Depression: Support, Advice, Help, Treatment Options (quit, Prozac, bipolar, vitamins)

[Dolfan]

First of all let me reiterate what others have have already said here that GOD DOES NOT HATE YOU. I know you will find people saying that but please ignore them.

As far as coping with depression, there are things you can do. I know people who have gone through similar issues.

Keeping a journal can be therapeutic. You write down everything that happens or bothers you. It is a way of releasing traumatic events from your past.

You can seek counseling from a trusted individual. Encouragement and support from other people can be very uplifting. Find a network of people who will help you through.

Most importantly, you can release all your burdens to God and let Him help you. He created you and He will sustain you. Please trust Him. I have known people in similar situations who have done this and now they are leading much happier lives.

Best wishes and God Bless.

[EarthUp]

The worst thing you can possibly do is isolate yourselves. Be around people, participate in forums and look at the positive people. Sometimes a few little changes in your life can turn things around. Sorry you feel this way.

[jersey2nm]

Hey there SWB - I am so sorry to hear you've been feeling depressed. I happen to be checking the forums and saw your thread and thought, what the heck, is he talking about a friend of his? I've enjoyed your photos and quite frankly, I have seen where some threads IMO have taken on a very negative spin. I don't know what to say except, hang in there and if you are feeling blue, just know that there are some of us who do care, are not judgemental and want to help others. What ever you do, please don't leave CD because of a few toxic people. They are who they are, no one can change that, we just need to change the way we react to them. Something I was reminded on Tuesday while meeting "friends" for lunch. It pains me to say, they are not "friends". I hope you are feeling better and hopefully one day we can meet for a cup of coffee in Philly or Lancaster. I really don't know what would be the 1/2 way point. Hugs to you and I hope your spirits have been lifted. Oh, what the heck, I think I could find my way to your area. Just say the word!

[Mooseketeer]

Originally Posted by ScrantonWilkesBarre

Does anyone have any good strategies on how to cope with depression? A couple of years ago I went through a very traumatic time in my family life, and I still haven't recovered in the least bit. I often cry myself to sleep, mope around, and I've distanced myself so much from my friends that I now have very few of them.

I come onto City-Data so much because, at least for a brief while, it was therapeutic to interact with so many new online friends. However, that euphoria is beginning to wear off now that I spend more time on here defending myself and getting into petty arguments with people than I do trying to make connections with others. I think I hit my "peak" on here when I found out that a family I had helped on here was happily-enjoying their new home in Scranton; it made me actually feel like I had accomplished something in my life for a change instead of just screwing everything up. Since then, even my well-intentioned photo tours are now garnering angst and flaring tempers from others, none of which was my intention. I just seem to screw up everything on here anymore, so now, without the "crutch" of City-Data to help prop up my mood, I just don't feel motivated to live anymore.

HELP!!! I just simply don't know what to do. What made me happiest in life was volunteering with charities in my community, but I no longer have much time to do that as a full-time student and full-time employee. My photo tours also helped me to "take the edge off," but I don't know if I'll be doing any more now that I see that they cause more arguments than anything else. I used to have "vent" sessions where I would sit in the dark in my home-office, play Enya, turn off the lights, and just cry for a while. Now, not even that is helping me.

I suppose I could go see a therapist again, but I think I'd feel even more depressed for having the "crazy" stigma hanging over my head. Come to think of it, a lot of people I know are depressed; are we just becoming a society of sadness? What makes you all rise each morning ambitious and ready to take in a fresh new day? My faith in God used to do that for me as well, but I'm no longer spiritual after hearing time after time about how "God hates gays" and yada, yada, yada. I just think that if God hates me, then why should I even bother with worship?

I've just hit a stumbling block here, and I might just "sign-off" for a long time from this site, as it's been causing me more harm than good lately. I should have signed off when I posted my "farewell" thread many moons ago, but I couldn't do it. Perhaps now is the time?

ScrantonWilkesBarre please don't give up. You sound like such a good human being with a big heart and the fact you are so depressed proves how sensitive you are ( and I mean that in a good way).
I have suffered from chronic depression for over 8 years now and believe me you are not alone. It does seem as though there are a lot of us out there, feeling inadequate, lonely and sad. I am trying very hard to be positive about things and though it's not exactly easy, seeing nice people like you on CityData helps as it shows there are still some decent human beings.
Like you I am getting a bit tired of arguing with some people about politics and beliefs etc.. and it does get me down but please remember some people just like stirring and being aggressive and negative about everything. It sounds to me as though you have plenty to live for and get up for in the morning. Regarding being Gay, who cares what some narrow minded biggots think. I am an atheist but as far as I know being a Christian means being loving, kind and accepting and inclusive so anybody who treats you otherwise has nothing to do with God or Jesus. Don't let some ignorant morons take away your self confidence and what makes you special. As you can see from the responses to your cry for help, there are plenty of people who agree with me.

