How to kill depression

ilovebiology

In light of the sad death of Robin Williams, which was an apparent suicide, I decided to include a very good article which is very helpful with killing and preventing a relapse of depression. I hope this helps someone out there.

Thanks.

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2014/01/15/3-ways-to-beat-depression-through-exercise/

Tokyo

No offense, but if it were that easy to overcome depression, half of us here would be out jogging every morning. Part of dealing with depression is realising and accepting the fact that there isn't one easy solution, sad to say, and that it can't just be brushed away with exercise or similar

You can't 'kill' depression. The best one can do is to try to learn to deal with it, and to seek help with it if you can.




[edit]Hyperbole and a Half gives one of the best descriptions of depression that I have ever come across. Well worth the five minutes it takes to read it.

Adventures in Depression
Depression Part Two

123balltv

I got it the day my Sister died I was only 13 my family fell apart so did I
depression will die the day my Sister comes back to earth :mad: its never gonna happen :mad: friends mean nothing, money doesn't matter I have it for life.

darkpagandeath

Well I use selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. (SSRI's) or my meds to laymen, exercise has it's place but wont kill depression.

Ave Sodalis

I kinda have to disagree slightly with the above. It makes it sound very much like depression is something that's very difficult to overcome, and I think it's that kind of attitude that contributes to why there are so many long term sufferers of depression. Everyone has their own way of dealing with depression. Not everyone's experience is the same. Some people cannot get out of it without medication. Some people, like myself, don't need medication.

I suffered with depression a few years ago. It wasn't pleasant. Your whole perception of life is changed and you just kinda exist, rather than live. I would cry myself to sleep every night, and not even know why. I'd wake up like a shadow every day, not really caring about what happens. I know what depression feels like and it's not nice. I got out of it myself though, without medication and without doctors. It took a while, and there were plenty of times where I thought I couldn't do it, but I did.

I mean, yeah, it's not easy. You're not going to wake up one morning and not be depressed. However, it's not impossible and it's something every sufferer can overcome, whether they can see it right now or not. If someone had told me "oh, you poor thing, it's so difficult", I would most likely not have been able to do it. If, on the other hand, if someone told me "meh, it's not gonna be tomorrow but you'll get there", then I probably would have been fine a lot sooner.

Turtwig

Exercise is helpful but mostly in cases where the exercise is new to the individual. For example, Gaelic footballers aren't likely to aid their depression by playing football but someone who's not a regular with the sport might. If one were to try something new like water polo though maybe it would help. Exercise is just another way of measuring one's achievements. When you make progress exercising there's a tangible sense of achievement to add to a person's self worth. The same can said for many things.

llennocO

darkpagandeath wrote: »

Well I use selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors. (SSRI's) or my meds to laymen, exercise has it's place but wont kill depression.

SSRI's have their place but won't kill depression either.

darkpagandeath

llennocO wrote: »

SSRI's have their place but won't kill depression either.

Nothing will that's the point. If it did people would not suffer long term with it.

Ave Sodalis

darkpagandeath wrote: »

Nothing will that's the point. If it did people would not suffer long term with it.

Of course depression can be killed. Not everyone has depression for their whole lives, only those who do nothing to change it. Yeah, motivation to actually change it doesn't be readily available however depression can be killed. To say it can't is why we have long term suffers...

llennocO

darkpagandeath wrote: »

Nothing will that's the point. If it did people would not suffer long term with it.

I don't agree, depression is not terminal by any means and numerous individuals overcome this condition with or without pharmacological approaches and without becoming chronically affected.

I'm loathe to think it but it does feel a bit complacent to argue that nothing is going to kill depression. Scientists are working on this, the fact that you have an SSRI option is proof enough of that, and I'm certain the precision and efficacy of treatments will only improve over time.

MS.ing

like all illness its only the person themselves that can kill it, sure you can get crutches to help the fight but the longer you have the crutch the harder it becomes to live without it

Endless Nameless

You think Robin Williams did not have access to exercise regimes....?

