Hi Everyone, This past month has been a roller-coaster for me, but I have learned a few things and I thought I would share them with all of you because I am definitely feeling A LOT better than I did, and I hope I can help other people

1.Therapy-I have gotten to the roots of why I feel so miserable, and have learned the reasons and dynamics of why I am a mess http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gifTALKING HELPS SO MUCH!!!! (not only with a therapist, but family and friends as well, and not feeling ashamed of anxiety and depression

2.Not taking SSRI's-I tried lexapro for a week, and HATED the side effects so much that I couldn't wait it out...I decided I want to get better on my own naturally, and now have the willpower to do it..(i'm not knocking medication, I know its good for lots of people)

3.moderate to strenuous exercise almost every day(gets those good chemicals in your brain flowing http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gifor a walk outdoors -------->

4.Being outdoors, getting some sunshine, (I worry about everything else except skin cancer right now http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif or a little fake baking in the tanning bed (I know I'm bad, but it helps my mood and a little color makes me feel better about myself http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

5.healthy food, lots of green leafy veggies, fresh fruits especially apples and cherries, fish, chicken etc. whole grain carbs (need I say more?)

6. multi-vitamins and Flax-seed oil supplements (flax is rich in omega-3's which help mood along with a variety of other physiological processes)

7.5-htp I am experiementing cautiously with this supplement...its an amino acid that is the precursor to serotonin (there is lots of conflicting info on the web, check it out and let me know what you think)
FYI -you should not take it with other anti-depressents, or within a few weeks of stopping

8. Xanax for really, really bad times, but I haven't needed it lately

9. Not drinking- I never drank a lot, but when I do I know it really affects my sleep patterns (I'm already an insomniac) and the way I feel the next day, so I'm pretty much avoiding it all-together

10. making it a priority to take care of YOURSELF NO MATTER WHAT!!! I've learned you can't adequately care for people unless you care for yourself too, and also coming to terms with the fact that some people in your life take advantage of you, and you just CAN"T worry about them anymore, you have to get over them (IT's a hard thing....I know, I've been emotionally abused by my father and wasted my life feeling sorry for him and trying to help him get better, instead of taking care of me....I'm learning now through therapy how to break the hold he has over me)

If anyone else has other suggestions or input, PLEASE SHARE! Talking to all of you helps SO MUCH!!!! I am really starting to feel there is light at the end of the tunnel, when before all I felt was misery and despair Love, Beth

Beth,
Thanks for the info. My fiancae suffers from depression. He is a bit apprehensive about going to therapy, and I've been trying to tell him that it may be good for him, but I don't push the issue. He is doing a lot better since he is eating healthier, and exercising. I'm going to show this post to him in hopes that he'll realize that he may be able to beat this illness that has taken over his life. He has a habit of worrying about what other people think of him, and feeling inferior to other people. I am on this message board in hopes that I can learn a little more about depression and how to help my fiancae deal with his problems. You have shown me that there is hope, and for that I thank you.
Shorty24

Thankyou for the tips- I really should start excersizing more. I swam laps in my pool yesterday and it made me feel (even if temporarily) better.

I'm interested in hearing what others do to lift their spirits in difficult times.

It's also wonderful that you're seeing hope! Hold on to that ray of sunshine. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif
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Shannon

[This message has been edited by ShannonKay (edited 07-03-2003).]

Another thing I've found is that excercising more than once a day helps too, by that I mean going on more than one walk, or a walk and a bike ride, or going to the pool, anything that gets your heart rate up (sex? http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif, or gets you outside in the fresh air I think if you are going to excersise pretty strenously, once a day is enough, and rest days are important, too... I know how the effects can be temporary, so thats why doing it more than once spreads out the positive effects, all that excercise makes me feel better about the way I look and feel about my body, too....Good Luck to you guys....the therapy thing has made a world of difference, too....I didn't understand before why I am a wreck, but now at least I know why, and what I have to do.....Thanks for reading and listening to me...If I can help anyone in the slightest way, I am happy...I know that there is no "quick fix", which is what I was hoping for when I tried Lexapro, to depression and anxiety and that its a lot of steps, small steps, and not always in the right direction.....I just try to keep in mind, and I tell myself everyday, that anxiety,depression, and abuse is something you can get over in time (with the proper measures)....other people do it right? http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif Have a good weekend everyone..............Love, Bethy

Another thing I've found is that excercising more than once a day helps too, by that I mean going on more than one walk, or a walk and a bike ride, or going to the pool, anything that gets your heart rate up (sex? http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif, or gets you outside in the fresh air I think if you are going to excersise pretty strenously, once a day is enough, and rest days are important, too... I know how the effects can be temporary, so thats why doing it more than once spreads out the positive effects, all that excercise makes me feel better about the way I look and feel about my body, too....Good Luck to you guys....the therapy thing has made a world of difference, too....I didn't understand before why I am a wreck, but now at least I know why, and what I have to do.....Thanks for reading and listening to me...If I can help anyone in the slightest way, I am happy...I know that there is no "quick fix", which is what I was hoping for when I tried Lexapro, to depression and anxiety and that its a lot of steps, small steps, and not always in the right direction.....I just try to keep in mind, and I tell myself everyday, that anxiety,depression, and abuse is something you can get over in time (with the proper measures)....other people do it right? http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif Have a good weekend everyone..............Love, Bethy

hello I have found going for a brief walk and doing 30 miniutes of yoga gives me a lift.

oh yeah and when I am eating healthy along with walking and yoga but eating healthy is always a problem I can neverkeep it up for very long

oh yeah and when I am eating healthy along with walking and yoga but eating healthy is always a problem I can neverkeep it up for very long

I find bright sunshine and outdoors to help. Physical activity is good for depression. Dancing to very cheerful or uplifting music (christian music, disco, funk, or anything). Smiling helps and what helped the most for me is a cognitive therapist. DO not go to the therapist that just wants to talk about how bad you are depressed. That does not help.

I agree...talking about being depressed too much makes it worse....I really like my therapist and we talk about all areas of my life.....yes, dancing helps too...We'll add that to the list