Any tips on how to deal with depression?

[d3crypt]

Lately i have felt completely worthless and lonely. I feel like nobody is ever going to love me and there is nothing good about me. I have been depressed on and off for a long time, but recently its gotten worse than normal. I just got rejected by a girl i really liked for a long time after breaking up with my girlfriend who i basically just dated to try to forget about the girl who rejected me. She has completely killed my self image. I know an internet forum isn't really the place for stuff like this, but I'm just looking for some sympathy. Also is anyone else feeling really down?

[Zostrianos]

Exercise and getting sun is good, meditation, as well as the company of friends and family. I had a really bad one a few years back, and meditation helped me overcome it (and it's scientifically verified). Here's a simple guide for starters:
http://www.wikihow.com/Meditate

Here's scientific studies on the effects of meditation:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Research_on_meditation

[Ace High]

Poimandres is right, meditation helps, but it is very difficult. I have suffered from depression over the years (am fine lately though) and it's VERY difficult to just clear your mind completely.

Sunlight should definitely be recommended, as it contains Vitamin D, and that is scientifically proven to raise serotonin levels in the brain. And pot also helps.

[bcbm]

find projects to work on where you can see the results. even simple stuff like cooking a meal, cleaning your room, doing the dishes or whatever will make you feel better. and as mentioned exercise is a really good idea. whatever mood i am in before going to the gym i almost always feel a lot better afterwards.

you also have to try to not be too hard on yourself. don't let others opinions dictate how you feel about you. i know this is easier said than done, but its good to try and force some positive thoughts in there. doing stuff to improve yourself like exercise, music, reading will help you feel better about yourself too.

[Quail]

And pot also helps.
I know this is tongue in cheek, but it's not a good suggestion. I'd suggest staying away from alcohol and drugs. Maybe you could write up a list of things that make you happy/make you feel better and when you do feel bad, do one of those things. If I'm having a bad day I like to curl up in bed, snuggle up to a duvet/cushion/soft toy (:o) and watch my favourite TV shows on DVD. It doesn't work all the time, but it helps me get through the evenings, which I find the hardest.

Also with self-image, you could try writing down a list of the nice things people have said about you and when you feel bad, look at those. I used to have post-it notes stuck around my room with various things people had said to me to remind me that I do deserve to feel good about myself.

[Ace High]

I know this is tongue in cheek, but it's not a good suggestion. I'd suggest staying away from alcohol and drugs. Maybe you could write up a list of things that make you happy/make you feel better and when you do feel bad, do one of those things. If I'm having a bad day I like to curl up in bed, snuggle up to a duvet/cushion/soft toy (:o) and watch my favourite TV shows on DVD. It doesn't work all the time, but it helps me get through the evenings, which I find the hardest.

Also with self-image, you could try writing down a list of the nice things people have said about you and when you feel bad, look at those. I used to have post-it notes stuck around my room with various things people had said to me to remind me that I do deserve to feel good about myself.

Yeah, it was a bit tongue in cheek, lol. I was being half serious though, I have one friend who was severely depressed and then pot literally turned him into the happiest person ever. I do NOT ever recommend drugs for dealing with stress but pot is a bit different, especially since it is prescribed for depression in places where it is medically legal.

But yeah, sorry, I'm not trying to be all "do drugs kids" or anything.

[Delenda Carthago]

Not really good on advices, but I have a song for the issue.


xrBAYD4kmPo

http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTuAb6zCzEvkW9LT5pxCM07VH_0ojSBg zbjVkAmYm6AfO5G1MLH

[Ele'ill]

Go for walks, think about life a bit, and get involved in stuff that interests you. Think about simple stuff you take for granted. A few mornings ago I sat and listened to two birds calling to one another and really focused on the slight changes in their tunes at certain times and how sometimes a third bird would chime in and I imagined dinosaurs and what they sounded like and decided that life wasn't that bad that morning despite some other really bad things. I went out and bought (on a budget) new clothes that are nice/dress but plain and got glasses for my eyes (for actual vision reasons not to look cool but I do look cool). I also dove into medical stuff to get myself healthier. I know we're not going through the same situation and we're processing stuff differently but regarding your situation there are a lot of folks out there who will fall in love with you. It would probably help to know the specifics of the rejection so we could talk more about it but I understand you not wanting that.

[d3crypt]

Go for walks, think about life a bit, and get involved in stuff that interests you. Think about simple stuff you take for granted. A few mornings ago I sat and listened to two birds calling to one another and really focused on the slight changes in their tunes at certain times and how sometimes a third bird would chime in and I imagined dinosaurs and what they sounded like and decided that life wasn't that bad that morning despite some other really bad things. I went out and bought (on a budget) new clothes that are nice/dress but plain and got glasses for my eyes (for actual vision reasons not to look cool but I do look cool). I also dove into medical stuff to get myself healthier. I know we're not going through the same situation and we're processing stuff differently but regarding your situation there are a lot of folks out there who will fall in love with you. It would probably help to know the specifics of the rejection so we could talk more about it but I understand you not wanting that.
The reason she rejected me is the most absurd shit ever, but i'd rather not get too specific. Its not anything i can change though. She is like my dream girl but she has no interest in me at all. She kind of led me on so it makes things much worse.

