[x123]

I don't take antidepressants, because whenever I have tried they seem to make me feel worse.

Here is what I do instead. I'm curious if others use these methods. I'm 47 and I've been depressed most of my life. These things help me function.

(1) I try to ride my exercise bike for about 90 minutes every day as vigorously as I can without injuring my knees.

(2) I try to have mild sex once a week even though I usually don't feel very interested. I'm not in a relationship, but I suspect there are chemicals from sexual arousal that help with depression.

(3) Just recently I've found that fasting helps. I wait until evening to eat or consume any calories, and the low blood sugar seems to help me relax and feel more self disciplined.

Right now I feel depressed, because my work-out apparently wasn't intense enough yesterday. Sometimes I feel like I'm addicted to exercise, but I feel so awful without exercise and nothing else helps. Even when I exercise, I often feel like crying afterwards even though I never cry. It seems like the depression is still there. I feel good from exercising, but I feel bad deep down.

[Pierro]

Exercising helps me a lot and I feel guilty when I don't. It can be very addictive, especially if you have an addictive personality. I dont know about the other two, Sex and fasting. They can be addictive also.

Best wishes

[x123]

Originally Posted by Pierro

Exercising helps me a lot and I feel guilty when I don't. It can be very addictive, especially if you have an addictive personality. I dont know about the other two, Sex and fasting. They can be addictive also.

Best wishes

Thanks. For some reason I find very few people that exercise for depression, so it's nice to hear from somebody else. It helps me to exercise.

[~rider]

I exercise for depression. Sex is a couple times a week. I'm married. Fasting I haven't tried. Exercise works to a degree, and a good diet. I think the diet part has to do with my weight, I'm better when in a good weight range.

I hear from all doctors, and read everywhere that exercise is good for depression. I think it's hard to get a workout going when you're in deep depression. For me it is, lack of motivation.

[Notoriousglo]

I exercise intensely three days a week & don't see any improvement for my depression. I do at times enjoy the motion during the workout. I am on meds and I think that killed my sex drive. However, eating healthy and less feels better usually than eating a lot...but some of that could be eating issues.

[Altered Moment]

I believe exercise has been proven to help depression. Of course the endorphins can be addictive. Lots of people get addicted to it but there are worse things. I think depressives don't do it a lot because...well we are depressed and it can be impossible to get up the energy and motivation to do it. I can't do it when depressed. If I am doing good it is not problem.

I usually don't eat anything until dinner. I have no appetite until then. I have never viewed this as healthy though. I think it is unhealthy. My body has adapted to it. maybe three day or five day fasts would be helpful I do not know.

[NowhereUSA]

i try to go for long walks. we're actually talking about moving because the winters where i'm at are so bad and i need the sunlight desperately (the light boxes don't do a whole lot).

i can't do fasting because i'll get cranky and i'll feel worse. but, i do try to eat small and light during the day and in general avoid heavy eating.

sex. well. normally i really like sex (married) but i have ppd right now and i just haven't been interested.

i also try to set small goals during the day. the dishes. a load of laundry. baby toys picked up. nothing big but at least *something* so i can feel accomplished in some small way.

Originally Posted by x123

I don't take antidepressants, because whenever I have tried they seem to make me feel worse.

Here is what I do instead. I'm curious if others use these methods. I'm 47 and I've been depressed most of my life. These things help me function.

(1) I try to ride my exercise bike for about 90 minutes every day as vigorously as I can without injuring my knees.

(2) I try to have mild sex once a week even though I usually don't feel very interested. I'm not in a relationship, but I suspect there are chemicals from sexual arousal that help with depression.

(3) Just recently I've found that fasting helps. I wait until evening to eat or consume any calories, and the low blood sugar seems to help me relax and feel more self disciplined.

Right now I feel depressed, because my work-out apparently wasn't intense enough yesterday. Sometimes I feel like I'm addicted to exercise, but I feel so awful without exercise and nothing else helps. Even when I exercise, I often feel like crying afterwards even though I never cry. It seems like the depression is still there. I feel good from exercising, but I feel bad deep down.

I don't take an anti-depressant myself. I did one time when my Primary Care Doctor diagnosed me as having depression. I couldn't believe it when my doctor told me that, but I knew that I had depression of some kind. The anti depressants did not work well for me. One time I had some strong feelings to kill myself when I took them. I got off of it quickly.

