Depression
- Thread starter Mr Deeds
- Start date
Something to take your mind off the latest snowstorm.
Maddie has an obscene body, I can look past the tats.
Maddie has an obscene body, I can look past the tats.
Depression is hard to understand, over-diagnosed and doesn't have a huge array of treatments right now with the pandemic.
First, depression can/should only be diagnosed after two solid straight weeks of depressive behaviours. As someone said, feeling sad is not depression. Depression is not being able to get out of bed. Not being able to shower, not being able to keep the dishes done, pay bills even with money in the account. Shit, a lot of times depression means not even being able to get yourself to a doctor.
I do believe in medications at the beginning. To help change the serotonin levels. That starts the road map to recovery. From there, when you can start to actually get out of bed, then you can start other treatments and therapies. From changing diet, to working out, to changing environment both home and work, investigating what is causing your personal depression. Not what “usually makes people depressed”
It takes a lot of self-reflection and hard work.
Mental illness is not cured by a pill. Pills can help. Especially for those who don't experience chronic depression or suffer from illnesses like bipolar. For those who are chronically depressed or suffer from bipolar disorder, they need medication daily for life. It is a chemical imbalance that is not able to be environmentally changed, but you can still live a much healthier and happier life using other treatments as well in combination to the medication.
Mood monitoring, daily journaling can really help. It allows you to reflect and help find possible triggers.
Group therapy - again hard now because of the pandemic but it is an awesome and underutilizedtreatmen.
Seeing a counsellor/therapist. Not a psychiatrist. They only do Medications and diagnosis. A therapist is the one that’s really going to help you with the emotional side of your illness. Many are doing skype/zoom sessions right now. Finding one that fits you is usually the biggest problem and people just give up trying. Always interview them on the first session. Then you can get into your troubles in the second visit.
Building a social network outside of SM. Being able to openly talk to friends and family about your illness makes a huge difference. However, this is a hard one. Not everyone has this.
Working on closure. Many people have open wounds from past relationships that never got closure. You don't have to get closure with the actual person involved but you need it and people often don’t realize how much. Letter writing works good here. If anyone wants a good template that can be helpful, PM me as I have a great one that works well.
Other substances - drugs and alcohol play huge rolls in mental illness. Not just because they impair you, but they can cause damage at work, in relationships and that cause more trouble that compounds. Some people are not affected by them, but you might be so look for that. Weed is a perfect example. For some it helps and for some it hinders and for a small few, it even causes the imbalance and leads to the actual depression.
Doing a lot of these in combination are what is really going to help. On top of the usual, go for walk, go to the gym, get a new hobby, start a new project, etc.
Sorry - long winded but I hope it helps some.
First, depression can/should only be diagnosed after two solid straight weeks of depressive behaviours. As someone said, feeling sad is not depression. Depression is not being able to get out of bed. Not being able to shower, not being able to keep the dishes done, pay bills even with money in the account. Shit, a lot of times depression means not even being able to get yourself to a doctor.
I do believe in medications at the beginning. To help change the serotonin levels. That starts the road map to recovery. From there, when you can start to actually get out of bed, then you can start other treatments and therapies. From changing diet, to working out, to changing environment both home and work, investigating what is causing your personal depression. Not what “usually makes people depressed”
It takes a lot of self-reflection and hard work.
Mental illness is not cured by a pill. Pills can help. Especially for those who don't experience chronic depression or suffer from illnesses like bipolar. For those who are chronically depressed or suffer from bipolar disorder, they need medication daily for life. It is a chemical imbalance that is not able to be environmentally changed, but you can still live a much healthier and happier life using other treatments as well in combination to the medication.
Mood monitoring, daily journaling can really help. It allows you to reflect and help find possible triggers.
Group therapy - again hard now because of the pandemic but it is an awesome and underutilizedtreatmen.