[ed miliband]

i really want to reiterate quail and others re: drugs and alcohol, do not self-medicate with them. if you are already, try to cut back / stop. imo that's one of the most pivotal pieces of advice.

[Sotionov]

Watch some YT clips, like this cute song: :grin:

F5L1YdFcw0A

Check out some short clips on this channel, they give some nice tips:

http://www.youtube.com/user/watchwellcast/videos

[The Feral Underclass]

Go to a doctor. I know that sounds like facetious advice, and it's not always easy to speak to doctors about depression, especially if the doctor isn't very good at dealing with patients (especially males patients -- if you are cis-male), but if you get a good doctor (in my experience they have always been women who have been those most supportive) then they will help you. They also have access to counsellors and medication.

[Nevsky]

The reason she rejected me is the most absurd shit ever, but i'd rather not get too specific. Its not anything i can change though. She is like my dream girl but she has no interest in me at all. She kind of led me on so it makes things much worse.

Maybe you should try to erase the dream girl concept from your mind. Two years ago my life was going perfectly, I was always either happy or at least at peace with myself until the "dream girl" entered my life. My mind is so fucked up ever since, better not even talk about it. What I have learned from all this is that you shouldn't allow yourself to get screwed by your own idealistic romanticism in your head and approach life directly, openly and without regret.

[Ele'ill]

Go to a doctor. I know that sounds like facetious advice, and it's not always easy to speak to doctors about depression, especially if the doctor isn't very good at dealing with patients (especially males patients -- if you are cis-male), but if you get a good doctor (in my experience they have always been women who have been those most supportive) then they will help you. They also have access to counsellors and medication.

I would just be very cautious with medications as they can be thrown at you and they can be dangerous and require other meds to work/stabalize and it becomes a bunch of medications together. They can have lasting effects on you, some permanent. They are there for you as an option though.

[The Feral Underclass]

I was prescribed citalopram. My depression wasn't physiological though, so they didn't really help me. At least I didn't feel that they were normalising my mood.

[d3crypt]

Maybe you should try to erase the dream girl concept from your mind. Two years ago my life was going perfectly, I was always either happy or at least at peace with myself until the "dream girl" entered my life. My mind is so fucked up ever since, better not even talk about it. What I have learned from all this is that you shouldn't allow yourself to get screwed by your own idealistic romanticism in your head and approach life directly, openly and without regret.

I will try to forget about it

[The Feral Underclass]

I will try to forget about it

I didn't actually read your OP in full, so I apologise for that. Perhaps going to a doctor is a bit overkill for your situation. I think just being active and giving it time will be sufficient to get over heartbreak.

[#FF0000]

The reason she rejected me is the most absurd shit ever, but i'd rather not get too specific. Its not anything i can change though. She is like my dream girl but she has no interest in me at all. She kind of led me on so it makes things much worse.

There will be others as long as you don't let getting rejected weigh down on you. It hurts, but isn't a huge deal in the grand scheme of things, and definitely doesn't mean there's anything wrong with you or that there's nothing to like about you.

With things like this it's just best to try and move on with it, but don't rush yourself with it. It's okay to hurt for a while, but don't let yourself dwell and don't let yourself worry about "what-ifs". It's not anything you can change, like you said, and so this is the only way things could have ever been.


Maybe you should try to erase the dream girl concept from your mind. ... What I have learned from all this is that you shouldn't allow yourself to get screwed by your own idealistic romanticism in your head and approach life directly, openly and without regret.

I think this is true. In my opinion a lot of people tend to see someone, start crushing, and then start to make up their own mythology about the person they're crushing on, finding themselves attracted not to the actual person and who they are, but who they are imagined to be. I think that's kind of what the whole "Dream _____" whatever thing is.

[d3crypt]

I didn't actually read your OP in full, so I apologise for that. Perhaps going to a doctor is a bit overkill for your situation. I think just being active and giving it time will be sufficient to get over heartbreak.

I think i may have cyclothemia acually.

[The Feral Underclass]

I don't think it's wise to self-diagnose.

[Os Cangaceiros]

I think it's useful to take an inventory of things you have in life that are good, life assets or whatever.

Also, if "regret" is something you deal with a lot, look back at your life and imagine how it could've been worse. That's how I deal with regret whenever it rears it's head. We all have those moments in life that you look back at and say "I did the right thing there", think of those moments.

[d3crypt]

I don't think it's wise to self-diagnose.

Im not sure of anything. But its possible. I think im seekng the doctor soon.

[Karlorax]

Fight depression by dedicating yourself to fighting the system that causes it. Capitalism makes people mentally unhealthy, so solve the problem through revolution.

[Alan OldStudent]

Hello Comrade CommunistMetalHead,

I empathize with you. I understand where you’re coming from. Once, when I was quite young (maybe 50 or so years ago), I fell stupidly in love with a woman. My attachment was quite deep, and I really obsessed over her. After less than a year, she cut the relationship off, and for several years, I felt pretty shattered. But over the years, I’ve gained another perspective, and I learned something from this. Maybe you can draw some value over what I learned.

