Depression

[User Name]

The belief that we must be carried by others through depression,sobriety, what have you is probably a result of the society we live in. It wasn't originally implied but actually it's very Christian.

And how is that specific to Christianity?

 

[Infinitum]

I've been struggling with various levels of depression since around 2005. The advice Adramelek gave are a really good start, but I'd like to add recognizing and attempting to change faulty thought patterns. It's easy for the brain to fall into emotional fallacies, like "no one really likes me". It takes lots of strength to free yourself from them and find the inner happiness during times of crisis.

I came to the conclusion it just takes too much of my mental energy to keep rolling on my own, so I'm on a mild medication nowadays. It doesn't make my life any less complicated or stressing, but it softens the blows and falls I would normally experience. I think that simply the trust in having someone or something to catch you if you fall makes it a lot easier to climb upwards on the emotional ladder.

 

[Adramelek]

I've been struggling with various levels of depression since around 2005. The advice Adramelek gave are a really good start, but I'd like to add recognizing and attempting to change faulty thought patterns. It's easy for the brain to fall into emotional fallacies, like "no one really likes me". It takes lots of strength to free yourself from them and find the inner happiness during times of crisis.

I came to the conclusion it just takes too much of my mental energy to keep rolling on my own, so I'm on a mild medication nowadays. It doesn't make my life any less complicated or stressing, but it softens the blows and falls I would normally experience. I think that simply the trust in having someone or something to catch you if you fall makes it a lot easier to climb upwards on the emotional ladder.

Infinitum brings up some good points here. I too have struggled with varying degrees of depression off and on all my life. For about 14 years now I have been taking a mild anti-depressent and it does help to keep me more balanced emotionally.

When I was a lot younger I used to let feelings of not being liked by others get to me. Though, as I've gotten older I have come to realize that it really doesn't matter anymore. I have my circle of true friends and loved ones, and whether anybody else doesn't understand me, or dislikes me I really don't give a s...! I Am That I Am, and that is all I aspire to Be, not what I think others might want me to be. Either one likes, loves, hates, or admires you for who/what you really Are. Now that is real freedom.

Xeper.
/Adramelek\

 

[LuminaRosa]

I was told twenty-odd years ago that I have manic depression. The latest gimmick is to call is bipolar disorder. I consider it an innate rebelliousness at how demented these fine Christian lives we're supposed to live (even atheist buy into it) really are.

I became a vegan, began a meditation practice, and work only enough to get by. I get out into nature as much as I can. I've learned to relate to the hidden sadness and despair of 'normal' people, and to seek out the company of 'weirdos' wherever possible.

I haven't had an 'episode' in a lonnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnng time. BUT I know how black depressions can get. There are no quick fixes - drugs are useless unless you like sleeping a lot... which can sometimes help so don't totally rule them out. There's nothing wrong with needing to escape now and again. This life is HARD.

I believe in the Judaeo-Christian god as a psychic reality (Jungian concept), and that I can relate to this reality as an abused child might - which is to blame myself in order to preserve a sense of benevolence in the universe; or I can decide that god is a psychopath and that I'm with the 'fallen' and 'disobedient' angels... which has helped heal me immensely over the years...

I had NO idea there were such creatures Luciferians

I'm really grateful you folks are out there.

And I absolutely wish you safe passage through the darkness!

 

[Shadow Wolf]

I was told twenty-odd years ago that I have manic depression. The latest gimmick is to call is bipolar disorder. I consider it an innate rebelliousness at how demented these fine Christian lives we're supposed to live (even atheist buy into it) really are.

Bipolar Disorder has nothing to do with one's religion; it is a chemical imbalance in the brain that causes uncontrollable episodes of mania and depression. An emotional roller coaster is how those who I've known with it describe it. Regardless of one's religious beliefs or upbringing, if the conditions are right it can happen just because it happens.
However, your handling of it seems to have worked, which cannot be questioned.

 

[LuminaRosa]

Bipolar Disorder has nothing to do with one's religion; it is a chemical imbalance in the brain that causes uncontrollable episodes of mania and depression. An emotional roller coaster is how those who I've known with it describe it. Regardless of one's religious beliefs or upbringing, if the conditions are right it can happen just because it happens.
However, your handling of it seems to have worked, which cannot be questioned.

:cover: you might want to check out the beyondmeds website

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Yes, I've suffered from severe debilitating depression and anxiety for much of my life at this point (I'm 23). It has gotten so bad that I'm not able to leave the apartment by myself the vast majority of the time. I am mostly a shut in. I'm not able to work, either.

