J Henry wrote:
Surviving anxiety and depression myself, it's so good to see a thread like this!

Good for you!  It means that not only are you a survivor, but an inspiration for others by posting here.

Natasha240 wrote:
All I can add is I have also been dealing with this for many many years. I ended up in the ICU last year. It is a very dark and lonely place, if anyone needs to talk to someone who can relate, I'm here.

yeah. that place kind of sucks.

Natasha240 wrote:
Indeed it does. It was a close call. But I've been doin ok so far, it comes and goes, ya know?

yes I do.
What kind of game plan are you on now to win your battle?

Patrick Walberg wrote:

Good for you!  It means that not only are you a survivor, but an inspiration for others by posting here.

Inspiration?  Probably not.  It's tough, and I'm not sure it's ever going to be easy.  But yeah, it's not unbeatable.  It's important to remember that.

Kayelless wrote:
yes I do.
What kind of game plan are you on now to win your battle?

Sheeesh. My newest "cocktail" was effexor, seroquel, lamictal and gamapentin. I was also on Lithium (I got lithium poisoning) and buspar. Also therapy, lots and lots of it. But it occured to me that all of the side effects of all the drugs were making me feel worse. I am 1 month off of all of my meds, and I feel better. I have been eating right, making sure I exercise, and doing this technique one of my therapists taught me (based on accupressure/meditation)and I feel pretty good.

For me, it's always a cycle. When I start a downward spiral again, I'll need the meds to stabilize me. But being on them long term seems to hurt more than help, at least for me. I have been diagnosed witha  long laundry list of emotional/psychological problems since I've been 13 or so. I guess that I am still here must mean something.

Keep on the fight, ya'll

Edit:  If anyone wants any info on the technique I mentioned, PM me. Anyone can do it. My therapist suggested it to me because at one point I was so depressed I couldnt shower, eat, barely get out of bed. You can do it while you are laying there. It also works for physical symptoms as well.

Shiggily Weebonk McGee wrote:
[to be filled in later]

Suicide
http://www.metanoia.org/suicide/
http://www.suicidepreventionlifeline.org/
http://www.suicide.org/
This is the West Australian branch,
http://www.thesamaritans.org.au/
US Branch
http://www.thesamaritans.org

hotlines
US- http://suicidehotlines.com/ or http://suicidehotlines.net/
World- http://suicidehotlines.com/international.html

survivor support groups, suicide support groups and family support groups
http://www.survivorsofsuicide.com/
http://www.afsp.org/index.cfm?fuseactio … 3261B4378D
http://www.suicidology.org/
http://www.parentsofsuicide.com/

Domestic Violence
National Domestic Violence Hotline

1-800-799-SAFE (7233)
1-800-787-3224 (TTY)

Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network:
rainn.org; 1.800.656.HOPE

Photons 2 Pixels Images wrote:
I'm feeling really down today. More so than normal. I can't stop crying. It hurts.

I'm not looking for pity or anything like that. Maybe some reassurance. Or peace.

Most of all, I just wanted to move this thread back up in case anyone else was feeling down. Just to let others know they aren't alone.

Thank you.

This trick usually helps me:  break up your routine.  Get away from the computer, get away from where you usually are this time of day.  Be sure that by the end of the day you do at least one thing that is entirely and exclusively just for you.  100% pure indulgence.  Something where you get to treat yourself like you want to be treated.  It's not a gimmick, it's not a short term fix.  It's taking time out to remember that you can still be a priority to yourself. 

Or if you just need to talk, PM me.  I'm here 3 more hours, and then most of the evening. 

-J

J Henry wrote:

This trick usually helps me:  break up your routine.  Get away from the computer, get away from where you usually are this time of day.  Be sure that by the end of the day you do at least one thing that is entirely and exclusively just for you.  100% pure indulgence.  Something where you get to treat yourself like you want to be treated.  It's not a gimmick, it's not a short term fix.  It's taking time out to remember that you can still be a priority to yourself. 

Or if you just need to talk, PM me.  I'm here 3 more hours, and then most of the evening. 

-J

Thank you. The only thing that gives me any pleasure anymore is photography. Anything else costs too much.

I'll try. Thanks.

Photons 2 Pixels Images wrote:
Thank you. The only thing that gives me any pleasure anymore is photography. Anything else costs too much.

I'll try. Thanks.

I'm chained to a desk for most of the day, and taking my camera to work would be kinda illegal.  I keep a folder online of pics that cheer me up, some of it's my stuff sometimes it's whatever inspires me. Helps scratch the itch when I can't do anything else.  Not sure if that'd work for everyone, but it's a great escape that only requires an internet connection.

Natasha240 wrote:
I too have been really down lately, I can barely leave my house. Just remember you are not alone, that is why this thread is here. Let's try to keep it on the first page, ok?

Keep fighting all

Thank you Natasha. And yes, you are not alone. Definitely, let's keep this thread on the first page and let people know they have a place to come if they're feeling down.

Nolan Dean Photography wrote:
been down lately, thought about it again tonight. . . didn't have the strenght to follow through. . .

Things seem tough now. They will improve. Problems can be solved. Don't try to go it alone. If you need help, call someone. Anyone. Don't give up.

This is the time of year in the Northern Hemisphere where depression sets in harder because of less daylight. Try to spend time outside in the sun. Keep bright lights on inside if possible after the sun goes down.

Kayelless wrote:
I'm gonna admit I got a little disgusted because after about 3 days the initial novelty of this thread seemed to wane and not many cared to keep it alive.  Good to see it back up here.

This thread is part of my morning routine, I always check it.  I don't always have something to say, but I still drop in to listen.  Heh, hard to convey that on a message board, I guess.

J Henry wrote:

This thread is part of my morning routine, I always check it.  I don't always have something to say, but I still drop in to listen.  Heh, hard to convey that on a message board, I guess.

I try to come up with something relevant. Not always easy. If all else fails "bump" will work fine I guess.

Topless New York wrote:
Sorry, not to rain on a pretty good idea, but shouldn't this really be in Off-Topic?

Would be kind of judgmental to stick this in only say... the model thread.

Patrick Walberg wrote:
I had started a thread like this last year.  This is the season when depression kicks in hard ... Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays are hard on many!

Nooooooo kidding.  My grandmother died Christmas Eve about 50 years ago.  Family has been a complete mess ever since.  Every holiday is a rollercoaster of anger and depression and insecurities.  It's hard to love everyone else when nobody in the room likes themselves.