It was unimaginable to me that this woman did not feel precisely the same way about me as I felt about her. That thought never occurred to me for one second until she said goodbye. That was really hard for me to accept.

Now I understand that it is quite possible for me to feel very strongly about somebody and for that somebody to be more-or-less indifferent about me. That was very hard for me to admit, because then I had to admit that I had been so blind and so wrong, and it made me feel foolish. Now I understand that I must make a clear distinction between how I feel about someone and how someone might feel about me. Moreover, I really have no control over how someone else feels about me or have a view me.

Many years later, I met another woman, and we were best friends. We became partners for many decades, my wife, and we really loved each other. But we didn’t obsess over each other. After so many years of a really outstanding friendship and companionship, it caused me much pain when she died after a three-year illness which left her completely helpless. I’m still getting over it.

Several other people have suggested that you talk to a doctor. Personally, I think that’s an outstanding idea. Oftentimes, people can have a hormonal imbalance like a thyroid problem, maybe diabetes that they don’t know about, or any number of other things that can make for a very bad mood.

Then when one has a personal crisis such as you’ve described to us, the pain can magnify.

Some of your words make me wonder if you’re feeling suicidal. I really hope not because we need more socialists in this world not fewer. We need you to be involved in the struggle. You may have to take a little bit of time off to heal, but you’ve got to get back to the barricades.


Comradely regards,
Alan OldStudent
The unexamined life is not worth living— Socrates

[d3crypt]

Fight depression by dedicating yourself to fighting the system that causes it. Capitalism makes people mentally unhealthy, so solve the problem through revolution.

I couldn't agree any more. I think we are all trying, but revolution is hard to start. I wonder how common depression would be under full communism?

[d3crypt]

Hello Comrade CommunistMetalHead,

I empathize with you. I understand where you’re coming from. Once, when I was quite young (maybe 50 or so years ago), I fell stupidly in love with a woman. My attachment was quite deep, and I really obsessed over her. After less than a year, she cut the relationship off, and for several years, I felt pretty shattered. But over the years, I’ve gained another perspective, and I learned something from this. Maybe you can draw some value over what I learned.

It was unimaginable to me that this woman did not feel precisely the same way about me as I felt about her. That thought never occurred to me for one second until she said goodbye. That was really hard for me to accept.

Now I understand that it is quite possible for me to feel very strongly about somebody and for that somebody to be more-or-less indifferent about me. That was very hard for me to admit, because then I had to admit that I had been so blind and so wrong, and it made me feel foolish. Now I understand that I must make a clear distinction between how I feel about someone and how someone might feel about me. Moreover, I really have no control over how someone else feels about me or have a view me.

Many years later, I met another woman, and we were best friends. We became partners for many decades, my wife, and we really loved each other. But we didn’t obsess over each other. After so many years of a really outstanding friendship and companionship, it caused me much pain when she died after a three-year illness which left her completely helpless. I’m still getting over it.

Several other people have suggested that you talk to a doctor. Personally, I think that’s an outstanding idea. Oftentimes, people can have a hormonal imbalance like a thyroid problem, maybe diabetes that they don’t know about, or any number of other things that can make for a very bad mood.

Then when one has a personal crisis such as you’ve described to us, the pain can magnify.

Some of your words make me wonder if you’re feeling suicidal. I really hope not because we need more socialists in this world not fewer. We need you to be involved in the struggle. You may have to take a little bit of time off to heal, but you’ve got to get back to the barricades.


Comradely regards,
Alan OldStudent
The unexamined life is not worth living— Socrates
Thank you so much. I think i learned the same lesson. I was feeling suicidal when i wrote this but i'm in a better state now. I don't want to let something like this defeat me. I just have a hard time comprehending the degree in which she doesn't care about me... Its pretty damn devastating. But i'm not gonna kill myself. Suicide is pretty stupid.

[Luís Henrique]

find projects to work on where you can see the results. even simple stuff like cooking a meal, cleaning your room, doing the dishes or whatever will make you feel better. and as mentioned exercise is a really good idea. whatever mood i am in before going to the gym i almost always feel a lot better afterwards.

Yup, that is good advice. Especially, make cooking a meal or cleaning your room a goal. Set small, easy goals like that, accomplish them, and commemorate your success (wash the dishes, when they are washed, think of yourself as some kind of hero for having washed them. If necessary, establish that the dirty dishes are the evil Nazis, and washing them is the battle of Normandy or Stalingrad).

Try to sleep at night and stay awake by the day, too. If things are really bad, consider professional psychological help. If necessary, they will supply you with the adequate drugs (use them too, if they make you feel better; don't let people indoctrinate you with weird ideas about how this is cheating/unnatural/addicting/anti-communist/anti-ecological/whatever else). It is your life and your happiness, you don't have to conform to anyone else's ideas about how it should be or how should you attain it., thoug

If the drugs don't help you, however, be sure to tell your doctor that, preferably describing what they are actually doing to you. Don't just quit using them out of the blue; tell your doctor that you don't want them anymore and that you want to know what collateral effects this may have, if any.

Avoid pot, alcohol, and anxiolytics, for they may provide provisory relief but will quite certainly aggravate the problem in the medium term. But avoid above all cocaine, the hangover of which includes depressive feelings, sometimes quite intense.

