Exercise

 It took me years of fighting my depression before I finally tried exercise.  I was pretty certain it wouldn't help, but I wanted to lose weight anyway, and so I did.  I have found that walking gives me the time to go over things in my head, allowing me to understand things better.  This helps me overall.

The part I didn't think about when I started was that it would help with the anxiety that goes along with my depression as well.  There is a sense of well-being that is created when I spend 30 minutes outside walking and thinking,  That sense of accomplishment is a great help since I am now disabled and do not have a regular routine.  I continue to get that sense of achievement as I lengthen my walks every week.

Walking may not be the exercise for you, but whatever you choose might help.  It is especially helpful with anxiety.  Start out slowly.  Don't overdo it.  Feeling sore and tired doesn't help.  Get moving and reap the benefits.

Coping With Depression (Medications)

Cophg is not curing, but something that helps you through the rough times.  This can include things like watching your favorite comedian to playing with a pet (or three depending on how many you have). . However, more things can help you through  I was in therapy for almost two years before I agreed to try an antidepressant.  I was very hesitant to try pills.   Let's face it pills are for diseases of the body, and my problem was in my head.  I was so wrong.  Antidepressants help considerably if you find the right one.  It is a process of trying one, waiting a few weeks to see if the results are good, and if not trying another.  This may seem like it is not worth it, but it is.  

I have been on several different kinds, but I was lucky and found a good one.  For me, I felt better, but not extremely good.   It took yet another pill added to my antidepressant, to make me feel like a real human being.  The other pill changed my life.  It is a booster to the original medication and it works well.  Oh, I still have moments of depression, sometimes for a day or two at a time, but I get through them with less difficulty and come out of them more quickly.  If you haven't tried an antidepressant, you might want to consider it.  Giving the pills a shot won't hurt you.  If the results are good the first time tell your doctor and try a different one.  Don't get me wrong they do not cure depression.   What they do is lighten the feeling.  I'm not a doctor, but if antidepressants have been suggested to you by a professional I suggest you try them. 

Depression comes with accompanying problems.   Many, I'm told, who suffer from depression whether situational or major depressive disorder also suffer from anxiety and those attacks can be complicated.  My antidepressant also helps keep the anxiety down.  There are separate medications for that if needed..

Don't be hesitant to take your provider's advice.  You might find your world lightening up.

The Work of Getting Better

It has been a difficult time these past 5 months, but I am getting on track.  I know that a blog should be consistent, and that is the next part of myself I want to work on.  I have decided that I want to write and publish my blog every two weeks, and I am hoping that I can and will do it.  The hardest part is deciding on topics to write on, and that will take thought.  So, here goes the next installment.

The most absurd thing about dealing with major depressive disorder is how much you learn about yourself.  Being in a depressed state can make you want to do nothing,   I've spent years trying to live an ordinary life,  A life wherein I can think clearly and make decisions quickly instead of being lost in the fog of depression.  A life that moves along steadily and without major depressive episodes. I simply want to get through each day feeling like I matter.  

It is finally beginning to seem to take shape, and I think I'm coming into my own. The depression is still around and still causes me to question myself and to quickly jump on myself thinking I'm doing things wrong, but I come out of these times a  little more easily and with a desire to not make myself miserable.

I don't know about everyone else, but I have trouble getting the constant belittling of myself to ease up. I grew up in a place where I was constantly told how worthless I was. This continues today when I am telling myself these things. However, I know that it is my voice I hear, and I want it to stay quiet. I can say to myself that I am not worthless and I believe it most of the time now.

I have a fairly good support system in place now.  I have a very good friend who is supportive and can help me find my way back when I get lost in the depression.  That is very important.  My support group which includes her, is good.  Since I've never before had a support system, this has become extremely important to me.  It includes an ex-therapist, my former nurse, a great friend who is also a caseworker for me, and a dear friend.  These people can make me smile and tell me when I'm too hard on myself.  This helps, but does not completely relieve, my depression.  It has been a glorious adventure in getting better.

Major depressive disorder is not an easy disorder to deal with.  I am not severely depressed all the time.  I have some days and weeks that are better, but even better now with my support system in place.  I strongly believe in therapy to help as talking things out helps to air out problems and get another perspective on matters.  

If you are suffering from situational depression, only occasional depression, these tips will help as well. Situational depression can be caused by things such as divorce, a breakup, the loss of a loved one, loneliness, getting on in age, and others.  Things that cause situational depression can generally be overcome with help and work.  Like with major depression you must make yourself work on things that help, and listen to the advice given by professionals in the field.  

Work on getting better, and you might get a pleasant surprise.