How Do You Fight Depression?

[Van23]

I'd like some input here.

I follow politics all the time. I vote (mostly)Democratic. I'm a very progressive person.

That being said, I've been voicing my opinion, fighting for what I believe in, and voting for almost 30 years. During that time, I've seen Republican controlled Congresses, the Moral Majority, a Democratic DLC led party going farther and farther to the right, bumper stickers that read "I Love Guns, Hate gays, and Love GWB" on cars. I hear on the radio (still) people who deny the fact of global warming, believe the universe is 10,000 years old, have no problem with nuking Iran because "Jesus is coming back soon", etc. etc....

It's gotten to a point with me that I'm about ready to curl up into a ball and quit. I can't even stomach watching the news anymore. The human race (well, lots of people if not everyone) seems to have a deep rooted fear of change and progress. Einstein--a political progressive and peace activist-- reportedly gave up on the human race shortly before he died. Lots of people would rather listen to people like James Dobson than Einstein, Carl Sagan, Gandhi, etc.

I'm just sick of it. The recent elections gave me some hope, but I'm already dreading the slime machine that will go into action if Hillary gets the nod. I'm not looking forward to it. So what do you do? Try to "reason" with people who won't listen to reason, or shout back at them? Either way, I'm tired of it.

Anyone else feel this way? How do you deal with it?

Thanks.

[femmocrat]

1. Kick.

I don't really have any great advice, but didn't want your thread to sink. I feel pretty much the same way. When it gets to me, I turn off the TV, stay off the internet, and find a distraction. I do not try to reason with conservatives as they are beyond reason. Maybe someone else can offer some words of wisdom.

Welcome to DU, Van23. You're among allies here.

[Van23]

2. Thanks

Thanks. I appreciate that.

[catzies]

3. Belated "Welcome to DU," Van23!

:hi:

Maybe just knowing "You're not alone" will help? Almost all of here have gone through what you're feeling right now. Hopefully being around like-minded folks here at DU, you can pick up some coping strategies.

Don't quit outright - it's good and healthy to take breaks, and to want to remove yourself from negativity, but the fight is still worth fighting.

[Mz Pip]

4. These idiots are in the minority

and they are losing their influence. 2006 was the election that marked the beginning of the end of their agenda. Perhaps it is not happening as quickly as we would like it, but it is coming. The slime machine will have les effect this time. If anything it will cost them more come 2008. People are sick of it.

So keep the faith, we will prevail.

Mz Pip
:dem:

[Van23]

7. You're probably right.

:)

[Danger Mouse]

5. My friend...

I feel much the same way.
I'm not sure how to feel or what to do, myself.
I would say...don't bother trying to convert people, there is no reasoning with freeper slime once their mind is made up.
Don't give in, and don't lie down.
Fight back when you can, but choose your battles.
Try to remember that though most people suck, there's a lot of great people right here at DU.
I don't have much else to add really, other than, good luck.
I know the feeling.

[HEyHEY]

6. See a Dr.

[Van23]

9. Well,..

I'm not THAT depressed!...but I might be if things go wrong in 2008.

[HEyHEY]

10. curling into a ball crying? See a Dr.

[Shell Beau]

21. Awwww!!

I know her feeling. I don't want to curl up or anything, but it is depressing out there. Did you happen to see the Bob Woodruff special! So depressing!!!

[CBHagman]

8. Good question.

I don't have a pat answer because I struggle with very deep discouragement (some of it brought on by world events and politics, some not!). And I'm not equipped to play professional here. But the following are helpful to me:

1. Find out which people in your life bring you up and be sure to appreciate them.
2. Watch out for pessimists, even and perhaps especially people you love, because you can absorb their approach and aggravate your sorrow/discouragement.
3. Find something you enjoy and that takes you out of yourself, whether it's movies, a sport, art, your animals, whatever. It will ease the pressure.
4. Google the term "cognitive distortions," read the list of what comes up, and watch for them in your own thoughts. In short, cognitive distortions are all the ways we unnecessarily torture ourselves -- through our own minds. Knowing how you're thinking and what it's doing to you will help.
5. Exercise in whatever way you can. It is one of nature's antidepressants.
6. I wouldn't tell you to avoid the news (I'm an information addict myself), but take a break when necessary.
7. As lame as this sounds, I remind myself of all the tragedies our ancestors went through -- famines, storms, wars, pogroms, expulsion, persecution, financial catastrophe, etc. -- and remind myself that it must have seemed like the end of everything then, too. Courage and resilience and survival are very real and precious things.
8. Harness your anger in the best possible way. Instead of hating, be determined to put your ideals into action. Be determined to survive and thrive.

