Best ways you've found out of depression?

[millionaireshortie]

I'm overeating, lethargic, crying for short periods every other day, unmotivated, low self esteem, low confidence. Has gradually got worse over the course of winter as it always does.

Can I ask for your best ways out of depression?

I've ordered 5htp to try

Have upped my exercise - short weight routines, long walks, couple classes at the gym.

Increasing the amount of protein I'm eating

trying to avoid sugar

Feeling out of control around food is very frustrating - it seems to have a relaxing, soothing affect on my brain so I keep reaching for it.

Nothing at all is working. I seem to be focusing a lot on how I look - looks have deteriorated a lot in the last couple years (10 pound weight gain, tired from young kids, general ageing) and I've totally lost why sparkle I had.

Any tips grateful received! Really really struggling now. Want to avoid taking long term medication for a number of reasons.

Bumping for anyone who's around

Exercise, above all things. Keep some shoes and a coat by the back door. Go out and get some sun everytime it is bright outside, even if it’s only thirty seconds.
If you can find somewhere close where the birds are singing, even better.
A 10 minute walk made all the difference to me.

My struggle was so bad that I felt I had no option but to take meds. I'm fatter and sweatier but I'm alive x

Fresh air certainly. Somehow connecting with the outdoors soothes the soul to sound fanciful. Even in the winter natural light helps me.

yep being outdoors getting out everyday is a winner for me

For me, long term psychotherapy with the “right” therapist, nothing else had worked and I felt like I’d tried everything

Sorry no helpful insight as feeling the exact same way myself, hoping things get better for you soon.

Thank you @overjoyedmumma - you too.

I've just taken myself off upstairs for a little cry before doing the kids bedtime routine. I just feel so tired and overwhelmed with it all.

I think take meds if you are struggling. I tried to help myself when depressed but meds made a huge difference and I wish I’d taken them all along.

I'm outdoors with the kids every day for quite long periods especially since it's been bright and dry here the last 10 days.

@Millie2013 what approach does your therapist take? And how did you find them? I've never lasted more than 2 sessions with any therapist and I've tried many. I don't want somebody to listen to me. I just want a highly intelligent 'expert' to tell me what to do to feel happy in myself!

I had a couple of herbs in big pots. If I was feeling angry or low, I used to pinch the leaves and the scent made me feel calmer.

Crochet-relaxes me and i love when people appreciate something ive made, makes me feel special

Pretty sure the nhs recommend knitting for anxiety and depression

CBT & hypnotherapy helped me massively,but I know it's not for everyone.

Sounds familiar. Wish I had an answer, but just clinging to the hope that I’m sure it will all work itself out. You are not alone if that’s any comfort.

I had/have pnd. I resisted the meds for a long time but eventually agreed to give them a try along with better eating, exercise and outdoorsyness.

Running, being outdoors especially in woodland, headspace app, a “good things” list continually updating with all good things from the sunshine to pancakes...

I could have written your post, you are me.

I don't have any answers though, sorry.

I was very depressed a couple of years ago. I then cut out alcohol, exercised 5 days a week, ate healthy. I thought at the time that had cured me, but I still do all those things but can feel myself slipping in to depression anyway.

I'm reluctant to take medication in case it make a me fatter. I know some people can deal with that, but I can't.

Before ruling out ADs, please read "Depressive Illness, The Curse Of The Strong" by Dr Tim Cantopher.

Having said that, I always felt that the talking therapy helped me more than the meds, but maybe the meds helped me cope with the therapy. Finding out that I have associative amnesia massively helped me. Knowing the truth helped me to understand why I had been so badly affected.

The dog gets me through. I have 3 dogs but 1 I am training so it's just me and her who go out for walks no kids or dh and it really lifts my mood

Getting out of the house as much as possible. Walks in the fresh air, spending time with good friends and supportive family, pottering round shops, getting coffee. Then when I'm at home I force myself to achieve something. It could be as small as making a phone call that I have been avoiding, or cleaning the bathroom. Once I have achieved that thing I feel lighter and more able to move onto the next, or just rest peacefully knowing I have achieved it.

This may sound crazy but comedy Podcasts saved me. Whenever I would feel the 'black dog' descend, I would chuck on
a comedy podcast and scrub the shower. It worked wonders, mainly because it distracted me enough that the laughter tricked my mind/body into believing it was happy.
Exercise and sunlight are also absolutely essential. Whenever you can, walk. I am fortunate to live by the coast and walking the beach, watching the waves and listening to the sound seems to calm me. Plus, walking will stop you grazing out of boredom (well, it did work for me).
Please don't be really hard on yourself. Having small kids is hard work and the immediate reward is not always obvious yet the daily grind is relentless.
Aim for small but regular changes to your routine and eating habits and before you know it, you will have made huge strides.

I’ve re started using an app called The Fabulous. I’m only 10 days in but the positive reenforcement is helping.

I haven’t started tackling the food yet. But my social worker suggested really focusing each time I ate food. So sitting down, smelling it, looking at it, tasting it. That’s the next thing I need to work on as I know it will help but food is so comforting at the moment.

One word. Counselling,

Counselling, medication, routine, socialising.

Fresh air. Even five minutes outside helped me. And when I was depressed my self care really slipped so having a shower lifted me quite a bit.

I focussed an awful lot on how crap I was, crap mum, crappy housework etc. My therapist asked that I keep a little list of everything I had achieved in the day. I didn't do it every day and some days there wasn't much on it but eventually I began to see that everyday kids were dressed and fed and got to school. I wasn't the rubbish mum i thought I was.

Counselling and medication massively helped me though.
Good luck