Odinism and Depression

[enslaved1896]

I have had it for two years now.

Most days, I feel spiritually deprived and I can not "feel" certain things.

I was just wondering if any of you guys have (or ever had) this problem, and how do you deal with it.

It does not seem to want to go away.

-Eric

[Torquil]

I had depression for a few years back when I was working third-shift, the doctors said it was from sunlight deficiency. It sounds like your situation is different from mine though. What kind of things can't you "feel".

[Katia]

I agree, your situation could have a major impact on your moods. My suggestion would also be to get out into nature as much as you can. It's easy to become desensitized to things when we are surrounded with tools to distract us. Also make sure you have a good friend or a counselor/therapist you can talk to. Don't forget that we are the sons and daughters of our Gods & Goddesses, they are always there for us, and we can learn to be strong from them. I've had to look to their strength alot these past few days since I went through a personal tragedy, and just knowing that they existed and were all around me at all times really helped me alot. Best of luck to you!

[freya3]

Hi,

I was diagnosed w/depression and OCD about 5 years ago. Like you, I was unable to "feel" a lot of things. The docs put me on antidepressants, which made me feel even less. And I went to a therapist, who actually got me on the right track.

For me, I started running and getting outdoors. I felt @ peace with myself and my surroundings when I was in Nature. I guess you could say I was an Odinist in training back then and didn't even know it ;) . I started keeping journal too.

I also got off the meds, they did not work. Docs are so quick to medicate you for any little reason.

I have not had any problems since then, thank the Gods. I know how hard it is some days to get up and function when you feel like you have nothing to function on. And it isn't easy to get out of that. But, you are here for a reason, and you need to take that and find your purpose.

Good luck to you, my friend, and if you ever want to talk , I am around :)

Carla

[enslaved1896]

I had depression for a few years back when I was working third-shift, the doctors said it was from sunlight deficiency. It sounds like your situation is different from mine though. What kind of things can't you "feel".

Things like remembering certain feelings, how I used to feel at peace with myself as I watched the sun set....

Things like that. It is hard to remember just what it feels like to be "real"

Plus, there are all sorts of physical problems that go along with it that a lot of people really do not know about, such as constant fatigue, muscle aches, headaches, sleep disorders..... it really sucks.

[enslaved1896]

Hi,

I was diagnosed w/depression and OCD about 5 years ago. Like you, I was unable to "feel" a lot of things. The docs put me on antidepressants, which made me feel even less. And I went to a therapist, who actually got me on the right track.

For me, I started running and getting outdoors. I felt @ peace with myself and my surroundings when I was in Nature. I guess you could say I was an Odinist in training back then and didn't even know it ;) . I started keeping journal too.

I also got off the meds, they did not work. Docs are so quick to medicate you for any little reason.

I have not had any problems since then, thank the Gods. I know how hard it is some days to get up and function when you feel like you have nothing to function on. And it isn't easy to get out of that. But, you are here for a reason, and you need to take that and find your purpose.

Good luck to you, my friend, and if you ever want to talk , I am around :)

Carla

Thank you so much, Carla. I really appreciate it.

[enslaved1896]

I agree, your situation could have a major impact on your moods. My suggestion would also be to get out into nature as much as you can. It's easy to become desensitized to things when we are surrounded with tools to distract us. Also make sure you have a good friend or a counselor/therapist you can talk to. Don't forget that we are the sons and daughters of our Gods & Goddesses, they are always there for us, and we can learn to be strong from them. I've had to look to their strength alot these past few days since I went through a personal tragedy, and just knowing that they existed and were all around me at all times really helped me alot. Best of luck to you!

Thank you.

[Torquil]

I'd have to agree with what they said. Get outside and exercise, spend some time in the woods. Get away from work and home for a while, into a natural setting where nothing reminds you of the stresses of everyday life. Meditation helped me a lot too, now I meditate on the Gods. Just keep in mind that your condition is only temporary and it WILL go away.

