How does a writer cope with depression?
If the question is being asked about a published writer, who writes books and articles and makes money and is famous, I am not qualified to answer, and I need to move on.But if you are talking about someone like myself who likes to write just to get things off my chest (as in a blog), or try to answer a question (such as here), then maybe I can say something.Because I know more about depression than anything else in my life.Usually I can write through a depression. The writing becomes therapeutic. You are writing your feelings down, getting them out on paper. How many times has someone told you to “write it down, get it off your chest, then burn it”?The last depression I had laid me so low I did not have a thing to say at all. It all went away. I could not write. I did not want to write. This is why I stayed away from here because the time or two that I tried in the beginning, I sat here. Nothing.I went to You Tube and went around the world with other people on their vlogs. I lived their lives on my monitor. I watched other people cook. I watched countless MUKBANGS. Do you know what a Mukbang is? It’s people stuffing their faces with vast quantities of food…yeah *throwing up noise*Does watching video feasts help or trigger those with eating issues?Finally the medication kicked in and I began to surface. I went for a walk in the sunshine and that night I sat down and wrote a blog post. And here I am.So, I don’t know what you want for an answer, but maybe the published people will come forth and say something. Mine is just about the little stuff I write for myself. All I can say is, when you can’t even write for yourself, now that’s pretty depressed!
Whenever I write about my depression I feel like I'm complaining. Is it better if I keep things inside to avoid seeming like I'm complaining?
No. It’s important to be able to express what you’re going through, your thoughts/concerns, etc. Sometimes, you just need to be able to write about how much everything sucks. Especially with a journal, not everything is meant to be an inspirational piece for someone else to read. In fact, your journal is for you and, if applicable, your therapist. Similarly, when talking to others, in person or online, sometimes, you just need to be able to express how much everything sucks. However, it’s also important, whenever possible, to focus some attention on what you would change, how you would like to change it, and how you could go about doing that. This practice makes it possible to gain a better sense of control over your life. I would suggest joining a few online or in-person support groups that focus on depression and/or the specific cause of your depression. Some people have depression solely because of a neurological chemical imbalance. Others have depression as a symptom of abuse PTSD, military PTSD, the loss of a loved one, the inability to get ahead in life, etc. It’s helpful to connect with people who have some understanding of your experiences. If possible, develop a friendship with a few like-minded people that you can count on and whom you can provide support for. These people can be online and/or in-person. Last, but not least, remember that “complaining” is how you get help. If you don’t say that something is wrong, many people will assume that nothing is wrong and/or will rationalize their decision to not intervene. Some people will do that anyway. This is why it’s important to find people you can count on. Even when that’s not possible, you should always be able to count on yourself for support. Don’t undermine yourself and your ability to heal by telling yourself that you don’t have the right to complain.
I am very seriously depressed about being grounded. PLEASE help me?
I really am. I'm not just whining. It's summer and we live in NYC and it's as hot as frick even with the AC cranked up and I spend my whole life either at the bookstore where i work or here and I am just so unhappy. I mean MISERABLE. I was grounded for 3wks for something dumb, I get that, and then last night I got grounded for another whole WEEK just because I was HONEST. My parents are divorced and I spend the summers here and I'm just over it and I don't want to be here anymore, and I told him that and that he's a total hypocrite because he's 46 years old and he's dating someone who's like a fraction older than me - she's a MED STUDENT - and he is so controlling over who I date and he was out until 2 in the MORNING and I have to be in 10 during the week even thought its summer. I'm a top student and normally a really happy girl and this summer I just feel miserable every single day. I honestly think I'm gonna lose it if he doesn't stop the grounding! My mom said I have to stay here.
My mom thinks I'm depressed (long but I need some help)?
But I'm not! Recently, since I visited my home country, of course there they have tons of foods I can't eat here in the US because the stuff needed for it or the food itself is only sold there, so I ate a lot and I gained weight (but it's not THAT obvious, just a little my mom says). She's been trying to get me to exercise but the thing is I'm not the athletic type or the type that loves exercise. My mom says, "Okay, let's just walk together." but when we do it's boring because she doesn't talk at all. She says she does but she doesn't. So I usually walk behind her, and yesterday morning when we went for a morning walk that's what I did, and she was listening to her iPod while walking anyways. When we got home, she told my stepdad that she wants to get me a psychologist/therapist because she thinks there's something wrong with me. She said, "She just walked behind me, dragging herself." she was exaggerating. Then later I asked her, "So you want to get me a psychologist?" She said, "Yeah, I think there's something wrong with you. Because you're always irritated and you never talk." I'm a grumpy person, short-tempered, and she was the one who said it herself. I've been like this all my life I'm stubborn and stuff (but I'm trying to be more.. hmm what's the word, well like, cheerful and stuff). And I never talk around her and my stepdad because my stepdad is strict and he's always laughing at the things I say as if the things I say are ridiculous and make no sense, and we just don't get along. I used to talk a lot to my mom but since she married my stepdad she's been almost the same so I don't bother. This is the third time that she's thought I was depressed, and gotten me a psychologist/therapist. The first was just for not even three months, I went to a therapist but we stopped for some reason, I can't remember. The second time I went to a therapist was longer, but we stopped because we moved and my mom didn't think I needed one anymore. Then, now she wants to get me one again. There have been events in my life that might make me depressed (moving to a different country, house burning down, parents getting divorced, etc.) but I swear I don't think I am, my mom is the only one that thinks so, maybe my stepdad too. How do I convince her I'm not depressed?
Why are atheists more depressed than religious people?
Religion provides mental comfort, a feeling of innate worth, a purpose in life and a very supportive social structure. It's good for you. Being a part of a church is very beneficial, but some people just cannot committ to believe. I am agnostic and wish that I had the ability to be religious, but it's just in me to believe in modern day religions.
Lgbt: Do you think people bluff when they write about suicide?
I don't ever call or assume anything about suicidal thoughts and/or bluffs. You never know if the person really is trying to gain attention, or if they really are just in the dumps and can no longer go on. I only answer this question because you asked, and are in my contacts. And it pertains to me, in a way. People who are suicidal, and have no one to turn to, could possibly come here on Y!A to this section in particular, because they have no one to relate to. This section by far has the best amount of people who are good listeners and advisers. Of all my suicidal thoughts, this is where I posted, and was persuaded that life has much more to it. Some people are actual trolls, and just look for attention. Some just want the pity because they're attention wanters. I would never call anything related to suicide a bluff, because again, you never know if it's the truth or not, and you never know if it's what you say that could hurt them further more or whatnot. I would feel bad and feel like I failed if the person who I called a suicide bluff on did actually commit suicide, chancing that I know in return after. I would feel way worst then now, because I had snoop to the level of not believing. I haven't done anything stupid, just am deciding that I quit life, period. :) I think what's best for me is to keep living the lie that I already am, and die inside silently. I fear that I will only be looked down as a failure to my parents and the people around me, therefore, I give up. Lizzy on the other hand, I have not seen for awhile. I have hoped and wished that she not do anything to that extent, but I have stated to her before that she knows what's best for her. I can not and will not be angry if she does disappear on Earth, but rather yet, I will just feel like I failed her. And from that, I can take what I learned from the friendship with her and push it much more in the next relationship like this. I hope all is well with her, and for her to reply if she's reading on the sly. I miss you Lizzy... :'( Welcome to the Lgbt section. These people are great people, so you'll have tons of fun and knowledge gained from them. Let's all welcome Truth (if I may call you that, on a shorter term) with big arms.