Natural ways to deal with depression

restlesshound48 said:Yeah. Unfortunately.

On one hand, I know it’s a step-by-step process and recovery could take years—if it happens at all. On the other, years are passing by without any real improvement.

I don't think there's any "moving forward" left in me. 🙄

I'm exhausted. Like I said, when even browsing the web feels like too much work, you know how bad things really are.🙄 🙄

I get all that, really. Instagram used to be my whole life, just spent hours scrolling every day. Now? It just burns me out. Seeing everyone else's lives... the stuff I'd want to be doing if my mental health wasn't such a wreck.

Jesse Barnes5 said:I get all that, really. Instagram used to be my whole life, just spent hours scrolling every day. Now? It just burns me out. Seeing everyone else's lives... the stuff I'd want to be doing if my mental health wasn't such a wreck.

Lately, even this forum has started feeling like a chore. It’s getting exhausting.

Facebook? Instagram? Honestly, I don't really bother. Haven't checked them in ages. If I did, people would probably say I’m constantly comparing myself to everyone else... which is a bit of a paradox, considering I barely know half the people on there anyway. Actually, it's probably better that way.

Walking around town sometimes, you catch a glimpse of them—that young, happy couple, all smiles and embraces, looking like they’ve already made it. Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

Unfortunately, there isn't much of a choice if you actually want to live life to the fullest—but that’s hard when you just don't have the drive for anything.
What a waste of breath.

restlesshound48 said:Lately, even this forum has started feeling like a chore. It’s getting exhausting.

Facebook? Instagram? Honestly, I don't really bother. Haven't checked them in ages. If I did, people would probably say I’m constantly comparing myself to everyone else... which is a bit of a paradox, considering I barely know half the people on there anyway. Actually, it's probably better that way.

Walking around town sometimes, you catch a glimpse of them—that young, happy couple, all smiles and embraces, looking like they’ve already made it. Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

Unfortunately, there isn't much of a choice if you actually want to live life to the fullest—but that’s hard when you just don't have the drive for anything.
What a waste of breath.

I feel that. So many calls I've ignored, so many new faces, opportunities, and experiences I missed just because I was stuck in my own head or feeling anxious. My biggest fear is getting old and suddenly realizing I wasted my best years being stuck in this dark headspace, knowing I can't get that time back.

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Jesse Barnes5 said:I feel that. So many calls I've ignored, so many new faces, opportunities, and experiences I missed just because I was stuck in my own head or feeling anxious. My biggest fear is getting old and suddenly realizing I wasted my best years being stuck in this dark headspace, knowing I can't get that time back.

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Unfortunately, I haven't even had much opportunity to begin with. And what little I did have? I blew that, too. Nobody wants a psychologist for a friend, right? I get it.

I don't even know how I wasted my years. It wasn't anything smart, and it wasn't even anything wild. Just... nothing.

If even one part of it had been worth it, maybe I would've had the drive to change. But no luck there.

Hope you make it happen. I've already thrown in the towel.

restlesshound48 said:Unfortunately, I haven't even had much opportunity to begin with. And what little I did have? I blew that, too. Nobody wants a psychologist for a friend, right? I get it.

I don't even know how I wasted my years. It wasn't anything smart, and it wasn't even anything wild. Just... nothing.

If even one part of it had been worth it, maybe I would've had the drive to change. But no luck there.

Hope you make it happen. I've already thrown in the towel.

Don't quit yet. I know it sucks, but try to find some grit. You can't be that old. Worst part is, I totally get where you're coming from, and I can't offer much help since I'm stuck in the same mess. Only difference is my depression isn't constant—it kind of waves in and out...

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Jesse Barnes5 said:Don't quit yet. I know it sucks, but try to find some grit. You can't be that old. Worst part is, I totally get where you're coming from, and I can't offer much help since I'm stuck in the same mess. Only difference is my depression isn't constant—it kind of waves in and out...

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See, for me, it's constant. Even if there's a brief moment of light, it's never enough to actually do anything...

I've tried. It's not like I haven't. I'm fighting... but every single day is just a struggle, and I feel like things are getting worse. Not eating, just crying. Everything is killing me.

restlesshound48 said:See, for me, it's constant. Even if there's a brief moment of light, it's never enough to actually do anything...

I've tried. It's not like I haven't. I'm fighting... but every single day is just a struggle, and I feel like things are getting worse. Not eating, just crying. Everything is killing me.

The worst part is that you can't pull yourself out alone, but at the same time, nobody else can do it for you either.
Have you thought about seeing a therapist or a psychiatrist?

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Jesse Barnes5 said:The worst part is that you can't pull yourself out alone, but at the same time, nobody else can do it for you either.
Have you thought about seeing a therapist or a psychiatrist?

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Never went.

That's why I started this thread. Just wanted to see if there was anything out there—maybe help someone else dealing with something similar.

Still, I feel like everything is internal. No amount of professional help changes that. Hard to trust a stranger with it, and even if I did, would it actually change anything? Doubtful.

Too much gets oversimplified. I just want to live a normal life, but apparently, that's not happening.

restlesshound48 said:Never went.

That's why I started this thread. Just wanted to see if there was anything out there—maybe help someone else dealing with something similar.

Still, I feel like everything is internal. No amount of professional help changes that. Hard to trust a stranger with it, and even if I did, would it actually change anything? Doubtful.

Too much gets oversimplified. I just want to live a normal life, but apparently, that's not happening.

Exactly. Scared I'll just keep telling myself things will improve while wasting my life doing nothing for myself. Hard to open up to anyone, especially a therapist.

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Jesse Barnes5 said:Exactly. Scared I'll just keep telling myself things will improve while wasting my life doing nothing for myself. Hard to open up to anyone, especially a therapist.

