Success at Combating Depression?

Has anyone felt success at fight against depression?  

I am/was a very depressed person.  I was having constant worry and panic attacks.  I then went on Paxil for 6 years.  I went off of Paxil in the end of 2008.  Now I've come out of the closet and have somewhat enjoyed the roller coaster of life and actually enjoy little tinges of success.  Now I'm trying to figure out how to make feeling successful a more common experience in my life.

Does anyone follow?  Understand what I'm saying?  Any tips?

[birdie0907]

There are many self help books that deal with this subject, so if you like to read, head out to the local library or bookstore. Where to start reading will depend on your taste.
I read that most people spend 2 hours a day regretting the past, so if you can find a cure for that problem you will have a lot more happy time.

Nice name.

[LeftCoastChick]

I have little wins all the time, but what are wins for me, may not be for others. I've battled depression since I can remember. I'm in the process of retraining my thought patterns, which sounds like what you are doing, meds alone are not the cure, but with most long-term depression, it's usually a chemical imbalance, but that doesn't mean you can't do a lot of work yourself. Just watch to see how you are doing, many folks crash 6-12months after stopping meds.  I set small goals, then it seems to be bigger ones, but remember if you have hiccups along the way, they are just reminders to keep on track. Some think that depression and anxiety is a curse, but it's made me appreciate much more then those who take it for granted, it's a twisted gift, but a gift.

[Mitch82]

I have had issues with depression for a while, but over the last few months I seem to have beaten it, I found things like team sports, owning a pet, writing my thoughts down and getting some hobbies together helped me a lot, distracted me, made me forget why I was depressed

[tryinginstlouis]

Mitch82:  

I'm glad you mentioned a pet.  My apartment is too small to have a dog, which I really want.  One of the reasons I want a dog, is because I've found that I feel SO much better around dogs.  I've noticed on several occassions that people tell me that their dogs love me, and "they never come up to anyone like that" or that I spoil their dogs.  

It's just that they are comforting for me and make me feel calm, and truly make me forget I'm depressed, too.  

Thank you for your comment.  :)

[tryinginstlouis]

Gosh, I hope I don't crash too hard!  

Before I was on Paxil, I was in the closet, and I was a college athlete, dating a girl, and not out to anyone.  I was in constant fear of people finding out my secret, especially my family.  This caused me constant, massive amounts of stress.  I was experiencing panic attacks and had all of the symptoms of general anxiety disorder and thought of suicide OFTEN, in college

I have since come out to my family and friends and they have all been awesome.  My mom took it pretty hard for a year, but she's come around.  

Which doesn't mean I'm cured of depression at all!  That's why I'm on this site!  

But I'm actually working on shedding some of my defenses that were built up over the 25 years of my 30 year life.  I was hemming myself in so hardcore that it was like I was carrying around this 500 pound steel shield on me all of the time.  Then I started Paxil to stop the pain!  

I've dropped 300 pounds of my shield by coming out of the closet, but I'm still carrying around a heavy burden.  I am convinced that my father repeatedly devastated my self-esteem to carry on with his adultery.  And I'm also convinced that my mother killed my self-esteem to keep the marriage.  

I know that the self-esteem tape running in my head is not very strong, and has continued to fail me, because I'm sabotaging myself.  

I just have to say that I believe that the secret is inside of me, but that it's not a lottery-winning secret, it is something that I will have to work at and cultivate.  

[teko]

Here is what works for me. I still have bouts, but usually see them coming and can ward off the worst part. Sunshine, at least 15 minutes daily. Especially for people who live in cold climates or where it is cloudy all the time. I cannot explain it but it really helps alot. Exercise, whether I want to or not. This can be a challenge, so you have to mentally prepare yourself. I am all for a pet, they can be sooo beneficial. I have also learned to stay away from negative people during this time. I have learned to not allow people to thro their bad day syndrome on me.  I just say, enough, I cannot deal with mine and your life too. You need to back it up, handle it and not give me anymore stress right now or my body will go into shut down mode. I refuse to allow people to dump on me. If that makes sense to anyone? Know what you can and cannot handle mentally and do not push the envelope, so to speak.

[ChronicFatigue]

YES, WHAT ABSOLUTELY 100% CHANGED MY LIFE IS STARTING TO TAKE CYTOMEL.

AND, to give you an idea of how "Great" it helped.

I started Cytomel in Nov. 2007, In 2008--my best friend of 23-years took his own life, my home was burglarized, my car banged up, my company bankrupt/lost job, surgery--emergent complications from surgery---ALL OF IT---I've NEVER gone back to "Clinical Depression" (which I've suffered from most of my life).

Find an Endocrinologist in your area that prescribes Cytomel (Best way to do this--is find a Local Pharmacy--or if you are close to the Pharmacist you go to---ask them to tell you of a Endocrinologist that prescribes Cytomel.

Here's a a few GREAT LINKS discussing the use of Cytomel for Major Depression.

http://www.drmirkin.com/morehealth/G171.htm
http://thyroid.about.com/cs/thyroiddrugs/l/blt3depression.htm

When I can find my other (GREAT one)---I'll post it too!!!