I am very much into exercising and feel addicted to it myself. I workout with a weights (barbell and dumbbell) three days a week and on the other days, I go bike riding outdoors. I just love it all. And it makes me feel better doing it and afterwards. I workout at home. I don't like the gym that much.

As far as the fasting goes, well I have to admire anyone who can food fast. I just feel like I don't have the discipline to do that. Like NowhereUSA said.

Interesting about what you said about sex. I don't have a relationship either. But I do MB from time to time. I'd rather have a real relationship but that seems unfeasible for me. I can't seem to make a go of it. There are times when I feel too tired to MB.

[x123]

Originally Posted by ~rider

I exercise for depression. Sex is a couple times a week. I'm married. Fasting I haven't tried. Exercise works to a degree, and a good diet. I think the diet part has to do with my weight, I'm better when in a good weight range.

I hear from all doctors, and read everywhere that exercise is good for depression. I think it's hard to get a workout going when you're in deep depression. For me it is, lack of motivation.

I know what you mean about it being hard to exercise when you're depressed. Sometimes I can make myself go for a long walk instead of riding the exercise bike. The walk doesn't help as much as the bike, but sometimes it will help me restart the daily routine.

[x123]

Originally Posted by will19

I don't take an anti-depressant myself. I did one time when my Primary Care Doctor diagnosed me as having depression. I couldn't believe it when my doctor told me that, but I knew that I had depression of some kind. The anti depressants did not work well for me. One time I had some strong feelings to kill myself when I took them. I got off of it quickly.

I am very much into exercising and feel addicted to it myself. I workout with a weights (barbell and dumbbell) three days a week and on the other days, I go bike riding outdoors. I just love it all. And it makes me feel better doing it and afterwards. I workout at home. I don't like the gym that much.

As far as the fasting goes, well I have to admire anyone who can food fast. I just feel like I don't have the discipline to do that. Like NowhereUSA said.

Interesting about what you said about sex. I don't have a relationship either. But I do MB from time to time. I'd rather have a real relationship but that seems unfeasible for me. I can't seem to make a go of it. There are times when I feel too tired to MB.

Wow, that sounds similar to my situation.

Normally when I ride the exercise bike I can feel the runner's high kick-in after an hour. When I took antidepressants I noticed that I couldn't get a runner's high anymore. Also I noticed that my sex drive was reduced. So the two things that helped me out of depression no longer worked, and the antidepressants only made me feel nauseated.

I have wondered if wellbutrin would be less likely to interfere with the runner's high, because it has fewer sexual side effects. Apparently the runner's high chemicals are similar to what you experience from sex and chocolate.

The fasting is kind of hard for me too. I drink lots of water when I fast. I've heard that is very important to drink water.

Hi, you said you haven't met too many people who exercise to cope with depression. I just had to reply !

Well, first off, I'm glad you've discovered exercise as a coping mechanism. It really can do wonders for you.

Say hello to another fellow fitness junkie and soon-to-be certified personal trainer ... that would be me The only thing I value in life is my fitness regimen (weights). No sex, and no fasting ... I eat a ton of healthful food for hypertrophy.

Only, my problem is BPD, which includes a lot of depression.

[lors]

Ya exercise definitely makes me feel good. But you're right it has to be an intense kind.

My wife and I have been training in martial arts for over 2 years now and so far nothing has matched the intensity. We have a private class with an expert who also fights and the sessions nearly always leave me on the verge of passing out. We feel awesome albeit exhausted after.

For sex, who can argue? It's definitely great. Though I'm lucky to get once a week in (with a 4 year old in the room). Haha

I've tried fasting as well and I concur. I feel more calm and mellow. At the start tho, you may feel irritable and snarky - cause you're still getting used to coping with hunger.

Other things that help me are comedy (funny shows) and music (guitar etc...).

[NowhereUSA]

i'm not against ADs, i just haven't found one effective for me yet. i need something at least because my depression is bad enough that i deal with serious suicidal ideation. but there's nothing out there so far that works :-/ a lot of what i do is just to cope using healthier skills than before (i did dbt so that helped a lot).

[x123]

Originally Posted by euphy

I exercise intensely three days a week & don't see any improvement for my depression. I do at times enjoy the motion during the workout. I am on meds and I think that killed my sex drive. However, eating healthy and less feels better usually than eating a lot...but some of that could be eating issues.

Sorry, I missed your post from earlier.

Just wanted to mention that when I tried antidepressants they prevented me from experiencing the "runner's high" that seems to help my mood. I think the sex drive and the runner's high are similar brain chemicals.

