surviving another day

Discussion
1

anyone ever feel they’re at the end of the rope? what do you do to get by another day? I’ve been getting those types of days alot lately. I try to find things that excite me. many things don’t anymore. but lately, it’s droid phone technology, all those youtube videos of reviews and comparisons take up alot of time. another thing I’ve been researching/getting into is absinthe. all the reviews and videos of it. tried a few brands.
but there’s only so much you can do before those things don’t excite you after a while.
I try to return to the things that once excited me in the past…Native American culture for instance. but nothing works.

anyone else get into these type of funks? it gets very serious at times. as I described to a friend, “it’s almost like Kurt Cobain just without the heroin or shotgun!” what do you guys do when you get days…weeks…months…like this?

2

Depression’s a bitch and can come out of nowhere. As far as I’m concerned there is no “cure”, you just have to adapt to it. In the pit of a depressed state nothing much helps, but it does pass. If you can accept that it will pass, really accept it then it becomes more tolerable.

If I could offer any advice I’d say develop/maintain as many interests as possible. As already said once in a depressed state enthusiasm is missing but the best chance you have is to have as many options around you so as to trigger something positive. What is also a big help is understanding the life of someone who had a hard time (or better still, suffered/suffers from depression) but still managed to be significant in some way. A lot of people turn to zombie Jesus (no offence, xtians) but personally I want something less fictional. I am a huge admirer of Abe Lincoln. The man was a giant in many ways. I always read a bio or some other piece of info of Lincoln when I’m down. Plus: never invest too much in someone who can likely let you down.

Hang in there, sd (and not the rope from the ceiling sense [;)])

3

My advice: work out, get in shape, get laid

That might sound superficial and stupid but I think body image is a huge part of depression and working out will always make you feel better about yourself and also release endorphines, make you healthier etc. It is a huge confidence and happiness booster and sometimes I feel it’s the one positive thing in my life.

Also if you look good physically you will have a better chance of getting laid.

4

get yourself busy, distract yourself (for me it was politics) find something to do even if your not interested in doing it.
exercise, yoga (maybe green death can turn you on to a decent beginner tape) just make it a routine and convince yourself you’re into it. Pick up a book and see how fast you can finish it, even if you’re not interested in it. Hell don’t even let yourself read the title or author. little goals.
good luck buddy!
Late,
grmpysmrf

5

Be philanthropic, and I don’t mean in a compensatory sense - even giving blood works wonders for the mind. Do volunteer stuff, whenever you can - you’d be surprised the people who come into your life.

6

  1. Don’t do drugs. It’s a quick fix solution that will make things ten times worse.

  2. Talk to someone - even if it’s to a stranger on a help line.

  3. As was already mentioned, get in peak physical shape if possible. You have no idea how much better you will feel if you can look at yourself naked in a mirror and like what you see. Sounds silly I know but it works.

  4. Try internet dating - even if it doesn’t work and you fail, at least you are getting yourself out there.

I’ve been on top of the world (more recently) and I’ve been in the gutter (a long time ago). I’ve stayed in penthouses and million dollar palatial homes. I’ve partied with millionaires and with hot, naked women and I’ve felt invincible. I’ve also been in prison cells, vomiting my guts out and staring at a potentially lengthy sentence. I’ve told my parents to fuck off and to get out of my life and I’ve seen my little sister attempt suicide twice due to the fucked up upbringing we both had to endure.

But no matter how bad you think it is, there is always a way up and out. Just be cool and sail through it all.

7

My advice: work out, get in shape, get laid

That might sound superficial and stupid but I think body image is a huge part of depression and working out will always make you feel better about yourself and also release endorphines, make you healthier etc. It is a huge confidence and happiness booster and sometimes I feel it’s the one positive thing in my life.

Also if you look good physically you will have a better chance of getting laid.

This for me, cements how much of a cuntox/dickweed you are.

I have nothing else constructive to add.

8

I have nothing else constructive to add.

Alright so piss off and get out of the thread.