MS.ing

Endless Nameless wrote: »

You think Robin Williams did not have access to exercise regimes....?

do you even lift brah?

chicorytip

The use of the word " depression",in a medical context,is pure bull****.People who are"depressed" have low MOOD - a reactive response to difficult life circumstances.It is the underlying issue,therefore,that needs to be addressed or "treated",not by pharmaceutical means alone but in a more holistic sense e.g. counseling, CBT etc.
The vastly profitable drug companies,in cahoots with doctor's who benefit financially as a result, promote this myth of "clinical" depression - i.e. a lack of Seratonin in the brain- as a means of peddling their wares to vunerable people
who really don't need them.

MS.ing

chicorytip wrote: »

The use of the word " depression",in a medical context,is pure bull****.People who are"depressed" have low MOOD - a reactive response to difficult life circumstances.It is the underlying issue,therefore,that needs to be addressed or "treated",not by pharmaceutical means alone but in a more holistic sense e.g. counseling, CBT etc.
The vastly profitable drug companies,in cahoots with doctor's who benefit financially as a result, promote this myth of "clinical" depression - i.e. a lack of Seratonin in the brain- as a means of peddling their wares to vunerable people
who really don't need them.

you have no clue about depression do you

depression is actually apathy mostly read the link a few posts down from the Start of the thread. what youre describing is not major depression, its just...being depressed, big difference

llennocO

chicorytip wrote: »

The use of the word " depression",in a medical context,is pure bull****.People who are"depressed" have low MOOD - a reactive response to difficult life circumstances.It is the underlying issue,therefore,that needs to be addressed or "treated",not by pharmaceutical means alone but in a more holistic sense e.g. counseling, CBT etc.
The vastly profitable drug companies,in cahoots with doctor's who benefit financially as a result, promote this myth of "clinical" depression - i.e. a lack of Seratonin in the brain- as a means of peddling their wares to vunerable people
who really don't need them.

Medicalisation of mental life aside, do you not agree that all mental activity is ultimately a function of the activity of neuronal and glial ensembles in your brain?

There is abundant evidence for this idea and so-called moods are readily modified in predictable ways by physical and pharmacological intervention. The subjective "measurement" of mood as low or high is just as crude as the medical treatments you denigrate and since you've mentioned who benefits financially why have you failed to point out that counsellors and talk-therapists charge nearly 80 euro per hour for treatment which can continue indefinitely?

Tokyo

chicorytip wrote: »

The use of the word " depression",in a medical context,is pure bull****.People who are"depressed" have low MOOD - a reactive response to difficult life circumstances.It is the underlying issue,therefore,that needs to be addressed or "treated",not by pharmaceutical means alone but in a more holistic sense e.g. counseling, CBT etc.
The vastly profitable drug companies,in cahoots with doctor's who benefit financially as a result, promote this myth of "clinical" depression - i.e. a lack of Seratonin in the brain- as a means of peddling their wares to vunerable people
who really don't need them.

Are you for real??

chicorytip

chicorytip wrote: »

The use of the word " depression",in a medical context,is pure bull****.People who are"depressed" have low MOOD - a reactive response to difficult life circumstances.It is the underlying issue,therefore,that needs to be addressed or "treated",not by pharmaceutical means alone but in a more holistic sense e.g. counseling, CBT etc.
The vastly profitable drug companies,in cahoots with doctor's who benefit financially as a result, promote this myth of "clinical" depression - i.e. a lack of Seratonin in the brain- as a means of peddling their wares to vunerable people
who really don't need them.

glad you cleared that up for us so


HEY EVERYONE CHEER UP

Lisha

mike_ie wrote: »

No offense, but if it were that easy to overcome depression, half of us here would be out jogging every morning. Part of dealing with depression is realising and accepting the fact that there isn't one easy solution, sad to say, and that it can't just be brushed away with exercise or similar

You can't 'kill' depression. The best one can do is to try to learn to deal with it, and to seek help with it if you can.




[edit]Hyperbole and a Half gives one of the best descriptions of depression that I have ever come across. Well worth the five minutes it takes to read it.

Adventures in Depression
Depression Part Two

Everyone should read the above links.
Mike.ie thanks so much for introducing them to me.

