Jun 14 2012: I have faced significant depression, including currently, on two occasions. 20+ years ago, I went through one shortly before ending graduate school and for 2 years post. I faced simliar paralyzing issues as you and couldn't find a way out. Small little wins, a relationship that turned to marraige, a job that allowed me to learn and have new successes, exercise and social interaction helped me through - all little things that supported and accelerated one another. Looking back at the experience, I recognized the depression, but can't say I learned anything about it until I was out and could really look objectively at the process and see how much stronger I had become because of what I went through.
With my current depression, I was facing behavioral changes in me that convinced me I couldn't manage the process on my own, so I sought help from my doctor, a therapist and medication, all of which helped a great deal. I am much more mature and able to recognize the 'monsters', but have had varying success managing them. I think the part I learned through therapy was to acknowledge the emotional and physical symptoms that come forth from my depression, look to move them off without judgement and proceed on with my life. I learned of some of the prior history and personality components of what breeds my feelings which has also helped in that I can make a decision as to how important those values/traits are compared to what remifications come from them. I believe it will be the small successes that come forth that will get me out of this current state and I will look back more objectively and be able to learn more.
I would have to lean with many others on this discussion and recommend taking steps to move you out of your state as soon as possible (with some internal learning being a part of it) and look to learn afterwards when you have less emotional blockages to cloud your thinking. Good luck.
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A comment on Conversation: How do you actually cope with depression?
With my current depression, I was facing behavioral changes in me that convinced me I couldn't manage the process on my own, so I sought help from my doctor, a therapist and medication, all of which helped a great deal. I am much more mature and able to recognize the 'monsters', but have had varying success managing them. I think the part I learned through therapy was to acknowledge the emotional and physical symptoms that come forth from my depression, look to move them off without judgement and proceed on with my life. I learned of some of the prior history and personality components of what breeds my feelings which has also helped in that I can make a decision as to how important those values/traits are compared to what remifications come from them. I believe it will be the small successes that come forth that will get me out of this current state and I will look back more objectively and be able to learn more.
I would have to lean with many others on this discussion and recommend taking steps to move you out of your state as soon as possible (with some internal learning being a part of it) and look to learn afterwards when you have less emotional blockages to cloud your thinking. Good luck.
A comment on Talk: Jill Bolte Taylor's stroke of insight