Help needed

I suffer from depression. What can I do to help elevate my mood when I'm feeling low? I go from crying, to angry, to wanting to break everything around me, then back to crying. I'm in desperate need of help. I've suffered from this for a long time. I was doing so well about a month ago and I really thought I "overcame" depression but I can't get rid of it. I'm really going to snap one day. I want to be happy. I can't imagine living a life of sadness.

Sometimes just some exercise can help, even just go going for walk can be beneficial if the depression is not too severe. If you are up for something more strenuous that's even better.

It can help knowing you have a friend and you have many on this website!

I truly hope you feel better soon.

Hi, Hoobastank33. Have you been to see a therapist? Sounds to me like you have more than a garden-variety depression that you can pull yourself out of on you own.

But, you can try things such as going for walks; eating healthily; reading and watching positive, even humorous books, shows, and movies; writing down positive, uplifting thoughts and referring to them frequently; listening to calm, relaxing music and music with positive lyrics; etc.

However, all that said, I still think seeing a therapist is important.

I have depression, and sometimes its not really all that noticeable...in the past I would think I had overcome it as well during those times. But it would seem its not so simple basically if fluctuates from being so severe I'm considering suicide to just kind of a numb feeling. At least now I don't blame myself so much for having given into it(I'd come up with all kinds of reasons why it was somehow my fault I got 'depressed' again). I am also in therapy and have tried medications which help a lot of people...just don't do much for me but worth a try. There are also various herb/plants that can help somewhat, but I know more about that in relation to anxiety not so much when it comes to depression.

Was there any time you can remember being happy?

I have tried seeing a social worker, but for only two sessions. I will give it a try in the future when my schedule is flexible. I have been on topamax for migraines (before I realized my depression caused the migraines) and it caused me to be even more depressed. During that time I was severly considering suicide and they were not even my thoughts. I stopped taking it immediately and have not taken it since. I want to live, but this depression is causing me to think irrationally. The more I think of "happy moments" I start to realize of all the times I've been depressed that I just forgot about. I'm trying so hard to not feel this way. I really hate feeling like this. My life is so overwhelming. I am hoping this passes.

Can you make an appointment with your GP/PCP? That Dr can put you on depression medication and monitor you, but your best option would be to see a psychiatrist. This Dr has a much better understanding of psych meds.
It sounds like you are struggling. You need to find a way to see a therapist. Your health is too important.
You may want to look into getting the dialectical behavioral therapy workbook. This book helps you identify your triggers and develop a plan when you are triggered. I found it a huge help.

Hoobastank, I'm so sorry you're going through this depression. It does sound serious. I hope you will find time to see a new therapist or the social worker you saw before as soon as possible. Think of it as a medical emergency, like appendicitis, where you'd do whatever you needed to get help. Depression that pulls you so low that you've had thoughts of suicide really is a medical emergency.

You may need an antidepressant medication to start feeling better. Topamax is not an antidepressant and it was not the right med for you. One of it's side effects happens to be depression. But there are other medications out there that might help you, especially when combined with therapy that teaches you ways to cope if you feel yourself sinking into a low mood.

It's possible to recover from depression. It's possible to find happiness after depression. But for many of us, depression is a relapsing condition. It comes and it goes and it often waits over the horizon like a hungry coyote watching for a weak moment to attack. Therapy can teach us how to chase that damn coyote away when we feel it coming close. There's no shame in getting help to learn how to do that. Soon.

I just want to reiterate that I would not kill myself which is why I'm saying that these thoughts are not my own. I understand this is something I should be taking serious and I will seek a therapist in the future. I just don't want to live a sad life. I will use your suggestions and I appreciate the feedback. It is very comforting to know I have a community of friends on here. Thank you.

Hello, Hoobastank33. Change is hard work. I wish you well.

Hoobastank33, think of it as diabetes. I would imagine you would seek treatment sooner rather than later. I'm not trying to be critical in any way, but I've been where you are and I know how debilitating depression can be and the longer you wait the worse it can get.
We are all here for you.