so i took this test

http://www.suicideforum.com/bdc/
it's in the book i'm reading .. "feel good" by dr david burns.

i got a 68 :& guess i've been trying to hide it for years.
my question i guess would be for anyone else suffering depression, which has worked best for you?

conginetive therapy or taking antidepressinates or a combonation of the two? ( not in the mood for spelling correctly right now) i really don NOT want to take prescription meds.

 

The best thing I can tell you is to push yourself. It's not easy, in fact it SEEMS impossible when you're in that state of mind, but if a friend calls and wants to see you, go for it no matter how you're feeling. And keep doing that. Chances are, once you're out, you will feel better. It always happens this way with me, where I avoid social situations and the like when I'm feeling down, but then if I make an attempt to get out or a friend or my fiancee makes me go out, I end up having at least a bit of fun.

Exercise, exercise, exercise!!! Even just a light walk everyday will do you a world of good. Its hard to get off your feet and do it, when you don't feel like doing much of anything at all, but once you do, you'll want more.

Eat healthy, avoid caffeine and smoking if you can... they increase anxieties.

Write in a journal, and start self-analyzing and doing problem solving, finding out how you might be able to get to the bottom of something, or how you can make it better.

As for therapy and anti-depressents.... a combination is best if the case is severe, if you have a chemical imbalance, or if you have extreme anxiety. Anti-depressents aren't a cure all, and should NOT be used with out therapy in my humble opinion. Anti-depressents are good as a bridge between present time, and the time when therapy starts to really help.

Cognitive therapy is fucking amazing, and I strongly urge you to try it if you can. Fumble around with different counselors until you find one that seems to "fit" you best. Don't settle for the first one you find, because not all counselors are made for everyone.

If you have a specific problem like anxiety, bi-polar disorder, OCD, or anything like that, try to find one that might specialize in the area, as it will be much more helpful to you that way.

If you do decide to try out anti-depressents I suggest asking for a lower dosage, to avoid feelings of numbness or anything to that affect, and for health reasons. I'm currently on the lowest dose available for Paxil. I refused to go on them before, but it came to the point where I just needed to calm down, and I couldn't get myself to do it, so I needed an aid. That's all they should be used for is an AID....not a cure. And eventually try getting off of them as well, once you feel you have made significan progress through therapy.

Just doing any of this for yourself might help a ton, because when you do something for yourself you are generally going to feel happier, knowing that you're taking care of yourself. If that makes any sense.

For relaxation and the like, try aroma therapy, breathing techniques, healthy self-talk, and distraction.

I have a major problem with anxiety and panic attacks, and I've been making good progress in my therapy by using lots of helpful self-talk. When I become worried about something, I assure myself of the positivities, or the absurdness of my anxiety, and then I distract myself with something like painting, or a book. It helps TONS.

Good luck, hun!! If you need anything feel free to PM me!

 

I agree with the pushing yourself.
Life is in fact a struggle. Microwaves and central air have made us humans forget that.
Everyday should be challenging. We take everything for granted.
Not that we should live in fear but we are capable and evolved from growing our food seasonally and surviving animal and natural disasters.
Physical stress is good!
Humans didnt get into space by wishing for it.
Trust me this is easier said than done but when i am doing something, anything challenging i find life much more rewarding.

 

i do some of that now. i eat healthy, vegetarian and damn near vegan. i go to the park and ride my bike at least every other day. and i have 4 journals. i've just been thinking a lot, i can't rememeber a time in my life that i was truely happy , not even when i was a kid. they used to make me talk to the school's therapist because they thought something was off.. but i hid any true feelings.


i'm scared to talk to anyone because i don't want everyone to know what i'm really thinking. can't talk to my family, they're no help and they make me feel worse when i do try to talk to them. part of the reason i'm in new york right now. i'm supposed to go back in about a month and i'm dreading it already.

i'm having trouble deciding what i should do when i do go back. stay with my dad and seek professional help.. or go travel and try to get over things while being on my own for a year..

 

I got a 54. Hooray!

 

Boogabaah, if you're sad listen to the Aquabats. Never mind, if you're sad don't listen to me because all I'll say is "Here's some happy ska music and go redecorate a room!" Maybe you should persue that professional guy thing you were talking about.

 

I scored a 24 and it's purley because I feel guilty and shameful of past actions and the anxiety is caused by work.
I am on anti anxiety pills and prns. I despise therapy and I have given it an honest effort and will once again because I want to be med free but meds help more than anything else ever has. I take the starting (half the lowest dose availible) of effexor and welbutrin and do quite well on them. Just make sure they don't over medicate you my old therapist put me on four meds all full strength doses and I was a zombie for months, failed my midterms, got addicted to pills and it took a long time to get back my mental health and since then it has gotten better and better each day.
Sometimes depression is derived from the cards you have been dealt (that happened to me) not a chemical imbalace so you have to be careful with meds. don't be ashamed to take meds-so many of my friends are shocked when I tell them but then I explain that I have been through some personal things and need to heal and it's the end of the discussion.

 

I agree.

I feel like going through challenging, difficult, or even downright BAD times makes me a stronger person in the end.

Not to mention, more intelligent, wise, and intellectual. I feel like people who go through more emotions/sensitivities than others, or more hardships, the more they grow as a person.

But, that's just me.

For the time being when it hurts, it sucks... but later, I always feel like it was for the better.

 

I got a 16, and im sure its from lack of sex and loneliness. I dont know if anyone here has noticed but I dont have a girlfriend and I spend alot of time online....

