Living With Depression

[nemosengineer@yahoo.com]

Living with depression can be a bitch as those of us who have it can attest. What has worked for me, as far as reducing or sometimes eliminating my symptoms, was finally getting off my medications, trying to eat right, vitamins every day, and walking for exercise.
Getting off my prescribed medication was the hardest thing to do, I took two weeks vacation and slept most of it away. The medication only masks the symptoms of depression and only postpones dealing with yourself and your life in my experience, I have been off medication for about three years now and my life is much better now because of it. I cant say enough about riding everyday, going to work is something to look forward to, as I get to ride my wonderful Sportster everyday.
I would like to thank everyone on the XL Forum as this place has been a bright light of friendship, information, and humor that I look forward to visiting everyday.
I believe that having depression is a disability, I also believe that talking about it can help. Perhaps others here on the XL Forum would like to share there thoughts and experiences dealing with depression.

Thank You: Mike

[shotgun46]

I have medacation for it along with Bud light it seems to help at night ! Now I just wish I could sleep more than 4 hours at a time that would even be better !

[el jinete fantasma]

I hear ya. I've been off meds for about five years. Sometimes I consider getting back on them when the seasons change, which is when I get low, but haven't yet. My eating habits still suck, but I try to hit the gym 5 days a week. I've read that working out can have the same affect as most meds, so maybe that's what's doing the trick.
I wish you continued luck with your routine. The Sporty does help, doesn't it?

[dagsportster]

I can sympathize -- I recently lost my son who suffered from depression. It is a frustrating illness and only now is it being better recognized as just that. Many people confuse the effects of depression with the cause. They'll say -- "he was depressed because he wasn't doing well in school" or "she was depressed because of many failed relationships", when actually, it's the other way around -- "he wasn't doing well in school due to his depression" or "her many failed relationships were due to her chronic depression".

I'm not a big fan of meds, but there is some evidence to support a biochemical imbalance in the brain can lead to depression. That is the focus of many of the SSRI meds -- and I've been on them for a period of time myself. They don't make you numb or euphoric, but I found they do help even out your moods. Exercise is also a great stress reliever and anything that gets you releasing endorphins (riding, dancing, and the obvious) is a bonus, too.

Best of luck with your struggle.

[Shai`tan]

"biochemical imbalance in the brain can lead to depression."

Actually, I believe it is the opposite. Imho Depression, caused by many things.... if the Depression is inwardly focussed on too much by certain individuals, this can actually cause the chemical imbalance.

I believe we literally make ourselves cause the chemical imbalance. We make ourselves sick. We focus inward. Cut ourselves off from say... excerxising..... is a good example. Endorphins. Good you bring this up.

What do endorphins do? Create a sense of wellbeing. Laughing creates endorphins. Sex.... anything you do that you like to do, will actually stimlulate chemical endorphin creation.

When you are depressed tho, you cut yourself off from doing the things you like, effectively starving yourself. You harbor neg. feelings. You don`t eat right. You cut yourself off from communicating with others. No laughter, no fun, no excitement. This is I think what leads to the chemical imbalances.

Another example. Fear. Certain things effect you, and all of a sudden you feel that adrenaline rush = what we think is the feel of fear. All of our emotions have some kind of chemical effect on our bodies. I think Depression is somehow tied into this..... that it is as well a kind of emotion.

Doctors only really see the Depressed cases after they plummet. .... hit rock bottom and the damage has been done. I think if more peeps knew what to look for ahead of time, understood themselves better and the neg effects their own thoughts could have on them chemically/physically, they would be able to quicker recognise their own habits and take steps to turn the tide so to speak.

[Terp84Alum]

If it were that simple, there would be no depression.

[RoadChick]

What he ^^^^ said.


Depression runs in my family, on my mother's side and on my father's, and I have to disagree that the imbalance is self induced.

I have two brothers, one tried to end his life at 15 by shooting himself in the head, he lived. My other brother did end his life 6 months later, he was 16. He disappeared and we did not find his remains until 15 years later.

My mother has lived with bipolar her entire life and was just diagnosed 10 years ago. The meds have turned her life around.

[donniej]

My brother and me have fought with depression our entire lives. We had some tough times in our childhoods so I don't know if it's because of nature or growing up. I've tried medication, counseling and "self-medicating". None really helped.

I agree that a healthy diet, a little excersize and just trying to do things that make you happy make a big difference. Laying off the drugs and alcohol are important too.

If I could give someone with depression one piece of advice, it would be that help is out there. There are people that care.

[cat5752]

I live with the whole bipolar issue, and I can tell you it is not self-induced, at least not in my case. I wouldn't wish this crap on anyone. Medication turned my life completely around. I went from the point of squeezing the trigger on a loaded .45 that was in my mouth to coping and learning a whole lot about what I had previously defined as a "hard time". My mother suffered from depression her whole life. I don't know as it's genetic, but is a chemical imbalance. You can't drink it away, you can't sleep it away, you can't screw it away. Healthy eating and exercise are about the best. That and understanding friends that will bs with you at 2 o'clock in the morning when it's eating you alive.

[pquirk]

Advising people to get off antidepressants prescribed by their doctor is irresponsible and potentially lethal.