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And even if I did open up, I don't think he could actually do anything about it.

There was a stretch a while back where insomnia was killing me. I was leaning on sleeping pills—which isn't like me at all, they were a total exception—but in the end, it felt like nothing. Like staring at daylight. No effect. It's all in the head, this messed up head of mine.

I'm done trying to convince myself. I'm fully aware things aren't getting better, I just don't have the strength to move.
Maybe two years ago, if I'd had some support from the people closest to me, things might have actually turned around. But since then? I've just been sinking.

restlesshound48 said:And even if I did open up, I don't think he could actually do anything about it.

There was a stretch a while back where insomnia was killing me. I was leaning on sleeping pills—which isn't like me at all, they were a total exception—but in the end, it felt like nothing. Like staring at daylight. No effect. It's all in the head, this messed up head of mine.

I'm done trying to convince myself. I'm fully aware things aren't getting better, I just don't have the strength to move.
Maybe two years ago, if I'd had some support from the people closest to me, things might have actually turned around. But since then? I've just been sinking.

I haven't fully transitioned to the pills yet, but I wouldn't even want to. I feel like they'd finish me off, given how unstable I am and how little self-discipline I actually have.
Don't you have family support now?

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restlesshound48 said:And even if I did open up, I don't think he could actually do anything about it.

There was a stretch a while back where insomnia was killing me. I was leaning on sleeping pills—which isn't like me at all, they were a total exception—but in the end, it felt like nothing. Like staring at daylight. No effect. It's all in the head, this messed up head of mine.

I'm done trying to convince myself. I'm fully aware things aren't getting better, I just don't have the strength to move.
Maybe two years ago, if I'd had some support from the people closest to me, things might have actually turned around. But since then? I've just been sinking.

Try finding one hobby—something solo, where you don't have to deal with other people—that actually brings you a little joy.
Can you think of anything?
Also, try some physical activity. Maybe just attempt to jog a couple of miles every day?

Jesse Barnes5 said:I haven't fully transitioned to the pills yet, but I wouldn't even want to. I feel like they'd finish me off, given how unstable I am and how little self-discipline I actually have.
Don't you have family support now?

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I'm not on a tablet either.

Back then, I couldn't get any sleep. I was popping sleeping pills that didn't do a damn thing. Honestly? It feels like it was all in my head.

Nah, nobody stepped up to help. Not that I really need it anymore, though.

Robert Reyes4 said:Try finding one hobby—something solo, where you don't have to deal with other people—that actually brings you a little joy.
Can you think of anything?
Also, try some physical activity. Maybe just attempt to jog a couple of miles every day?

With everything going on, finding any kind of satisfaction felt like an impossible task.

I stay somewhat active. Every day, really—especially during the summer. I’ll go for long walks, sometimes more than once, but it doesn't feel like it's actually getting me anywhere.

restlesshound48 said:I'm not on a tablet either.

Back then, I couldn't get any sleep. I was popping sleeping pills that didn't do a damn thing. Honestly? It feels like it was all in my head.

Nah, nobody stepped up to help. Not that I really need it anymore, though.

With everything going on, finding any kind of satisfaction felt like an impossible task.

I stay somewhat active. Every day, really—especially during the summer. I’ll go for long walks, sometimes more than once, but it doesn't feel like it's actually getting me anywhere.

Keep walking, don't stop. Just fill the day with small stuff, nothing crazy. Not sure if you're working or in school.

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Jesse Barnes5 said:Keep walking, don't stop. Just fill the day with small stuff, nothing crazy. Not sure if you're working or in school.

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I haven't stopped. And even when I'm fully occupied, I still overthink... always have, always will. Can't seem to relax.

Not working. Scared of anything new at this point, and honestly, I've lost interest in everything else too.

restlesshound48 said:I haven't stopped. And even when I'm fully occupied, I still overthink... always have, always will. Can't seem to relax.

Not working. Scared of anything new at this point, and honestly, I've lost interest in everything else too.

Overthinking is the absolute worst. Sometimes I spiral so deep into my own head it gets pretty dark.

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Jesse Barnes5 said:Overthinking is the absolute worst. Sometimes I spiral so deep into my own head it gets pretty dark.

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So you get what I'm saying. 🙂

But that’s just how I've always been. Since forever.

Ever wonder if there’s actually anything good left in me? 🙄

There’s another way people describe that feeling when your brain just won't shut up: racing thoughts.

As for the whole Vitamin D situation:
I’ve always found it easiest to remember that you should probably be taking it during every month that has an "R" in its name—you know, from SeptembeR through ApRil.

Andrew Barrett4 said:There’s another way people describe that feeling when your brain just won't shut up: racing thoughts.

As for the whole Vitamin D situation:
I’ve always found it easiest to remember that you should probably be taking it during every month that has an "R" in its name—you know, from SeptembeR through ApRil.

Whatever you call it, it isn't exactly relaxing. 👎

restlesshound48 said:I'm not on a tablet either.

Back then, I couldn't get any sleep. I was popping sleeping pills that didn't do a damn thing. Honestly? It feels like it was all in my head.

Nah, nobody stepped up to help. Not that I really need it anymore, though.

With everything going on, finding any kind of satisfaction felt like an impossible task.

I stay somewhat active. Every day, really—especially during the summer. I’ll go for long walks, sometimes more than once, but it doesn't feel like it's actually getting me anywhere.

Walking is nice, but it’s pretty slow. That’s why I suggested running.
It helps both mentally and physically, plus you get that sense of accomplishment and it builds willpower.
It's free, you don't need a crew, and you pick your own schedule.

Forget about "everything going on" for a second—is there just one thing that makes you feel genuinely good? Try remembering what you used to enjoy back when you were younger.