I have heard that Wellbutrin has fewer sexual side effects, so I have wondered if I might be able to experience the runner's high while taking Wellbutrin.

I'm not suggesting you change your medication of course. Some people never experience a runner's high. I've heard most competitive athletes don't experience a runner's high, because it's a job to them and they push themselves too hard.

[x123]

Originally Posted by zinco14532323

I believe exercise has been proven to help depression. Of course the endorphins can be addictive. Lots of people get addicted to it but there are worse things. I think depressives don't do it a lot because...well we are depressed and it can be impossible to get up the energy and motivation to do it. I can't do it when depressed. If I am doing good it is not problem.

I usually don't eat anything until dinner. I have no appetite until then. I have never viewed this as healthy though. I think it is unhealthy. My body has adapted to it. maybe three day or five day fasts would be helpful I do not know.

That sounds similar to me.

I have noticed I have no motivation for sex while depressed. Also I am middle aged.

That is interesting that you don't eat until dinner. Do you consume any calories at all? I think the low blood sugar is what causes the effect that I enjoy. I don't fast that much, because often I don't have the willpower and feel so crummy.

[x123]

Originally Posted by NowhereUSA

i try to go for long walks. we're actually talking about moving because the winters where i'm at are so bad and i need the sunlight desperately (the light boxes don't do a whole lot).

i can't do fasting because i'll get cranky and i'll feel worse. but, i do try to eat small and light during the day and in general avoid heavy eating.

sex. well. normally i really like sex (married) but i have ppd right now and i just haven't been interested.

i also try to set small goals during the day. the dishes. a load of laundry. baby toys picked up. nothing big but at least *something* so i can feel accomplished in some small way.

I do the walks sometimes too. My problem with walking is that it makes me very tired but doesn't improve my mood that much. The sunshine probably helps.

I live on the Gulf Coast of the US, so it is a mild climate. The biggest problem is the unpredictable rains. I would like to live in Arizona or New Mexico, but I will probably never get the opportunity.

[x123]

Originally Posted by lilodian4ever

Hi, you said you haven't met too many people who exercise to cope with depression. I just had to reply !

Well, first off, I'm glad you've discovered exercise as a coping mechanism. It really can do wonders for you.

Say hello to another fellow fitness junkie and soon-to-be certified personal trainer ... that would be me The only thing I value in life is my fitness regimen (weights). No sex, and no fasting ... I eat a ton of healthful food for hypertrophy.

Only, my problem is BPD, which includes a lot of depression.

Thanks. My exercising is pretty basic and minimal. Sometimes I've wondered if I could get into really good shape with a little bit of extra effort. I usually invest at least two hours per day exercising (including stretching and showering), but I only do the cardio and then three exercises to help my back and neck pain (twice a week). Probably an extra half hour of abdominals or weights would make me fit and trim. But it's not easy to make myself do that extra bit.

[x123]

Originally Posted by lors

Ya exercise definitely makes me feel good. But you're right it has to be an intense kind.

My wife and I have been training in martial arts for over 2 years now and so far nothing has matched the intensity. We have a private class with an expert who also fights and the sessions nearly always leave me on the verge of passing out. We feel awesome albeit exhausted after.

For sex, who can argue? It's definitely great. Though I'm lucky to get once a week in (with a 4 year old in the room). Haha

I've tried fasting as well and I concur. I feel more calm and mellow. At the start tho, you may feel irritable and snarky - cause you're still getting used to coping with hunger.

Other things that help me are comedy (funny shows) and music (guitar etc...).

Thanks, I'm glad I'm not the only person that has noticed the benefits from those things. I don't play an instrument, but sometimes I enjoy looking at art or photographs on the computer. Also, sometimes if I stare at patterns on the floor or on the wall I can go into a relaxed state and reset my brain a little bit.

[x123]

Originally Posted by NowhereUSA

i'm not against ADs, i just haven't found one effective for me yet. i need something at least because my depression is bad enough that i deal with serious suicidal ideation. but there's nothing out there so far that works :-/ a lot of what i do is just to cope using healthier skills than before (i did dbt so that helped a lot).

Some people can benefit from meditation. Meditation is very hard for me, so I don't do it. A few times I was able to enter a trance by staring at a candle for an hour. That feels very relaxing, but it was a huge effort that isn't practical for me. I usually fall asleep when I try.

