What helped you through depression?

[HopingForAMiracle1]

I've decided today that I'm going to try and make some changes. I've just had the last in a long line of miscarriages confirmed and have put myself on the IVF waiting list with my hospital as per my other thread.

Can I ask what you did/do to help with your depression? I want to change some things, try some new things etc...

I've deleted all my social media today for a while so I can concentrate on me and not what anyone else is doing. It was a source of the emotional pain seeing people moving on having babies etc... So I've cut that.

I'm considering trying acupuncture as I've heard others say this helped them.

Is there anything else you swore helped you through? I'm sick of being in this hole and oddly this latest miscarriage has given me a kick to try and make some changes. I want to grab this before I spiral again.

Running. You feel so shit internally that the ghastliness of being a bad beginner runner actually felt bearable in comparison, and there was a certain kind of grim satisfaction in mostly meeting a (minimal) schedule of distances. And the endorphins and fresh air helped.

It’s not easy, especially if like me your depression manifests as total exhaustion and an inability to clean your teeth, far less put on your sports bra, but if I got bad again, that’s what I’d do.

Never suffered actual clinical depression so maybe not appropriate to comment, but have had bouts of feeling very depressed over specific things and the two things that have always helped me have been counselling and getting distance from a situation (by removal). In your case this is easier said than done but I do think counselling is the most effective way to process things like this.

Pills.

My PND was probably moderate. The pills allowed me some breathing space and to engage with CBT and generally think more objectively about my situation and make some better choices.

Still not ‘clear’ of the depression but I’m much better.

Thanks everyone. I am on sertraline at the moment. I'm on the waiting list for counselling but God knows how long that will take. I could go private I suppose.

Running is something I'm actually considering. Some friends are doing a 10k and are currently doing the couch to 10k training which they've asked me to join (they've only just started).

Medication
Church - not necessarily Sunday services, but midweek coffee mornings and such.
Deleting social media.

I'm going to refer myself for talking therapies again.

At the moment the main thing getting me through is knowing I can die one day. (And please don't worry. I'm not suicidal. I'm just comforted knowing that one day I'll be gone.)

Counselling and learning about depression, what causes it and what treats it. I find information very empowering :)

At the moment the main thing getting me through is knowing I can die one day.

[Flowers] This reminds me of Escape Hatch theory. This thought makes perfect sense.

Exercise. Crochet. Talking to my friends. Happy pills
You actually come across amazingly positive, hope you start feeling better soon x

ADs, counselling (MIND offer it for free but a waiting list), yoga. Learning to be kind to myself - not in the trite "have a relaxing bath" sort of way, but actively not beating myself up over things. When I stopped and analysed my internal voice, I realised that I was really quite horrible to myself and used to blame myself for everything. I wouldn't have spoken to others like that, so why did I do so to myself? Good luck OP

Very good idea to just focus on you, and remove as much stuff as possible from your life that you find upsetting or distracting

Eat well- plenty of fruit and veg, if you can manage it. Plenty of water

Cut way back on sugar, booze and caffeine

Sleep / rest as much as you can

Exercise. Running if you fancy, but even just regular brisk walking. I started weights and strength training recently and it's the absolute shizz. You literally feel stronger in every possible way

Psychotherapy. Best thing I've ever done for myself. A bloody painful process, but absolutely the path to peace and freedom

I find anti-inflammatory herbs like ashwagandha and turmeric useful. Also Omega 3 fish oil. Healthy diet with minimal sugar/alcohol and lots of fresh veggies and fish. Getting out into the fresh air and only focusing on positive people who will elevate me, rather than bring me down.

Learning my triggers. For me it's tiredness and being out of routine.

Music

Thanks @bugbhaer I've not heard of escape hatch theory so it's my 'to-do' for tomorrow. I love researching new things.

travelling, team sports, medication and general self care fun things like massage & treatments

and private therapy

Fluoxetine every time. 20mg once before bed each night. Happy days 😄

Running. Did couch to 5k then started parkrun with friends. Now running 60k a month. Hate it whilst I'm doing it, but feel great afterwards and have dropped 2 dress sizes (which is a bonus). Also stopped drinking and recognise that I need consistent amounts of sleep. Hang on in there - it does get better.

Writing a kind letter to myself as though I were a close friend who really cared and understood. The distance and objectivity it lent me really did help and I felt valued and understood.

@PorpentinaScamander hope you find it as helpful as I do.

I started sertraline which has helped massively but I also started doing things to make me feel happier. So cooking myself a nice dinner, keeping the house tidy, lighting candles when I came home at night, 15 min meditation in the evening, reading a bit each day and I started teaching myself embroidery! I also cut back on time spent on my phone.

The anti depressants have helped the most but all the other things have definitely played a part in how much better I feel. I think the key is just trying to do things that you enjoy every day. Good luck, op!

Counselling, £20 an hour but the best thing I’ve ever spent money on. Also self care, including cancelling plans if you feel overwhelmed, early nights and and fresh air. Cuddling my cat helps too! I try to be mindful and appreciate the little things in life, I know that’s not always easy to do.

Sleep, a regular routine
Eating lots of fruit and veg, 3 meals a day
No alcohol
Going outside near nature every day
Walking
Working
Keeping in touch with friends
Face to face contact with others
Massage- self if you can’t afford a therapist, also reflexology/ shiatsu
Multi vitamins inc fish oils and selenium/ magnesium
Driving
Team work
Goal setting
Writing therapy
Collecting
Art/ dance therapy

At the moment the main thing getting me through is knowing I can die one day. (And please don't worry. I'm not suicidal. I'm just comforted knowing that one day I'll be gone.)

Oh god I can totally relate to this. I know I won't do anything to myself but I could go to sleep smiling knowing that it's possible I might not wake up one day. The thought of death doesn't bother me at all at the moment in fact if it were peaceful I'd probably welcome it a lot of the time.