How do you deal with depression??

Linda - posted on 07/24/2009

Checking with your Dr is always the safe thing to do first. I was blessed to have a strong support group through a Womens Bible Study through our church who would be encouraging and prayed for each other. I also enjoyed wallking and reading , what refreshes you? It is okay to have mommy time if you have someone you can trust to take your children for an hour or so, even if it's to go to the store for window shopping. Take care of yourself time passes quickly, enjoy the moments.

Susan - posted on 07/24/2009

Day-to-day. I have been diagnosed with severe depression since 1997. It's been a long tough road and you have good days and bad. I see a psychologist every 2 weeks now and I do take medications. They have helped me. Some may disagree and that is fine. See a physician/psychiatrist/psychologist. Some think you won't be able to talk. You will. You will find that strength. It consumed me to the point where it was stressful to my kids and family. But I was lucky, my kids helped me and did not pull away. It has never really gone away for me but now I know where to go and what to do. You will make it, trust, pray and find a Dr. as soon as you can. All the best and keep your head up.

Lisa - posted on 07/24/2009

Depression is a hard thing to deal with. I have been so depressed I was suicidal and hospitalized for it. Not a good thing to go through for me or my kids. If I had of dealt with it sooner then it wouldnt have gotten as bed. Most of us dont like to admit were depressed but sometimes it is an actual chemical imbalance in the brain. This type of depression determined by a dr. needs medication or it will only get worse. The first medication may not be the right one which is frustrating. Then u need to figure out the reason u r depressed and treat that with a shrink or counsilor. It may take some time but when you come out the other side it is worth all the hard work. Also dont allow the guilt to get to u, I did and it consumed me. I was so consumed that I wasnt there for my kids cause I was depressed, the truth is that if u do nothing about it then thats not the best thing for them. Good luck, I wish u and ur kids well, u will come through this.

Tabitha - posted on 07/24/2009

Erinn,

I am a mom of twins almost 2 and a 6 year old and I suffer from post pardum depression. My depression set in about 6 months after my twins were born. I probably had some depression with my oldest but never dealt with it. It finally went away. When depression set in with the twins it was diagnosed moderate to severe and my doctor put me on the lowest dose of meds to start off. It was not easy to talk to him about what I had been feeling but I did and it felt good that someone else knew about it besides my husband. I was concerned the meds would be addictive but he told me they are a non-dependent drug. Therefore you should be able to come off of them ok. He monitored me for awhile and we were both pleased with the results. I did try to come off of them but I was not ready for it. A little over a year later I noticed some of the same feelings I had at the beginning and realized I needed some more help. So I started some counseling and have had 5 or 6 sessions. She is wonderful and is trying to change my thought process when faced with the depressed thoughts. I have also increased my meds which has helped also. I finally feel like I am dealing with this. I couldn't have made it through this without my loving husband who has been very understanding, the meds and counseling. You may just need the meds or counseling or both but seek help. It is best to talk about this. No one talked to me about this and I think there are many ladies faced with this. Like I said it is not easy talking about this but you will feel so much better when you do. As a youth minister's wife I felt like I shouldn't be going through this and could put a smile on my face and no one would know. But I opened up to about 2 or 3 people, my husband and now the counselor and things are definitely better.

I know this was probably more info than you wanted but I feel at this moment I can share my story in hopes that it will help you or anyone else reading this. Feel free to ask my anything and I will help as best as I can or I can just listen if you need to vent.

Don't give up you will get through this.

Jeanne - posted on 07/24/2009

Depression can be serious. As a clinical nurse specialist in adult mental health nursing & a licensed clinical social worker (and a person who suffers from depression), I preach & teach that "mental health is a business, not a game"--a slogan from one of many self-help groups called "Recovery, International". I agree with many others, that seeing your doctor is an important first step. Some people fear taking medications such as antidepressants....I tell people, why live life at 50% when we can live life at 100%. But medication is only part of the story, if depression is a cluster of symptoms apart from some other physical cause (such as thyroid deficiency, etc.)--therapy, such as cognitive behavioral therapy, or even support from friends and self-help groups can be enormously validating! Check out (Dr. Daniel Amen who advocates diet, herbal and pharmaceutical remedies), and for starters....there are so many web resources to avail yourself of. Good luck!

Signe - posted on 07/24/2009

I personally am okay with medication. I wasn't before I began them, and I have had type of medication and dosage changed until it worked for me. I also sought the help of a counselor which definitely helped. I think the first step you need to take is to recognize the problem (which you have) and next-talk with your doctor--ob/gyn or general practitioner-whoever you trust. Don't go to someone you don't know or have never seen before.

Tara - posted on 07/24/2009

Seek medical help. I have no problems with anti-depressants but you do have to find the correct one and the right dosage so discuss the tx with dr on how a med is affecting you. If price of meds are a factor you can get a script from dr for generic and pick them up at walmart/walgreens for only about $9/mo. Seek counseling for they can also help not only with sessions but also with support group contacts, behavior modifactions that can be done at home. I have a history of PTSD, Bi-polar and depression associated with a chronic illness. But definately seek help before problems/situations arise.

Marcia - posted on 07/24/2009

I've suffererd from it for most of my life. I'd say find someone you can talk to, couselling or someone you trust that can be your sounding board. Write a journal, sounds silly but one counsellor got me to write down my feeling daily about what I felt, how it made me feeling writing about it, and then how I could make it a positive thing, and set myself a goal to make myself feel a bit better about it. It was a really good way to do it.



If it's for medical reasons, speak to a doc that could help. I'd stay away from antidepressants, been there done that. I was on them for 2 weeks should've been longer, but they made me much worse and I became a wreck for the 2 weeks, mega paranoid and scared and wouldn't leave the house. I took myself off them even though that was dangerous. I strongly believe in self help that doesn't include antidepressants after that experience.



If it's relationship wise, Relate are good and you pay what money you can afford to pay, but the best thing for relaxing is Acupuncture, it's the best thing in the world. Failing all that, you could see if there's any circles on here for it.



Hope that helps. Good luck, hugs.

Crystal Aka Niki - posted on 07/24/2009

It looks like you have two little ones. I have three under the age of five so I understand. I too went through depression. One thing you can do is take a deep breath and step away for a second. at night try and take a bath with no lights and just candles. Don't forget to enjoy the little things your children do and laugh sometimes when you want to just scream. Remember you are not alone and it is okay to cry. Just when you feel the need to cry try not to do it in front of the kids, it makes them confused. and remember just because you get up set or you cry or you get frustrated or if you are like me and things just don't go exactly like you planned.That does not make you a bad Mom. It never hurts to pray!!

Erica - posted on 07/24/2009

What type of depression? If it is post natal depression I have sought the help of my ob/gyn who recommend medication (which I am not a fan of). Overall when I suffer from mild depression I normally take St John's Wort. If I am having major depression I seek therapy and I prefer to speak to a therapist about why I am depressed rather than using medications. This is my personal preference.



I highly recommend seeking the help of your doctor for the best course of action for you and most of all talking about why you are depressed will help alleviate some of the sadness or other symptoms of depression.



All the best.