This is how I'm trying to learn to live.

[Mz Pip]

11. Also

if you spend too much time focusing on things you have no control over - like who the Repug nominee will be or the next SCOTUS ruling, life can become quite overwhelming. Don't focus on the stuff you can't fix. Too frustrating.

I focus on things I can control. I do volunteer work locally and know I make a small difference. I have hobbies I'm good at that give me lots of enjoyment. I spend time with family and friends and watch dumb shit on TV.

Spring is coming. FLowers will bloom. Life goes on. Enjoy the good things. They are out there.


Mz Pip
:dem:

[stuntcat]

14. Flowers, hobbies, volunteering..

right on :thumbsup:

[Mz Pip]

18. And cats

Fuzzy faces can always bring about a smile... :-)



Mz Pip
:dem:

[stuntcat]

19. oh lord yes!

Their happiness is HUGELY important.
My best friend never had pets but then when we lived together a while he kinda stole one of my cats, changed his name and babied him.. then last year Kitana died :( so now my friend's gonna soon get a kitten!
I totally take credit for turning him into a cat person.

[graywarrior]

12. Welcome to DU.

Stay out of GD, or you'll blow your head off if it doesn't explode first. Other than that, they want you depressed and beaten. Rise up. Fight the fuckers.

[Redbear]

16. What gray said.

Plus, anything worth fighting for takes time. They fight us with every dirty trick in their liitle book, but they can only slow us down. They cannot stop us.

[stuntcat]

13. laugh (like maniacally)

I felt really hopeless about things in '01/'02, I was on the edge, but I decided all I can do is try to laugh. So I make a point of it, I listen to funny songs and watch funny movies. I tell the same dumb jokes over and over just to creep people out then it makes ME laugh :p
I do listen to the news most of the day but all it takes is a lot of eye-rolling, the more outrageous it gets the harder I laugh :p

Do you ever wonder how it would feel if you were unconcious the last 15 years and then you woke up and saw a day of our news?
It's just ridiculous, the world's insane I think :banghead:

[Chan790]

15. Get active.

Seriously, it works. You'll find yourself surrounded by like-minded people (which helps) and you'll feel better about these things when you're part of the solution of their destruction.

[Van23]

23. I am pretty active

and, you're right. It works. I need to do more of it.

[Nicole]

17. Volunteer

Spending some time with those less fortunate than yourself will adjust your attitude real quick.

Or at least it does for me.

[crim son]

20. First, recognize your tolerance for torture is limited, and take

a break from the bad news. Try to remember what's great about your way of life which will in turn inspire you not to quit. Then, do what is within your power to join the fight. It should be somewhat encouraging to realize that some pretty diehard repukes have changed their minds about the * administration over the last year or two. You may find yourself in a discussion or argument where you sense you are not making headway, but you are making a dent!

Most of us know the feeling you describe. Hang out here in the Lounge with like-minded people... just that may do you a world of good.

[Prisoner_Number_Six]

22. Turn the tee vee off.

Turn the computer off.

Turn the radio off.

Close the book.

Go outside for a while. Take a walk. Play with the pets. Play with the kids. If you don't have pets or kids, get some. Go have an expensive meal somewhere. Go watch a classic Disney movie.

Look up from the ground. Feel the breeze in your face. Listen to the wind in the trees.

There are a thousand things you can do immediately to break away from a depression. All it takes is willpower.

(FYI, I was clinically depressed since childhood. However, it's been four years and more since I've let myself get into a deep depression. And since I'm now almost 52, I think that says something about my experience and wisdom on the subject.)

[Van23]

24. Very good advice

Thanks!