9

[reply]My advice: work out, get in shape, get laid

That might sound superficial and stupid but I think body image is a huge part of depression and working out will always make you feel better about yourself and also release endorphines, make you healthier etc. It is a huge confidence and happiness booster and sometimes I feel it’s the one positive thing in my life.

Also if you look good physically you will have a better chance of getting laid.

This for me, cements how much of a cuntox/dickweed you are.

I have nothing else constructive to add.[/reply]

You might not like it, but Void is dead on. I had some hardcore depression in high school and truly working out and eating healthy was the only thing that brought me out of it. Eventually it became an obsession to see how fit I could get. Sounds shallow and all, but if there’s a recipe for success fighting addiction, I know this is part of it.

10

Perhaps I should have elaborated?

While I think that Void’s advice had some merit, I believe this idea that depression/mental illness can be just ‘exercised away’ is fucking stupid and can actually compound it. There is only so much the endorphins released by physical exercise can help the deep seated physiological problems consistent with mental illness.

Exercise and pharmacology are my suggestions.

11

I think the overall point here is distraction distraction distraction. whether it’s throwing yourself into work, exercise routine, art, reading, (god forbid) religion. get yourself pointed towards some kind of goal. Also, make lists of shit you are thankful for or just proud of and just add to them everyday as you think of more shit! And look at the lists you create.
Affirmations sometimes do more good than we think.
Late,
gmpysmrf

12

My advice: work out, get in shape, get laid

That might sound superficial and stupid but I think body image is a huge part of depression and working out will always make you feel better about yourself and also release endorphines, make you healthier etc. It is a huge confidence and happiness booster and sometimes I feel it’s the one positive thing in my life.

Also if you look good physically you will have a better chance of getting laid.

I totally agree with this. I’ve been a bit on the blue side as well. Started back up on the pills about a month ago. Exercise works wonders. My problem with that though, is getting started. I haven’t had the energy to really get up and go.

13

Physical fitness can make you feel good or even great about yourself but that may be more to do with self esteem/confidence. This is not necessarily related to depression.

14

Physical fitness can make you feel good or even great about yourself but that may be more to do with self esteem/confidence. This is not necessarily related to depression.

Not really, but one versus the other isn’t such a bad thing. I just want to sleep all of the time, or lay in bed and do nothing. If that’s not depression, I don’t know what is. Exercise isn’t the cure for depression, but the self-esteem/confidence can help combat against the depression. If only I were able to find the willpower to force myself to do it, or get a gym membership. I just want to go to bed and get over the day.

15

On a related note:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/lifestyle/the-other-side/lost-love-behind-fattest-man-paul-masos-food-binge/story-e6frfhk6-1225981787991

This guy was binge eating virtually around the clock after his girlfriend dumped him. Eating 10 TIMES the diet of the average male!

I’m been depressed at my job before and turned to food and gained a few kilos…but 10 TIMES the consumption of the average man! That’s mad.

Anybody here ever seen someone turn to food and seem them spiral out of control?

A guy I used to know (who worked at a comic book store!) would go through McDonalds drive through at least 3 to 4 times a week and order something like: 3 Big Macs, 3 cheeseburgers, 1 lge thickshake, 2 desserts, 2 large fries, 2 lge cokes and sometimes nuggets. Or something like that. Then he would smoke half a dozen ciggies. I remember he dared me to try eating a meal like that just once. Got through the 3 Big Macs, 1 portion of fries, 1 lge caramel sundae, half a cheeseburger and one coke, before I quit in disgust. Had to throw the rest away.

Didn’t eat McDonalds for 6 months after trying that binge meal only once.

16

Physical fitness can make you feel good or even great about yourself but that may be more to do with self esteem/confidence. This is not necessarily related to depression.

Bingo.

17

I don’t eat when depressed. I’d rather get out and take a long walk, which is far healthier. I mean, if you’re gonna be depressed.