Seeing a counsellor/therapist. Not a psychiatrist. They only do Medications and diagnosis. A therapist is the one that’s really going to help you with the emotional side of your illness. Many are doing skype/zoom sessions right now. Finding one that fits you is usually the biggest problem and people just give up trying. Always interview them on the first session. Then you can get into your troubles in the second visit.
Building a social network outside of SM. Being able to openly talk to friends and family about your illness makes a huge difference. However, this is a hard one. Not everyone has this.
Working on closure. Many people have open wounds from past relationships that never got closure. You don't have to get closure with the actual person involved but you need it and people often don’t realize how much. Letter writing works good here. If anyone wants a good template that can be helpful, PM me as I have a great one that works well.
Other substances - drugs and alcohol play huge rolls in mental illness. Not just because they impair you, but they can cause damage at work, in relationships and that cause more trouble that compounds. Some people are not affected by them, but you might be so look for that. Weed is a perfect example. For some it helps and for some it hinders and for a small few, it even causes the imbalance and leads to the actual depression.
Doing a lot of these in combination are what is really going to help. On top of the usual, go for walk, go to the gym, get a new hobby, start a new project, etc.
Sorry - long winded but I hope it helps some.
Nicki Positano is cool, but I like my treat a little more bizarre. I promised to myself that, once this bullshit is over, I'm going to New Zealand and make a great big bowl of Spaghetti Carbonara for Nela. They better have guanciale in NZ.
She's so photogenic and sweet.
She's so photogenic and sweet.
OK not sure this is helpful but... in addition to the obvious (get some outdoor exercise, quit drugs/drinking and get more sleep)...
Fucking SPs actually helps. I mean we know one another (kinda, sorta) from this escort board. I'm way down from pre-COVID but even one every few weeks gives me something to look forward to and come down from.
It's more than sex - it's paying a woman to look at you in a certain way.
Also gobble down your jizz. It's inexplicably emotionally satisfying, at least for me...
Fucking SPs actually helps. I mean we know one another (kinda, sorta) from this escort board. I'm way down from pre-COVID but even one every few weeks gives me something to look forward to and come down from.
It's more than sex - it's paying a woman to look at you in a certain way.
Also gobble down your jizz. It's inexplicably emotionally satisfying, at least for me...
Having depression means more than just feeling blue — it can cause a range of symptoms, including sexual health problems. Both men and women can experience difficulties with initiating and enjoying sex because of depression.
Anxiety, low self-esteem and guilt are common causes of erectile dysfunction. These are all symptoms of depression, but such issues can also occur naturally with stress and age. Men are also more likely to lose interest in activities during depression. This could also mean that men might not find sex as appealing.
In men, antidepressants are directly related to impotence. Delayed orgasm or premature ejaculation may occur, too.
In both men and women, having troubles with sexual health can worsen feelings of worthlessness and other depression symptoms. This in turn can cause a vicious cycle of both worsening depression and sexual dysfunction.
Sexual desire is cultivated in the brain and sex organs rely on chemicals in the brain to promote libido as well as the changes in blood flow needed for the sexual act. When depression disrupts these brain chemicals, it can make sexual activity more difficult. This may be worse in older adults who already have occasional problems with sexual dysfunction.
It is also not just the depression itself that may interfere with sexual health. In fact, antidepressants — the most common forms of medical treatment for depression — can often have unwanted sexual side effects.
www.healthline.com
Anxiety, low self-esteem and guilt are common causes of erectile dysfunction. These are all symptoms of depression, but such issues can also occur naturally with stress and age. Men are also more likely to lose interest in activities during depression. This could also mean that men might not find sex as appealing.
In men, antidepressants are directly related to impotence. Delayed orgasm or premature ejaculation may occur, too.
In both men and women, having troubles with sexual health can worsen feelings of worthlessness and other depression symptoms. This in turn can cause a vicious cycle of both worsening depression and sexual dysfunction.