Luís Henrique

[Luís Henrique]

She is like my dream girl but she has no interest in me at all.

If she has no interest in you at all, she is a woman with very awful tastes and poor judgement.

Luís Henrique

[Alan OldStudent]

Thank you so much. I think i learned the same lesson. I was feeling suicidal when i wrote this but i'm in a better state now. I don't want to let something like this defeat me. I just have a hard time comprehending the degree in which she doesn't care about me... Its pretty damn devastating. But i'm not gonna kill myself. Suicide is pretty stupid.
One thing I learned from my similar experience so long ago is that I should have listened better and with empathy to what she was communicating, not just in words, but in body language, in her social cues. The strength of my feelings made me tone deaf.

I was surprised and actually shocked when she broke through my barrier of wishful thinking with a rather sharp rebuff. I felt like a schmuck, a dolt, and I actually felt embarrassed, partly because I had told my friends and relatives how wonderful she was, and then she threw me over, partly because my own lack of insight made me angry with myself.

And as time went on, I realized more and more clearly that I had confused my wishful thinking with reality.

It's probably way to early to think about other women, but key to success is being able to find some personal balance meaning in your own life as a single man. Try to be healthy, eat right, exercise, get rest, take care of yourself. Then, if a woman comes into your life, it is because she is a welcome addition, someone to share with, rather than a stopgap to feeling lonely.

Often, when one sees older couples, one gets the feeling they don't really like each other that much. So when young people saw me and my wife together, they often remarked about how we seemed really close and asked us if we had any words of advice. I always said the same thing: Being best friends is the most important thing, more important than sex.

That's hard for some young folks to understand, because a beautiful sexual attraction often is the first thing that motivates us when young to seek each others' company, to want to know each other

In my experience, women really appreciate men who actively listen and are interested in them as people. So when you're ready, find someone who interests you as a human.

Regards,
Alan OldStudent
The unexamined life is not worth living--Socrates

[juljd]

I've had similar problems, that kind of go on and off. They've been quite serious sometimes. It's good to avoid using alcohol and drugs to make oneself feel better, they might make one feel temporary good, but usually make things worse in the long run. Physical exercise helps psychological problems. Exercise positively affects anxiety immediately and can treat depression if practiced regularly for some time.

Good luck comrade.

[Alan OldStudent]

....It's good to avoid using alcohol and drugs to make oneself feel better, they might make one feel temporary good, but usually make things worse in the long run. Physical exercise helps psychological problems. Exercise positively affects anxiety immediately and can treat depression if practiced regularly for some time.

I find your words to be quite true for me. It has been decades since I smoked, used marijuana, or alcohol, and I have no regrets. They don't really provide any long-term relief for depression at all.

I have no time for tobacco.

Although I recognize that some can use alcohol and marijuana responsibly, they're not for me at all. Using illegal drugs, even in moderation, can lead to victimization. The famous socialist writer and historian Lenni Brenner, one of the activists in the Berkeley Free Speech movement in the 1960s, served a more than a few years for possession of a couple of joints. Revolutionaries should be especially careful about even the most moderate use of illegal drugs.

When one is depressed and vulnerable, a hassle with the authorities is especially damaging.

Regards,
Alan OldStudent

[cyu]

For every capitalist you kill, you will feel 30% better ;)

Not really serious, but memetically speaking, a capitalist is someone who is a carrier of a certain collection of economic memes. There are many ways to get such memes out of circulation - you can remove that person out of any position of power, you can convert them to a different set of memes, you can neutralize any attempt by them to spread their memes.

On the memetic scheme of things, a capitalist converted to communism would in effect be the "murder" of a capitalist.

[d3crypt]

If she has no interest in you at all, she is a woman with very awful tastes and poor judgement.

Luís Henrique

Thanks

[d3crypt]

For every capitalist you kill, you will feel 30% better ;)

Not really serious, but memetically speaking, a capitalist is someone who is a carrier of a certain collection of economic memes. There are many ways to get such memes out of circulation - you can remove that person out of any position of power, you can convert them to a different set of memes, you can neutralize any attempt by them to spread their memes.

On the memetic scheme of things, a capitalist converted to communism would in effect be the "murder" of a capitalist.
Im very bad at debating with people who aren't already open to some form of socialism. They just keep using straw man arguments. The human nature, compare to USSR, so on. Any tips for those types of arguments.

[Zealot]

1) Go to South America
2) Drink Ayahuasca
3) Enjoy your new perspective on life

[d3crypt]

1) Go to South America
2) Drink Ayahuasca
3) Enjoy your new perspective on life

Do shrooms or lsd work. Its possible to get those. I can't exactly just go to South America.

[Zealot]

The alternative would be to grow as a human and as a revolutionary. This can take a while but is well worth it. I once took medication for depression but realised that the shit just don't work so for a couple of years I worked on the problem myself by simply building on my own personality, worldview, etc., and a lot of reflection. This all comes with time and is achieved essentially by what others have said. I would agree that setting goals, even small ones, is a must and it helps more if it's something you are passionate about. For instance, writing music.

[Zealot]

Do shrooms or lsd work. Its possible to get those. I can't exactly just go to South America.