[Thomas]

I am going through a similar time, school is quite stressful. I think I might have OCD and I have a tic. I hardly have any time to read about our faith and the eddas which makes me feel quite bad. :confused: All I can suggest is to get outside, just as people above have done, try to get pleanty of sleep, run, lift weights, meditate and exercise your mind (i.e. write a poem, read a book etc...). Speaking of spending time outside...I need to!

[battleax]

In the winter I take this herb

http://www.wholehealthmd.com/refshelf/substances_view/1,1525,10162,00.html

rhodiola

When the days get shorter I pretty well will not see the sun due to the shift work I do. I end up getting depressed and tired. I usually snap out of it in the spring lol

[Spiderhouse]

Speaking from personal experience, one of the best things you can do is establish an exercise routine. Eat well, even when you don't feel like it. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, if possible. Meditate.

I've found that if you take better care of your body, your mind will follow. Good luck to you...remember that all things pass. ;)

[Grím]

I can relate though I know that my depression is un-ending so I hold it close, channel it into creative realms of music and visual art among other things. It is a way of life for me, not something to overcome.

[Hrafnas]

I can relate though I know that my depression is un-ending so I hold it close, channel it into creative realms of music and visual art among other things. It is a way of life for me, not something to overcome.
Exactly what I have done as well. I was diagnosed when I was 13. I was seriously loopy by that time though. Beating the **** out of people hoping that they would retailiate, hurting me badly and such. I don't feel certain emotions "correctly." Everything seems so bleak unless I do the things that I find liven my spirits; rehearsing and doing shows, going to blot at the Mead Hall, being on the computer.
The thing you need to do is learn to control yourself. Learn how to say no to the damaging things. Its really hard but it can be done. I'm nowhere near where I could be because of this, but I'm trying. Keep plugging away.

[Somerled]

Speaking from personal experience, one of the best things you can do is establish an exercise routine. Eat well, even when you don't feel like it. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, if possible. Meditate.

I've found that if you take better care of your body, your mind will follow. Good luck to you...remember that all things pass. ;)

I have to agree. Nature, exercise, proper diet, a regular sleep pattern and meditation. I have some "mental self-programming" kind of CD's that may help you. If you'r interested send me a PM. I'll burn em for ya. They aren't specifically for depression but a relative suffered from depression and it helped.

-Somerled

[Sturmmann]

The only 3 things that seem to keep me off depression are exercising, being preoccupied, or focusing on good events to come.

[mrsdragon]

I've been depressed for many years and I'll admit that I take a low dose of antidepressants every day because I'm not to the point where I can just not take them.

With some serious health issues (diabetes, post cancer), a wishy washy work schedule, a husband in prison, children who are upset about my relationship with him and wating for the damn parole board to decide whether he can come home in a month or so (we've been waiting for a decision since June), I have not reached the point where my lifes choices will help me without the medications.. BUT I'm getting there!



I have to agree. Nature, exercise, proper diet, a regular sleep pattern and meditation. I have some "mental self-programming" kind of CD's that may help you. If you'r interested send me a PM. I'll burn em for ya. They aren't specifically for depression but a relative suffered from depression and it helped.

If that offer extends, I'd love to hear about them!

[rekkr_uk]

Hailsa,
I can relate to much of what has been said in this thread,I was seeing psychologists etc at nine years old due to my bouts of negativity and melancholy which inevitably manifested themselves in bouts of destructive behaviour,violence,self injurious behaviour etc.
I self medicated with ***** and drink for years,prescribed ***** etc.I no longer use ***** or alcohol and thought my depression would no longer be a problem,but it does still re occur,periods where things look very bleak.
Since being introduced to the Folkway I have found that by living my life by the NNV and the NNC that I can cope much better when it does arise,I am more settled in myself,feel more secure in myself.All the other suggestions are excellent as well, I find meditation an invaluable tool.
Steve AOR

[Somerled]

If that offer extends, I'd love to hear about them!

I'll burn em and send them off to anyone who wants them. Just shoot me a pm.

