How do you cope?

[beast5400]

What are some ways to cope with Major depression? (Besides medication) Like I'm talking the worst types of depression. Where suicide is not an option because you're too scared of death, but you can't stand living either.

[James Dean]

Usually I do something positive. Start writing stories or just write about how my day went and who I saw on the bus and at school. Write college applications, do homework.

Or I listen to music, watch something funny on tv or on youtube. Go outside for a run and walk to the beach and listen to music. Then go to starbucks or something for a tea because I don't usually drink coffee.

Talk to siblings, family, parents, aunt, uncle, cousin about how I'm feeling. I don't let depression override me. I try to fight it. Depression makes you unmotivated and it makes you go deeper in the hole. You just have to fight that feeling and climb to the top and stay out of the hole. You'll be fine. :)

[Croconaw]

I just do karate. It helps relieve stress.

[Abyssal Echo]

I usually listen to music or watch videos on youtube.

[Luminous]

I stayed in the hospital for issues with depression and other things and a huge topic there was coping skills, same with my therapist and when I visited a day program for a day. The most common ones seem to be music and writing. I have yet to find any that work for me, though.

[Cognizant]

Try expressing your emotions via art, whether it be through writing, sketching, painting, taking photographs, or so on. When I'm depressed I like to go downtown and take photos with friends.

[DeadEyes]

You just suck it up and live on, it may sound harsh but life is harsh, when medication is not working, you only have yourself to rely on. Just stay strong.

[TheN3rdyOutcast]

A huge box of colored pencils and some paper. I usually draw my feelings, because speaking them is too hard.

[sweetcake]

I usually channel my feelings on my violin. I don't care if my neighbors couldn't sleep at 2am. My parents would shout at me to stop though..

[Karkat]

I try to take life one step at a time. If I'm feeling so bad I can't get out of bed and start my day, I force myself to get up and go to the bathroom or get a drink of milk or something, even if I have to sit back down in bed afterwards. Then, I try to force myself to eat something small. I try only to think about the next task I have in front of me rather than the grand picture of "what I have to do today", because even a few small tasks seems enormous when life isn't worth it to you anymore.

But I usually feel better when I do pull myself to do those things.

I also force myself to be around people or do things I used to enjoy, because even though it feels like a chore most of the time, there will be those times I have a lot of fun from it.

I just have to push myself to want to be better.

[Bigp24]

Listen to The Wonder Years.

[SethfromMI]

try to think positive happy thoughts. watch a funny video. find something, an art, sport whatever, you enjoy you can invest a good portion of your free time into. above all and I know this is way easer said than done, but when a sad, depressing thought begins to form, try to change your thoughts asap

[Kikkia]

Depending on what time of year it is, but usually I try to go ski. Otherwise kick a soccer ball around, play video games, Code, fix stuff, hikes. It all depends on the day and how bad I feel.

[Babs]

My most common coping methods are unhealthy ones so I won't get into those, but other than that I play with my pets and let them lick my face because it reminds me that they love me.

[justkeepswimming]

exercise is normally the best. you can go running,jogging,skateboarding,rollerskating.skiing.snowboarding,skating,bicyclin g, scootering,swimming,boxing,situps,pushups,got to a gym,do sports

also there is meditation and yoga

for some people art works well poetry,painting,drawing,singing,writitng songs/storys

some people aren't talented so i use to splash paint together and squish it together on paper.

if you cant draw you could always just write how you feel or read a book

talk to a friend/parent/boyfriend/girlfriend/helpline you could also talk on here or other places like this.

i find putting positive saying and quotes on your wall help you stay positive

seek professional help (such as therapist and psychiatrist)

take walks and swing on swings when you are in a moment that you are depressed

animals really help petting an animal relives stress. cat dog hamster anything fluffy

play an instrument/learn to. dance and sing.

take showers or baths or bubble baths

watch a movie or tv

make a scrap book or do some sorts of crafts. you could also make jewerly.

thats most ideas there is many more i could go on for hours haha (:

[Abbeys]

Having suffered from depression for as long as I can remember both clinical and spiritual,I call spiritual just being pissed off at certain life events,which everybody gets.

I have decided that I get a mild form of bi-polar.
I have periods when I feel ok,I have periods when I feel depressed and suicidal,that's the one I'm in at the moment and I have periods of immense physical and mental energy.

These periods can last for days,weeks and sometimes months.

So,when I feel depressed,I allow myself to do what I want,eat what I want,drink what I want because I know the depression will pass eventually.

I only go to the doctor if I feel I will harm myself or somebody else.
That's the last resort for me.
I hate taking medication for depression.