Personally I think the word 'kill' should be removed from thread title as bastaard depression can only be managed and lived with, rarely eradicated completely. I know some people can live depression free lives after an episode but IMHO that takes effort from the person.

For me depression is an absence of feelings, not simply feeling sad about things.

Best of luck everyone and please please always try and find someone to talk to.

Yearning4Stormy

mike_ie wrote: »

Are you for real??

Dear God, the mind boggles. Well said, Mike.

darkpagandeath

bluewolf wrote: »

glad you cleared that up for us so


HEY EVERYONE CHEER UP

Think he wants us to sit around chanting and hug some crystals. Love the way people confuse being sad as depression. I generally feel nothing, that's the problem.

Ave Sodalis

Lisha wrote: »

Personally I think the word 'kill' should be removed from thread title as bastaard depression can only be managed and lived with, rarely eradicated completely. I know some people can live depression free lives after an episode but IMHO that takes effort from the person.

This is my point from before. If you tell people they can't get rid of depression, then they won't. I really dislike the idea that depression can only be managed, not gotten rid of. Getting rid of depression is not something only a select few people can do, it's something that can be done by everyone. However, it's not possible people keep telling them that it's not, especially considering the vunerable mental state depression puts you in. Yes, it takes effort, doesn't everything? It's not impossible. The sooner we get rid of the idea that depression is for life, the better.

sunbeam

sup_dude wrote: »

This is my point from before. If you tell people they can't get rid of depression, then they won't. I really dislike the idea that depression can only be managed, not gotten rid of. Getting rid of depression is not something only a select few people can do, it's something that can be done by everyone. However, it's not possible people keep telling them that it's not, especially considering the vunerable mental state depression puts you in. Yes, it takes effort, doesn't everything? It's not impossible. The sooner we get rid of the idea that depression is for life, the better.

Actually the sooner we get rid of the idea that those are chronically depressed are merely so because they simply aren't trying hard enough to do something about it the better. How incredibly insulting towards anyone who is battling what can often be an extremely debilitating and long-term illness. This sort of nonsense simply feeds the horrible stigma around the illness-and yes it is an illness. Of course not all depression is chronic or long-term but for some of us unfortunately it is, despite our best efforts.

the_syco

ilovebiology wrote: »

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2014/01/15/3-ways-to-beat-depression-through-exercise/

To me, I read;

BLAH BLAH BLAH BUY MY BOOK

LETHAL LADY

sup_dude wrote: »

This is my point from before. If you tell people they can't get rid of depression, then they won't. I really dislike the idea that depression can only be managed, not gotten rid of. Getting rid of depression is not something only a select few people can do, it's something that can be done by everyone. However, it's not possible people keep telling them that it's not, especially considering the vunerable mental state depression puts you in. Yes, it takes effort, doesn't everything? It's not impossible. The sooner we get rid of the idea that depression is for life, the better.

I've a Bipolar family member and she can never get rid of it and will need meds to function, probably for the rest of her life.

KCC

123balltv wrote: »

I got it the day my Sister died I was only 13 my family fell apart so did I
depression will die the day my Sister comes back to earth :mad: its never gonna happen :mad: friends mean nothing, money doesn't matter I have it for life.

That's really terrible. I can't imagine how you would get through that kind of loss, but you should eventually for your own sake. You owe it to yourself to live your life to the full. You know too well how precious it is. I've seen people wallow in grief for years and trust me there comes a point where it begins to eat you up. You have to give yourself permission to move on from the extreme grief and start to enjoy things again. Please look after yourself and speak to your GP about how you are feeling. I don't know about money, but friends and family are really important, even if you can't see the value of them right now.

Ave Sodalis

sunbeam wrote: »

Actually the sooner we get rid of the idea that those are chronically depressed are merely so because they simply aren't trying hard enough to do something about it the better. How incredibly insulting towards anyone who is battling what can often be an extremely debilitating and long-term illness. This sort of nonsense simply feeds the horrible stigma around the illness-and yes it is an illness. Of course not all depression is chronic or long-term but for some of us unfortunately it is, despite our best efforts.

