Defense Mechanisms
By celticeagle
@celticeagle (160015)
Boise, Idaho
October 25, 2016 4:40pm CST
I have had depression for as long as I can remember. I was diagnosed with severe depression in 2006. When I really think about it I wonder what the normal mood would be. I have learned some defense mechanisms over the years which I use in social situations. When I first come into contact with someone I try to make a joke of some kind. This relieves my stress load and eases the mood. Do you have defense mechanisms or something that helps you out in social or other situations you might otherwise find hard?
7 people like this
6 responses
@celticeagle (160015)
• Boise, Idaho
26 Oct 16
I do find them very hard. Being extremely shy when I was young it has been a struggle for me. I think I found the remedy for myself.
@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
27 Oct 16
I do, as I have some similar issues. I tend to try and be sure I know my outs, where places I can escape too are at like bathrooms and exits, I use controlled breathing so much now it's almost unconsious
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (160015)
• Boise, Idaho
30 Oct 16
THe Turtle is a good one. It is breathing, wrapping your arms around your body for comfort, counting, In really bad situations where there isn't an out I do those.
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@celticeagle (160015)
• Boise, Idaho
31 Oct 16
@Jessicalynnt .....I wonder. Would you try it? Or tight vest of some kind. Hmm.
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@Jessicalynnt (50525)
• Centralia, Missouri
31 Oct 16
@celticeagle I have tried that one before, If I can pull very tight it helps, I have wondered if a weighted vest might work for me, because of that
1 person likes this
@JamesHxstatic (29371)
• Eugene, Oregon
26 Oct 16
All my working life I worked with the public in retail or is office situations where I constantly talked to people on the phone or met with them. Then at age forty, I started doing some acting and that involved meeting more people. I suffered from depression for less than a year after the end of a long marriage. I can't imagine living with it long term.
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@celticeagle (160015)
• Boise, Idaho
26 Oct 16
It's not fun. I worked in customer service for nearly thirty years. Only having to deal with people on the phone made it a lot easier for me.
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@JamesHxstatic (29371)
• Eugene, Oregon
26 Oct 16
@celticeagle That was fortunate.
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@Kaygreen1913 (162)
•
13 Dec 16
I tend to be very quiet until someone makes a joke with me. I'm always afraid of embarrassing myself and saying something stupid.
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