 

I got 0. But I'm bipolar and for the last few months, my mood has been sky high.

 

No way! You???

 

i wish it was simple. i wish i could just pretend to be happy and suddenly i would be, but it's deeper than that. hard to explain. i just don't feel like i'm like everyone else. i don't understand feelings of others. i try and mimic others emotions, but i feel so fake and i'm sure others can see right through it.
theres more.. but i can't think when i.. i just can't think.

 

I don't think trying to mimic other people's actions or feelings is ever a good idea. You're here to be Boogabaah. And no one else can do that. So if you're not doing it, no one is. And then why are you here in the first place.
Having said that, have you tried to focus on the present moment? A lot times, people get all worked up about things that aren't even going on. And they lose the beauty of the present moment. Living in the present is a great way to life your spirits. And worrying about things that aren't going on really does no good, anyway.

 

aspergers?

 

I scored a 23 I have mild depression.

 

i wonder that too.. because this isn't something new.. it could also be from inutero drug use

maybe i should read up on it

 

53

I get what you're saying babe, i just wish I had a solution
I'm so used to just pushing it aside and faking happiness while at work or around people that it's hard for me to feel real happiness anymore... pockets jump through and people then tell me that the situation isn't 'right' for me, because yeah, a moment of joy may be reached through unorthodox methods but apparently it's the wrong thing to do even if everyone involved is ok with it

ugh, rambling
pm me if you wanna talk more.

 

Symptoms during childhood

Parents often first notice the symptoms of Asperger's syndrome when their child starts preschool and begins to interact with other children. Children with Asperger's syndrome may:

• Not pick up on social cues and lack inborn social skills, such as being able to read others' body language, start or maintain a conversation, and take turns talking.
• Dislike any changes in routines.
• May appear to lack empathy.
• Be unable to recognize subtle differences in speech tone, pitch, and accent that alter the meaning of others’ speech. Thus, your child may not understand a joke or may take a sarcastic comment literally. Likewise, his or her speech may be flat and difficult to understand because it lacks tone, pitch, and accent.
• Have a formal style of speaking that is advanced for his or her age. For example, the child may use the term “beckon” instead of “call,” or “return” instead of “come back.”
• Avoid eye contact.
• Have unusual facial expressions or postures.
• Be preoccupied with one or only few interests, which he or she may be very knowledgeable about. Many children with Asperger's syndrome are overly interested in parts of a whole or in unusual activities, such as doing intricate jigsaw puzzles, designing houses, drawing highly detailed scenes, or astronomy.2
• Talk a lot, usually about a favorite subject. One-sided conversations are common. Internal thoughts are often verbalized.
• Have delayed motor development. Your child may be late in learning to use a fork or spoon, ride a bike, or catch a ball. He or she may have an awkward walk. Handwriting is often poor.
• May have heightened sensitivity and get overstimulated by loud noises, lights, or strong tastes or textures. For more information about these symptoms, see sensory integration dysfunction.
• Have advanced rote memorization and math skills. Your child may be able to memorize dates, formulas, and phone numbers in unusually accurate detail.

Symptoms during adolescent and teen years

Most symptoms persist through the teen years, and while teens with Asperger's can begin to learn those social skills they lack, communication often remains difficult. They will probably continue to have difficulty "reading" others' behavior.

Your teen with Asperger's syndrome (like other teens) will want friends but may feel shy or intimidated when approaching other teens. He or she may feel "different" from others. While most teens place emphasis on being and looking "cool," trying to fit in may be frustrating and emotionally draining for teens with Asperger's. They may be immature for their age and be naive and too trusting, which can lead to teasing and bullying.

All of these difficulties can cause teens with Asperger's to become withdrawn and socially isolated and to suffer from depression or anxiety.3

However, some teens with Asperger's syndrome are able to make and keep a few close friends through the school years. Some of the classic Asperger's traits may also work to the benefit of your teen. Teens with Asperger's are typically uninterested in following social norms, fads, or conventional thinking, allowing creative thinking and the pursuit of original interests and goals. Their preference for rules and honesty may lead them to excel in the classroom and as citizens.


Symptoms in adulthood


Asperger's syndrome is a lifelong condition, although it tends to stabilize over time, and improvements are often seen. Adults usually obtain a better understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses. They are able to learn social skills and how to read others' social cues. Many people with Asperger's syndrome marry and have children.

Some traits that are typical of Asperger's syndrome, such as excellent memories and focused interests, can increase chances of university and career success. Many people with Asperger's seem to be fascinated with technology, and a common career choice is engineering. However, scientific careers are by no means the only areas where people with Asperger's excel. Indeed, many respected historical figures have had symptoms of Asperger's, including Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Albert Einstein, Marie Curie, and Thomas Jefferson.


~ okay.. weird.. but YES! maybe i do.. but i'd like to get a professional opinion because thats me.. but not to the extreme. as a kid i can remember being confused over others emotions and feeling nothing at times when everyone was upset or really excited. i STILL avoid eye contact, even though i try really hard to look at people in the eyes. hhmmm.. and other things listed i did or still do.. maybe.. very interesting.

 

I got a 77 on that test. I've been very down lately, and I can relate to a lot of what Boogabaah said. I have dysthymia, which is near constant mild depression punctuated by periods of severe depression. I think right now is one of my periods of severe depression. I NEVER feel like I am the same as other people, and I feel very lonely almost all the time.

 

i got a 100...but i knew that already...life lately has been pretty bad...and the f*cked up thing is the are not able to truly diagnose me with anything....they say that the one thing they can diagnose me with is with having major depression....and also being borderline