[Ariana Celeste]

25. If you find out, let me know.

:hi:

[Bryn]

26. I am with you

We are few lions among millions of millions of sheeps, the mass. It is very hard for me to understand also. We need more people to see the light. I completely undetstand. :grouphug:

How do I deal with it? I communte with Nature, read worthy books, love and help animals. My beloved mother is Freeper and is like the rest of people you mentioned who think Jesus is coming soon and she gets excited when bad things happen. I look at her helplessly. This is mentally illness. Be happy you are enlightened and can think for yourself and see things clearly. :grouphug:

[Van23]

27. God...

that's tough. My dad's a right-winger and lifelong Republican, but not even HE voted for Bush in 2004!!

Who the hell is Bush's base, anyhow??? That's a scary thought!!

[Bryn]

33. At Least Your Dad

seems to belong to Ike Eisenhower's class. Maybe Bush's base is full of fundamentalists/End Timers/crazy people who cannot think for themselves. Can't they see that Bush's NUTS!

[murielm99]

28. Sometimes, anger helps.

Anger is the opposite of depression. My anger and outrage about all this helps to keep me from being depressed.

But anger does not last. It is not healthy to be angry all the time, any more than it is to be depressed. I turned my anger to volunteering and activism. DU helps, too.

Find things that make you laugh. One of the reasons Colbert and the Daily Show have such big followings is that they can give us big belly laughs about all the shit in the world. Find other funny things. Watch slapstick movies, read funny books.

Exercise is cathartic. Exercise if you can.

Pets help. Have pets if you can, and lavish them with attention. Make sure you tell your loved ones that you love them. Do things with them that give you a break from the world.

Remember that there are others who are doing more.

Just think of the Black Caucus. They have been not only a voice in the wilderness against repuke outrages, but also they have fought racism in ways we don't even begin to comprehend. They don't lose hope.

I have a friend who is a traditional pacifist, because of her religious faith. She has been a state officer for SANE/FREEZE. She keeps the faith, and works quietly for peace, against all odds.

Think of Al Gore. He is reviled and ridiculed, but he keeps fighting against global warming.

Yes, do take a break from it when you can. But remember that you are not alone.

[Broken_Hero]

29. Simple distractions, basically

reading a book, thats non political, or watching a mind rot movie, or something of that nature. Personally, I play the guitar, listen to music, or look at old pictures to get me out of depression, usually while having quite a few Keystone lights.

[liberal hypnotist]

30. I had to give up my desire to crush them.

I accepted it is a free country-even if it means talking to people that display GW stickers-on a limited basis. I ask them questions like, "how long have you had this condition." I decided to have fun and laugh at them. Plus, I remember learning as a kid in the US anyone can be president. Now, I have to say "even a loser like George Bush."

Do you think if we had a special bumper sticker that meant all conservative, born again, republicans are flaming anal apertures,we would fell better? I do. Any ideas?

[AllegroRondo]

31. I find a new hobby.

It works for me. The distraction pulls my mind out of the funk. When I find a new hobby, I end up completely immersing myself in learning everything I possibly can about it for weeks or even months. I tend to pick up a new one about once a year. Last year, I learned to make jewelry.

[BarenakedLady]

32. That's not depression

That is feeling helpless to change what is going on. Feeling overwhelmed and burnt out on politics. I got that way after Shrub was re-elected. I haven't really gotten over it. Also, after years fighting animal rights issues, I got totally burnt out and discouraged.

Depression is a disease I'm very familiar with and a very different creature.

Just being nitpicky. But I hear what you are saying.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

34. Just don't take it so seriously.

Politics is politics. It really shouldn't affect your overall outlook on life. You can't control what other people do or think, so just control what you can - your life, your health, and caring for the ones you love. If all is well in those realms, there's no good reason to let everyone else in the world get you down.

[EFerrari]

35. You hang with the good people in the mental health forum.

:)

Great company, good tips.

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topics&forum=276

[Shine]

36. Here's my two cents: Practice having an attitude of GRATITUDE.

in the midst of everything, what gets me through my dark times is remembering all the things in my life that I am grateful for.

I'm sure if you spent some time doing that, it would shift your mental energy.

I also try to keep the perspective that "This, too, shall pass"

I'd like to recommend an incredibly uplifting book I read recently. It's called "The Impossible Will Take a Little While: A Citizen's Guide to Hope in a Time of Fear." Edited by Paul Rogat Loeb.
http://www.amazon.com/Impossible-Will-Take-Little-While/dp/0465041663
Excellent reading! :applause:

:hug: :hi:

on edit: Welcome to DU, btw! :toast:

[Van23]

41. I have

that book. I read it a while ago. I will check it out again

[seemunkee]

37. Outrage fatigue

Take a break. Don't watch the news, read a paper or browse the net, play with your dog/cat/kid/SO/friends, exercise, go to a concert, read some fiction, see a movie, take a trip. Just get away from it for a short while then come back and be ready to fight some more.