-S

[Outdoorsman]

When the days get shorter I pretty well will not see the sun due to the shift work I do. I end up getting depressed and tired. I usually snap out of it in the spring lol

During the short days of winter (like now), I have typically become drowsy, fatigued, mildly moody. I have found a few things that help with that. 1) Good diet. I have been working hard on cleaning up my diet and not eating out anymore or eating junk food. I feel better from that. 2) I've been consistantly exercising (30 minutes minimum per day, usually jogging, for me). That also helps. and 3) the use of a "sun alarm", to simulate the dawn, which triggers my own internal clock. This has worked very well for me. Instead of struggling to get up in the morning, I wake up generally refreshed and earlier than I usually do.

This is the clock I have, but there are many other brands and models out there. This one is rather small and may not be enough light for some people. Other models are larger and output more light. But this one works for me.

http://www.mercola.com/forms/sun_alarm_clock.htm

I know that my comments here doesn't really touch on depression much, but maybe every little bit will help you out. I hope it helps.

[valaskjalf]

A good Heathen friend of mine sent me something to help me when I was depressed.

Quote -

With sadness you just have to accept it, accepting it makes it half as
painful, because resisting sadness, with thoughts like 'I should not feel
like this, I am weak,' make you more sad and crazy. If you have been
physically burned, you feel the pain and there is nothing you can do but
accept it. When you are emotionally burned you become filled with sadness
and sorrow and all you can do is accept it. It helps to break the whole
situation down into what really happened. With a break up, what really
happened is, 'my relationship ended, and now I feel black', that is all
there is, don't feed the sorrow with details of why, how or whose fault it
was. Keep you thoughts simple, ignore and avoid complex analysis. Stress is
caused when the mind resist what is. So accepting sorrow is less stressful.
In norse mythology I have thought about frigga weeping tears of gold, which
is a suggestive mystery in the value of sorrow, when she feels extreme
sorrow she produces gold.

-Unquote

[pinlighter]

It may sound dumb. but are we wrong in seeing "depression" as utterly negative?


Nothing that is part of us is without some root in the gods. What god or goddess governs this eclipse of the soul???? Is it always a sickness, or is it a rest, a retreat. or a chance to learn, that the relentless jolity of modern life tells us is a disease?

[valaskjalf]

Noone know the answer to this I don't think.

I think it's a way of living life, It's completly natural for someone to be depressed once and awhile, I think it is a way of learning (Learn by your mistakes (?) ), But who knows.

[solar_nexus]

I have manic depression. I do not see this as being a negative thing because my manic phase provides me with the energy to get important things done and the depression phase is a time of contemplation. It is both a curse and a blessing and I do not wish to medicate at all. Anytime I ever went on medication my creativity is not as intense, insights will not come to me, and I will have difficulties going into magical states of consciousness. Something gets "blocked" every time I take lithium. I do realize that I am a difficult person to deal with because of the fact that I will not go on medication for this condition, but at the same time I do not think that I would be able to fully contribute to the Folk in a manner that is in harmony with my wyrd if I go on these medications. I think that some craziness/wildness is a good thing.

[valaskjalf]

Sorry to hear Solar -
I'm curious could you tell me, What are case's of manic depression?
Like, Do you get down? Do you panic in some case's?

Im not sure how to ask I just want to no more about this.

[solar_nexus]

Manic Depression is an extreme emotional flux between mania and depression. Mania is pretty much an "overload" of energy, during these times my body will feel very warm and I will be up for 2 sometimes 3 days straight. During this time I will usually feel extreme bouts of inspiration and will write all kinds of poetry and such. The problem is that during the manic phase I will be extremely erratic, tempermental, and impulsive. Then after the manic phase is over I will "crash" into a very deep and dark depression. It is for this reason that I will not join any Heathen organisation, as I said before I completely and totally realize that I am a difficult person to deal with and I do not wish to burden anyone with having to deal with someone like me.


Sorry to hear Solar -
I'm curious could you tell me, What are case's of manic depression?
Like, Do you get down? Do you panic in some case's?

Im not sure how to ask I just want to no more about this.

[enslaved1896]

It may sound dumb. but are we wrong in seeing "depression" as utterly negative?


Nothing that is part of us is without some root in the gods. What god or goddess governs this eclipse of the soul???? Is it always a sickness, or is it a rest, a retreat. or a chance to learn, that the relentless jolity of modern life tells us is a disease?

