Depression

[Dynamite2013]

I have always had depression ever since my ex-husband used to beat me. I have learned through the years that doing fun things and laughing a lot helps me not be depressed. plus I play many games on facebook that keep me from thinking about my past life. I also have a great husband who understands and we get along fine. It is almost our 25th anniversary and we celebrate may different ways. and when we disagree we pull out the water pistols and start squirting each other. Stress also causes depression in me anyway and that relieves it. I hope this helps you. I also stay away from programs that remind me of my past.

[countrygirl12]

To people suffering from depression, know that you can always remember that you can get help and there is someone there that you can talk to.

Actually, this is not true.  There is not always someone there that a person can talk to.  And not everyone can afford to go to the doctor. And doctor's don't always keep stuff a secret either.

[countrygirl12]

Patience and support. Keep remembering that the person with depression has no control over it because it is an illness just like any other illness. Encourage them to get help and be there for them. It's so hard to deal with because we feel so powerless to help.

I do know and believe depression is very real.  But I do not believe it is an illness or a disease.

[pieswinger]

  I get depressed all the time or when I think back of something that I remember or something that happened sometime I just try to forget it and listening to music will help

[debidoo]

Well, since my hubby of 34 years passed 1 1/2 years ago I have struggled with it on a daily basis.  I try to pray a lot because just personally for me, I believe that there is a plan for my life and I have to go on for my sons.  There are some herbal remedies but I have never gotten around to trying them.  Best of luck to you - I hope you find the answer to your struggles.

[silentescape]

Just be happy.

That is a really insensitive thing to say. You can't "just be happy" when you're depressed. Depression is an actual mental illness that is very serious and very difficult to deal with. It affects people emotionally, mentally, and physically. If it were that easy to "just be happy", no one would be battling depression in the first place.

[tuyetmai]

I don't know.  I'm on it for years now.  I hope there were a way out of it.

[inertia4]

I suffer from major depression. I see a therapist every week. It seems to help me. I won't take meds because I am afraid I will either become addicted or kill myself. So, therapy is my choice.

[alaskakaren]

I would say try to keep busy.  I've just started going to therapy.  I try and not say im depressed...because it would only make it worse...but I probably am depressed.  good luck...its tough.

[camellia0]

I believe counseling is the best way to deal with this. We all can't keep things bottled in and I believe it's good to talk to someone that is of no relation.

[metagameface]

A lot of people don't understand what depression is, and I think one of the best things for someone suffering it can do is to make sure the people in their life have a good idea of just what it is they're going through. People who care about you will want to support you, and this can only make them better at doing so.

To that end, I recommend sharing Allie Brosh's posts about her own depression with your loved ones.
(Part One)
(Part Two)

Depression affects people differently, and I'm not saying your experiences will have been exactly like hers, but speaking personally I found my experiences to have enough in common with hers that I found her writing and drawings to be extremely valuable (and also really funny, if in a dark sorta way). Part Two in particular is great for conveying the very important difference between being depressed and being sad, and I wish I could make everyone in the world read it.

They also helped me understand I wasn't alone in what I'm dealing with, and to think more clearly about my own depression by having something to compare it to.

[tzs]

Depression is one of the hardest things to explain to your friends.  I am going through this right now and one of my neighbors who became a close friend does not get why I just don't come over as much anymore.  Sometimes when it hits me hard,  I need some space and his interpretation of it is that I don't want to "hang out" with him and his girl anymore. I've tried to let him know what I'm going through but he comes back at me negatively, which I really do not need because it doesn't help.  What makes it worse is that our kids play and go to school together.  When I am depressed and I feel like I am being judged, I tend to keep to myself, which in turn keeps me away.  Depression really jacked up my life.