How do you cope with depression?

SOME DAYS ARE "WHAT I CALL" JUST TAKE A BREAK DAY. I MEAN TAKE A BREAK FROM THE DAY...IT MAY NOT WORK FOR SOME PEOPLE BUT IT HELPS ME. SINCE I HAVE SEVERE PAIN FROM ARTHRITIS AND OTHER THINGS, I STAY IN BED ALL DAY, IF I WANT TO. I PRAY, MEDITATE, TALK TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS ON THE PHONE, AND I THINK OF OTHER PEOPLE THAT ARE SO MUCH WORSE THAN ME. THE EXTRA BEDREST HELPS MY BODY AND MY MIND.

Yes on those days its really important to look after yourself. I call it my "grow seretonin days" or "mental health day". Minimise any stresses, phone off the hook, walk in the sunlight, seretonin foods....carbohydrates and bananas, an afternoon nap to increase short wave sleep, some red meat and dairy ( helps sleep too), play with my dogs, look at a fire, yoga.  Its really important to know when you are having..... or know your're going to have one of those days! Its also really important to write down what you will do because when you are having "one of those days" you usually can't think of anything which will help.

 What helps me get through a flare up is listening to MY Ipod with MY songs on it. It can be fun to (with just a little $) to add music that you don't have or ask other friends that have a playlist. I love putting on my earphones and before you know it I am rocking and rolling to my favorite tunes. An added benefit is that is does help me move (get exercise) that I would not normally get

I love that you are touching on this topic because my counselor and I have been talking about this a lot lately. I find that journaling helps with my stress and depression it is very therapeutic. I usually do this just before bed time so my mind doesn't race with all my stressors and make me depressed when I am trying to go to sleep.

Write a list of all the positive things in my life and remind myself that many people don't have these things.

i wish i could share some magic stratagy but i cant ive tried all that are posted here but cant find my thing so i usualy try to find people to talk to but never about how i feel cause guys dont understand and ive succesfully alienated all the women in my life.

When my depression kicks me I made a resolution to at least try to fight it. I look at the covered window in my room and say "Fight , Dena" then I open the curtains in all the rooms in the house and sit where the sun hits me. I hate the sun when I'm depressed but I know it's good for me. And yes, it helps. That's good enough for me.

D

Hi everyone,

I have suffered from depresssion since my early twenties, and like most sufferers, it just seems to flare up out of nowhere sometimes. Last year, though, was particularily bad for me. I was cheated on by someone I loved very much and this made me sink into a very bad depression. I didn't want to get up in the morning (sometimes I still don't).

I had to go to the doctor amd was prescribed valium and anti depressants. Theses did help a little.

To cope with it, especially when I have PMS also, I would do hte following:

Read a Spiritual book, watch funny films, dance or listen to music, take a nice long shower.  Order my favourite food. I have also bought things off e bay to cheer myself up as well. Taking a walk to clear my head can also be helpful. Getting enough sleep, and not drinking too much (as alcohol is a depressant) also seems to help. :)