That's not what I'm saying and I'm sorry you took it up that way.

LethalLady, one of my best friends is bipolar. I'm not talking about that, I'm talking about the idea that is out forward saying that depression can't be overcome.

DildoFaggins

Robin Williams was killed by the illuminati not suicide.

LETHAL LADY

sup_dude wrote: »

That's not what I'm saying and I'm sorry you took it up that way.

LethalLady, one of my best friends is bipolar. I'm not talking about that, I'm talking about the idea that is out forward saying that depression can't be overcome.

I suppose when I read a discussion on depression I assume it refers to all types.

snollup

sup_dude wrote: »

Of course depression can be killed. Not everyone has depression for their whole lives, only those who do nothing to change it. Yeah, motivation to actually change it doesn't be readily available however depression can be killed. To say it can't is why we have long term suffers...

sup_dude wrote: »

This is my point from before. If you tell people they can't get rid of depression, then they won't. I really dislike the idea that depression can only be managed, not gotten rid of. Getting rid of depression is not something only a select few people can do, it's something that can be done by everyone. However, it's not possible people keep telling them that it's not, especially considering the vunerable mental state depression puts you in. Yes, it takes effort, doesn't everything? It's not impossible. The sooner we get rid of the idea that depression is for life, the better.

I'm sorry but these type of arrogant post by users who have absolutely no fu*king idea of what there talking really makes my blood boil.

Please try to keep your uneducated thought to yourselves as there are extremely offencive to people that battle with depression on a daily basis.

4zn76tysfajdxp

Endless Nameless wrote: »

You think Robin Williams did not have access to exercise regimes....?

I once read he cycled ten miles a day or something.

takamichinoku

It's not about killing it, it's about finding ways to deal with it surely? Exercise can be one way, of course.

It's very frustrating that my mood can abruptly drag **** to a halt, it's very frustrating to have the options I have had (and still do have) and fail to be capable of capitalising on them so often too, but beating myself up about it isn't going to help. I've definitely stopped ****ing up things on myself as much since I've accepted that there's going to be points where I won't be able to force myself to do things and feel better but I can at least give myself whatever comforts I can to weather it until I see an opportunity arise.
Accepting that I sometimes need to actively ask for other people's help was a big one too. I only really have a few I can turn to in those situations but from what I can see that's a few more than a lot of people do; I'm pretty fortunate that a few people stuck with me a few years back despite my persistent attempts to cut them off.

Lisha

sup_dude wrote: »

This is my point from before. If you tell people they can't get rid of depression, then they won't. I really dislike the idea that depression can only be managed, not gotten rid of. Getting rid of depression is not something only a select few people can do, it's something that can be done by everyone. However, it's not possible people keep telling them that it's not, especially considering the vunerable mental state depression puts you in. Yes, it takes effort, doesn't everything? It's not impossible. The sooner we get rid of the idea that depression is for life, the better.

I do not agree with you at all.
Please do not twist my reply to make it seem like I agree with you.

Would you tell someone with a broken bone to get over it?? Would you tell a diabetic to stop taking insulin once they felt better. No, it takes time to heal. The brain is an organ. Any illness if any organ must be treated according to medical best practise.

Depression is not cured permanently by mind over matter.

Macavity.

With regard to exercising, it releases feel good chemicals in the brain (BDNF as well as endorphins) which is why it is helpful for managing depression, it's not a cure however.

From my own experience I'm very skeptical of SSRIS. I know they have helped people and certainly have a place, but certain medical professionals are handing them out like they're going out of fashion, and I have to wonder what they are being told by the companies that produce them - it's a big money business.