I understand what you mean here.

I would not have gone looking for faith if it had not been for this condition of mine....

I was a happy agnostic all my life till this. I needed something more after it had hit me, though.

[pinlighter]

I have manic depression. I do not see this as being a negative thing because my manic phase provides me with the energy to get important things done and the depression phase is a time of contemplation. It is both a curse and a blessing and I do not wish to medicate at all.


Very wise, I think. There is a lot of scientific speculation about the possible positive net effect of manic-depression - that it's linked to creativity and high-energy periods and therefore has evolved as a genetic program for the brain. EG

http://jom-emit.cfpm.org/1997/vol1/preti_a&miotto_p.html


I have been told that one aspect of ODHINN that refers to a frenzy of mystic thought or battle - hardly calm sanity.

[Liffrea]

I think a lot of these mental health problems are inherited. In my family three of us have been diagnosed at sometime or other as suffering from obsessive-compulsive disorder. Namely me, my brother, and recently my nephew. It seems to also to correlate with high IQ. My family who have had IQ tests all score above average. I have had two tests; one was 126 the other 146. My father was in Mensa, and my nephews test came out as 120. The symptoms are largely the same as well. A ritualised life style of having to do things in a certain order, an avoidance of things, and bouts of depression or panic attacks. I had all three. Mine manifested itself when I was about 15. It led to all sorts of other behaviour skipping school, fighting, and drinking. I ruined my GCSE’s, and I was nearly sectioned. I got over mine, although I do still get panic attacks now and again. In fact I think it was a blessing in many ways. I went from being introverted having no confidence, and generally twisted, to being over confident bordering on arrogant, at ease in social situations, and not afraid to speak my mind, which is a mixed blessing. I see it as a metamorphosis. I look back at who I used to be and it doesn’t register that I was that person.

[Heathen Soul]

Its been interesting reading all these posts as i have been going through a 'dark' period (glad to hear im not alone), which has resulting in several physical problems (bad neck, shoulders...).

I think that i am manic depressive as i go through periods of intense mental activity and energy (the length of these period varies) and then i'll suddenly crash (i'm just totally mentally spent) and find myself in a really dark place. I eventually come through it and start on the cycle again.

There is nothing that anyone can say that helps me through the depression, i just have to ride the storm till i come out the other side. I do find that exercise helps and shortens the really bad phase, especially yoga and meditation to really help get some focus and calm (ive got my yoga class today - i highly recommend it). Writing also helps get a lot of things out of your head; you dont have to read it again, just get all the random **** out of your head, it really helps you move on.

I think that i may be through the worst of the worst of it for the moment and feel my motivation coming back again (hopefully anyway!).

If your suffering from depression then just remember your not alone and that everyone at some time or another goes through it; following some if the advice posted here will certainly help.

[solar_nexus]

Recently I had a conflict with someone that tried to convince me that mania and wode are unrelated. Apparently he was trying to create a kind of distinction between the magical world and this world, and psychology from heathen soul lore. No real distinction exists. Madness truely reigns in the hall of the Mountain King. Sadly, this person "conformed" and has also tried to convince me that I was "spreading myself thin" by being both a warrior and a magician (again, trying to make distinctions). Oh well. I'd rather be an anti-social madman that is persuing his dreams than a "sobre" person that would rather live a comfortable life and not have to place any challenges on his soul.


Very wise, I think. There is a lot of scientific speculation about the possible positive net effect of manic-depression - that it's linked to creativity and high-energy periods and therefore has evolved as a genetic program for the brain. EG

http://jom-emit.cfpm.org/1997/vol1/preti_a&miotto_p.html


I have been told that one aspect of ODHINN that refers to a frenzy of mystic thought or battle - hardly calm sanity.

[Fenris]

I've lived with depression for a long time too, though by the time I sought professional help for it, I was told by the doctor I saw that I'd already learned through trial and error the best ways to handle both it AND my savage temper. I just get "down" sometimes, when circumstances strike certain chords with me, but for the most part I've been able to battle it and maintain a sense of hope and faith that has kept me strong.