But I'm going to start therapy again in about 2 weeks. I don't have health insurance or money so it took years for me to finally be able to get into a mental health program. I haven't had proper therapy since I was a teen so I'm keen to start the process again. I am on antidepressant and I can say that it's helped some. I'm on about the highest dosage for that particular medication. I'm not as depressed or suicidal as I have been before and my severe depressed episodes are not as bad or frequent as they were before.

 

[nash8]

Yes, I've suffered from severe debilitating depression and anxiety for much of my life at this point (I'm 23). It has gotten so bad that I'm not able to leave the apartment by myself the vast majority of the time. I am mostly a shut in. I'm not able to work, either.

But I'm going to start therapy again in about 2 weeks. I don't have health insurance or money so it took years for me to finally be able to get into a mental health program. I haven't had proper therapy since I was a teen so I'm keen to start the process again. I am on antidepressant and I can say that it's helped some. I'm on about the highest dosage for that particular medication. I'm not as depressed or suicidal as I have been before and my severe depressed episodes are not as bad or frequent as they were before.

Have you tried meditation before?, that is what saved me from my bouts of depression

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Have you tried meditation before?, that is what saved me from my bouts of depression

I was prescribed medication as a teen but I didn't really take them because I was against medication at the time. My views have since changed (obviously).

 

[1137]

I was prescribed medication as a teen but I didn't really take them because I was against medication at the time. My views have since changed (obviously).

Meditation, not medication haha.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

Meditation, not medication haha.

Meditation can certainly help, but it's not a cure. Neither is medication, by itself. You need a range of strategies to combat depression.

 

[Knowledge Gourmet]

I think it's worth noting there is a difference between depression and unhappiness.

I once heard a psychiatrist say that if a 5,000$ check or a new girlfriend would fix your problem then you aren't depressed--you're unhappy.

I am merely unhappy, but I'm working hard to change that!

 

[nash8]

Meditation can certainly help, but it's not a cure. Neither is medication, by itself. You need a range of strategies to combat depression.

What type of meditation do you use the most? I have found that the type of meditation is just as important as the meditation being done. It's kinda akin to giving someone blood pressure medicine when they have stomach problems.

 

[Saint Frankenstein]

What type of meditation do you use the most? I have found that the type of meditation is just as important as the meditation being done. It's kinda akin to giving someone blood pressure medicine when they have stomach problems.

Citalopram (Celexa) is the only medication I'm on.

 

[desideraht]

I have severe depression. It started about 9 years ago (when I was 14). I suffer from suicidal ideation. I used to be a chronic cutter, and would cut everyday. I quit for a while, but started again. I also drink a lot to cope. I have a lot of pent up anger as well...

I started meds again recently and it's sort of helping... but I know I need therapy. I'm seeing someone about that on lucky Friday the 13th! I hope good things are in store for Me...

My biggest issue right now is my ex dumped Me out of the blue without explanation and basically completely abandoned Me. It really destroyed Me and he blocked me (he lives about 4 hours away, but we'd see each other every week) and doesn't give a f*** what happens to Me. I shouldn't care what he thinks but I do. I am nothing to him and was never anything to him, and it kills me. I've had suicidal and violent thoughts about it. I even, though I am ashamed to admit this, thought about pouring acid in his face, because he's so handsome and uses his looks to get away with s***... I know I'd never really do that, but I really, REALLY wanted to. Like I fantasised about it, then felt horrible about Myself afterwards and cut My thighs. I also wanted to hang Myself from his balcony. If I killed Myself, I wanted the police to be investigating him and s***. I would put his fully name and social security and everything in My suicide letter because I'd want them on his s***... ugh. Such a vengeance. And Satanism DOES tell Me to get revenge on him, but it's been over 2 months. The steam has died, and for Me to appear out of the blue seeking blood is just a few pegs past insanity...

I know the best revenge is success. I know the best revenge is proving I can be happy without him and find a much better man (btw, I'm gay and transgender which makes s*** more complicated). I KNOW that's the best revenge, but depression bites Me out of nowhere at random. It's getting better... I'm not drinking EVERY night anymore and I'm starting to do other s***... Getting into Satanism is part of that. I am seeking that Self-empowerment as well as Self-worship and Self-love. And I want to be selfish and responsible. -I- want to be the forbidden fruit, instead of being convinced that My ex was the forbidden fruit. He was just a washed up idiot. I fell in love with an idiot.

