darkwall
Well-known member
Here are the five levels of depression and how to fight them.
Lv 1 - Very slight depression is almost unconscious, but it can still have a profound effect over time.
My remedies: Do something you love like watching stand-up comedy, make sure you have a full stomach of healthy food, phone or email people.
Lv 2 - This is the loneliness stage. Very likely to lead to other forms of depression, but if nipped in the bud immediately it can quickly fade.
My remedies: Make sure you exercise often. Join societies. Make sure your sleep is regular. Buy yourself a little something. Use music effectively to shape your mood, and remember that smiling at other people makes you feel better too.
Lv 3 - The "life is meaningless" stage.
My remedies: Buy yourself a sunlamp. Make a schedule for your life, something easy to keep to, that will see you through this. Manage your energies so that they are spent on positive things rather than negative or time-wasting things: avoiding exhaustion is key. Try and see a friend - explain to them you need cheering up and they should understand.
Lv 4 - The "my life is terrible" stage.
My remedies: OK, at this point therapy becomes a good idea. Also, anti-depressants. If you have family, this is the time that they're needed. Make lists of all the positive things you've done in your life. Take a holiday if you need it. Above all, remember that YOU HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE. Try not to dwell on things, and remember that what is happening to you won't seem like such a big deal in a little while.
Lv 5 - The "I should just kill myself" stage.
My remedies: Surround yourself with people at whatever cost. When I'm suicidal, I won't even sleep in my own room. If you don't have people to surround yourself with and you think you're suicidal (hopefully the therapist you got from Lev 4 should be aware of this) then book yourself in to somewhere that will help you. Up your meds, and drop everything in your life that isn't absolutely necessary - your job, your education - while surrounding yourself with the things that are important to you.
Some things I do NOT find helpful while depressed:
1. DON'T throw yourself into work.
2. DON'T start keeping a journal, as it will inevitably become dark.
3. DON'T change your lovelife - love and depression are a bad combo.
4. DON'T travel without people you can talk to about anything.
5. DON'T focus on a specific goal to change things, as it may fail.
I will update with others' suggestions, clarifications, etc.
EDIT:
1. Lonesome Crow has quite rightly said that alcohol should be avoided. This applies of course to other substances as well.
Lv 1 - Very slight depression is almost unconscious, but it can still have a profound effect over time.
My remedies: Do something you love like watching stand-up comedy, make sure you have a full stomach of healthy food, phone or email people.
Lv 2 - This is the loneliness stage. Very likely to lead to other forms of depression, but if nipped in the bud immediately it can quickly fade.
My remedies: Make sure you exercise often. Join societies. Make sure your sleep is regular. Buy yourself a little something. Use music effectively to shape your mood, and remember that smiling at other people makes you feel better too.
Lv 3 - The "life is meaningless" stage.
My remedies: Buy yourself a sunlamp. Make a schedule for your life, something easy to keep to, that will see you through this. Manage your energies so that they are spent on positive things rather than negative or time-wasting things: avoiding exhaustion is key. Try and see a friend - explain to them you need cheering up and they should understand.
Lv 4 - The "my life is terrible" stage.
My remedies: OK, at this point therapy becomes a good idea. Also, anti-depressants. If you have family, this is the time that they're needed. Make lists of all the positive things you've done in your life. Take a holiday if you need it. Above all, remember that YOU HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE. Try not to dwell on things, and remember that what is happening to you won't seem like such a big deal in a little while.
Lv 5 - The "I should just kill myself" stage.
My remedies: Surround yourself with people at whatever cost. When I'm suicidal, I won't even sleep in my own room. If you don't have people to surround yourself with and you think you're suicidal (hopefully the therapist you got from Lev 4 should be aware of this) then book yourself in to somewhere that will help you. Up your meds, and drop everything in your life that isn't absolutely necessary - your job, your education - while surrounding yourself with the things that are important to you.
Some things I do NOT find helpful while depressed:
1. DON'T throw yourself into work.
2. DON'T start keeping a journal, as it will inevitably become dark.
3. DON'T change your lovelife - love and depression are a bad combo.
4. DON'T travel without people you can talk to about anything.
5. DON'T focus on a specific goal to change things, as it may fail.
I will update with others' suggestions, clarifications, etc.
EDIT:
1. Lonesome Crow has quite rightly said that alcohol should be avoided. This applies of course to other substances as well.