Oddly enough though I've never had a real need for sunlight, I've always preferred the night, it's quiet, peaceful, allows my soul time to reflect on itself.


Edit: What I WILL say is that there's no shame in letting your emotions pour out of you in a torrent of tears. I don't cry often, and only when it gets to be too much for me, but by the gods I feel a thousand times better afterwards, like a burden has been lifted from my soul. There's no evidence that crying when necessary was shameful to our ancestors, and while I'm still not comfortable letting others see me weep and still go out of my way to ensure that I'm alone before the outpouring, I do feel better afterwards.

[Torquil]

Oddly enough though I've never had a real need for sunlight, I've always preferred the night, it's quiet, peaceful, allows my soul time to reflect on itself.

I used to enjoy leaving the house at around two or three AM and walking along the creek or around the lake. I would do so barefoot for some reason. I agree, the solitude and darkness is great for the soul. Only when it got to be excessive did it turn into a problem for me.

[Fenris]

therein lies the rub, really. Getting that balance where your personal equilibrium is most comfortable isn't easy, but I agree, too much of one and not enough of the other can set you off-kilter.

[Zelda]

Lot of good information in the previous posts. What wasn't mentioned that I would like to add is - get a complete physical checkup, complete with blood sugar and triglyceride levels. I struggled with depression for quite some time and then found out, through labwork, that my body was completely out of whack with a metabolic disorder. (Sometimes called "Syndrome X") Through small amount of medication to help with the sugar absorption into the blood, a new exercise regime and a complete change of diet to cut out sugar and white flour products, my depression lifted. And I lost 60 lbs. in the process (a good thing). Now everything in in sync and I feel so much better! If the problem is not biological, then you move to looking at other factors as well. Hope this helps. Hold on and keeping working on it. Z.

[Don vonMilikowski]

Here is my two bits....

When my Ex took my kids from me, it was hard..... When she moved out of state, well, I am still recovering (I get them next week so I am excited). When we seperated Jackass saved my sanity.

I am not going to lie or sound like a tough guy, some days it is hard to get out of bed, BUT I keep to my routine. Get into a regiment, makes it easier....... Some days are real bad, Vanatru has read some of my thoughts before and gave me some advice.

To "replace" the kids chaotic energy, I got ferrets....... The kids fed them rubber balls and I found out that I was not supposed to have ferrets.... BUT it made me have the chaos I needed for a little while...... I think I need new ferrets, I am depressed again.......

Find time to laugh, get some funny movies, Laughter is the best medicine, unless you have emphasima or asthma, then a chuckle will do...

Hmmmm.........

[Torquil]

Laughter is the best medicine

Thats the truth!
Aqua Teen Hunger Force, Squidbillies, etc. (Adult Swim) This saves my sanity on a nightly basis.

[Sturmmann]

I think winter is depressing force alone.

[numerrik]

My depression was caused by the same thing, so I stopped signing up for morning classes and used the morning to bask in glorious sunlight. My getting a therepist didn't hurt either.

[sigrun_odinsdottir]

now THIS is a subject i know something about. having been diagnosed with bipolar disorder at 22 (it runs rampant on both sides of my family, EVERYONE'S got it), i have had some pretty major periods of darkness in my life. there is no shame in seeking help for depression -- in fact it shows strength to be able to work on yourself. i am not saying that my life is all sunshine and roses right now, but i have learned to let go of the past, try to make the most of my present (with my lokean sense of humor), and look forward to a bright future. sometimes i still get down on myself and life, but not as much, thanks to meds, faith, folk, family, and you get the picture.

tips for surviving depression:

1. fill your life with music whenever possible
2. associate with positive, humorous people -- not naysayers
3. get a daylight lamp (winter can really bum a person out)
4. diet and exercise are key
5. get a pet or pets if you can
6. make a gratitude list
7. journal
8. find a creative outlet of some kind
9. make your home as comfortable and nice to live in as possible

if you don't like the idea of going on meds, st. john's wort is a safe, effective herbal supplement. it works as well as prozac and it's all natural. :yes:

[XxPinoxX]

Erm... ok, just been randomly reading threads, and found this one, and even though no-one has posted here in a long time, I will anyway.

