How To Improve Your Depression Today

Also make sure you have a healthy circle to go to when you're negative. Stay away from negative folk. There's always that one friend full of sunshine to shine some of that light on you whether you like it or not.

listen to good music as well! :)

Thanks…That's a great one! I missed that off the list… Good music certainly helps lift your mood and puts you in a positive frame of mind : )

thanks ill keep this in mind! love this post!

Thank you!
You help alot!
But sunshine would give you sunburn
Which causes melanoma

-it's like that WHITNEY HOUSTON song(!)..

This is very good advice. Thank you for sharing. :)

No worries, thank you for your kind words : )

i just "saved" this page (to my flashdrive) - the "complete web page setting" ~ hope yr RIGHT!..

Please let me know how you get on… I really hope this works for you too : )

Take care

Ricci

yeh - i FINALLY read it @ home/a LOT of that stuff i kno (UnStuck, etc - my Breathing Guru-type therapist .. ) but, yeh, BLUBERRIES r great for a pickmeup - i DO find, however, that all that HEALTH stuff makes me clear-headed & healthy, but ultimately doesn't 'FIX' my brain @ all; is not a type of MEDICINE & cannot make (any noticabl) improvement .. i think @ this point in my life i need a viabl 'SUPPORT SYSTEM' & som kind of (EXTERNAL DICIPLINE) ~ myown dicipline really sux nowadays ..

This amazing Im only 13 and I feel alone all the I feel like no one understands me I'm glad I found this app because now I don't feel alone because there is alot of people out there that know how I feel. I cut myself a lot and I have a dozen of scars and they make me sad because I always have to wear sweaters to not show them. I hope I get cured because I've had depression for 3 years now and I've been on medications for 3 years and they don't seem to be working :(

I'm 13 too. I have been Depressed since last year two years ago. I don't cut myself (last night, before I got this app, I almost did cut myself) apparently I may have an anxiety or mood disorder, I'm not on mess tho. I only use a rubber band and snap it against my wrist so I get the pain but not the scars.

I mean meds!!! Damn you auto correct!!!!!

I do all of the above but I still go through severe depression when my med stops working. While trying different meds I still do all of the above and it felt excruciating. At one point I couldn't even eat and gagged while trying to 'feed' myself. I guess there are people like me who depend solely on meds that work to alleviate symptoms of depression.

Absolutely Bunda1. I guess everyone is unique and different and goes through their own unique situations.

I'm certainly not suggesting that the things that worked for me will work for everyone. Just wanted to share them so other people could try them and see if they work for them too…

All the best

Ricci

Yeah true… I just want others who are like me to know that sometimes meds are the only one that can lift depression symptoms. I have a friend who is exactly like me, who live a great life, eat healthy, go to gym regularly and have a strong social and family support who goes through depression and meds were the only thing that finally helped her lifted all the horrible depression symptoms. Thanks Ricci.

I am 14 and I am depressed I think about suicide a lot and I have tried to cut my self I can't talk to my family they dont understand I just need someone to help me

I'm 16 and have been dealing with this since I was 10 and talking to parents is definitely not always the best solution. For me trying to talk to my parents almost got me sent to foster care so don't do anything that puts you at risk to make things worse…

So sorry it went like that when you tried to talk with your parents, can't imagine why that could almost get you sent to foster care.

Thank you. Apparently they weren't ready to handle it but 2 years later I was sent to a mental hospital so they had to deal with it… But from my experience asking for help is scary and I wouldn't have been Ble to do it alone…

I'm 13 turning 14 in September and I just downloaded this app I'm glad there's someone out there almost the same age as me that feels the same. I feel so alone none of my family understands and they always get angry with me because I cry a lot I would love to get to know you :)

If you don't think your parents love you eneough to listen to you and try and get you help, then you should have them arrested. Try going to relatives to talk that know your parents better than you, they may be able to help. Never forget that all adults were also 14 atleast for 1 year. Try them, they may surprise you

Please don't cut yourself. I know it may not seem like it, but things can get better - i'm living proof of that. I'm 28 now and starting suffering from depression at a similar age to you. It's good you've found this board because everyone on here knows how you feel, which your friends and family may not.

If you want to talk privately, please message me anytime.

Take care

Ricci

Your posts are always positive. I will take your advice and see what happens. I certainly like number six and it may have a ripple effect.

Hi Adrian999, thank you for your kind words. I have no doubts that these will work for you too. Please let me know how you get on…

Take care,

Ricci

I just got back from therapy and my therapist set a challenge for me. I told her that I want to get back to my drawing, my problem is that I am perfectionist and throw away my drawings. She wants me not to throw any of them away and just put them in bag for next month and show her my drawings. I know I need to eat better, I eat lot of fish and I try to eat lot of fruits but sometimes I eat fast food, I need to cut down on that. I bought the ninth season of Seinfeld, I know I am so retro but it makes me laugh. The weekends I go to the nursing home, so I know about making other people smile will make you feel better. I think depression makes you focus on yourself and that's the problem. I will add that caffeine is bad because of the crash effect and I use to be an energy drink monster.

