how do you fight depresson was The Thoughtful Thursday WLSExpress

Morning,

Depression is something I have suffered with for 20 some odd years.  I go through my bouts when I feel like I am in this deep dark hole and no matter how hard I try I can not pull myself out of it.  Luckly I have had a wonderful PA that has been with me over the last five years and has gotten my medication so it really helps.  What is also good is I now can tell when I am starting to get to that point and I know what to do about it.  LIke Danni said, I get outside, I exercise, I spend lots of time with family, and I talk and talk and talk about it.  Sometimes I spend a couple of days crying.  Anyone those are my thoughts.  Depression is always a subject that interests me and I am always interested in how other people deal with it!  Hugs.

Perfect post!  This rain we are getting is not helping to drive away that tendency, I know that!

I have fought the depression monster all my life, and like you, Danni, it was closely tied to my weight, or so I was led to believe.  I still struggle with it even now.  I get overwhelmed easier now than I used to, it seems.  I think maybe thats cuz I dont allow myself to feed the monster anymore with food, as well as having this influx of estrogen in my system.  That can't help!  Mood swings are viscious. 

I, too, temper it with Wellbutrin. 

My faith in God is stronger today than it has been at anytime in my life, and that helps. 

I have an accountability partner that has permission to kick my butt when she sees it's necessary.

And, when I can't cope at all anymore, I just go to bed and sleep it off.  That has always been my coping mechanism, other than eating.  Life is better there, Horizontia, I call it. 

Grace & Peace
~J

Great post Danni!  I too have fought depression for YEARS.  As I got older I realized that it started in high school, I'm unsure of what triggered it then, however, depression runs in my family (mom's side)......I'm not the only one in my family that takes meds to deal with it.

The depression really compounded with post-partum depression when I had Conner, it was aweful a time in my life I should of been very happy but didn't feel it at that time.  Thankfully my OB/GYN was great and recognized the signs, that is when I actaully started with depression meds.

After WLS I got off and survived without them for almost 4 years.  When I admitted I needed help and went to the doctor, it was a God-send. 

Depression for many isn't realized or admitted.  It's sad that some people think depression is "in our head" or that it is "a weakness", that we need to learn to deal with life situation.  I believe many people would be much happier with themselves and life in general if they would make that first step and talk to someone.

A good cry is always good for me, it tends to cleanse my mind and soul.  Nina, I love Amazing Grace.....it is such an awesome song that makes me feel.......I think that is what we need when we get in that "down place" a feeling of peace and spirit.

The main thing I do when I'm in a dark place is come here, Facebook, etc and try to reach out. Being in my house (alone 3 times a week now) I need to interact with people instead of eat, sleep, cry, sleep, eat, sleep, cry, sleep. When I need help with my head and eating I'll reply to newbies over on the RNY board about the process when they're struggling to find balance in their new post-op lives.

Lets just say that pulling back like I'm so good at hasn't gotten me very far so we'll try to opposite and reach out. Seems to help.

Imagine that.

hey Jen  - call me!! I am home alone too - I can even call you if you facebook me to call - it comes to my cell phone - we can come up with some fun stuff to bake together I bet :)

I guess I have been fighting depression.

If there is one thing that I've realized in the over 10 yrs since my mother has been gone - is that it definately runs in the family.   I look back now and realize that certain times of the year ARE more worse than others and with her - it was from about Oct thru Febish..........I believe now that she was bi-polar which some of my nephews suffer from and have been diagnosed with and you know what -  I believe that my child has that..........grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

I have been on 20mg Lexapro for like 6 yrs - give or take.......I can tell if I haven't remembered to take it by the 3rd day.....................I cry over EVERYTHING.............................Lexapro doesn't let me cry much................that is not always a good thing...........I just ahve a better outlook on things.....

Co-workers at 2nd job have been telling me that  "I'm a negative person"   I HATE THAT........  so I gotta work on that..................I dont' want to be known or remembered as the "negative" person....that was my mother.............

Luv you all (((((((((Huggsss))))))))))) to everyone !! 

ok phyllis try this to break the neg cycle - I did it a few weeks ago and it works pretty well - everytime something neg happens you have to think of  and state out loud a positive that comes from it - it can be as crazy and outlandish as needed but you have to come up with one

I got it from one of my army wife books and it is fun to do and really does work to break the neg though cycle -
here is one - K had a timeline poster to do - got the asignment thurs - gave it to me Tues due today - so last night we went though about a zillion pics looking for printed pics from differnt times in his life - Rach was tiered and pissy the whole time, fussing and yelling - so Tim took her outside and let her jump in puddles and play in the rain and then took her up and gave her her bath - she was happy and kept telling me last night and today daddy brushed her hair -

the light fixture glass in my kitchen fell and shattered EVERYWHERE - took me a good hour to get it all cleaned up - sweept, vacumed and mopped at night right as it was time to put the little kids to bed which of course did not happen b/c I was dealing with broken glass and Tim was trying to get broken glass out of his foot - the positive my kitchen is lighter now with the light bulbs uncovered

go ahead and try a few - it can be silly or a streach but it will help

In no particular order:

First, I take medication.  Because my depression is hard to treat, I'm on 5 different medications at the moment.  Kind of bothers me, but living a reasonably normal life is worth taking the meds.

Second, I go to therapy once a week.  A lifesaver for me.

Third, I turn to God in prayer and to his Word.  For comfort, for perspective.  For a dose of reality....that no matter how bad I feel at the moment, eventually I'm going to live forever with God in heaven...in paradise.

Fourth, I snuggle my cat, Zoe Elizabeth.  I believe with all my heart that God sent Zoe to me to love and comfort me.

Fifth, I talk to people I love.  I visit my nephew and god children.

Sixth, I try to take the focus off myself and be a blessing to someone else.  And this one is a my biggest struggle.  Because of my depression, I think, I tend to be super focused on myself and my own feelings.  I am praying for God to help me not be so self-centered and to show me how to be a blessing to others each day.

Hugs - Lori

Wonderful post Danni! I have fought depression for many years as well. At one point, I was so depressed that I actually contemplated killing myself. I ended up in a Psychiatric ward for 2 weeks. It was so hard on my kids and hubby! However, while I was in there, I discovered that a lot of my depression stemmed from my terrible relationship with my mother. I learned to confront her and put me in control of my life! It helped a lot. I took Lexapro for many years. About 4 or 5 months ago, I felt like it wasn't really helping me anymore or that maybe it wasn't even necessary so i weaned my self off. After it cleared out of my system, I could tell a difference and I kind of regretted it! But, I decided to try to manage it in other ways. Sitting on my porch, watching birds is good and very relaxing. Talking to hubby is great! But the best thing to bring me out of a funk is a hug from one of my grandbabies! They love unconditionally and just to see them smile at me, well, MiMi melts and whatever had me so down, doesn't seem as important as it did 5 minutes earlier!

Hugz,
Gina L

Gina I did not relize you were off the meds - two comments - one I think that it is great that you are!!!! and are coping other ways, wish I had the ability and gumption to follow you there and two -does hubby (or daughter or trusted friend) know to tell you if you are back sliding?
no one noticing I was slipping was one of my biggest fears moving out here knowing Tim woudl not be here with us long - that no one here has or had the right or even knew me well enough to tell if I was slidding down hill emotionally

peace
Danni