I'm sure we all suffer from it on occasion.

[Omphaloskepsis]

38. I agree..

Really, Bush isn't going to get impeached, the meat grinder in Iraq will not be affected by anything you do. I have given up.. Things will continue the way they are for the next year. I will spend the next year saving my strength and eating pizza. In 12 months I will be rested and ready to fight. I am fucking tired and need some "me" time.

[ikojo]

39. I feel the same way...I have friends who have

been activists for 40 plus years and I don't know how they do it. I have been SO disillusioned since November 2004 I don't know what to do. I got in a serious funk after John Kerry lost (like he was a prize, but at least he wasn't BUSH) and I don't think I've fully come out of it. I don't look to the Democrats to change because they are beholden to the same class as are the Republicans (the really rich who run this country).

People seem more concerned with Anna Nicole and celebrity news than with what really affects them. Sometimes I wish I could be totally absorbed by pop culture stuff because those folks do seem to enjoy life a lot more.

I wish I knew how to help you get out of your funk.

[Van23]

40. This helps..

I donated 20 bucks to Moveon.org. That made me feel a little better!

[AshevilleGuy]

42. Perhaps a change of scenery?

If you have the time and the opportunity, I suggest getting away for a couple of days. Go somewhere you know you like, or perhaps somewhere you have never been. Explore, shop, whatever makes you happy.

Could this be winter depression as well?

[Cobalt-60]

43. Deep Six "the News", at least from American sources

It hasn't really been news for some time.
Of course it depresses you. It's a stream of lies and corporate spin designed to make you feel helpless.
Catch the BBC World Service if you need an update.

[Connonym]

44. Pharmaceuticals

and a really, really deep-seated sense of optimism.

[Forkboy]

45. Very poorly

When I find something that works I'll let you know.

Seriously.

[Conan_The_Barbarian]

46. I fight depression like I fight cancer!

When I heard about depression I said somone needs to do something about that, so I made it my personal crusade to fight depression myself! Well I couldn't find depression but I can find people WITH depression, so I fight them!

[Lilith Velkor]

48. The first rule of the club is no one talks about it

Still, it's good to have a hobby.

[struggle4progress]

47. Exercise. Social and political volunteer work. And a ...

"When ya got nuthin, ya got nuthin to lose" attitude

[applegrove]

49. Sometimes a depression is a warning to "hit the deck". To lie low. To

get out of a situation which is too taxing. I would try to find a new balance if I was you. Do some volunteer work more often than politics. Plant a huge garden and weed it 10 hours a week. Coach a kid's team. Pick up a new craft that will keep your hands off a keyboard. If it continues..go see someone about it because there is help out there..meds will give you a stronger baseline. Whatever you do..it is important to "get the message" your body is sending you.

Hopefully - with a new balance in your life you can approach politics with new eyes...perhaps having grieved the loss of the country you love...with acceptance that you cannot change everything yourself..but can be a small part of a larger group that will try. And that that is alright. Not pleasant. Not ideal. Not the way you want it....but the way it is right now.

And then when the 08 election comes along..you can get out and rock the vote.

Perpetual politics like what the neocons & GOP now practice have as a goal to emotionally exhaust their enemies. So you are not alone.

[idgiehkt]

51. very wise

I think so too.

[skygazer]

50. Balance

It's all about balance.

You can't let your life be nothing but outrage and activism. Those are good things and can be positive but they can also be exhausting and soul-sucking.

Turn off the TV.
Go outdoors.
Take a walk in the woods.
Hang out with friends and talk about things other than politics.
Indulge in the things you like to do.

There's an awful lot to be optimistic about. It doesn't show up so much on the MSM but you can see it if you look for it. People are catching on. Bush's approval ratings are way down. People are unhappy about Iraq. Though there are a lot of skeptics, the reality of Global Warming is seeping into the public consciousness. Though hate speech is trumpeted loudly, I really think most people just want to live their lives and let others live theirs.

Take a breather, find some balance. Then jump back in.