4 ms·

True. It took a few years between accepting that I had a problem and finding a solution to it. For many people, it takes a lot longer; some never "solve" their

by huggah 14y ago

True. It took a few years between accepting that I had a problem and finding a solution to it. For many people, it takes a lot longer; some never "solve" their problem at all. But knowing is a necessary first step, and for me, it was the hardest and the one that would have benefited most from posts like this.

donniezazen 14y ago
What was your solution, if you don't mind sharing?
- huggah 14y ago
  My only hesitation about sharing is that I don't want people to extrapolate from what worked for me to expect it to work on themselves. So don't. With that disclaimer, I'll say that I went on several regimens of drugs for a few years. They had serious side effects, didn't work or worked only for a few months. They did keep me afloat long enough to get the rest of my life together. Stephen Ilardi's "The Depression Cure" is 80% insipid self-help; I'm surprised I didn't throw it away in disgust. The remaining 20% (which is mostly the table of contents) had a profoundly positive effect. It did more good than all the drugs I'd taken combined; but I had to take it seriously and have the willpower to make changes. In the end, CBT techniques got me to the point where I instinctively revise my thought patterns. Combined with a lifestyle that includes a lot more exercise, time outside, and physical contact with people I care about, I have been un-medicated for almost three years and haven't had a single major depressive episode.
  - donniezazen 14y ago
    Do you think pushing yourself to do what you think is right is a right course of action or part of solution to your depression?
    - huggah 14y ago
      I don't understand your question. Are you asking whether I think choosing to behave ethically is part of my solution to depression? What do you mean by "do what you think is right"?

4 ms·

True. It took a few years between accepting that I had a problem and finding a solution to it. For many people, it takes a lot longer; some never "solve" their

by huggah 14y ago

donniezazen 14y ago
What was your solution, if you don't mind sharing?
- huggah 14y ago
  My only hesitation about sharing is that I don't want people to extrapolate from what worked for me to expect it to work on themselves. So don't. With that disclaimer, I'll say that I went on several regimens of drugs for a few years. They had serious side effects, didn't work or worked only for a few months. They did keep me afloat long enough to get the rest of my life together. Stephen Ilardi's "The Depression Cure" is 80% insipid self-help; I'm surprised I didn't throw it away in disgust. The remaining 20% (which is mostly the table of contents) had a profoundly positive effect. It did more good than all the drugs I'd taken combined; but I had to take it seriously and have the willpower to make changes. In the end, CBT techniques got me to the point where I instinctively revise my thought patterns. Combined with a lifestyle that includes a lot more exercise, time outside, and physical contact with people I care about, I have been un-medicated for almost three years and haven't had a single major depressive episode.
  - donniezazen 14y ago
    Do you think pushing yourself to do what you think is right is a right course of action or part of solution to your depression?
    - huggah 14y ago
      I don't understand your question. Are you asking whether I think choosing to behave ethically is part of my solution to depression? What do you mean by "do what you think is right"?