For example, you're only feeding your depression if you stay locked in your room all day, but going outside and getting a breath of fresh air is rejuvenating and can temporarily help lessen the depression.

I'm mostly looking for advice, but I figure this thread could help other people, too. It also makes us think what we should and shouldn't do when depressed.

[manicminer]

Best: Exercise, socialize, attempt to do the things that make you happy

Worst: Internalize, isolation, drinking alcohol

[Unrigged64072835]

Best: Exercise, eat well, work on hobbies, get outside

Worst: Isolate, ruminate on bad thoughts, overeat

best: find someone to talk to about it, do things you like doing, try to focus on something exciting or fun that has either happened or is coming up.

worst: doing nothing and letting it get to you, self harming, acting on suicidal urges (if you have them), neggative talk

[Bolivar83]

Thank you for starting this thread! Great topic, and am also looking forward to others responses - I can use the new ideas/advice, myself.

For me, worse= isolating, ruminating.... confining myself to the "safety" of my room can start the snowball's momentum of not showering - not eating - not sleeping - paranoia - & etc.

Best? For me, getting outside, even just to write on the computer. Making myself complete a small list of chores (including some fun activities for myself) before I can give in to the siren call of my bed and hide out.

[OctobersBlackRose]

Great thread, I really don't have anything to add.that others haven't already said, but I look.forward to seeing the responses from others.

Best: do the opposite of what my depression is telling me to do.

Worst: give in to what my depression is telling me to do.

[xRavenx]

Best: Watch self-help videos, talk to my therapist and/or pdoc/someone trustworthy, take a shower or bath

Worst: Ruminating on what is bothering me, Drinking Alcohol, staying up all night

[jpb4815]

I also benefit from excercise and doing something that I am good at and like. I usually cook or build mobile applications.

I am in trouble if I let myself ruminate or isolate.

best: look on amazon

you don't have to buy, but i find looking on the site when i'm depressed makes me excited and anticipate all the stuff i want to buy at some stage

best: treat yourself.

on wednesday, i treated myself to my own copy of the lion king on dvd

it made my day

worse: don't trigger yourself

i'm a bad one for this. i'll feel bad or depressed about something, think of a movie or a tv show (or indeed some music) that i know will only make me worse, and what do i do 9 times out of 10?

listen/ watch it

[Theseus]

For me it's easier said than done to not brood over something, to "snap out of it" or "pull myself up by the bootstraps". I don't know why that is. Something that will pick me up is when I get pain in my leg, back and hip (from a lumbar fusion) and I have to take a percocet. I don't get high from it, or manic, just a mild euphoria that for most people may be "normal". Because I fear becoming addicted, even though I may be super depressed, I won't take one unless I do have pain.

Drinking regularly is not a good idea. It will make it worse and delay your recovery. Been there.

On the positive: start your own thread here, just for you. Post daily. You will know you are not alone.

Another positive: Always remember things will change. Because you have bipolar, it must change. Therefore, you will not feel like you do forever. It is not hopeless.