Coping with depression

to be honest, I am also in a struggle right now, just better than 2 weeks ago. What I did 2 weeks ago was, 2 days I cried it all out. On the third day and for the next 5 days, I psyched myself to get up the bed, do something that would make me feel good like I played with my daughters, spend time with them, went out for a swim, dined-out, anything that would make me feel good. on the 7th day, when I thought I can face my situation better, I assessed everything, what had transpired, what my goals would be, what I needed to learn from it and tried to stick it in my brains so I won't do the same mistake again. The other day, I listened to a friend that's also in trouble and tried to console her. While I was talking to her, I felt a bit better, the words that i'm verbalizing to her, I'm also uttering it to myself. I just take it one day at a time, trying to accomplish something in a day, trying to input daily positive views/inspirations. I will share this as one of the many quotes that inpires me: "If your self-esteem falls overboard, throw out a rescue line. Pull yourself back together. Don't be your own critic, be your best ally. We will always encounter challenges that make us feel less than we really are. What matters is that we can pick ourselves up. The darkest hour is the best time to see the stars. It is when life seems most harsh & painful that the most blessings arrive." --anonymous

Depression can be temporary, that every one suffers at some stage in their life. Long term depression (more than 2 weeks), is an insidious illness that is not well recognised by the general population, although progress in educating the public is being made. When I am depressed, I try to keep myself active with house work, or the computer, even reading. Gardening is quite beneficial, especially in good weather. To help a friend with depression, I keep in contact, by ringing them and meeting for coffee.

I have SAD and I also suffer from low grade depression and even when it seems that everything is going all right, I still have an undergoing sadness. Sometimes I have a good cry or scream. I start praying to God like crazy and tell Him how I feel. I try to keep busy, I will go for a walk to clear my head. I do not want to say to a friend. In fact, what can I say? And I can't just drop in their house and do their dishes or cook them a meal. I just give them a hug to show that I care, I try to be friendly and say, hi, and if they are alone, talk to them, because when you are depressed, you feel you are the only one.

I don't think I am in a position to answer you, my friend. I am not exactly keeping track so I might have lost count - otherwise, this would be my 5th day of depression this time. I am a highly depressed 6 yrs old and I cope by just plodding on. I figured that the choice is obvious - either you choose to die or you choose to live. I am pretty much a coward so until I get a trigger of sufficient intensity, I am not going to take my life just yet. So I live on still, suffering this meaningless existence.