In more practical terms I have found Xanax takes the edge off depression but sadly there is no easy solution. I 'm afraid it's a question of "baby steps" , one day at a time, trying to do things you enjoy, cutting out toxic people from your life and trying to remain positive. Is it hard, you bet it is. Does it work , sometimes. But NEVER EVER GIVE UP, you deserve better and if some fools are too stupid to see what a great person you are then it is their loss. Never deny who you are just to please others. It's a fast way to insanity and misery. If you are ever in Oxford ( UK), I would love to show you around and take you for a drink at a decent good English Pub.
Remember life is for living, try to enjoy it as much as possible. I hope you feel better soon.

[desertgirl]

Scranton Wilkes Barre.
Geez. I came across your depression thread and was really surprised. You sound like the last person who would get depressed. Who would have known? Okay, I haven’t read many of the forums, but still I can’t see how anyone could have any issues with you. Remember when we traded emails way back when? Well, what I said then still holds true. I enjoy reading your posts. You are a kind intellectual free spirit on these boards who helps and contributes so much. Don’t let the anti-gay people, whoever they are, get you down. Even though many people, including me, have not spoken out, that doesn’t mean we agree with the them. I stopped reading the forums for a stretch earlier this year because I couldn’t take all the hate going on in some forums. It’s gotten better but still needs improvement.

I’m glad you’re feeling better. Whenever you feel blue, just think of all the positive things you’ve ever done and all the happy times ahead that you will make happen. That works for me.

[SteelCityRising]

Hey everyone!

I'm still feeling all perky and happy, and I'd like to thank you all for your thoughtfulness, consideration, and compassion in this matter. I just gave a reputation boost to everyone on the first two pages of this thread, and the third page ones will be receiving one tomorrow once I'm again enabled to hand it out (I hit my "limit" for the day, which is something I've never done before). NYRangers, I'm sorry to hear about your girlfriend---I was with my ex for over a year as well, and we were even planning a family together before he just bolted like a bat out of hell when the fallout began happening with my parents back in 2004. I tried giving you a reputation boost, but I was told to "spread it around some more." I'll try again tomorrow.

[katzenfreund]

Hey, I am so glad you are feeling better and hope to see you around here a lot! I think up to a point, it is normal to go through ups and downs. I've certainly had my share of them. It always seems to help to do things with friends and/or have a little change of scenery, just to get a fresh perspective.

[EarthUp]

Never give up. I was close to killing myself at one point. Things always get better!

[freeedom]

Articles > Solutions: > People Pleasers



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People Pleasers


"In the temple courts he [Jesus] found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, ‘Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!’"1

Of one thing we can be certain: Jesus was not a “people pleaser.” The reality is that “people pleasers” inevitably end up getting frustrated and angry because they are not getting the response they want from trying to please everybody, and ultimately end up pleasing nobody.

It isn't possible to please everybody. When we try to, we do it out of our own need for approval—an empty substitute for love. As one person said, "If you have to stand on your head to make others happy, all you can expect to get is a big headache."

Or as another put it, "If you stand for something you will have some people for you and some against you. But if you stand for nothing, you will have nobody against you—and nobody for you."

As already noted, Jesus was not a "people pleaser." He stood for truth and right regardless of what anybody thought of him. May God help you and me to do the same.


SWB: Sorry to hear you were feeling low, really glad to read you are doing better, I thought I would copy and paste this your way, so when you start to feel down again, I sure hope it can lift your spirit.

Please take care and know you are wished the up most of healthy days and nights with the success of forgiviness of the soul and love always in your heart. god bless

[Mooseketeer]

Originally Posted by ScrantonWilkesBarre

Hey everyone!

I'm still feeling all perky and happy, and I'd like to thank you all for your thoughtfulness, consideration, and compassion in this matter. I just gave a reputation boost to everyone on the first two pages of this thread, and the third page ones will be receiving one tomorrow once I'm again enabled to hand it out (I hit my "limit" for the day, which is something I've never done before). NYRangers, I'm sorry to hear about your girlfriend---I was with my ex for over a year as well, and we were even planning a family together before he just bolted like a bat out of hell when the fallout began happening with my parents back in 2004. I tried giving you a reputation boost, but I was told to "spread it around some more." I'll try again tomorrow.

I'm glad you are feeling better, you sound lovely !