Sure, some people have reported good results. However, I was only half-serious and considering that someone above recommended no drugs you might be a little confused. Well it's not for everyone but the most important thing to think about is what you want from the experience. If you just want to get wasted so that you don't have to think about your problems then the approach is completely misguided. You need to have the will to change and the want to explore yourself, albeit with the aid of nature's medicines and - this is important - your own research into said medicines beforehand. You have to be prepared to see things from a different angle and things that you may have repressed for years. But you'll also realise how great you really are and how for granted you have taken everything.

[PC LOAD LETTER]

I know it's a little late but I'll reiterate the advice to abstain from self medication w/ alcohol and drugs (even though I like drugs, trust me, stay sober if you're in a rut, seriously, just do it).

Also, like a few others said, EXERCISE. Go run. Seriously, one of the things that almost always makes me feel better is when I run. I prefer to do it at night, after most of the traffic has died down, the air is cool with a breeze, and everything looks surreal. It's peaceful. Even if you can't run far, go for a light jog, and go for time rather than distance. After the run, take a hot shower and plop on the couch and watch a movie or something. You'll be in a better mood and it'll be the best night of sleep you've ever had.

[Alan OldStudent]

Hello Comrade CommunistMetalhead,


Im very bad at debating with people who aren't already open to some form of socialism. They just keep using straw man arguments. The human nature, compare to USSR, so on. Any tips for those types of arguments.

I think one key to being effective in spreading socialist ideas or discussing socialism with other people is deciding which of these is a more important goal to you:


To prove you’re right and the other chap is wrong, wrong, wrong!
Help them understand and maybe see the validity of one of your positions.


The thing is, you have to choose one or the other. That’s because you can’t do both.

Ask yourself this: Have you and your skeptical sparring partner been trying to show each other that only stupid people or ill-informed people could have such stupid ideas about human nature and what happened in the old SU?

It can be easy to fall into these kinds of traps if your anti-socialist debating partner is condescending in their arguments, puts you down as a person because of your socialist views, considers you to be obviously naïve, ill-informed, and so on. This is quite common in such encounters. Sometimes the smugness of anti-communists can be quite maddening, and the urge to have a snappy comeback can be great. But remember, you won’t be able to effectively communicate socialist ideas to another person if the two of you have gotten into a pissing contest. And some are just unable to be reached at all.

In the 1960s, I asked an elderly comrade who I greatly admired the same question as yours, quoted above. This comrade was someone born before the Russian revolution, who’d been in the Wobblies at the beginning of the 20th century and who had been a founding member of the Communist Party. Later he was expelled for Trotskyism, although he was never what I’d call a sectarian. He had been a hobo migrant farmworker in the when he was in the Wobblies, had later been a communist agitator, a union organizer, fought in World War II, had been a dock worker, had been a writer and journalist, had worked in construction and in alteration painting, and had been a glazier. He was a militant and revolutionary socialist his whole life.

His advice to me when I asked him your question was: “Give the other fellow a chance to save a bit of face.”

Comrade Bill Kitt’s great gift was being able to explain socialist ideas clearly, simply, and convincingly without making the other person feel defensive. He was an old-fashioned gentleman who was always courteous, even under trying circumstances. He was quite polished, was familiar with history, literature, science, and of course Marx, although he had never had formal education beyond the 3rd grade.

Nevertheless, he had an outstanding education and was a sophisticated and subtle thinker. Even in his 70s, he could give brilliant classes and rousing militant speeches. His command of Standard American English was superb.

So I valued his advice and have always tried to follow it, although I confess not always successfully, especially when I lose my cool a bit. He was like a second father to me. So, I pass this advice on to you, in an unbroken chain of over a century, because if he could be here and hear your story, he’d tell you the same.

We are getting off topic, and I’m pretty new here. I’m not sure what the mods would say about this, although they’ll no doubt let me know, as all my posts are monitored until I reach a certain number of posts and learn a bit more about what’s acceptable here.

So here’s what I’m going to ask you to do.

See if you can formulate one of their arguments and post it in another thread asking the comrades here how they might respond. Explain you don’t agree with the argument and find a bit of difficulty countering it. Then send me a PM and I’ll have a go at answering it too. Make sure you explain the context so other comrades don’t think you’re trolling. I’ll bet that in the responses you get, you’ll find some effective tools to communicate clearly and convincingly, if the other party is at all receptive. It will be educational for us all.

Comradely regards,
Alan OldStudent
The unexamined life is not worth living—Socrates

[cyu]

Im very bad at debating with people who aren't already open to some form of socialism. They just keep using straw man arguments. The human nature, compare to USSR, so on. Any tips for those types of arguments.


All those points have been discussed on revleft - you can just search for them. You can also read how other leftists respond to these capitalists, and incorporate their ideas into your arsenal.

On the psychological side of things, take a look at the points here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_to_Win_Friends_and_Influence_People
...that assumes you're actually trying to convert the person you're debating though. This isn't always the case on public forums. In private debate, there's no point in talking unless you're after what the other guy thinks, but in public, the other guy often isn't as important as the general audience that may not be actively participating.

[Luís Henrique]

Do shrooms or lsd work. Its possible to get those. I can't exactly just go to South America.