Right, how do you know whether you're depressed?
I mean, do you just wait for a shrink to tell you you're depressed? What if people tell you that you are, but you don't believe it yourself? Or what if you think you are, but people think you're lying? Is it possible to be depressed and not really know about it? Why do so many people have depression anyway?
:scratch:

[Kiwi_Mjolnir]

Erm... ok, just been randomly reading threads, and found this one, and even though no-one has posted here in a long time, I will anyway.

Right, how do you know whether you're depressed?
I mean, do you just wait for a shrink to tell you you're depressed? What if people tell you that you are, but you don't believe it yourself? Or what if you think you are, but people think you're lying? Is it possible to be depressed and not really know about it? Why do so many people have depression anyway?
:scratch:
I think a lot of people get naturally 'depressed' when they're our age, hence the sudden 'emo' craze.

I don't buy into depression myself, I suppose it is one of those things you have to fully experience yourself to appreciate what other people are going through.

I think that I got a bit depressed when I was 14(?). I didn't encourage it, changed what was happening in my life and it went away. Sounds like I have nothing on you guys though...


FFF
Ben

[XxPinoxX]

I think a lot of people get naturally 'depressed' when they're our age, hence the sudden 'emo' craze.

I don't buy into depression myself, I suppose it is one of those things you have to fully experience yourself to appreciate what other people are going through.

I think that I got a bit depressed when I was 14(?). I didn't encourage it, changed what was happening in my life and it went away. Sounds like I have nothing on you guys though...


FFF
Ben


Yeah, but I wouldn't call that depression, I'd call that teenage angst, which everyone gets. I think.

Hmmm....*thinks* I don't think I am, but a lot of what has been said rings bells a little too close to home.... I think I'm just being stupid, I just wondered how you tell...

[Kiwi_Mjolnir]

Yeah, but I wouldn't call that depression, I'd call that teenage angst, which everyone gets. I think.

Hmmm....*thinks* I don't think I am, but a lot of what has been said rings bells a little too close to home.... I think I'm just being stupid, I just wondered how you tell...
I'll send you a happy 'Get Well' card :D

Personally I think if people think about their lives and the state of society in general that they could find themselves suffering from depression, happens to me a bit when I am sitting around with nothing else to do lost in thought :cry:

[Nikolai]

When i was 12 i was diagnosed with depression. I had for about 1 and a half years, even though i did everything humanly possible to change it. It went away by itself, funnily enough round about the same time i found Metal. I just kept myself to myself and listened to music, and it eventually went. Now all i have is teenage angst, which as Emily said is normal.

[XxPinoxX]

Hmm...I think I'm just going to reply with a good old "oh, I don't know" because I truly don't.

[pinlighter]

It went away by itself, funnily enough round about the same time i found Metal. I just kept myself to myself and listened to music, and it eventually went.


I'm astonished that doctors don't prescribe music and dance as cures for depression. No money in it, I suppose.

[Kiwi_Mjolnir]

When i was 12 i was diagnosed with depression. I had for about 1 and a half years, even though i did everything humanly possible to change it. It went away by itself, funnily enough round about the same time i found Metal. I just kept myself to myself and listened to music, and it eventually went. Now all i have is teenage angst, which as Emily said is normal.

Metal is my 'rock' forever...

No matter if you're angry, sad or just totally uncaring, metal will always be there for ya :D

[Nikolai]

Metal is my 'rock' forever...

No matter if you're angry, sad or just totally uncaring, metal will always be there for ya :D

lol, thats the way i see it. Metal is forever (which is why i got 'METAL' tattooed on my arm in runes...)

[XxPinoxX]

I'm astonished that doctors don't prescribe music and dance as cures for depression. No money in it, I suppose.

lol, and music doesn't always work, sometimes making you feel better and sometimes even worse, depending on the music :shrug:

[Loki's Advocate]

lol, and music doesn't always work

Neither do psych *****, for that matter.

I'm not one to outright dismiss the usefulness of them, but I do think they're thrown too readily at a problem (mental illness) which is far too complex and multipartite to be dealt with without a multipartite strategy for doing so.

