DEPRESSION AND ANXIETY!!!??

[mrdevious]

Sorry to hear about your situation bluntman, depression/anxiety can be a real bitch. One thing to keep in mind though, don't ever let some asshole tell you that you're feelings aren't valid and you have no right to be depressed; you know, "80% of the world has it harder than you, people are starving and being killed etc etc etc...". Hapiness simply isn't attainable when you have a neurochemical imbalance, and chemicals are really all there is to it. All it takes is a seratonin drop and you'll feel just lousy. But moving on...

First of all I want you to know that while you may need medicinal help right now, it's not necessarily something you'll always need. I struggled with depression and axiety really bad since I was 13, and was on all sorts of drugs for years. The past 3 years I haven't been on anything simply because I found buddhism, which appears to entail a rather unique form of psychology. You'll undoubtedly need to find your own path, but I can tell you that learning how to observe the mind and control your perceptions is really important. By learning how to do that, I've kept my depression minimal by the power of my mind alone. You, or anyone else, can definately learn how to do this.
I would recommend learning some meditation and exploring different avanues of it. Just remember during you practice that it's not about where you're able to get (mentally), it's about learning to still and control your mind, guide your perceptions, and above all learn to really see your perceptions so as to know how to guide them properly. Eventually when you have an emotional crash you'll be able to bring yourself back, mentally, to that point of mental clarity... even if you can only view it through a window for the time being, so long as you're looking at it.

Nutritionally I recommend:

- Cutting out food products with red dye. Red dye is detrimental to emotional stability and also rather carcinogenic.

- 100-200mg sublingual (under the tongue) vitamin B-12.

- Reduce strait-carb foods like pasta, bread, etc. and eat more fruits and veggies. The fruits are mainly what you want to supplement the energy though.

- Recognize a sugar addiction. Sugar is, putting it one way, addictive as hell. When you eat a lot of strait-suger (sodas, candy, chocolate) your body gives you an insatiable craving for it as it grows dependant on frequent doses of instant-energy, rather than healthy doses of gradually-released energy. You'd be surprised how much this kind of diet can increase anxiety. If you have a really bad sugar craving, take 2,000mg chewable vitamin-c and your body will actually supplement the carbohydrates with the ascorbic acid for energy. It's much healthier, you're not anywhere near an unhealthy dose at that much, and it works.

And the last thing is to get active. But heck, who really feels like getting active most of the time right? So don't worry about going out for runs and lifting weights if you're not up to it. Do gradual and relaxed excercises, you'd be surprised how much of a workout they can give you for a while. I personally can't excercise hard or I end up injuring my spine, so I shoot hoops in my front driveway, play with the hacky-sack, and go for a brisk walk with friends whenever possible. It all works well and has gotten me in shape.
If you do feel like having a harder workout, just try situps, pushups, arm curls, all that good stuff. The endorhpine rush is worth it alone, makes you feel all around pretty good.


I hope you get past this man, I have absolute faith in your ability to do so. Remember that you will get past it eventually, you just don't know when yet. When you plummet emotionally, recognize it as a seratonin drop and don't let yourself believe "this is me". Trying focusing on your breath, really focusing on it going in and out and let your mind become still as it envelopes your attention.

You can't fail to reach your goal if you don't stop pushing toward it.

[Souproller]

Just been looking at this site for a couple of days but have to post here going through a tough patch myself and with crazy mood swings and depression its kinda sad but true reefer makes you feel 'normal.'

[MOBABN]

ive been on lexapro for a few months now, feel better than ever. My anxiety attacks and depression were so severe it caused stomach ulcers. Go to your doc soon ask them about lexapro it def helped me man.

[TheSmokingMonkey]

I like Xanax but it's only good for acute attacks. You might want to try an SSRI.

[CheebaMan]

ive been seein a psychiatrist and psychologist and theyve said that people who have very light symptoms of depression in their earlier stages when smoking marijuana it can actually bring the symptoms out more severely to the point of notice. marijuana is a depressant after all. It is also said to deplete serotonin levels in humans brains which has to do with motivation/happiness whatever... ever since i smoked weed this shit has occured juss feel hopeless, and it is very hard to reverse without prescription use...see a counselor

[RyanTheCaveman]

yeh i have it to. i hate that i do too but its like i cant help it. im nto emo or anything or do anything for attention. but i am really deeply depressed. im thinking suicidal thoughts and i really want to die. but i know it would kill my dad. sometimes i think i wont make it in life and stuff. i wont tell anyone im depressed because they would think differently of me. i have changed alot recently...and i think thats why my gf broke up with me. even though i still have feelings for her.
i just wish i could fall asleep and not wake up.

take care man,
ryan

[mrdevious]

yeh i have it to. i hate that i do too but its like i cant help it. im nto emo or anything or do anything for attention. but i am really deeply depressed. im thinking suicidal thoughts and i really want to die. but i know it would kill my dad. sometimes i think i wont make it in life and stuff. i wont tell anyone im depressed because they would think differently of me. i have changed alot recently...and i think thats why my gf broke up with me. even though i still have feelings for her.
i just wish i could fall asleep and not wake up.

take care man,
ryan

I've felt like that too, thinking I won't make it in life. But as I've learned over time, shit tends to come up that you don't expect and can get the ball rolling again.

[beautiful disaster]

I'm so sorry for all you are going through.

I have taken various SSRIs and such throughout the years (I have social anxiety and acute anxiety attacks).... and Lexapro (which I am currently taking) has been WONDERFUL. I also take the occasional Xanax to help me with acute attacks and/or insomnia.

Good luck... hope this helps you.

[thenicksmokes]

Ryan and 420 you both need to see MD's. Your brain chemistry is out of wack and it is not yoru fault. You do not have to sufffer with this. My advice is see the MD--tell him you smoke weed, otherwise he won't give you the right med. Second, realize your situation will change for the better! Nick

[RyanTheCaveman]

Nah,no way im telling anyone.
weed and others drugs help me though...but i haven't had any weed or anything in like weeks(out of money)...im going crazy man.
im really depressed. im not telling anyone this though. im seriously thinking about later on just getting a belt and hanging myself...my heads all fucked up.
too many problems i have right now. besides i would rather die anyway.

i need help but meh...i think death would be the best way out.