I would suggest not using either when depressed, because they tend to amplify what one is already feeling. A bad LSD trip can be terrifying, and more probable to happen if one is depressed while taking it.

Ayahuasca is different in many levels and ways, and I don't think it would be damaging to one under depression, but anyway people who use it always insist in group use, with at least one person not taking it, because of its weird effects on motricity.

Luís Henrique

[Vanguard1917]

Whenever you begin to feel like an angsty emo (i'm not judging - i know the feeling well), pick up a book. You're a poster on revleft, so choose something political, theoretical, historical. About the great miners' strike, say, or the political economy of sub-Saharan Africa.

Being reminded that there's a world out there much greater than yourself is great treatment for inordinate navel gazing and emotional self-absorption. It also helps put your problems into perspective.

And get out and about. Exercise. Chat with people. But not with any mumbo-jumboist wannabe Lacans and Freuds. IMO modern psychoanalysis endorses and only augments the kind of petty self-centeredness that leads to a lot of depression cases in the first place, especially in younger people.

[Os Cangaceiros]

Yup, that is good advice. Especially, make cooking a meal or cleaning your room a goal. Set small, easy goals like that, accomplish them, and commemorate your success (wash the dishes, when they are washed, think of yourself as some kind of hero for having washed them. If necessary, establish that the dirty dishes are the evil Nazis, and washing them is the battle of Normandy or Stalingrad).

Try to sleep at night and stay awake by the day, too. If things are really bad, consider professional psychological help. If necessary, they will supply you with the adequate drugs (use them too, if they make you feel better; don't let people indoctrinate you with weird ideas about how this is cheating/unnatural/addicting/anti-communist/anti-ecological/whatever else). It is your life and your happiness, you don't have to conform to anyone else's ideas about how it should be or how should you attain it., thoug

If the drugs don't help you, however, be sure to tell your doctor that, preferably describing what they are actually doing to you. Don't just quit using them out of the blue; tell your doctor that you don't want them anymore and that you want to know what collateral effects this may have, if any.

Avoid pot, alcohol, and anxiolytics, for they may provide provisory relief but will quite certainly aggravate the problem in the medium term. But avoid above all cocaine, the hangover of which includes depressive feelings, sometimes quite intense.

Luís Henrique

If he actually sees a doctor, there's a good chance they'll prescribe anxiolytics. Either that or some sort of MAOI, or some combination of the two

[Bostana]

Make going to a doctor your last resort. Not because psychiatric medications don't work, it's just you shouldn't spend the rest of your life on pills when it could be solved by simply doing more healthy activity.
Everybody gave good examples on how to do this

[Human Liberation Front]

Listen to some Cradle of Filth or some Exploited (mainly the songs Alternative and Dead cities).

And if you still think you're worthless, go check out the dullards on Stormfront. usually when I get depressed, seeing those Neanderthals makes me feel 10 times better about myself and gives me a good laugh.

[Comrade Jacob]

You are not alone comrade, we are all brothers and sisters. Look for progress in things you like to cheer you up. e.i a leftist party gaining power somewhere or progress with the Naxalites or the fact that the New people's liberation army have been confirmed not destroyed. Things like that get me out of the blue, also talk to people they understand, capitalism may be socially alienating but we as comrades with go the extra step to make you feel one of us.

I am not an expert in mental-health but I hope the moral support you receive on this forum cheers you up. :)

[Sam_b]

There's been some pretty good but also some pretty bad advise going on in this thread. Obviously the first thing to say would be that responses on a forum can/may be useful but I wouldn't rely too heavily on them. Similarly I think some of the responses are pretty frivolous and perhaps that's because if you're not affected by mental health issues people don't really understand that just telling someone to 'cheer up' does not cut it.

Have you looked into counselling at all? Unfortunately in some places this is still something that's associated with either lots of money or sitting on a couch in front of a guy with a notepad but there are some free/voluntary services which are available, and that's helped me in the past to sort some things out (I'm not on any medication but I still go to counselling for depression and so on).

Going to the doctor, as mentioned above, is not a last resort at all - they (at least here they do) have resources that can get you in touch with things like counselling services and local groups that deal with mental illness, and as such can help you access services you might not know about.

[Alan OldStudent]

There's been some pretty good but also some pretty bad advise going on in this thread. Obviously the first thing to say would be that responses on a forum can/may be useful but I wouldn't rely too heavily on them. Similarly I think some of the responses are pretty frivolous and perhaps that's because if you're not affected by mental health issues people don't really understand that just telling someone to 'cheer up' does not cut it.

Have you looked into counselling at all? Unfortunately in some places this is still something that's associated with either lots of money or sitting on a couch in front of a guy with a notepad but there are some free/voluntary services which are available, and that's helped me in the past to sort some things out (I'm not on any medication but I still go to counselling for depression and so on).

Going to the doctor, as mentioned above, is not a last resort at all - they (at least here they do) have resources that can get you in touch with things like counselling services and local groups that deal with mental illness, and as such can help you access services you might not know about.

What you say makes a lot of sense to me, Comrade Sam. I note you live in Scotland, and medical care is much easier to obtain anywhere in the UK than here in the USA, with our system of private health insurance. Even if one has private health insurance, they don't like to pay for mental health services.