I hope you find something that works. I hate being depressed. When I'm depressed I think it is a more accurate assessment of my life. When I'm not depressed it always scares me how distorted I was thinking under the effects of depression.

[RuthieB]

Thank you for your post. I do exercise everyday and are feeling better from sever depression and childhood abuse. I have no sex drive and am not interested in even hugs or kisses from my husband. That is very difficult for our relationship. My husband tries to be understanding but I feel a wall going up. And the problem I have is I don't really care. Any info would help me.

[Altered Moment]

Originally Posted by x123

Some people can benefit from meditation. Meditation is very hard for me, so I don't do it. A few times I was able to enter a trance by staring at a candle for an hour. That feels very relaxing, but it was a huge effort that isn't practical for me. I usually fall asleep when I try.

I hope you find something that works. I hate being depressed. When I'm depressed I think it is a more accurate assessment of my life. When I'm not depressed it always scares me how distorted I was thinking under the effects of depression.

Meditation takes a lot of practice. It is difficult. I often fall asleep but I don't think that matters. They say it does but I don't care. I find it beneficial because it has allowed me to more naturally stay in the moment when not meditating. Of course anxiety and depression make that doubly difficult. I struggle and then I remember I can handle this one day if I don't think about the past or future.

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[ThisWayOut]

I keep hearing exercise works for so many people, but I just can't seem to get into it. I have a very difficult time motivating beccause of the ddepression, and am lucky if I walk the dogs once a week (they SO need more than that, and I feel really guilty about it). I do try to get out because nature tends to re-set me to a degree.
The sex thing is awkward for me. A lot of stuff has come up in the past few years that makes sex really uncomfortable (csa and assault issues coming front and center all of a sudden). I used to like it at one point I think. There are still times I really enjoy it with my wife, but it's rare that she caugt me in a moment of being ok with it lately (and now we are living apart because we are trying to make a large cross-country move happen before the winter).
The fasting is part fo my depression, so I don't really know how it helps much. I just rarely feel like eating (or even drinking) when i am depressed. Even coffee has become difficult in the mornings (something I used to never be able to go without). The worse my depression gets, the less I consume. I actually lost about 16lbs in about 6 weeks... I have a history of eating disorders though, so I'm no stranger to fasting (for days or weeks). At least I am finally losing all the weight I gained on the stupid meds over the years. I had stopped them all back in '11, and the depression has been easier to handle. None of the meds ever made it better. They just all made my symptoms and impulsivity worse.
I have yet to find anything that really helps the depression.
How do you all motivate to do exercise when you are down? I don't get a "high" from it, but sometimes I get a "peace". Sadly, it's not enough to motivate me when I can barely get out of bed... My T wants me to try this yoga class this week, and I am trying to convince myself to go. Any tips for motivating?

[Altered Moment]

Originally Posted by x123

That sounds similar to me.

I have noticed I have no motivation for sex while depressed. Also I am middle aged.

That is interesting that you don't eat until dinner. Do you consume any calories at all? I think the low blood sugar is what causes the effect that I enjoy. I don't fast that much, because often I don't have the willpower and feel so crummy.

It varies. Sometimes I eat during the day but often it is just coffee in the morning and nothing till dinner. Like I said I have adapted to it so I don't think my blood sugar gets that low. It is not physically healthy. I had a phd biology teacher explain in great detail the chemistry of metabolism and storing and burning fat. The best way is small portions of healthy food throughout the day.

I think some people get a high from low blood sugar but usually irritable and grumpy. Lots of religious people fast for three or five days and have spiritual experiences. Who am I to say whether they are real or just chemistry. I have had spiritual experiences (not from fasting) so I don't judge others experience.

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[healingme4me]

Exercise helps, sex..orgasms help, fasting with an illness like mine, and probable motor seizure activity, just doesn't seem like a wise for me, decision. I eat to sustain, perhaps it has similarities to a fast type of behavior. Much like a diabetic would, and my blood sugars test normal, and when I've participated with certain diabetic family members the finger test, i range low, as it is-i feel very unwell.. Keeping oneself nutritionally balanced seems like it would help, I'd suppose. I don't like eating at night as much as midday.
Oh, sleep. ..I'll toss getting enough sleep in this mix, to help...

[ThisWayOut]

oooh, sleep! I forgot about that. I agree with healingme4me, sleep is HUGE for me. If I am not sleeping well, no amount of anything helps the moods (except maybe ben & jerry's chocolate therapy when I can convince myself to try it)...