STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

fairywings · Dooney & Bourke

Things to fight depression...what do you do?

Sibeski · Dooney & Bourke

Good for you for reaching out, you should be proud of yourself for being proactive. I'm not much help in the true-depression area though. I suffered from PPD after Bug was born (baby #2). I didn't do anything other than suffer and looking back now - that was so stupid. I was too proud to ask for help.
Here are the suggestions I do have:
Ask for help, seriously. Try and stay connected to the joy, even the smallest, that you do have. Look for it you have to. Personally, running seems to help me when I'm feeling blue. Again, that's just blue, not depression. Please take care of yourself first and foremost.

Boots · Gucci

I'm very sorry to hear that you're having problems, but I'm glad that you're willing to take steps to head off your depression.

Exercise has always helped me. It not only keeps your body healthy, it helps to relieve stress. Plus, it's a great way to get a little "me" time. I personally prefer to exercise alone. I like to put on my Ipod and block out the world for 45 minutes. You can let your mind wander or just enjoy the music. Exercise gives you mood lifting endorphins, that wonderfully smug feeling that you are taking care of yourself, and some good old fashioned solitude.

If you suspect that your depression is worse than just a temporary thing, maybe you might want to look into some counseling sessions? Sometimes it really helps to talk about your problems with somebody who you are 100% sure is not going to judge you or try to fix your problems. One of my best friends went into counseling after her brother died and routinely goes in for "check ups" when she can feel the depression start to set in. It has helped her tremendously.

-- Edited by Boots on Thursday 12th of November 2009 01:27:28 PM

Collette · Chanel

If you truly feel you are suffering from the depression the best thing for you to do is seek help from a professional. True depression is a chemical imbalance and can be treated. I suffer from deep depression and anxiety. Getting medical help has helped me.

Aurora · Marc Jacobs

I have been fighting depression for a long while. I finally discussed things with my doctor again and I am taking a prescription medication and starting counseling sessions next month. I just have not been able to pull myself out this time.

In the past some things that have really helped that I have been trying again lately are:
going outside - just sitting in the sun or walking around a park can really make a huge difference in your mood
exercising - same thing getting up and out and moving around - I started couch to 5k to make myself go to the gym 3 times each week.

I've also heard journaling can help and making to-do lists if you have stress induced depression.

Yana · Dooney & Bourke

Ladies, what a scary post to find out how many of us are affected by depression. I never seek help although i know I should....Anyhow, talk it out with the professional. Depends on what exactly the reason is, there might be a way to eliminate the reason, which is the core of your situation. Distracting things like exercising, lunches with girlfriends, shopping, talking to someone close to sort out things, taking an interesting class/hobby...I do recommend things I don't do myself, but I wish I did/could do. Feel better! let us know how you're doing.

Suasoria · Chanel

Talk to girlfriends, so I can listen to their problems for a while.

Talk to my mother, not because she makes me feel better, but so I can muse on how f'ed up she is. This is very motivational.

Yoga, meditation, good books, housework, baking.

I confess I don't have any "stay in bed all day in blackness" times, because my blackness behaves differently. Mine wants to be nurtured with martinis and reruns of What Not to Wear.