Conference quark::human_relations-v1

    When I feel depressed it's because there is something that I do not
    accept in my life and my anger at this turns itself inward and I become
    immobilized, irrational, and fearful.
    
    I let myself feel whatever it is I feel and I just get down to a basic
    daily plan of prayer, meditation, healthy foods, exercise, and I talk
    to someone in my support system.  When I don't reach out, it feels
    worse.  After I talk, I sometimes feel better.  I've had to have
    therapy for deeper depression but lately, things have been ok.
    
    I try not to get into bed.  It's so easy to do "sheet therapy".  This
    only makes you tired and may cause sleep (which will not be at all
    restful) and when you wake up, headache!! At least for me.
    
    Cathy

    Do something uplifting by maybe going a fun place like a beach or an
    amusement park, and just let out the kid in you.   Or go see a great
    movie at the theatre, or go to the mall and shop till you drop.  
    
    I know these are temporary solutions, but they do help.
    
    If worse comes to worse, go to a professional therapist and maybe they
    will be help with more  in depth depression.

I suffer terribly from mood swings... especially while I was going through
the split with my ex-fiance.

I found that I could sleep for hours, and also that I could sleep instantly.  
Like if we were having a "deep" discussion I would suddenly fall asleep...

I realised that this doesn't take the problem or depression away, but I think
it gives a respite..

When I am depressed now I acknowledge it to myself and then try and find 
something to do... usually something with other people cos they take your
mind off things... but if theres nothing to do I go to bed... at whatever time
of day... because for me that's better than sitting around moping...

The phone is a also a great lifesaver... I call my mum!



Xtine

    I have known two people in my past who were always depressed,  in
    each case it turned out to be caused by a lack of certain chemicals
    in the brain... in one particular case, the girl got so depressed
    that she attempted suicide.  After the second time one of the doctors
    she was seeing performed some tests and discovered the lack of these
    "euphorics" that accure naturally in the brain.  They were able
    to prescribe certain medicines that brought the brain back into
    a more natural "balance" and as long as she is on this medication,
    she is very normal with normal depression and happiness but nothing
    like the type she used to have.  
    
    Sometimes you hear horror stories about people who become "doped
    up" using these "happy drugs" perscribed for depression... in most
    cases it is simply a matter of making the doctor aware that the
    drug perscribed is having a stronger effect then it should... a
    simple adjustment in the perscribtion, or change in medication is
    usually all it takes to "cure" the problem.  
    
    This isn't always the case however, if you are finding yourself
    in a case of very deep depression then you may want to consider
    being tested.  A good phsychiatrist can perform the necessary tests
    and evaluations to determine if this is the case or not.  
    
    Skip
    

    Of course most of us go through disappointments or causes for temporary
    depression. And sometimes talking it out with someone will help to
    elimate the problems that caused it.  Mood swings and episodes of
    euphoria- if they occur more frequently then the occasions warrant - or
    for no reason, then the action taken should be one of counselling or
    behavorial therapy. 
    
    When I went through a bout with depression a few years ago. I let
    problems, no matter how small, become insurmountable. Which led to
    stress, which led to deeper depression. It wasn't until *I* decided
    that enough was enough that I pulled myself out of it. It wasn't
    gradual, it was immediate. And luckily, it never happened again. 
    
    Don't be afraid to talk about what's troubling you to a friend. No
    matter how embarrasing or awkward you may think it is. You just might
    save yourself a lot of time that could have been spent feeling bad.
    
    If you don't want to talk right away, put some space between the
    person(s) or environment that caused the stress in the first place -
    then go on from there. Support groups are a great resourse too.