coping

[violette bijoux valentine <3]

what are some of your coping skills ?
do you have any (yet) ?
does anything seem to work when you feel like you're at a very low point & cannot continue...

[pink pearl]

i've been dealing with chronic depression for a very long time - most of my life. It has been a struggle to figure out what to do when the depression symptoms become unbearable. When I say "unbearable", I do really mean that.

I know that everyone's depression feels different because we are all unique individuals. What helps one person, may not help another. But sharing ideas & experiences may encourage someone to try doing something different.

For me, it's especially difficult to focus when I am feeling really horrible (with the depression).

Sometimes it may help to:
1. get out in nature (or look out the window or at photos or pictures)
2. take a walk
3. watch a cartoon
4. talk with a friend or friends (even if you don't particularly feel like it)...via phone, text, or in person
5. write your thoughts down (on paper or electronically)
6. accomplish some small task (or start a larger project, but maybe begin with something simple & do-able)
7. polish toes/nails
8. take a shower (or bath) - sometimes this can be refreshing
9. clean/polish/tidy something(s) - I know that probably sounds weird, but doing stuff around my home has sometimes given me the feeling of accomplishing something, which then ...doesn't lift the depression, but perhaps makes it a little more bearable

I understand that when one is really feeling miserable, that it can sound ridiculous to try and get stuff done or to attempt to focus on anything.

Depression can rob us of so many "things". One of those "things" for me is "zest for life".

[magenta]

This could be really bad or be somewhat addictive for some, but sometimes I like to shop when I'm feeling upset & in a really bad way. It doesn't really help & is just a distraction. When I get home, I have a shopping bag or 2 with a new outfit or shoes or whatever, but it doesn't really make me feel any better.

But of course many times the shopping trips are really errand-running , & that kind of feels good because it feels like i'm accomplishing items on my list.

Escaping doesn't work, but sometimes I think that it saves me from just giving up. "Escaping" can be anything like reading, watching something on tv, even taking a walk or organizing something in a cupboard or drawer.

Actually one of the things that does really help is talking or writing about whatever is going on (inside of my head or heart). But I have to push myself to do that.

Don't have the answers here - just sharing...

[pink pearl]

 
Yes, accomplishments. I agree. Very important, but can absolutely be challenging.

At times it's excruciating, but every day I get up (quite early) & just begin doing things:
stuff around my home
getting myself ready for the day (clothes, etc.)
laundry/ironing/sewing
tidying/organizing/cleaning/whatever needs to be done
working (office)
etc................

I'm definitely not telling anyone to do the same because certainly not everyone is going to be able to do that (at first, or without additional assistance). I make myself do those things, even when I'd rather run far far away &/or just be dead.

I pray a lot.

[orange popsicle]

I've experienced depression when the symptoms are quite severe and debilitating. When it feels like that, it's almost impossible to feel what I would call "normal". 

When I'm not feeling the depression as much, I usually don't struggle as much in seeing humor in everyday stuff, even in screw-ups, difficulties, minor inconveniences, major episodes of whatever sort, etc. However, when I am more acutely depressed and having difficulties in just carrying on with my normal everyday life, my sense of humor or lightheartedness is locked away - far farrrr away in some secret locked drawer. 

I observe other people (out in the world, in stores, on television, wherever) & wonder how they can be so happy and sometimes even perky. I mean, maybe they are happy, maybe they're struggling just like me - not sure. In any case I find myself wishing that I could locate my normal contented relaxed happier self.

And then sometimes I just accidentally (magically almost) think of something silly or somewhat humorous (truly a total accident in these cases), & I might say something aloud to someone or not. Don't know where I find that "place", but it kind of saves me in a way.

Also, each day I try to take part in at least some of the things that I'm "supposed" to enjoy, or have enjoyed in the past. Sounds odd I know, but I have to kind of force myself to be involved in more positive tasks. Even if those tasks are part of mundane daily routine jobs around the house. I try to point my thoughts in a more positive direction.

Not easy.

[pink pearl]

I prefer to feel (somewhat) in control of my life. It doesn't really happen that way though.

There is no one single magical answer to "coping with depression". Wish that there was.

It seems that those horrible agonizing feelings are always sort of hovering in the wings, always prepared to spontaneously reappear in one's head and in one's thinking. Infiltrates the mindset.

Maybe coping is an ongoing process - day to day, one moment at a time, learn as we go, pray a lot...

[orange popsicle]

One of the symptoms that I experience quite often is the feeling that I am going to go crazy if I don't get a lot done.

Yet, it's difficult to focus or concentrate on certain types of tasks. Reading is way challenging. Even watching something slightly mindless on television takes a lot of effort.

It's a feeling of being bored, restless, and frustrated.

For me, it's excruciating.

[magenta]

I just began a topic about the fact that there is a lot of stigma attached to those people who are battling depression. And with regard to coping skills, part of dealing with our depression is oftentimes having to choose whether or not to share what we are going through (depression symptoms) with others.

Many people (usually those who have not been depressed) simply do not understand it. Some think (& even state aloud) that depression is something that can be "snapped out of".

Actually I do believe that there are many thought processes that we can think about and even work on incorporating. Making even small adjustments in some of our thinking habits can be beneficial in helping us better deal with life, and life with depression.

[orange popsicle]

Just an idea...

I enjoy sewing and even mending or altering clothes, so I want to suggest the idea of talking yourself into doing something (starting very small of course) that you used to appreciate doing.

For me, it can sound almost laughable to try to engage in an activity, even though I have liked doing it (in the past). When I feel especially down, I have a difficult time "doing" even though I feel anxious, nervous, antsy, agitated, and rather bored.

Sometimes when I do stuff, even in spite of feeling like not doing anything at first, I can then at least begin to feel a little bit better (believe it or not).

The most difficult part of this entire exercise is initiating the "doing".