Coping Skills

[Melissa]

my partner is here and he is definitely motivating me to get up and get out. We will be going jeeping in a little while since he is driving a rental jeep.
You know, my 2 dogs help keep me motivated to at least go out for a walk.

 

[budman]

If he drives insanely aggressively the brain juice should make other things go away for a while.

 

[augustiron]

Be prepared for

 

[greenmonster]

There is a difference between ongoing clinical depression and having a down day/week so I'm not sure which one we're talking about here.
The cures are different depending.

 

[Melissa]

I like the word cure/

 

[Lucytriple]

Allowing yourself to discover the difference between depression and just being sad make things a bit more logical for me. You can’t really talk yourself out of depression, and for sad I think you just submit and go all the way down, up, and sideways along for the ride. For me it’s to try and silence things (the asshole in my head) and redirect the focus to the cheat sheet of crisis remedies I’ve stuffed in my toolbox. Specific Music that makes me happy. Ways to move my body that feel good. Cleaning something (when I’m into that). Making something. Helping someone else. Getting a ride in if I can muster. Making sure to eat bathe dress clean self.

 

[Lucytriple]

for me, learning to cope was around anxiety. after a serious riding accident (horse), i’d get serious panic attacks when i got close enough to even smell the barn. and horses are phenomenal at detecting that when you’re on their back. it was a disaster. then the anxiety propagated to other situations (any time it felt like i had to be focused and ‘on’ - for lack of a better way to say it - clinical term: performance anxiety). spent a lot of years in therapy. learned how i was ‘built’ (how my mind worked). my personal coping mechanism? fix it - or forget it. i usually choose ‘fix’, but have gotten quite good at blowing shit off too (no patience for towing a sea anchor).

My new mantra, if I can remeber to remember it. fix it or forget it.

 

[tzrider]

Distraction + Time.

I have had extended periods of depression, where a distraction gets me thinking about something else and the passage of time brings whatever it brings. The best distractions for me have been things that I do for someone else, as the motivation to do them is stronger. The passage of time, perhaps years, may bring a change of perspective, someone else’s wisdom, etc. It just seems to take time for these things to reveal themselves and for me to be receptive to the input.

It seems to me that the distractions are never the cure, they just get me through the day. Time (so far) has brought the real relief.

 

[greenmonster]

I like the word cure/

Actually “cure” is a horrible way to put it now that I’m re-reading my post.
It minimizes the issue and makes it sound like a sore throat.

“Different ways to approach it” might have been better.

 

[ctwo]

I suspect remedies depend on what it is you’re depressed about.

Depends on what you're trying to cope with, I was gonna say.

The unpopular answer is going to be, just ignore it and pretend it's all fine. Believe it and then it will be.

Eventually, those things wont matter anymore, like some things in life are no longer important. Like playing with dolls...

 

[BillSmith]

Then again, dealing with mental health can be akin to a sore throat.

For many, those interacting with family, co-workers, acquaintances who have mental health issues, well, they have a hard time swallowing, so to speak. It starts as a cough. The really? phase. Then getting a bit raw from the experience. The WTF? phase Reaches the hard-to-swallow phase. The Not buying it! phase.

It's tough eating with a sore throat. One must endure.

 

[Climber]

Distraction + Time.

I have had extended periods of depression, where a distraction gets me thinking about something else and the passage of time brings whatever it brings. The best distractions for me have been things that I do for someone else, as the motivation to do them is stronger. The passage of time, perhaps years, may bring a change of perspective, someone else’s wisdom, etc. It just seems to take time for these things to reveal themselves and for me to be receptive to the input.

It seems to me that the distractions are never the cure, they just get me through the day. Time (so far) has brought the real relief.

A distraction helps to get a better night of sleep. Lack of sleep will always be the enemy of your body and mind.

 

[N4teTheGreat]

Road trips are a good way to change the pace. Even just an overnight moto to stay in a cheap motel always leaves me pepped up when I get back. Then again I'm the ignore your feelings and push 'em all deep deep down type. Super healthy, probably.

 

[nakedape]

Eventually, those things wont matter anymore, like some things in life are no longer important. Like playing with dolls...

"It’s so important for adults,” she says. “There’s a lot we can learn about ourselves and the world through play, and it can ultimately enhance everyday life, especially when we’re facing difficult times or living in a world where stress can be difficult to escape.”

Not Just for Kids: Why Playfulness Helps Adults Tackle Adversity

Cindy Morris, PsyD, clinical director for the Behavioral Health and Wellness Program in the CU Department of Psychiatry, discusses how incorporating some fun into daily life makes a difference.

news.cuanschutz.edu

 

[Abacinator]

Daily light exercise. Even a short walk can boost morale

 

[Melissa]

yes!
We got out of town and went jeep riding in the hills. It busted me out of the same old same old.

 

[Climber]

Sometimes, the best way to break yourself out of a long established pattern is to move, whether nearby or a good distance away. A job change also helps. Combining both can be a pretty good reset.

 

[littlebeast]

 

[Melissa]

music does help.
Specially the Indigo Girls!

 

[tuxumino]

poignant lyrics