First down period since being up...

[Locut0s]

As I posted before I've been very good recently and have been making some big strides. Today is my first down since then, about 2 weeks ago. I'm hoping this doesn't have to do with switching medication the timing is right for that , if it does I'll have to go back to the old one which costs a lot. At any rate hope this doesn't last too long.

How do YOU deal with downs during up periods? I realize that a lot of people here are very very depressed and don't feel up at all. Believe me I've been there, but trust me as corny as it sounds it DOES get better. Just give it time and talk to those you love! For those who HAVE been up or made big progress, what do you do during your down moments to ensure they don't spread or get deeper?

[Denninmi]

1. Fight like Hell.

Sure, I find a lot of things depressing, or upsetting. I have learned that giving in to it is not an option. I do little things to fight it -diversion, distraction, confrontation. I do big things to fight it, like tackling a big new project or seeking some additional help with whatever it is. Yes, it can get better, if you want it to.

I think everyone needs to find a first-line defense against the emotions that bring them down, and their triggers. I have found that in exercise - the worse something is bothering me, the more I want to hop on my bike, really crank the music, and ride like hell, fast, hard, and far. It always helps. It could be anything someone loves to do - maybe painting or photography, or dance, or watching baseball, or golf, or whatever. Just something you are passionate about. And, if you don't feel like doing it, do it anyway, and it will improve your mood.

[Locut0s]

3. Exercise is always very very good...

DRs are beginning to realize it's as good as or better than most antidepressants. The key think though as you said is to go at it hard. A little stroll around the block will do nothing. You have to be drenched in sweat and exhausted by the end of it. I remember I used to do 40mins every day on the treadmill at a 10% incline. For other reasons that become too obsessive for me and I took it too far so I'm going to ease into that. Right now I'm doing long daily walks to clear my head, 11+ km or so. The combination of the adrenaline rush, the exhaustion, the muscle fatigue and more, there really is nothing better to stop your mind from racing and churning over bad shit.

Photography is helping me recently too! I'm feeling slightly better now. I'm just worried about losing this good forward momentum I've built up.

[olddots]

2. Tough guestion

depression is so complex and personal . I try to joke my way out of a lot of shit ,it works rarely but I try to learn about what set it off.

[Locut0s]

4. Problem is what sets it off for me is usually something irrational...

Someone doesn't approve of something I said or looked at me disapprovingly. If I get reprimanded for something minor. BOOM my mind goes into overdrive and eats me alive. I'm bar FAR my worst enemy, the tape recorder in my mind, when it get's going, says the absolute worst things about myself.

It's difficult to deal with this kind of thing when the triggers are so irrational and so mundane. Everyone faces these small hurdles every day, but for someone with my type of issues it starts that infernal tape recorder going in my head.

[ejpoeta]

5. that happens to me. things just keep playing over and over.

And it doesn't take much. And it could be ME misinterpreting things too. I get paranoid. Think people are just being nice and don't want me around. it is irrational. and people don't get it. my husband is always asking me what's wrong. nothing has to be wrong. it's just a bad day. sometimes I can get it to pass. sometimes it takes a bit. but I know it will pass eventually.