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I've taken this path of distraction for most of my life... It's presently as bad as it's ever been... I'm currently of the mind that the only way to cure it is

I've taken this path of distraction for most of my life... It's presently as bad as it's ever been... I'm currently of the mind that the only way to cure it is to stop running and face it head on. Rip out everything that triggers it, rip out every source that adds to it. I understand that there is an element of brain chemistry that is presently considered the root cause of depression. I'm of the mind that this chemical imbalance has an underlying cause and that medicating is only treating the symptom. I've taken the medication route, and it was ineffective for me. I think the brain chemistry is a symptom of an even deeper problem. Our bodies want to be healthy and want to function properly and given the right inputs, they will. I don't have the answers, I've struggled with this for the past 40 years. I've read about symptoms, treatments, I've read the science, the psuedo-science and the quackery. I'm still of the opinion that there is an underlying cause that isn't presently being considered - depression is on the rise. I'm aware this is just my opinion and that my opinion isn't rooted scientifically. But nobody, so far, knows me better than me - science and doctors included. I can tell you this without any shred of doubt - if you continue to ignore it, continue to run from it, eventually you will have a weak moment and it will get you. Hopefully it doesn't threaten to rip your life apart as it has threatened to do to me at various points in my life.

petercooper 10y ago
I'm currently of the mind that the only way to cure it is to stop running and face it head on. Rip out everything that triggers it, rip out every source that adds to it. I agree. But I think that's a lot easier to do when you're happy and in a good mental state than when you're not. I didn't mean to imply that busyness is a mere distraction strategy - it's more a way to bootstrap a life-long process.
rednerrus 10y ago
Try starting with something simple, like 15 pushups a day.
- balabaster 10y ago
  On days when it literally takes everything you can muster to drag yourself out of bed and into the shower, 15 pushups just aren't happening. On other days it seems like a walk in the park to blast through 100... so I hear what you're saying. It's just that it's not always just as easy as getting through 15 pushups a day.
  - bleachedsleet 10y ago
    I've been in that same boat, being blessed with both bipolar and depression, and although just saying "hey some push-ups will do the trick" is perhaps a bit trivial I will add that even a tiny bit of exercise will help as it releases endorphins that are rather pleasant. Even on really fucking shitty days, I've tried to do a little work out. It's not a work out that will get me buff or anything but that's not the point. It honestly started as a healthy form of masochism for me...I loved the pain and it took my mind off everything else for a minute so I could focus on breathing and form. Even one or two push-ups, a long run...anything really...can help. It isn't a solution, but it's a relief and in the world of depression sometimes that's the difference between waking up tomorrow or punctuating a very short life.
    - balabaster 10y ago
      I cycle for the same reason - forget the endorphins, they never really did anything for me. When it's just you and the road and the pain, you're free of all of it for as long as you can make your legs keep going. I imagine drugs do the same for some people, make them feel invincible or whatever, I don't know, I've never tried them and I have no wish for that kind of destruction in my life. The depression is threat enough to my way of life without compounding the issue. But the bike, the wind in your face and the physical pain of the endurance is an escape from it all for as long as you can keep going.

petercooper 10y ago

I'm currently of the mind that the only way to cure it is to stop running and face it head on. Rip out everything that triggers it, rip out every source that adds to it. I agree. But I think that's a lot easier to do when you're happy and in a good mental state than when you're not. I didn't mean to imply that busyness is a mere distraction strategy - it's more a way to bootstrap a life-long process.

rednerrus 10y ago

Try starting with something simple, like 15 pushups a day.

balabaster 10y ago
On days when it literally takes everything you can muster to drag yourself out of bed and into the shower, 15 pushups just aren't happening. On other days it seems like a walk in the park to blast through 100... so I hear what you're saying. It's just that it's not always just as easy as getting through 15 pushups a day.
- bleachedsleet 10y ago
  I've been in that same boat, being blessed with both bipolar and depression, and although just saying "hey some push-ups will do the trick" is perhaps a bit trivial I will add that even a tiny bit of exercise will help as it releases endorphins that are rather pleasant. Even on really fucking shitty days, I've tried to do a little work out. It's not a work out that will get me buff or anything but that's not the point. It honestly started as a healthy form of masochism for me...I loved the pain and it took my mind off everything else for a minute so I could focus on breathing and form. Even one or two push-ups, a long run...anything really...can help. It isn't a solution, but it's a relief and in the world of depression sometimes that's the difference between waking up tomorrow or punctuating a very short life.
  - balabaster 10y ago
    I cycle for the same reason - forget the endorphins, they never really did anything for me. When it's just you and the road and the pain, you're free of all of it for as long as you can make your legs keep going. I imagine drugs do the same for some people, make them feel invincible or whatever, I don't know, I've never tried them and I have no wish for that kind of destruction in my life. The depression is threat enough to my way of life without compounding the issue. But the bike, the wind in your face and the physical pain of the endurance is an escape from it all for as long as you can keep going.