Fitness Friday: Depression

[KaosMaster]

I deal with this every day of my life! I am so happy right now that you all are discussing this! I was diagnosed Bipolar type 2 with OCD and borderline schophrenia back in 2001 after I had an immune system disorder and was on chemo and steroids. I had the symptoms before everything happened it just got really BAD! I try to help everyone I can and learning that the words of others are not the truth all the time helps. It takes alot just to get out of bed in the a.m. and be productive! I learned that I am not the sick one necissarily and people don't understand what they are doing all the time. I walk in the footsteps of my faith and that honestly has been the only thing that keeps me here.

I am not looking for pity or anything of the sort. Just wanted to let you know I am here for any of you to talk to!

I consider you all now my friends...*Toast*

 

[pc747]

I deal with this every day of my life! I am so happy right now that you all are discussing this! I was diagnosed Bipolar type 2 with OCD and borderline schophrenia back in 2001 after I had an immune system disorder and was on chemo and steroids. I had the symptoms before everything happened it just got really BAD! I try to help everyone I can and learning that the words of others are not the truth all the time helps. It takes alot just to get out of bed in the a.m. and be productive! I learned that I am not the sick one necissarily and people don't understand what they are doing all the time. I walk in the footsteps of my faith and that honestly has been the only thing that keeps me here.

I am not looking for pity or anything of the sort. Just wanted to let you know I am here for any of you to talk to!

I consider you all now my friends...*Toast*

Just realize this place is a home a way from home and a friendly place (the owners @danDroid have done an excellent job making sure that is the case). Some times you need a place like this where you can escape reality to talk phones, sports, etc. But understand when you do go back to your life that you are important and as hard as it may seem at times you have to look at yourself as being important. Because there are times where we can get in a slump and feel like the world could care less about us when the reality is you actually do matter to some and your life can have a positive impact. When I think about a challenging situation I am dealing with I at times imagine that when I overcome it I will be able to be a witness to someone else that I been through the same thing. The best person to understand an alcoholic is a former alcoholic, same is true with sports (athlete), or anything else. So people talking about it is really opening up to allow people to see no matter who you are or what you look like you are not alone in dealing with depression. And you are not alone in feeling this feeling of not wanting to get out of bed some mornings. Every one at one time or another will feel the symptoms of depression though there are others who have a more challenging time shaking it because of some of the reasons discussed in this thread. Like you @KaosMaster my faith is my strength for everything. Just remember that the path of improving is a daily process in which we build to get stronger daily and sometimes in order to get stronger is digging deep into understanding what it is that is keeping us from moving forward.

 

[dgstorm]

I would like to add some additional insight to the discussion, that ties hand in hand with @cereal killer's post earlier. The human body is basically a bio-mechanical machine that processes chemical reactions. If the chemical reactions are off/out of balance, then you create a situation where depression becomes the norm for the body.

Furthermore, it goes even deeper than that. The body can actually become addicted to the chemical reactions (created by habit) in your body. Each emotion that we feel is a chemical reaction based upon different neural peptides released by the brain. It's pretty easy for the body to become addicted to those particular patterns of neural peptide interactions.

The best way to deal with depression is a three-pronged approach:

1. First, find out if you have a chemical or hormone imbalance, like @cereal killer said earlier, and then start working on fixing that.
2. Second, while you are undergoing whichever chemical or hormonal therapy you are prescribed, you must also supplement that therapy with some form of mental and emotional therapy. Whether you choose to go to a therapist or a counselor, or if you choose to spam your brain with positive thoughts and creative outlets on your own, this is the second facet of overcoming depression, and is just as important. (Quick note... you cannot fight negative thoughts with positive thoughts. The problem isn't a fight, it's about "letting go." You need to let go of the negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones instead. You must, "empty that which is filled, and fill that which is empty." That basically means... empty the cup of your mind of negative thoughts and emotions, and refill it with thoughts and feelings of joy and contentment. It's not a quick fix. It's a daily/moment-to-moment practice of letting go and replacing.)
3. Third, you need to eat right and exercise. Taking care of your body is the most important thing you can do. It's the one possession you own that is always yours and that you can't live without. It is the only way you interact with this world, thus it is the whole crux of your existence here. Plus, if you don't take care of your PRV (personal reality vehicle) then you can't expect its chemical reactions to be balanced now can you?

All three of these must take equal weight for finding true balance and happiness in your life.

 

[kerriw37]

My name is Kerri n I suffer from severe depression...I just started to get help today any feedback is welcome if you know anything can help i dont want to end up committed! Thanks!

 

[cr6]

Welcome to the forum Kerri!
While we're an Android forum first and foremost, we are a close knit community that enjoys listening and helping others in all areas of our lives. That being said, it's great to hear you're getting help for your depression, and while we can't really offer you any "professional" help, we can lend an ear and offer encouragement.
I wish you all the best during this difficult time in your life.
Have a fantastic day and thanks for joining! [emoji3]

S5 tap'n

 

[johnomaz]

Just realize this place is a home a way from home and a friendly place

This is very true. I enjoy coming to this website. The mods are friendly, the community is friendly and the tech talk on the website is also fun.

 

[kerriw37]

Thanks cr6!

 

[Jonny Kansas]

I've experienced more of what I'd call periods of feeling really down than I'd classify as REAL depression and I know how hard those have been to come out of. I still have my days.

I can only imagine what it's like to have severe, full-on depression and my heart goes out to anyone struggling with it. We've got history of it in our family, and like others have said, I was once in a relationship with someone who had VERY bad depression.

