Copied from our "Archive Forum" here: http://archive.dealingwithdepression...p?topic=5262.0
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Originally Posted by seaspirit
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Copied from our "Archive Forum" here: http://archive.dealingwithdepression...p?topic=5262.0
Not originally by me, all credit goes to the original posters!
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Originally Posted by seaspirit
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Please guys, do lets add some more!
playing and singing with my guitar .
For me it's getting lost in a good book, so lost the characters are more real than I am in a way. I find it helps because I can let my emotions out but sort of feel it's through them or for them, itms? I can cry and be happy and go through the range of emotions a good book provides, and it's very cathartic and lets me feel more emotionally stable when I close the book, as though I've sort of used up the surplus emotion in my system and am more on an even keel again. Is that odd?
I also used to enjoy, and am just getting into again, creating computer art such as forum signatures etc.
I also play games, I used to play a major online game but found it was becoming too much of a time sink and no longer healthy for me. Nowadays I tend to play lighter ones, and non-real time ones.
I play MMORPG's to transport me into another reality, the final fantasy role play series I have played since the late 90's and I am able to loose myself in them which clears my head. I also like to watch comedy DVD's and videos especially from comedians who talk about real life i.e. Billy Connolly who i do see as an inspiration of how hes got to where he is from such a bad childhood but also because his comedy you can relate to its about real life and you find yourself thinking, "I am not the only one" For me the biggest "calming thign" is to loose myself in someones arms in a hug or snuggle its the only time I feel safe and at peace.
Crochet
Reading
Cooking
Watching TV/Films
Talking to people!
Working
Making my art
housework
lolcats
I enter lots of competitions, it has the upside of sometimes you win (every few hundred anyway!) so you get something!
Fantasy shopping in the ikea catalogue (blush)
http://pinterest.com/
^ be warned, it's so distracting it's potentially addictive sometimes, but it's *really* distracting!
Sometimes nothing will distract me - I try to avoid the news etc - this usually depresses me. I used to meditate, but now it makes me angry.If the depression is really bad I try pornography or booze. Music usually helps.
The admin and mod team would not recommend the use of alcohol as a distraction as it is a depressant and rather than distracting may actually make the situation worse.
As to pornography if it works for you that's fine but for many of us it would not be a viable choice.
To be honest, my depression has completely trashed my libido, so porn wouldn't work for me. I've also learned the hard way to stay away from booze when depressed.
Pron has been know to actually do more harm then good . has a subconscious trait to cause patholgical changes....... as for alcohol it a depression would not do it.
Porn... Needs must when the devil drives LF (wasntme)
Not obsessed with it but for me it is an option.
Booze has never done anything for me, I honestly can't see what people see in it. No accounting for taste though.
I think porn is really very like alcohol. The odd amount enjoyed responsibly isn't an issue, if you want to that is (nothing wrong with being teetotal either!) but becoming dependant on it or addicted to it, or allowing it to desensitise you to the real world, that's when it's dangerous. As such I wouldn't recommend it as a "go-to" distraction in relation to depression, as using it while in a vulnerable state of mind is going to increase the negative effects.
I sometimes wonder if people who write in these forums understand depression or are suffering from it. When I get depressed my only though is to try something that will stop me harming myself in the next 30 seconds... the long term effects are not at all relevant! Because when I am depressed there is no long term! I would be happy to be an addict - rather that than depressed, angry & likely to use self harm as a distraction method (although sometimes I have no choice!)
Sidney, everyone here has their own experience of depression, either their own or that of a loved one. I do understand the urge for short-term relief from the depression, but the only way to truly combat it is to FORCE yourself to realise the longterm does exist, and to work for it.
My Apologies to anyone offended - Thinking about "the long term", makes me want to vomit (literally) - so I don't. I'm not at the stage where I want to consider that possibility yet - I can only see a future of old age, homelessness & starvation (hopefully hyperthermia before that).
How long have you been suffering mental health issues Sidney?