Hi Adrian,

Thats great. I'm a graphic designer and i used to love drawing and art too! But most of my work is done on my mac computer nowadays. I think its great that you are drawing again because there seems to be less and less people drawing nowadays because of this 'techie' world we live in.

And i totally agree with you on the fast food and caffeine. I used to eat pizza, burgers, and beer 5-7 days a week plus 6-8 cups of coffee a day! And its only now that I eat healthily and only have a few cups of tea or coffee that i realize how bad that stuff makes you feel. I tend to have fast food just once a week max, as a treat and feel a hell of a lot better for it. I've cut out the red bull altogether too, that didn't help my sleep!

Any form of exercise weights seems to help my mood too.

Ricci

Hi Adrian,

Nice to know you are a graphic designer too

I'm really conflicted right now. My depression has caused me to fail a lot of classes in college and this has made me hate school and scared to go to classes and do my work.

My anxiety got so bad that I could not even sit in front of the computer without my mind going blank.  So one day I forced myself to sit in front of the computer for an hour staring at my unfinished work. I could literally hear my heart beating because I was so scared of doing my work.

I'm better now in the sense that I could sit for longer hours in front of the computer without being overly anxious. I get anxious still and I'm still working on how to work productively. 

Has this happened to you before? I'm conflicted because this is what I think I should be doing for the a good part of my life and a series of unfortunate events have robbed me of doing what I thought I would enjoy doing.

I have a few to add. Smiling releases endorphines. And when you smile, people smile back, and sometimes even talk to you. I learned on animal planet that looking at kittens increases seretonin levels. My friend said vitamin c makes you feel better right away. I also heard that bananas have seretonin.

Excellent tips Erin79, thank you for sharing : )

Thanks for a great article. Some of these things I had never really heard would help. Others, I know, but fail to put into practice.

Well stated. I've found, along witnessing healthy, staying well hydrated works—good ol H2O

Great suggestions. Studies have shown Omega 3's being added to the diet help tremendously.

this is awesome. thank you for presenting information that gives us some alternative ways to deal with nutrition and depression.

Nice write up. Probably should try to eat healthier, never really thought of that to help it out. Thanks!

You seem like a really nice guy. Thank you so much for the info. I suffer from bipolar and I find the things you mentioned helpful also. Thank you again for being such a caring person and offering your support..

Thank you for not only your thoughts but for taking the time to writting them for us. I very much enjoyed what you had to say. Two things you mentioned I was going to try on Monday so it was like a conformation to me.

Thank you again.
God Bless,
M

No worries idanceintherain… thank you and god bless you too.

Ricci

Great advice I like your ideas. THanks Bonita P.

I am medically qualified and totally agree! Not only have I seen this work for me, medical research support the findings! We are on the right track: self care!
Thanks for your input

Such wonderful ideas! -And like you, I really believe that these things really do make a HUGE difference for the better. Thank you so much for this wonderful reminder. :0)

thats a wonderful post , im sure to try some of your suggestions!!

Hey Ricci,

This is fantastic. A lot of great ideas here!

excellent words - thanks for your sharing this with us…

Awesome post! Thanks.

Thanks Ricci I'll try these. I use to work out a lot a few years ago, but it's like this depression has become a brick wall. It's like trying to walk up a steep incline and someone puts your body weight in stones on your back. Thanks though…I'll try these.

im going to try hard at this

I know exactly what you mean. I stopped exercising and eating healthy and doing all the stuff I listed above and (and started drinking too) and i felt awful. This simple and natural self help really does work - I can vouch for that. Take care

i'm really liking your coping skills!! i agree with everything, especially helping people…i think the world would be such a better place if people would just help each other out…:)

Couldn't agree with you more my friend : )

Great info and thanks for posting. My doctors encourage me every time I visit to do all of the things you listed. I'm getting there 1 day at a time and thanks for the reminder.

Great advice! All of our points not only will help with depression but they will help control diabetes among other ailments. I know because the list you gace is almost identical to the ones I follow for my diabetes. The proper diet, regular exercise and fresh air with sunshine are as far as I am concerned the big three. Thanks for posting this great information for the people here at DC.

No worries, thank you for you kind words Bob - i really do appreciate it

I haven't tried any prescription drugs; does anyone recommend any?

I have been in lexapro for 3 years it's one of the best anti-depressants out there :)

I feel like I'm depressed but I'm undiagnosed so idk.. I've cut a few times and I cut the word "DIE" into my shoulder.. I get ups and downs. I'm bullied and to me, my life is shit. My friends try and help.. It never works..

I hope these work :£

I really hope they work for you too. I know how hard dealing with depression can be. I'm certain these will help you. Please let me know how you get on…

Take care

Ricci

Love it !