All the advice I've seen offered here is great, but the bottom line is, if you want to kick depression, or at least find a way to cope/manage, you've got to find what works for you. The pill, workout, therapy program, etc that seems to do wonders for one person won't necessarily help everyone else.

As others have stated, find out if it's hormonal or anything else that causes your particular case of depression and don't be afraid to seek help, whether that be medical, psychological, or just a good listener. If it helps you to vent, that last one can do wonders on its own. And, while I'm not a fan of tossing pills at every little symptom under the sun, I've seen the positive difference that anti-depressants can make in the life of someone who needs them.

Again, to state what others have already said in this thread, we are a community that's a lot like a family and we are here for you if you need someone to vent to. None of us wants to see other members suffer.

 

[ROBOFLOX]

Hi Kerri
One of the hardest lessons I found to learn was to exercise.
The endorphins produced by exercise clear the chemical hangover that regularly occurs with depression.
When in this state the very last thing you feel like doing is anything physical!
But.. If you can make yourself do it youll feel that calm smoothness return and it will help keep the the sharp edges of anxiety and the deep darkness off depression at bay.
It takes a great deal of effort,
But I urge you give it a go.
Judging by the other replies your in a good place here,
Ask away and we'll do our best. ☺

 

[94lt1]

My name is Kerri n I suffer from severe depression...I just started to get help today any feedback is welcome if you know anything can help i dont want to end up committed! Thanks!

Getting up and getting moving.. That's what helped me. It wasn't as simple as that sounds.. I know how hard it can be just to get out of bed. I finally realized that if I laid down and gave up.. It would get worse(life in general, bills etc) and I had to fight..

Nutrition plays a big role too.. The old saying, garbage in, garbage out...its very true.

Everyone has their lead off.. Meaning that thing that will get them moving.. Set small attainable goals.. So you can see you're moving in a positive direction.. That was a big help to me.. Regaining direction and focus.

 

[kerriw37]

Thanks Everyone for being so kind n helpful I started taking my meds yesterday (pristiq n latuda) and i follow ur advise n got up this morning n took a walk though i really didn't want to but as I started going I noticed that my day is getting better I actually was able to go get my other med (vistaril) filled on my own and I even went grocery shopping I haven't been out of bed in about 3 months without being pushed I feel a lot better just getting around and moving and I don't feel as sad I know it seems like it's only been one day but I've been going to therapy for 2 months and nothing seemed to help I started taking my meds and started talking to people about my problem on here and in one day I feel so much better thank you all so much I really appreciate the feedback I hope I continue to feel this way I think I might actually be getting my life back thanks again

 

[pc747]

Thanks Everyone for being so kind n helpful I started taking my meds yesterday (pristiq n latuda) and i follow ur advise n got up this morning n took a walk though i really didn't want to but as I started going I noticed that my day is getting better I actually was able to go get my other med (vistaril) filled on my own and I even went grocery shopping I haven't been out of bed in about 3 months without being pushed I feel a lot better just getting around and moving and I don't feel as sad I know it seems like it's only been one day but I've been going to therapy for 2 months and nothing seemed to help I started taking my meds and started talking to people about my problem on here and in one day I feel so much better thank you all so much I really appreciate the feedback I hope I continue to feel this way I think I might actually be getting my life back thanks again

All it takes is a start. We will continue to be here to talk about life, sports (if that is your interest), tech, and many other things. Though tech united us the friendliness shown here keeps people coming back. Keep us posted whether you are having bad days (so we can encourage and motivate you) or good days (so we may applaud you) as this is going to be a battle won each day at a time.

 

[94lt1]

Thanks Everyone for being so kind n helpful I started taking my meds yesterday (pristiq n latuda) and i follow ur advise n got up this morning n took a walk though i really didn't want to but as I started going I noticed that my day is getting better I actually was able to go get my other med (vistaril) filled on my own and I even went grocery shopping I haven't been out of bed in about 3 months without being pushed I feel a lot better just getting around and moving and I don't feel as sad I know it seems like it's only been one day but I've been going to therapy for 2 months and nothing seemed to help I started taking my meds and started talking to people about my problem on here and in one day I feel so much better thank you all so much I really appreciate the feedback I hope I continue to feel this way I think I might actually be getting my life back thanks again

Take it one day at a time. So e days will be worse.. But physical activity helps to deal and manage..

 

[Jonny Kansas]

Thanks Everyone for being so kind n helpful I started taking my meds yesterday (pristiq n latuda) and i follow ur advise n got up this morning n took a walk though i really didn't want to but as I started going I noticed that my day is getting better I actually was able to go get my other med (vistaril) filled on my own and I even went grocery shopping I haven't been out of bed in about 3 months without being pushed I feel a lot better just getting around and moving and I don't feel as sad I know it seems like it's only been one day but I've been going to therapy for 2 months and nothing seemed to help I started taking my meds and started talking to people about my problem on here and in one day I feel so much better thank you all so much I really appreciate the feedback I hope I continue to feel this way I think I might actually be getting my life back thanks again

Great start! Keep in mind, as others have said, you'll still have bad days, but keep fighting the good fight and know that we're here on days you need to vent or if a pat on the back will make the difference, you'll find plenty here.

 

[kerriw37]

Well how is everyone doing still feeling better with a few downs everyone was right take it slow !I just seem to want to sleep alot they put me on a mood stabilizer to help me with hypo mania because of the anti depressant but it makes me tired I kind of would rather be manic and sleepy all the time was very new for me and I think my boyfriend enjoying the fact that I'm able to relax but I just feel so cloudy this is what happens and then I'll stop taking my meds just don't want to do that this time I'll guess i need to talk to my doctor