[verheyden_roeill]

I got myself out of depressions when docs didn't work for crap but changing my life situation did, I had to pull myself out. It took a long time and a lot of work.

[pinlighter]

http://www.nature.com/news/2006/061204/full/061204-5.html


Feeling anxious? Your mood may actually change how your dinner tastes, making the bitter and salty flavours recede, according to new research.

This link between the chemical balance in your brain and your sense of taste could one day help doctors to treat depression. There are currently no on-the-spot tests for deciding which medication will work best in individual patients with this condition. Researchers hope that a test based on flavour detection could help doctors to get more prescriptions right first time.

[MidgardSilver]

For a few years I was experiencing SAD (seasonal affective disorder) every autumn. I haven't had it in a long time, so maybe it was a chemical imbalance that was corrected. One thing that did help though at the time was not dwelling on it too much. If you keep your mind occupied with other things, tasks and hobbies, it definitely pays off.

[Draven]

Howdy folks!

I know it's been a few weeks since this thread's had any replies, but it's rather relevent to my current state, so I figured I'd stick in my 50th of a buck ;)

I've experienced depression for the better part of seven years. Well - I don't know whether the early part would be considered depression, I had a hard time at school and a hard time at home, so I suppose it'd be considered more of a natural reaction than any kind of depression :rolleyes:
I still have it (sorta), with varying severity. It tends to last anywhere from a couple days to a couple months, with short breaks in between.

Personally, the things that help me most are what I normally see as "the little things". Getting a hug from a friend is always good, or just spilling my guts to my dad; I don't often talk to him about personal problems, so I feel a sense of relief in knowing that there's somebody under the same roof who's willing to listen to me and offer advice.
I'd also agree with the suggestion of "getting back to nature" :) I often find that I'm happiest when I'm out in the open, whether I'm swimming in a (FREEZING COLD) river, climbing a mountain or just taking a walk along a country road. They must put something in the air :rolleyes:

I've also, I'm pleased to say, had a much easier time with it since I've started looking into Odinism! I find that just thinking about the gods tends to calm me a bit, and I feel constantly comforted by the belief that they're all around us.

One thing I must add, negative responses rarely, in my experience, give positive results. Whether it be booze, *****, chances are I've turned to it, and turned right back when I saw what I could become!

Try to keep yourself occupied. As "common" a remedy as it sounds, a hobby can be a great help. I started woodcarving, and while I still can't carve anything other than knife/sword handles, celtic knots and wooden spoons, it distracts me... anyone want a wooden spoon? :D

[XxPinoxX]

Personally, the things that help me most are what I normally see as "the little things". Getting a hug from a friend is always good, or just spilling my guts to my dad; I don't often talk to him about personal problems, so I feel a sense of relief in knowing that there's somebody under the same roof who's willing to listen to me and offer advice.
I'd also agree with the suggestion of "getting back to nature" :) I often find that I'm happiest when I'm out in the open, whether I'm swimming in a (FREEZING COLD) river, climbing a mountain or just taking a walk along a country road. They must put something in the air :rolleyes:

I've also, I'm pleased to say, had a much easier time with it since I've started looking into Odinism! I find that just thinking about the gods tends to calm me a bit, and I feel constantly comforted by the belief that they're all around us.

One thing I must add, negative responses rarely, in my experience, give positive results. Whether it be booze, *****, chances are I've turned to it, and turned right back when I saw what I could become!

Try to keep yourself occupied. As "common" a remedy as it sounds, a hobby can be a great help. I started woodcarving, and while I still can't carve anything other than knife/sword handles, celtic knots and wooden spoons, it distracts me... anyone want a wooden spoon? :D


Can you make sporks? because if you can, I'll take 500 :p

Also, It's nice to hear about the methods you use to deal with your depression, and that you share my view on self-destructive behaviour being a 'solution' that never works.

I understand what you mean when you say thinking of the Gods calms and it helps you to know they are there.
Personally, I have been forced to start taking more notice of Freya in particular very recently, She has helped me a heck of a lot. :)