FullblownRose

Hmm. I can see sup-dude's point, and speaking of best efforts, I know plenty of people who post about their depression on a daily basis on Facebook but pour scorn over the idea that anything could possibly alleviate let alone kill or cure it. While it can be hard to see the woods from the trees, if a person won't even entertain the idea of attempting anything that might have some chance of helping them then they're ensuring that they won't feel better. It seems like a self fulfilling prophecy. The same people would be very quick to let people know how debilitating their depression is and what a daily struggle they go through. And you cannot help or even discuss it for fear of being accused of having a ''Just snap out of it'' or 'Oh just cheer up'' attitude.

fryup

depression is so isolating, cause no one wants to be around someone who's sad and down in the mouth

its just not socially acceptable to be sad, you're just sneered at

"laugh and the world laughs with you

weep and you weep alone"

FullblownRose

fryup wrote: »

depression is so isolating, cause no one wants to be around someone who's sad and down in the mouth

its just not socially acceptable to be sad, you're just sneered at

"laugh and the world laughs with you

weep and you weep alone"

That's the difference between real friends and fair weather friends.

However if people are constantly being a friend to their depressed friend who never, ever thinks about how others are doing-even other depressed friends or friends who are struggling!- inevitably the support will trail off

InReality

FullblownRose wrote: »

Hmm. I can see sup-dude's point, and speaking of best efforts, I know plenty of people who post about their depression on a daily basis on Facebook but pour scorn over the idea that anything could possibly alleviate let alone kill or cure it. While it can be hard to see the woods from the trees, if a person won't even entertain the idea of attempting anything that might have some chance of helping them then they're ensuring that they won't feel better. It seems like a self fulfilling prophecy. The same people would be very quick to let people know how debilitating their depression is and what a daily struggle they go through. And you cannot help or even discuss it for fear of being accused of having a ''Just snap out of it'' or 'Oh just cheer up'' attitude.

Ah here.
Have you ever been depressed ? Its important for a depressed person to make themselves heard. And your not going to logic them out of their depression how ever much you think its the way to go. Its nothing to do with a self fulfilling prophecy.

Now the stats do bear out that a lot of people can get over depression completely ( i.e it does not reoccur ) - but usually that fact is not much use to a person in the midst of a depression.

edit - maybe your weren't talking about people with clinical depression , its one of the problems with the language we use in this are.

FullblownRose

InReality wrote: »

Ah here.
Have you ever been depressed ? Its important for a depressed person to make themselves heard. And your not going to logic them out of their depression how ever much you think its the way to go. Its nothing to do with a self fulfilling prophecy.

Now the stats do bear out that a lot of people can get over depression completely ( i.e it does not reoccur ) - but usually that fact is not much use to a person in the midst of a depression.

I didn't say it wasn't. Nor did I suggest logic-ing them out of it.

I didn't say depression IS a self fulfilling prophecy in itself. please try re reading.

TommieBoy

Maybe Mork has some insights... if not on depression, then loneliness...

Mork: This week I discovered a terrible disease called loneliness.

Orson: Do many people on Earth suffer from this disease?
Mork: Oh yes sir, and how they suffer. One man I know suffers so much he has to take a medication called bourbon, even that doesn't help very much because then he can hear paint dry.

Orson: Does bed rest help?
Mork: No because I've heard that sleeping alone is part of the problem. You see, Orson, loneliness is a disease of the spirit. People who have it think that no one cares about them.

Orson: Do you have any idea why?
Mork: Yes sir you can count on me. You see, when children are young, they're told not to talk to strangers. When they go to school, they're told not to talk to the person next to them. Finally when they're very old, they're told not to talk to themselves, who's left?

Orson: Are you saying Earthlings make each other lonely?
Mork: No sir I'm saying just the opposite. They make themselves lonely, they're so busy looking out for number one that there's not enough room for two.

Orson: It's too bad everybody down there can't get together and find a cure.

Mork: Here's the paradox sir because if they did get together, they wouldn't need one.

FullblownRose

[QUOTE=InReality;91697678

Now the stats do bear out that a lot of people can get over depression completely ( i.e it does not reoccur ) - but usually that fact is not much use to a person in the midst of a depression.

It might not be of much use but for some it might offer hope if/when they are able to proccess it. It's not as though it's a command, 'get better because other people have done so''. Or is that how it seems to you?

Murray007

Having experience of depression, I do think you have to live with it for life, accept that and manage it as well as you can.

