Coping with Depression.

[HarmonyDies....]

I have recently been diagnosed with a minor form of depression, after three months of this I got fed up and tried to figure it out. It is hell.. I was wondering if you guys had any remedies songs that help you cope with this illness. If so please share.

 

[Black Winter Day]

vinegar and absinthe, with a little slice of onion

 

[HarmonyDies....]

absinthe?

 

[Nate The Great]

I've had many down periods, but I've never been diagnosed with anything. I find that metal in general helps cheer me up. Especially the CD's that really get you pumped and excited. Not stuff like Anathema . . . that will just add to the problem.

Anyway . . . exercise is also a great benefit to me. Keeping a regular schedule helps a lot too. Don't sleep in too much on weekends and stuff like that. DO NOT drink alcohol excessively. That won't help the problem.

Just make sure you find people to talk to when you need too. That's the most important. Even if it's just a phone call.

 

[JayKeeley]

I'm not sure how old you are, but at some point, I think everyone's gone through some form of depression. The second semester of college, I went through a huge bout of depression - even had to see a counsellor - and I swear, one visit talking to this old biddie made me feel a whole lot better.

So I agree with npearce 110% about talking to people - even better if they're NOT friends, so perhaps someone more neutral and willing to listen? The old coot I spoke to just nodded along and did nothing, but it was good to get stuff off my chest.

If you want specific music ideas, I bet we could all collectively think of some good examples. Help us first though - what are your favorite genres, and we can all choose our 'happiest' album from that genre.

Also, since 90% of male depression always revolves around a chick, perhaps we can recommend some female-bashing music?

 

[NAD]

Type O Negative - Slow, Deep, and Hard
Best anti-woman album I have, it is hilarious how misogynous it is.

I went through my bit of depression when I was 18, and what helped me was a lot of metal, and a lot of sleep. Not oversleeping, but when I felt real down, I would take a nap for an hour or so, then wake up and listen to more music. Happy go lucky would make me more depressed, but something real even sounding, emotional wise.

Exercise is definitely a way to help balance body, spirit, and mind. Eating healthy as well, being healthy means feeling healthy.

The only kind of drinking I would engage in to help is moderate social drinking, as in an enjoyable party/bar atmosphere. Solo drinking is a big no-no for depression.

 

[Weapon X]

I gotta ask .....

How do one know that they are depressed, especially a minor depression?

I went thro some bad times 4 or so years ago, might of been depression, I don't know, I talked to friends and I wish I didn't. It made things worse and maybe I felt like crap for a longer time than I should have. So I definitely agree with JayKeeley talk to someone neatual.

 

[lizard]

I've been diagnosed with chronic depression...

#1, kind of obvious, avoid depressing music.
#2, talking does help, but only if you talk to the right people. you can also keep a journal where you write down thoughts and ideas, it helps you get feelings out and when you read back through your musings you may gain some insight.
#3, women are the single most beneficial yet dangerous thing on the planet earth. still, since the alternative is a tube of astroglide and your fingers, or alternatively going gay...women also have the annoying (yet in your case good) trait of constantly wanting to talk about feelings. so if you find a good one, you can vent with her!

 

[HarmonyDies....]

The biggest signs are lethargy, not being able to eat, not concentrating, and basically the sadness.



"I'm not sure how old you are, but at some point, I think everyone's gone through some form of depression. The second semester of college, I went through a huge bout of depression - even had to see a counsellor - and I swear, one visit talking to this old biddie made me feel a whole lot better."

-Jay Keely

its actually genetic for me....

Thanks all for the help. I knew i'd get smart responses.

 

[JayKeeley]

The biggest signs are lethargy, not being able to eat, not concentrating, and basically the sadness.

Yes - the usual signs. I remember never wanting to get out of bed.

its actually genetic for me....

I see. So have you been prescribed Zoloft or Prozac?

Thanks all for the help. I knew i'd get smart responses.

Anything you need, just let us know. Not sure if we really did a good job in listing our personal 'happy' tunes though...deserves a thread.

 

[HarmonyDies....]

No it was a great thread. They said just wait awhile before they perscribe anything. Understandable. It could leave. And i sure do hope it does. It's funny because I thought sad music would help people who were sad. Just makes it worse. =) Excuse me for the bad grammar errors.

 

[Erik]

It's funny because I thought sad music would help people who were sad. Just makes it worse.

I think this differs from person to person.

 

[JayKeeley]

It's funny because I thought sad music would help people who were sad. Just makes it worse. =)

Well, sad and depressing music can be beautiful to those who are in control of their moods. Otherwise, avoid it like bellbottoms and butterfly collars.

Whatever you do, do NOT listen to Skepticism's Lead and Aether and Empyrium's Weiland.

Try power metal - it'll cheer you up and turn you gay at the same time.

 

[NAD]

Try power metal - it'll cheer you up and turn you gay at the same time.

Quote of the month!

Depressing music actually helps me when I'm feeling down. Life of Agony - River Runs Red is highly depressing, but it used to make me feel better in my teenage years whenever I felt gloomy. I don't think that's a typical reaction to that CD though, it's pretty damn sad.

 

[HarmonyDies....]

JayKelly have you heard maudlin of the Well? If not YOU SHOULD! If you like whacky stuff like Sigh you'd like them, although they aren't similar. Haha and brilliant quote.

 

[HarmonyDies....]

I think this differs from person to person.

Yeah, I should've said that. hehe

 

[NAD]

I have wanted to buy maudlin of the Well for frickin ever now, still haven't. What are they called now, Kayo Dot?

 

[HarmonyDies....]

Yeah, but i guess they're style is the same.

 

[ChiefB]

I think it is great that you are doing something pro-active to combat your depression but I would also like to add that trying to 'figure it out' is akin to fixing the engine of car for which you are not a trained mechanic!

It all depends on the serverity and it's important that whatever pattern of fixes you apply, your depression does not spiral out of control in the process.Like others have said, it is very important that you make or maintain positive changes in your daily life. Get up early, exercise, read. Do things that you enjoy that keep you upbeat. Get a self help book, there are some excellent books on the market on holistic healing. They key thing is to understand the 'root' of your depression, if you are able to solve it, and many people do, than you will be on the road to recovery.

If on the other hand you need professional help then seek it. Drugs like Prozac were designed as effective SSRI medication to ensure that adequate levels of Seratonin reached the receivers in the brain nerve cells. For the treatment to be effective SSRI should always be used with therapy to ensure you get back onto the road to recovery.

I hope everything works out for you.

 

[Ayeka]

The biggest signs are lethargy, not being able to eat, not concentrating, and basically the sadness.

Bloody hell, that's almost what I've been like over the last week

Speaking for myself, I never considered myself to be depressed ever...just sometimes one gets those feelings where you feel under the weather and generally mopey for a while. Generally, talking about your issues to anyone who'll listen and, ideally, offer some helpful words does wonders. With regards to the music, I'd say just put on what feels right for you (same as always, really?). Over the last week or two that's meant some odd shit for me...The Cars, Berlin, Heart, 10cc, Roxy Music...some of it gets you down, yes, but when your down in the dumps sometimes a song about circles and rings, dragons and kings don't really mean much to you, y'know

For the record, I feel fine right now