I've written so many angry letters to/about him, and then burned them all... Ugh. So much anger...

Ways to overcome depression:
1. Stay active
2. Bathe every day
3. Stay inspired
4. Cultivate and develope your talents.
5. Surround yourself with things that inspire you.
6. Surround yourself with or at least keep in regular contact with those friends who know and understand you.
7. Don't be a hermit. Enteract with the world.
8. Just be you, don't concern yourself with those who might dislike you.
9. Remember - without purpose the force of mind must fail.

Xeper.
/Adramelek\
Gnothi seauton!

This is a good list. I'm struggling with 4. Like I am inspired but I never follow through and carry out my inspirations. I lose confidence. I want to write music and compose. I need to get a digital synthesiser... I want to do vocals but have nowhere to record, so I'll probably just start instrumental. I think I'll take off and start really doing **** when I'm back in school this Spring... That's the soonest I can get the student aid.

I've also been very much a hermit but I'm getting a transit pass this month so I can finally go out and do stuff and see people. x)

 

[Luke Morningstar]

Thanks for the inspiration Q. Any other left hand path walkers here suffer from depression or exist in close proximity to it? Awful thing to have to live with yes, and many would love you to believe you can only deal with it through drugs and counseling. Probably a product of the pathetic and lazy world we live in that loves self victimization (goes hand and hand with AA and such admitting things are out of our control).

Dude, what? Why are you getting all dogmatic, deciding what's good, what's bad, what's pathetic, what's lazy. I'll tell you why it's awesome for me.

I suffered from depression for over two decades of my life. Maybe you could tackle yours without help from anyone or anything but your path, but I am completely transformed after years of therapy and a few months of medication. My eyes were blown open once I learned how to master my depression and keep it from destroying me. Something I could only do once I gained the power to climb out of the pit.

There is nothing lazy or victimizing about therapy or medication. There's just a bunch of opportunistic and lazy humans who end up in those fields - just like any other field. Do you avoid cars because there are stupid drivers? Probably not. Technology does not make people stupid. We're born that way. And we're only given 18 years (if that) to not be stupid enough to live.

Therapy and medication are POWERFUL. Just like knives and guns. They can use to help and protect, or just hurt and kill. They're also difficult to master, so there are a lot of people who use them and aren't so great.

 

[nash8]

Citalopram (Celexa) is the only medication I'm on.

Not medication, meditation. No C neccessary.

 

[Shadow Wolf]

Dude, what? Why are you getting all dogmatic, deciding what's good, what's bad, what's pathetic, what's lazy. I'll tell you why it's awesome for me.

I suffered from depression for over two decades of my life. Maybe you could tackle yours without help from anyone or anything but your path, but I am completely transformed after years of therapy and a few months of medication. My eyes were blown open once I learned how to master my depression and keep it from destroying me. Something I could only do once I gained the power to climb out of the pit.

There is nothing lazy or victimizing about therapy or medication. There's just a bunch of opportunistic and lazy humans who end up in those fields - just like any other field. Do you avoid cars because there are stupid drivers? Probably not. Technology does not make people stupid. We're born that way. And we're only given 18 years (if that) to not be stupid enough to live.

Therapy and medication are POWERFUL. Just like knives and guns. They can use to help and protect, or just hurt and kill. They're also difficult to master, so there are a lot of people who use them and aren't so great.

My issues with medications is psychotropics are a chemical Russian Roulette. The pill may work, it may do nothing, or it may have one of a number of odd and many times very undesirable side-effects. I haven't been on many anti-depressants, but the three I have been on (Prozac, Pristique, and one that I do not recall) were not good for me. Pristique made things worse and just getting up and moving became an effort, the one I can't remember gave me insomnia, and Prozac gave me what I describe as mental white-noise, kind of a fuzzy empty feeling in my head.
I tend to do well with anti-anxieties though, except I tend to use Xanax also as a sleeping aid and if I take too much I am wiped out for the rest of the day and into the next. But sometimes it seems better that way anyways.

 

[nash8]

I haven't been on many anti-depressants, but the three I I tend to do well with anti-anxieties though, except I tend to use Xanax also as a sleeping aid and if I take too much I am wiped out for the rest of the day and into the next. But sometimes it seems better that way anyways.

Xangovers are no good.

 

[desideraht]

My issues with medications is psychotropics are a chemical Russian Roulette.

You can either "gamble" with the chances of getting better... or do nothing and have no chances of getting better.

I'll take the one where I have a chance in Hell that I might get better.