I was diagnosed very young. I have had periods of chronic depression where it was obvious to everyone and I was treated with SSRIs. I never thought that they helped and in fact with one Seroxsat, which is now banned, I was at the closest to suicide that I have ever been.

What helps is recognising the triggers, exercise, group activities forcing socialising, achievement in study, work or sport. I describe myself as cycling madly along a narrow wall with a big drop on both sides. So long as I kept active and out there it works at staving off the problem without having to take meds. The difficulty is when there is a wobble or challenge in life, then it's hard to stop myself from slipping under. Most people now wouldn't suspect that I live with depression.

I have looked into ECT in the past as a possible permanent solution and wouldn't rule it out if I loose control of my illness at any time in the future.

I do believe it to be a life long condition once it takes hold of you.

Lisha

Best of luck murray007.
I really hope you win the battle. I really admire your attitude.

InReality

FullblownRose wrote: »

I didn't say it wasn't. Nor did I suggest logic-ing them out of it.

I didn't say depression IS a self fulfilling prophecy in itself. please try re reading.

Well sounds like your giving out or criticizing what people with depression do , and/or what their thought processes are.
What are you saying ?

Yester

mike_ie wrote: »

No offense, but if it were that easy to overcome depression, half of us here would be out jogging every morning. Part of dealing with depression is realising and accepting the fact that there isn't one easy solution, sad to say, and that it can't just be brushed away with exercise or similar

You can't 'kill' depression. The best one can do is to try to learn to deal with it, and to seek help with it if you can.




[edit]Hyperbole and a Half gives one of the best descriptions of depression that I have ever come across. Well worth the five minutes it takes to read it.

Adventures in Depression
Depression Part Two

Brilliant links!

FullblownRose

InReality wrote: »

Well sounds like your giving out or criticizing what people with depression do , and/or what their thought processes are.
What are you saying ?

Since not everyone with depression does, says or thinks exactly the same, of course I wasn't. There was no 'giving out'. For all you know I could be depressed myself. in which case would I not be criticising myself?

Murray007

FullblownRose wrote: »

[QUOTE=InReality;91697678

Now the stats do bear out that a lot of people can get over depression completely ( i.e it does not reoccur ) - but usually that fact is not much use to a person in the midst of a depression.

It might not be of much use but for some it might offer hope if/when they are able to proccess it. It's not as though it's a command, 'get better because other people have done so''. Or is that how it seems to you?

I am in those stats as someone who got over it as I have not sought treatment in some many years. I am not over it, I wake up every single morning and say to myself it's not going to get me today and hope to god it doesn't.

For the guys who say cheer up, you have no idea how chronic depression effects you. Apart from the mental numbness, the physical effects are incapacitating. I remember lying in bed one day and having to will each part of my body to move so I could get up and go to the toilet. I couldn't muster the energy to get my fingers to move, I had to ask a family member to help me up! I was on SSRIs at the time.

Shakespeare's Sister

I assume everyone knows anti depressants on their own is not enough of a treatment (if they're needed in the first place) but that doesn't change that they serve a vital purpose.

LizzieJones

When I start feeling down I take some St. John's Wort at bedtime. After a couple of days I feel right as rain again.

It has helped me for years.

Macavity.

Magaggie wrote: »

I assume everyone knows anti depressants on their own is not enough of a treatment (if they're needed in the first place) but that doesn't change that they serve a vital purpose.

The problem is some doctors are not honest (or perhaps misinformed) about these drugs and are dismissive of the possibility of side effects occurring. They understate the changes that these drugs can cause on both your body and mind, and from experience, I have been told contradicting information from different medical professionals - that's worrying to me.

Dermighty

ilovebiology wrote: »

In light of the sad death of Robin Williams, which was an apparent suicide, I decided to include a very good article which is very helpful with killing and preventing a relapse of depression. I hope this helps someone out there.

Thanks.

http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2014/01/15/3-ways-to-beat-depression-through-exercise/

I train Brazilian jiu jitsu 6 days a week upwards of 120 minutes a session and I still get depressed.

Exercise is good for depression if you don't exercise, I exercise more than most and it hasn't killed my depression.

There is no solution to depression except to keep living.