I joke of course. I'm where you don't want to be. Good luck in recovery, depression is real and no fun.

I don't know why but this made me laugh. Such a strange sense of humour!

I suffered some depression as a result of terrible financial woes several years ago. Here are some hints I would offer, and some observations.

Depression is more likely when one has choices, but none of them are attractive, versus having no choices. If you can accept that some things are beyond your control, you might gain some new perspective.

You need to focus on the things that make you happy, and both appreciate, and structure your lifestyle around them.

Pick up a physical hobby, like running, hiking, weightlifting, combat sports, etc.

If the depression persists, it might be worth talking to a counsellor, or seeking medical help.

Just for the record, you guys are awesome. :)

Fluvoxamine

1. As someone said earlier: think rational. Along the lines of, how can I improve my situation/myself/life if I continue to act like this. Think of how depression sorts nothing and how you improve post-depression.

2. Get a friend that has a good sense of humour or is a general joker. Sometimes, laughter is the best medicine.

3. Don't take my advice for granted but: personally I found therapy **** and sometimes the best way to sort it out is by yourself.

be yourself and dont dwell on something that bothers you a lot and share it with friends or family, sometime it takes huge load off and always be optimistic,

When I had my big depression (lasted about 3 years or so), two things helped me out: Random people who pulled me into their groups, and experimenting with whatever my curiosity brought me too.

For instance, I was browsing in the local library once, when someone I kinda knew (but not really) came up to me. We started talking about different books we read, and eventually she told me to try coming to an advisory panel meeting at the library. It wasn't exactly something I was interested in, but I went anyway. The people there just sucked me into their crazy little worlds, and I found myself having an enjoyable time with them (even the one time they forced me to replace a character for a skit who happened to be a girl). Sometimes just getting to know a world outside your own helps, even for an awkward silent-type like me.

As for curiosity hunting, I started writing, I tried out different diets (vegan only lasted a couple days), hunted down information about different topics, started tinkering with electronics, etc. There's a couple reasons this helped me. First off, it gave me control over what was happening in my life. Everything I tried was a conscious decision, rather than happenstance. Second, I actually ended up enjoying a lot of stuff that I tried out, and even those I didn't like made me feel refreshed. Even now, I still try to experiment whenever I can, like right now (learning German and how to program). It's not even about finding what you like to do. It's more about just going on an adventure, leaving all the bullshit behind or at least covering it up with a fresh batch of experiences.

I can't really say any of what I said would help you, but it's food for thought, and thoughts are always better when fresh and tasty.

I've had a lot of times before where I had similar feelings. I tried making myself snap out of it, but that never worked well. I didn't want to go to a doctor for both financial reasons and I didn't want others to find out and have it haunt me later on down the line. (So naturally talking about this on a public forum is a great idea!)

What I ended up doing was looking up information on over the counter treatments and tried a combination of St. John's Wort (for overall mood) and Ginkgo Biloba (for memory). I was finding it hard to concentrate and get stuff done, so I added Ginkgo Biloba.

I was reluctant at first as I generally don't take medication for anything unless I absolutely have to. I don't know if it was a placebo effect or not, but I felt like they did make a difference for me and helped me get through down times like that. Rhodiola is another over the counter herb I've seen recommended for depression, but I haven't tried it myself.

I realize going out and buying some stuff off a shelf seems questionable. But if this has been going on for a while it may be worth considering. Also don't rule out actual professional help if nothing you try can seem to fix it.

Also standard disclaimer, I'm not a doctor, so read the label before you take anything.

Acceptance is a keyword, for me. Depression is a severe state to be in and it won't help you to worry yourself even more with wondering how things should be and especially not how you should be. People with depression have the tendency to critisize themselves overmuch: I should do this, I should do this, If only I had done such. It's not conducive to feeling better, those what if and I should questions. It only serves to drag you down more if you keep blaming yourself for something that's a severe illness that's first and foremost a sad coincidence to have.

Be realistic, suffering from a depression you won't have as much energy as is 'normal' (normal in paranthesises, as I find it quite absurd that people can be happy in this world). So, you should reward yourself for small achievements with a pet on your own shoulder: if you've cooked for yourself a fresh meal, pat your shoulder, if you've put out the garbage, pat yourself on the shoulder. Anything that takes effort because of the illness you're suffering from and you do anyway, deserves a compliment from yourself to yourself, how small it may seem from that 'ordinary' standpoint of being able to handle everything.

Above advices come from my own experience. Not from my own experience but what I do know from others is taxing on mental healh: working nightshifts. A turnabout of the biorythm is taxing. But mostly, what helps fight depression is getting sunlight (my own condition - which is chronic - improved markably when moving to a house that has windows fore and aft, instead of a single window at the far end of a long and dark single-room-appartment. It's not a cure-for-all, but living too much time in the dark can worsen the depression. Try, if you can, to get back to a daylight schedule at work. It might perhaps earn less, but it gives your mind an energy boost.

Lots of lots of videogames.

Okay, this awfully bad advice comes from a friend who said that it really helped him, and I'm pretty sure it'd have the absolute opposite effect on me. Gratifying socialisation is, in my eyes, the only way out. No lonely recipe would function. Now, to achieve this, heck, it's a matter of exploiting friends to the max (which means totally not caring about one's own self-indulged "lemme alone wanna stay alone" urges, which needs some harsh self-discipline) or getting involved in collective activities in a decent milieu. I'm not an expert at any of these, though, and my own experiences may very much not be the extrapolable sort at all...

But the general principle is there.

(didn't look at all the other posts)

Definitely talk to a professional about this. I have similar issues, and am not doing all I probably should be doing about them, but I've been blessed with a dad who went through the same things, and has helped me get medication for my issues. I strongly suspect there is a medication that could help you out.

:))
lack of fat is depressing
^^
no wonder the civilized world is full of depressive people

Well, you need some fat to survive, but the excessive amount found in junk food (not to mention the sodium and sugars) will throw your body out of sync.

Junk food is addictive. You tend to miss it the most when you have it in excess and then stop cold turkey.

Of course, the fact that we live in a society where it's throw in our face everywhere doesn't help either (at least, it's like that here, not sure about Romania).