Depression

[Keldorai]

It's really weird. I know it's there, I know I suffer from it, but Major Depression sometimes feels like nothing. Sometimes I feel it's all in my head and I'm just upset because X said Y and Z is making me sad.

But 4 months ago things changed in my life to where depression suddenly just has ultimate control over me. I quit my job, skipped college classes, and basically became everything the ambitious, smart, and charming college freshman 3 years ago said he would not become.

<REMOVED>

My hope to get out of this is: what's your experience with any mood, behavioral, or psychological disorder? Have you conquered it? And how?

[Goblin Cat 😸]

My advice with anything like this is first and foremost, seek a professional. Not just any professional, but a professional that works for you. Not all therapists or therapy works. There's no one answer. Mental illness is not an easy thing to work with and takes a balance of therapy and medication, and an individualized assessment of both. It also takes a lot of practice and consistency.

Having said this, I think it's also important to know that living with depression or anything of the like will be constantly working. I suffer from bipolar disorder and I constantly have to work through it. Medication helps with the chemistry of my brain and therapy helps me cope with mood swings and cycling. I wouldn't say that I've conquered being bipolar, as I don't think it's possible to conquer or cure something like a personality disorder, but therapy and medication has certainly helped me deal with it better and learn to live with it.

Hope that helps.

[Remo The Sponge Guppy]

It's really weird. I know it's there, I know I suffer from it, but Major Depression sometimes feels like nothing. Sometimes I feel it's all in my head and I'm just upset because X said Y and Z is making me sad.

But 4 months ago things changed in my life to where depression suddenly just has ultimate control over me. I quit my job, skipped college classes, and basically became everything the ambitious, smart, and charming college freshman 3 years ago said he would not become.

<REMOVED>

My hope to get out of this is: what's your experience with any mood, behavioral, or psychological disorder? Have you conquered it? And how?

I myself have suffered from chronic depression for many years, though it typically hits me when I find myself alone. Though I haven't done this myself (I've never wanted to), I would suggest you find someone to talk to. Someone that will listen and encourage you, professional and otherwise. Stay around friends, in good company you may find yourself experiencing more "in-the-moment" emotions, and stay in a good mental state. Just don't sink in it and dwell, that just makes it worse. Know that people care (including me, and I don't even know you  ).

[moonwolf101]

I'm going through the same thing you are. Just stick with those you trust and be yourself. That's all I can really say, sorry.

[Oanta]

 Disclaimer: I am not a licensed Psychologist.  I do have a bachelors in psychology and a masters in Forensic Mental Health.  That being said, it is still best to see a professional psychologist who may have ideas that are more pertinent to your situation.  Now that’s out of the way, here is what I know.
Depression is a mental illness that affects one’s thoughts, feelings, behavior, physical health, activity and sleep patterns.  This is caused by a chemical imbalance in the brain.  The fact that it is a chemical imbalance is good for several reasons.
1)      Depression is not your fault.  The fact that it is caused by a chemical imbalance means that it will happen just like the color of your hair or eyes.
2)      Since we know the cause, we can do things about it to help.  This list is not in any particular order.
a.       Medication.  Different types of medication will affect different chemicals of the brain so it may take some time to find the right medication for you.
b.      Socialize.  Hanging out with people that you care about and that care about you will increase your mood.  It also could allow you to try new things which could be fun.
c.       Exercise.  When you exercise, it releases Dopamine in the brain.  Dopamine is the “feel good” chemical of the brain.  Therefore, if you exercise you start to feel better.
d.      Eating right.  This one is a little trickier because you don’t see the effects as quickly.  If you eat right, your body starts working better and can start to feel better overall. 
3)      Most of all, because it is a chemical imbalance, you are not alone.  There are many people with a mental illness and clinical depression is one of the most highly diagnosed mental illness. 
Here are some links to websites with more information
u  http://makeitok.org/
u  https://www.nami.org/
u  http://ok2talk.org/
u  https://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml
u  http://www.apa.org/
 
 

[drakewithout]

i got on trazadone a long time ago, and the with drawl of quitting gave me depression, they say it will take a year for my body to be back to normal in terms of hormones

[Oanta]

Trazadone is one of those pills that has several different things that it's prescribed for.  The main reason that it could be prescribed is sleep.  The normal dose is 50mg but I have seen 100mg and even 200mg for one person.  Another reason that it could be prescribed is depression itself.  Not as common but sometimes it helps.  On a side note, it can also be given to people that have very high sex drives and it decreases it to a manageable level, especially in those whose fetishes are against the law (i.e. pedophilia, beastiality, exhibitionism, etc.)

All of this I have learned in my two years as a direct support professional in group homes.  The side note I learned for one of my papers in Forensic Mental Health. 

i got on trazadone a long time ago, and the with drawl of quitting gave me depression, they say it will take a year for my body to be back to normal in terms of hormones

Any medication you take will have its withdrawal symptoms.  The doctor that prescribed it to you should know what those are and decrease it slowly enough so that it's not a huge shock on your body.

[drakewithout]

new doctor

[Oanta]

Okay. As I have said, I'm no psychiatrist so definitely talk to your doctor about how the medication or lack of medication is making you feel. It can be hard to be completely open to someone but the doctor will be able to help you more I'd they have more info to go off of.

In the end, it's your body and your life so you can make the choices that affect you and your body. You can even tell me I'm an idiot and I won't be offended because if you feel a certain way, then that is how you feel.

[drakewithout]

I have been clinicly diagnosed with depression.
what more do you want?
a blood test?

[Oanta]

I apologize. I did not mean to give offense. My knowledge feels less than helpful outside of my job so any chance I can get to help someone I try to take it, but I don't want to force it on someone if they don't want it.