Sexual desire is cultivated in the brain and sex organs rely on chemicals in the brain to promote libido as well as the changes in blood flow needed for the sexual act. When depression disrupts these brain chemicals, it can make sexual activity more difficult. This may be worse in older adults who already have occasional problems with sexual dysfunction.
It is also not just the depression itself that may interfere with sexual health. In fact, antidepressants — the most common forms of medical treatment for depression — can often have unwanted sexual side effects.
Depression & Sex: How Depression Can Affect Sexual Health
For those affected, having depression means more than just feeling blue — it can cause a range of symptoms, including sexual health problems.
www.healthline.com
I have found giving myself daily, weekly, monthly and yearly goals help, sometimes even hourly goals. Some of my goals are to see my kid hit certain milestones, to see certain places and to master certain instruments. Daily goals could be to make an ultimate cake, bread, or batch of cookies (just make sure you have lots of flour and eggs). Dig into your imagination, close your eyes and just put everything to pen and paper. If need be put up a piece of paper on a wall you see every morning that says "You are loved. You are important. You are appreciated", because you are very much. If you are active physically try something new like power walking (not as easy as people think), your calves may dislike you for a while also. The thing is to find something that will keep your mind from going down a very dark path as that dark path can be very addictive. Another good thing to do is plan the ultimate week or weekend once this Covid crap is done. A week of fishing, horseback riding, boating, bonfires and jamming under the stars sounds just awesome don't ya think
.Big Hugs to you from a person who has battled TRD for way too long
I like this a lot. When I was really bad, off work, one thing I did that was very helpful was to make a list of goals, small and large, and promised myself to tick off at least one or two a day. So even on the shittiest days, I could look back at the end of the day and say I accomplished something, even if it was just a hike, tidying up my desk, or cooking something. When I was really bad, getting anything done, let alone anything mentally taxing at all (ie my whole job) was near impossible. I learned that the longer I went without any accomplishment, the deeper I sunk.I have found giving myself daily, weekly, monthly and yearly goals help, sometimes even hourly goals. Some of my goals are to see my kid hit certain milestones, to see certain places and to master certain instruments. Daily goals could be to make an ultimate cake, bread, or batch of cookies (just make sure you have lots of flour and eggs). Dig into your imagination, close your eyes and just put everything to pen and paper. If need be put up a piece of paper on a wall you see every morning that says "You are loved. You are important. You are appreciated", because you are very much. If you are active physically try something new like power walking (not as easy as people think), your calves may dislike you for a while also. The thing is to find something that will keep your mind from going down a very dark path as that dark path can be very addictive. Another good thing to do is plan the ultimate week or weekend once this Covid crap is done. A week of fishing, horseback riding, boating, bonfires and jamming under the stars sounds just awesome don't ya think
Big Hugs to you from a person who has battled TRD for way too long
As for the role of meds, that’s what gave me the bit of energy, motivation to get started, even on writing that list, or to start any task.
To give you an idea, most of day my stomach is in knots feeling like I'm going throw up wondering what the point of living is.
No depression.
I've managed to keep the balance between my lovely S.O. and my sweet student.
All quite well and good.
The one thing I do have to say: THANK GOD I NEVER MARRIED!
I'd be six feet under otherwise.
I've managed to keep the balance between my lovely S.O. and my sweet student.
All quite well and good.
The one thing I do have to say: THANK GOD I NEVER MARRIED!
I'd be six feet under otherwise.
I know I feel like that all the time. Lets hope, there will be some hope, soon
I can't say I'm depressed. Sometimes I may feel like I'm depressed, but I've had friends who have gone through way worse, so I'm pretty sure when I feel down, I'm just unhappy or sad. So while I emphasize, I can't relate to what depression feels like.
I'm a bit of an introvert, so this pandemic and the lockdowns haven't hurt me mentally very much. Actually on the bright side, I'm able to see my friends way more often. My best friends, before the pandemic, we would hang out maybe once a month. All 4 of us would usually hang out together maybe twice an year. But ever since the pandemic, we've been having virtual hangouts and games night once a week, and we haven't missed one since last March! I have two such weekly hangouts with two sets of friends, and that's really helped me mentally, I think.