In fact, they don't really like to pay for much other than routine care. Their business model seemingly is based on the fact that they make a profit out of denying the insured the coverage the insured paid for. Sheesh! We've really taken free-market to an absurd extreme here, and Obamacare is really a big wet kiss given to the insurance industry.

Regards,
Alan OldStudent
The unexamined life is not worth living--Socrates

[BIXX]

http://www.hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2013/05/depression-part-two.html

I found that this helped me get through a major depressive bout, somehow, even though it feels crushing to read sometimes.

I'm sorry for what you are going through, and, as I like to consider myself a comrade of ANY poster here, feel free to seek help from me, even if you just wanna talk. I know other people can't help you cheer up directly in most cases, but it won't hurt to have a support in all aspects of your life, even here.

[darkblues]

db

[blake 3:17]

Exercise is the single best remedy for depression and anxiety. There's always lots of other things to work on, but a good work out of some kind can really help. I do better in general when I am able to use a gym on a regular basis.

Not everyone can afford it, because of money or time or other reasons.


One simple tip I learnt years ago from some goofy lifestyle magazine was to jump up and down on the spot really hard before doing chores or going for a walk. A couple of minutes of hopping and bends and stretches can get the heart and muscles moving in healthier ways.

I know that doesn't heart break, but can help the head deal with it a bit better.

[Decolonize The Left]

There are only a few things which one can do for oneself which will absolutely help in most cases:
- Exercise
- Get outside
- Eat and drink healthy (lots of water, no booze/drugs)
- Meditate if possible

The one thing you will need beyond this:
- Have a good support group

After rereading this post, these are things everyone should do for themselves. In fact, I'm going to get off the internet now, go shower, then head outside to walk/run to the local Y and do some exercise. Join me!

[d3crypt]

Thanks guys. I think im out of my depression for now. Knowing me it won't be long till i'm depressed again though. All the advice is great. :)

[Human Liberation Front]

Thanks guys. I think im out of my depression for now. Knowing me it won't be long till i'm depressed again though. All the advice is great. :)

Good to know you're doing better, but if you get into that funk again we're here for you.

Take care and be well, comrade!

[Ethics Gradient, Traitor For All Ages]

I would suggest not using either when depressed, because they tend to amplify what one is already feeling. A bad LSD trip can be terrifying, and more probable to happen if one is depressed while taking it.

Ayahuasca is different in many levels and ways, and I don't think it would be damaging to one under depression, but anyway people who use it always insist in group use, with at least one person not taking it, because of its weird effects on motricity.

Luís Henrique

I definitely agree that it's a good idea to avoid LSD while depressed if it would be your first time. A better idea might be a short float in a sensory deprivation tank, you can google for places in your area that rent them out by the hour.

I think regular exercise is probably the best first step though.

[Zealot]

I know it's a little late but I'll reiterate the advice to abstain from self medication w/ alcohol and drugs (even though I like drugs, trust me, stay sober if you're in a rut, seriously, just do it).

The benefits of entheogenic and psychedelic therapy for things such as addiction and depression is well documented. However, it's also new and, due to the illegal nature of many psychedelics, research has been restricted. You're right, it can be unpredictable, perhaps in large part because of the restrictions on research, and might be best to stay away from it but it's also a well-known form of self-therapy and has been spoken of positively by many people including myself. For the record, I'm not saying that people should go out and immediately consume psychedelics as some sort of miracle pill to your problems. Research is a must and if you don't think you will handle it, or are not prepared to show psychedelics the respect they deserve, don't do it.

[Zealot]

Also, I would avoid doctors and prescription medication if at all possible. As someone else said, they can cause other problems for which further prescribed medications are needed and this disastrous pattern can continue. This is especially so for depression and many of the medications they prescribe actually make you more suicidal (no, im not making this shit up just do a google search). I was also prescribed codeine when I had depression because I couldn't sleep. What happened was that the codeine eventually wasn't strong enough to make me want to sleep but I soon realised that staying awake while on codeine produced a very unusual high. And in hindsight, the only thing those medications done were to force me to develop nasty addictions to things that weren't really helping. This isn't good if you have depression.

[Alan OldStudent]

Also, I would avoid doctors and prescription medication if at all possible. As someone else said, they can cause other problems for which further prescribed medications are needed and this disastrous pattern can continue. This is especially so for depression and many of the medications they prescribe actually make you more suicidal (no, im not making this shit up just do a google search). I was also prescribed codeine when I had depression because I couldn't sleep. What happened was that the codeine eventually wasn't strong enough to make me want to sleep but I soon realised that staying awake while on codeine produced a very unusual high. And in hindsight, the only thing those medications done were to force me to develop nasty addictions to things that weren't really helping. This isn't good if you have depression.

I've actually worked in the medical field off-and-on since the late 1950s, including some of the top medical schools in the world. During that time, I've made a few observations about approaching doctors and obtaining good medical care.


When you go to the doctor, write down your questions before you go. Make sure your doctor answers your questions in words you can understand.
If and when the doctor offers an opinion as to what your problem is and what caused it, ask the doctor to explain why they have that opinion, once again, in words you can understand.
If the doctor wants you to take a medication:

Ask what the possible side effects are and what will happen if you don't take it.
Ask what signs to look for that might indicate a problem
Ask if there are other medications if you're worried or hesitant about the one the doctor prescribes.

