depression

I read the dammapada, a religious text of buddists. The section on happiness does help.

also listen to upbeat songs

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i feel so worthless and used all the time :
and i try to think about how other peoples lives are worse than mine, but it doesnt help.

you need a friend

and hugs. Listen to happy songs

My aunt thinks im suffering from depression, like my bother did. so is it posible to have it if parents had it?

yes yes i do. i'm just sooo tired of the same problems over and over again. meh.
maybe ill meet new people over the summer! :]

andd xx.JesseMann.xx, it might be genetic...but i dunno :/

I don't think if anyone knows if its gentic or not

I read online on a few different sites that it was but a few said it wasnt, Oh well. I probaly dont have it.But i am sad and tired at times.I just try to get out more and work out more though. Every few days im fine but some days, I guess I could crawl up in a hole and die.

Depression can be caused by so many things. In fact, I'd bet that many people with depression have several of those things going on at once. Some of the things include nutrient deficiencies such as not enough calcium, iron, pantothenic acid (B5), B-12, potassium, vitamin C, and zinc. Deficiencies in things like chromium and magnesium can cause anxiety. http://www.1stholistic.com/nutrition/hol_nutr-def-symptoms.htm

Then there are things like not getting enough sunlight.

And there are of course if we're overwhelmed with negative thoughts that adds to or causes depression.

Exposure to certain unhealthy chemicals can contribute to depression. And there are lots more causes/contributers as well.

If you can't afford a therapist you might be able to find other resources. I know some areas have clinics or government programs for people who are poor who charge a lot less, for example. I once went to a therapist that had a "sliding scale" for payment based on someone's income...so I was actually able to go for awhile for only $10 an hour. Be willing to ask around. If you're a student at college you might ask like a guidance counselor or someone if they know of anything. Or some charities and churches might be able to help out too.

Also, you might be interested in this. There is a method known as The Work, to help people deal with their negative thoughts. And they have volunteers that man a "hotline" so you can call them if you need. Or you can also do The Work yourself as all the info on how to do it is on the website in pdf files. And there are some posted video's showing it being done. The website is www.thework.com (and the link to the hotline can be hard to find...but keep looking for it, it's there).

It may not be the same as therapy...but if you can't afford therapy then it's better than doing nothing. Also...for some people it's been more helpful than therapy.

I usually am either okay or only mildly depressed, but this past week I've been in a pit of hell. I've been in this frame of mind only now and then. But it's enough to make my heart go out to those I know that experience this all the time or almost all the time.

I go to the start clinic at a local hospital, its a free therpy clinic...it helps

I think going outside helps me a bunch! Especially when its nice out.

Found this site last week and so glad others on there are open about their depression & anxiety. I've suffered with both since my early teens (now mid 30s) and I'm in the midst of an 18 month spell now. I hate it and get so frustrated with myself. When I get really low I get some really horrible, dark thoughts of harming myself or worse. They feel like they're not my thoughts.
What I hate most is the shaking. I think I'm doing okay and then I see my hands trembling and want to scream!!
I find humour helps and being able to be honest without feeling that people are freaked out (too much). I also oddly find that most of the time I'm still able to work. I work in Mental Health so it sounds mad (excuse the pun) that I can still help others even though I can't help myself.
Thats another one of my hates about depression. The 'beating myself up'. I know I do it but for the life of me I can't stop. I saw a psychologist yesterday for an assessment and she thinks some kind of talking therapy would really help. I hope so When I'm well I never set myself such high standards but when I'm like I am now everything I do seems so significant. Aghhh.....
Anyway, I enjoyed the rant. Michelle, I hope you find what you need to help you. I'll keep my fingers crossed for you as well as me. x

its hard to help yourself, but you are going the right way. You have recongized it. You are aware, thats the right way to go.

I find keeping myself busy helps, craft away, type away. Tell us how you feel. It does help

Keeping busy definitely helps. I think thats why I like to go to work if I can. I agree with you on the crafting too. Its so distracting and I particularly like when I make something really useful or nice to look at or wear.
Have you tried meditation? I do that when I can. It helps even if you can only manage 5 mins. (I think there are some guided short meditations on you tube (I think you search for guided relaxation). I like doing that as its like giving your head a holiday and helps me to feel in control of my thoughts. I love massage too. I'm a qualified massage therapist and I love being given them, especially the shoulders, neck and back. I find the anxiety & depression make me really tense and tight (and v twitchy).
My other keeping busy thing is going down the allotment me & my bf have. We're terrible at getting our arses down there but when we go its lovely. There's something really therapeutic about seeing something grow. Also its lovely pulling up weeds, especially when you get a really stubborn little bugger
Anyway, I enjoyed talking to you. Take care Michelle & everyone else.

oh I do meditate, and I have a garden too, and a pet turtle