I still feel like I've lost an entire year. I was starting to become more social, I wanted to be more social so I could meet that special someone, and with the pandemic that's become much, much harder. And in many ways, I feel like I've lost an entire year of my life.
Thankfully, my work has kept me busy, and I'm also thankful that I wasn't laid off like some of my colleagues last March.
I realize that since I haven't experienced depression, what helped me may not help someone who's going through it. One of my friends, a really good friend from university, has these "attacks" where he literally can't get out of his room. Before the pandemic I used to see him once an year, but I haven't heard from him in 18 months, despite trying to reach him.
And one last thing I'll say, utilize SPs! You pay for their time, and just a hug or a cuddle could help brighten your mood. As humans sometimes we just need that intimate connection. You can cuddle naked if you want! It had been a while since I had seen an SP, but then last fall it felt too long... In a 90 min session, maybe half hour was the actual act, and the rest of the time we were cuddling and talking. This SP was a well rated veteran, and to me she provided the same service as a therapist... Actually because she was naked, and we cuddled and kissed, it was way better bang for buck!
And now with the shorter days and seasonal "depression", I really want to see a SP again, and so I'm browsing these forums to decide who I should see next. Not that there was anything wrong with the one I saw last fall and I'm sure she's still working, but felt I'd try someone different!
Anyways, just my two cents on the topic. I hope you all feel better soon who are going through tough times!
I'm a bit of an introvert, so this pandemic and the lockdowns haven't hurt me mentally very much. Actually on the bright side, I'm able to see my friends way more often. My best friends, before the pandemic, we would hang out maybe once a month. All 4 of us would usually hang out together maybe twice an year. But ever since the pandemic, we've been having virtual hangouts and games night once a week, and we haven't missed one since last March! I have two such weekly hangouts with two sets of friends, and that's really helped me mentally, I think.
I still feel like I've lost an entire year. I was starting to become more social, I wanted to be more social so I could meet that special someone, and with the pandemic that's become much, much harder. And in many ways, I feel like I've lost an entire year of my life.
Thankfully, my work has kept me busy, and I'm also thankful that I wasn't laid off like some of my colleagues last March.
I realize that since I haven't experienced depression, what helped me may not help someone who's going through it. One of my friends, a really good friend from university, has these "attacks" where he literally can't get out of his room. Before the pandemic I used to see him once an year, but I haven't heard from him in 18 months, despite trying to reach him.
And one last thing I'll say, utilize SPs! You pay for their time, and just a hug or a cuddle could help brighten your mood. As humans sometimes we just need that intimate connection. You can cuddle naked if you want! It had been a while since I had seen an SP, but then last fall it felt too long... In a 90 min session, maybe half hour was the actual act, and the rest of the time we were cuddling and talking. This SP was a well rated veteran, and to me she provided the same service as a therapist... Actually because she was naked, and we cuddled and kissed, it was way better bang for buck!
And now with the shorter days and seasonal "depression", I really want to see a SP again, and so I'm browsing these forums to decide who I should see next. Not that there was anything wrong with the one I saw last fall and I'm sure she's still working, but felt I'd try someone different!
Anyways, just my two cents on the topic. I hope you all feel better soon who are going through tough times!
I truly believe SPs should be considered essential workers. It's unfortunate though that many will shame them for working during this pandemic. While people stay home and feel some moral superiority saving lives, providers are in many cases literally preventing people from blowing their brains out. Human touch is magical.
I agree with the above statement.
Although I've made a prison out of my home due to Covid - 19. I was shocked when I had to make a service run, everything was deserted. Thankfully Tim Dillon is around.
Although I've made a prison out of my home due to Covid - 19. I was shocked when I had to make a service run, everything was deserted. Thankfully Tim Dillon is around.
