In short, drinking and taking drugs will make you feel worse—not better—in the long run. If you’re addicted to alcohol or drugs, seek help. You will need special treatment for your substance problem on top of whatever treatment you’re receiving for your depression.

This information was from websites, and they are credited here: link1, link2, link3.

Remember that you are not alone! :). If you have any questions about depression, feel free to respond to this topic.

[batman]

They're basically a masking agent. It makes your brain pretend all the chemicals are balanced properly while in reality the chemicals are becoming more potent and making you (in a sense) bottle up your emotions. Until that one day you're off your pills... and BAAAAAAAM you'll most likely kill yourself. Then you get blamed for killin yourself because you missed your pill =\

tbh i really don't know yet if meds work since my psychiatrist just prescribed them today, but my understanding is that you're only supposed to be on the meds temporarily to get your life together (depression was affecting my work and academic life in a really negative way), but you're supposed to pair them with psychotherapy in the long run and slowly get weaned off meds so you can function normally.

idk though. i just recently started seeing someone only bc my school offers it for free and she says i fit the criteria for major depression or whatever that is and though she usually never thinks medication is a good idea after just one visit, she decided to put me on meds asap. fun.

[espressive]

1. With yourself.... in meditation you'll have this self-realization, you'll start to analyze your self very deeply, thoughts inside thoughts. The more you have self knowledge the more you'll realize who you really are and how perfect you truly are or can be, regardless of exterior image. Once you build your self confidence through self realization... if you can do anything rational to change your looks, such as exercise, then have at it.

You really think depressed people are going to realize that everything is okay by simply meditating on it? I beg to differ. I think it will have quite the opposite effect. Meditation might work on people who aren't depressed, but I think that it will backfire on depressed people. They more they think about the situation, the bigger the hole they will dig for themselves. You know what probably leads to suicides? Depressed people who "meditate" about how much their life sucks, how they have no power to change it, and how they will ultimately end their life. Depressed people have a certain mindset and they don't just snap out of it by thinking... they've actually got to do something.

There's a treatment called activation therapy. It basically makes depressed people get up, go out, and do something - ANYTHING - especially when they don't feel like it. Wallowing in self-pity meditation is not allowed. The whole point of this treatment is to get depressed people to change their behavior, and ultimately, their mindset. When you go out and engage with your environment, whether that be with nature, people, animals, or hobbies, it provides a whole new experience as opposed to sitting at home. Maybe you'll hear a funny joke, maybe you'll make a new discovery, maybe you'll run into an old friend - who knows? The possibilities are endless! Now I'm not saying to force your depressed friend to go to the nearest party, because that's probably not the best idea... so start slow. Go on a walk, but don't feel the need to talk. Help him/her to engage with the world again, to experience life, to start thinking about his/her life in a different and positive manner.

[emmijane]

I used to suffer from depression.
and when i say suffer I mean literally, physically, and emotionally.

[saintsaens]

there's nothing wrong with being at home and sticking to yourself, just make sure you're happy about it. i enjoy staying at home cooking for myself, drinking and smoking, playing xbawks and watching movies. i get depressed when i have to me "nothing to do" and when i'm stressed out about "bigger things" in my life.

i think though if you want to get better, you have to want it. sitting around at home feeling sorry for yourself to me, says that you secretly enjoy it. the lifestyle of sloth, and feeling sorry for yourself. feels good huh?