Remember, ask for these explanations in words you understand. If you don't understand something, ask for a clarification.
If the doctor suggests a treatment, ask the doctor these questions:

What are the pros and cons of agreeing to the plan?
What will happen if you do nothing.
What other possible courses of action could you take if you're uncomfortable with the proposed treatment.



Most doctors appreciate these kinds of question, especially if asked in a respectful fashion. They respect the patient who takes an active role, is curious and asks intelligent questions.

Remember, the doctor is a medical expert with an expert opinion. Most doctors are also happy to refer you to a colleague if you want another opinion, and they don't take it personally.

Regards,

Alan OldStudent
The unexamined life is not worth living--Socrates

[OMnoxious]

I am currently in a funk myself, and have been this way for about 2 weeks now. I am in a healthy relationship with a girl my age who says that it seems like I'm "numb" and a "different person" than I usually am.

I am a student, so starting a leftist movement in my current area (a largely right-wing, ass-backwards country suburb) would not last very long (at least, I wouldn't be able to be a part of it for very long since I'll probably end up moving within the next year).

I used to fill the empty space with video games, but since my gaming laptop has died and I really don't have the money to have any expensive hobbies, nothing really comes to mind. I write fairly well, but I'm the furthest thing from inspired right now. My psychiatrist recommends exercise, so I might do some of that, but I also have to sit at a desk for 12 hours tomorrow at work (I work as a receptionist) and I really will have nothing to do besides browse the internet or read a book.

I would like to find something to inspire me, to make me feel passionate again...any suggestions?

[cyu]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flow_%28psychology%29

flow is characterized by complete absorption in what one does.

It is a single-minded immersion and represents perhaps the ultimate experience in harnessing the emotions in the service of performing and learning. emotions are not just contained and channeled, but positive, energized, and aligned with the task at hand. To be caught in the ennui of depression or the agitation of anxiety is to be barred from flow. The hallmark of flow is a feeling of spontaneous joy, even rapture, while performing a task although flow is also described as a deep focus on nothing but the activity – not even oneself or one's emotions.

intense and focused concentration, loss of reflective self-consciousness, a sense of personal control over the situation or activity, one's subjective experience of time is altered, experience of the activity as intrinsically rewarding.

during interviews several people described their "flow" experiences using the metaphor of a water current carrying them along.

Csikszentmihalyi became fascinated by artists who would essentially get lost in their work. Artists, especially painters, got so immersed in their work that they would disregard their need for food, water and even sleep.

One must be involved in an activity with a clear set of goals and progress. The task at hand must have clear and immediate feedback. One must have a good balance between the perceived challenges of the task at hand and his or her own perceived skills.

Csíkszentmihályi hypothesized that people with specific personality traits may be better able to achieve flow more often. These traits include curiosity, persistence, low self-centeredness, and a high rate of performing activities for intrinsic reasons only. People with most of these traits are said to have an autotelic personality ("having a purpose in and not apart from itself").

a significant relationship was found between the flow state of the pianist and the pianist’s heart rate, blood pressure, and major facial muscles. As the pianist entered the flow state, heart rate and blood pressure decreased and the major facial muscles relaxed. This study further emphasized that flow is a state of effortless attention. In spite of the effortless attention and overall relaxation of the body, the performance of the pianist during the flow state improved.

Flow is one of the main reasons that people play video games. This is especially true since the primary goal of games is to create entertainment through intrinsic motivation, which is related to flow.

Flow in games has been linked to the Laws of Learning as part of the explanation for why learning games (the use of games to introduce material, improve understanding, or increase retention) have the potential to be effective. the experience of gaming can be so engaging and motivating as it meets many of the Laws of Learning, which are inextricably connected to creating flow.

Flow experiences imply a growth principle. When one is in a flow state, he or she is working to master the activity at hand. To maintain that flow state, one must seek increasingly greater challenges.

[RedGuevara]

I would, from personal experience, say try not to be alone and be in good company. If that's not possible then turn on the tv. I had a breakdown a long time ago when I was a child and I used tv as my distraction. It's temporary but those little bouts of peace were heavenly. I was never taken to a doctor because my parents are country bumpkins so I learned to deal but if you need to reach out. I hope you begin to feel better as even now, with a wonderful girlfriend and a somewhat okay job, I am a depressed guy. So keep pushing and definitely never give up.

[Thirsty Crow]

DON'T DRINK.

I don't know the peculiarities of your situation, but assume that this is a possibility. Avoid it.

[Le Libérer]

The best way to pull yourself out of depression is to feel needed. Go volunteer at a place where people less fortunate need you. I have found befriending someone in an old folks home will keep your mind off yourself.

Some of my most loved memories are with RS2K while he was bed bound paralyzed. He had fantastic stories of his youth. And if you decide to do this when you find a nursing home ask them who needs visitors and are any of them self professed socialists.

Everyone needs to feel they are needed. Its the best therapy in the world and won't cost you a penny. Hell, you may even gain a new friend.