18

first, I just want to thank everyone for their kind words and advice. I hate bringing attention to myself…I put this out there because well, this is a small, tight knit community and you’re all great people. I don’t really talk about my issues to people in my life. I’m going to try to answer each person to my best ability:

mick: I’m doing my best to accept that it will pass. if…and once things start falling in place in life, then I think it will be easier to accept. religion plays a bit of role in this whole ordeal, it’s a big confusing mess to me. thank you for the kind words, I will try to hang in there.

void: heh, I don’t have any problems potentially getting laid. there’s one girl who’s very into me, but basically just wants to be sex buddies. that’s not my thing. I turned her down just last night actually. our personalities don’t click more than just friends, and I just can’t screw anyone without a deep connection. as for working out, I agree. when I was heavily depressed over the summer, I’d walk to the park, play basketball multiple times a week. a bit tough in the winter time. I’m not crazy for gyms…but I’m going to try to do that more. I’m in pretty good shape as is.

smrf: I should get into more routines such as yoga, you’re right. I finished up a book yesterday that I thought would take me at least another week to read. it’s about all I did yesterday. see, my problem is that my memory is just too damn good. it’s a curse and a blessing. all I need to do is see a word, or an image, and I have deep detailed flashbacks of the incidencts which relate to that word and bring pain. so it’s tough. but I try.

james: summer of 09, I went to new orleans with a voulenteer group. besides 2 or 3 people in the group, the other 18 or so people were strangers. we were in the lower 9th, and it was a beautiful, life changing experience. it was strange. there was part of me that embraced and loved it there, and there was a part of me that just lost myself completely. I wanted to go again this past summer, but the group folded due to the recession hitting hard. I’d like to go again, eventually, if I can get the funds.

olsen: thankfully I don’t mess with drugs. I did salvia I’d say about 2-3 weeks ago, very little, and it was my first time in well over a year. I don’t plan to do it again soon. I have been drinking absinthe, just a glass a night in spurts…two nights here…one night there. but it’s just like drinking a glass of wine after dinner. as for speaking to people…I did go to a thearpist once this summer. it didn’t help too much, but then again, I couldn’t keep going because it was too pricey and I have no insurance. as for internet dating, I’ve never been a fan of that. I have been getting myself out there in real dates. last week I had two dates in one day (crazy) …another one today. unforutnatley it doesn’t seem too sincere, it’s not fully coming from my heart and that kinda bothers me. but at least it gets me out the house.

killface: thanks, I probably should try and get to the gym more. I have a job where I’m pretty much always active, it keeps me in good condition but it’s only part, part time. so I guess I can strive for more.

smrf: I like that idea of making lists…so far it’s blank. I hope it doesn’t stay that way.

piko: I know what you mean. these days it seems like I only get out of bed when I have to. actually, it’s been like that for quite a while. biding my time rather than living life. it’s miserable.

peligro: I’m the opposite…I don’t really get much of an appetite. I don’t lose weight, nor do I gain. I have really good metabolsim. I’ve been the same weight for about 7 years now.

19

smrf: I like that idea of making lists…so far it’s blank. I hope it doesn’t stay that way.

let me start it out for ya’ buddy!

  1. prongs

You could actually put “grmpysmrf” as #1 on that list and make “prongs” #2.
[:)]
Late,
grmpysmrf

20

Kickarse advice on this thread.

I reckon you gotta find an outlet, whether it’s creative, sporting, whatever, and either as a participant or observer. In a funny way, the less you look the more apparent it usually tends to become.

I know you mentioned Native American stuff doesn’t excite you any more, but I think maybe it’s just the end of one cycle and you’re transitioning into another and you’re mind’s just sort of struggling to adapt. It’s sort of funny that stuff you found interesting isn’t any more, and I think that’s just a subtle way of indicating you’re changing.

Second stage puberty? Ah… [laugh] I guess your balls do hang lower…

At the end of the day, remember this.

Yeah, shit things happen. People can be crappy sometimes. But generally, the overriding energy from people is positive. That you have people you don’t know from across the world genuinely concerned about your welfare and taking the time to write some very thoughtful messages is a beautiful thing.

Maybe that was the purpose of this rut… waking up to things like that.