I wasn't offended love, sorry if it sounded that way. I just wanted to reassure you that the people here really do understand! I really think some form of CBT might help you, as the only way to get out of this hole is going to be replacing those negative images of the future with positive ones, to make yourself *want* to get there.
(hug)
EMDR therapy sounds like it may help as that is what i am undertaking to help me get over the traumas causing my depression.
Yes was told that there may be some CBT available for me in december by my GP - but not until december coming (just a 12 month wait then!) - keeping my fingers crossed for that. what is EMDR
Having said that about porn/booze - I find for the last week I can't find an interest in anything, least of all sex - I guess I have:
1) the stage of my mind needing to find distraction in order to avoid anger (this is when distraction is useful),
2) then the stage where it just sits and cries - at that point distraction dosn't work - only crying is available now.
my distraction technique is my pets.....
i keep snakes, everytime i get really low i get a new one. i have 120 now. all are immaculate as i am very OCD about them. it wasnt until recently i realised it though.
people have a go at me for keeping them, they dont understand that they are my one and only passion. they just say to get rid of them etc. i dont want to, the more i have the more time they take up in care etc and the less time i have for thinking about my depression.
but no one understands that :(
Interesting issue coming up in my head here.
Why does Aspasia think that "getting out and being social" is so high on her agenda, it's got to be as high on everyone else's agenda as well?
Sorry to butt in!
its very difficult for me to get and and be social. my best friend moved to the isle of man earlier last year, and my other 2 friends live at the other end of the country to me and i can only see them every few weeks due to financial constraints on the cost of travel...
i see my mum a couple of times a week but at the moment she is pre-occupied with my sister due to her expecting her first child.... that has become the sole focus in my family.
I live in the country so there are no social activities available, and im too scared to go anywhere alone. I cant even go into a shop alone if it is one i have never been in before whilst with someone else.... x
snakes are my passion, i love everything about them. they are sophisticated, specialised, diverse and absolutely fascinating :) for me, hatching some eggs is the best feeling ever, seeing those little faces break into the world for the first time x
That's fantastic Amanda. I always admire anyone who dares to be different.
Even though 120 snakes reminds me of Harrison Ford in that pit of snakes!
My nephew Paul used to have a tarantula spider that he took out with him.
At another time he had a big lizard that would run up me, and run up the walls.
Not sure about snakes lol. I keep chickens and I love them. They are really comical and full of character. Got three of them who are very tame and they follow me round the garden after treats. And the eggs are wonderful too. They cheer me up on a bad day and I have to look after them so it gets me outdoors even for just a short period when things are bad.
Getting out and being social is not allways high on anyone's agenda and quite often we isolate ourselves without realising we are doing it. All of the mod team, not just Aspasia, remind members of the forum to be mindful of isolation as it is hard to break out of and can perpetuate a lot of negative thought and feeling which in turn will not aid recovery.
When feeling so low I know its hard to want to get out. But I know with me its the best distraction. Just meeting a friend for coffee is a great distraction for me. Seeing a friend and having a good chat really takes my mind off my depression. It's makes me feel good that I got out and met a friend. But being sociable doesn't just mean having to get out. Picking the phone up and calling someone is a great distraction especially if feeling very vulnerable at that time or having any harmful thoughts.
It raised endorphins, gets fresh air, stimulates the need for social interaction, gets exercise... It hits all the positives for helping yourself! Simples! :)
but thats ok if you have friends to socialise with.... i do not x
Do you have a hobby or an interest that would help you get out and make friends?
As MH says, what things do you enjoy doing? Could you make a more social thing about it?
What about just going out for a walk and taking a camera?
because i cannot do things like that on my own ;(
Why? What is stopping you?
i just cant do it, i try to go out on my own but i panic. i cant go into any shops that i havent been in before with someone previously.. i feel sick, and want to run away and hide away from the world :(
Can you try just building it up slowly? I don't know where abouts you live but do you have a garden or something where you can start?