Beat depression!


Well gang, as life gets more and more difficult, it's easy to slip into depression. So I figured I'd just spout off my amateur psychiatric help (Nope... No "Doctor" in my title, so if you want to point a finger and yell "QUACK! QUACK!!!!!!!" go for it) for copin' with the big "D".

TOP TEN WAYS TO COPE WITH DEPRESSION:

Let's face it... life isn't a box of new computer parts (take that Forest Gump!). Sometimes it's easy to slip into self-pity, depression or any other myriads of psychological issues... coping with depression is actually fairly simple if you can remember to stop and remember at least a few of the below!

1. Life isn't so bad!

Life may not be pleasant... be it your girl split on you with your best friend, or you're worried about a terrorist setting fire to your poodle...

As long as you're still eating, breathing and functioning... you're doin' a helluva lot better than a large portion of the world. Today wasn't so great... tomorrow will be better, and if tomorrow sucks, it had better kick ass the next day, and if it doesn't, then you might want to think about changing something to make it better.

The only one who can save you... is you.

2. WHO CARES WHAT "THEY" THINK?

You aren't alive for everybody to like you. If you are, let me tell ya now... you are NEVER going to please everyone. It's impossible. How you see yourself shouldn't have to pass through someone else for comments. Throw back your shoulders, recognize the only obstacle in life is how far YOU want to go, and let the suckers worry about what you think of them... which should be you AREN'T thinkin' about them!

3. Don't measure yourself against anyone else!

Okay... so maybe you AREN'T the star quarterback with the hot cheerleaders draped all over him. Maybe you're even picked on by the chess club... but let's face it. That's today. Tomorrow can change a helluva lot. I knew a lot of popular people in school who couldn't even read their own damn names hardly. Wanna guess how the world is treatin' them? Be happy with who ya're... 'cause there is going to be a time you're gonna be damn glad you aren't them!

4. Don't dwell on the Past!

Yeah, most of us have our own demons that haunt us in the night... but when they crop up, realize you did the best you could at the time, and tell your mind to stop boring you with this crap. It's a new day, you're a wiser person, and it's pointless to keep chewing it over.

If it still bothers you, realize you'll do it better next time.

5. It ain't always about you!

This one is kind of hard to remember... sometimes when someone close to you hurts you, it's not because your the source of the problem. Something is up with them. If you turn it into your fault, you're only going to have yourself to blame.

6. Happy, Happy. Joy... Joy...

Sarcasm is a great way to beat depression. Cynicism is even better. When someone decides to sling crap your way, just laugh and say "It figures"... 'cause there are a LOT of people who don't have the mental equipment to think their way through a maze with a map. Why let some idiot mess up your day?

A quote from a book (who's title escapes me) was "Don't be upset when stupid people do stupid things".


7. Do somethin'!

Sitting around whining isn't gonna solve your problems. Unless you're trying to think your way out of a bad problem, this is a good time to figure out somethin' to occupy your mind for awhile. Read a book, watch a movie, maybe go out for a walk and get some fresh air. Sometimes, a small break from your problems can help a lot.

8. Break it down!

If you can think of why you're depressed, it can help. If you find yourself with only a couple of things that you'd usually shrug off... take some vitamins, and drink some water. They say that a lot of depression stems from the fact most of us don't take very good care of ourselves.

Also, realizing that a lot of little things add up to being this big thing is important, because if you can solve any of the little things, the bigger problem isn't quite such a big thing anymore.


9. Tomorrow, Tomorrow... there's always tomorrow.

If you're thinkin' of doing something drastic, take at least a day to think about it. Consider the above. Yeah, life may be stressful, but usually if you can ride the storm, you'll better appreciate the calm seas better than anyone.

10. Think about where you'd rather be.

This one is powerful stuff if you do it right. A good example was a few years ago I hated where I was working. So one day I decided to take a class and start taking my computer skills to the next notch so I could get a job I'd LIKE doing.

Keepin' my eyes on that goal, I forced myself through six months doing a job I literally was getting an ulcer from. I ended up payin' off the class (which was the goal) and told 'em I was gone. A year later I got a job as a network admin. Keepin' your eyes on the prize isn't just some sappy saying by brain-dead marketting gurus. It does have some merit!


PARTING WORDS:

Solving depression isn't always about turning into a happy marshmallow (like on the drug commercials).

it's also all about perception. If you THINK you're depressed... you are. If you think today's going to go alright, it usually will.

Anyway, keep the ol' head up. Sometimes, just knowing you did during a bad time can give you a boost to get out of whatever comes next.

Yah! Remember folks - you could be gutting fish in Alaska for low pay.. your life is terrific!

Very good article, I think everyone should read the whole thing whether they have any problems or not.

In some people they are truly sick ! The mind cann't always do what you tell it to do. Your mind can get off on a tangent that will drive you crazy. A death can do it very easly. Sorry but I know all about it.

oh gosh-darnit I was expecting something sarcastic promoting geek-dom or other forms of computerness

thank you dark....

i took the hardest math test of my life which i got a 58%. i have been getting excellent grades in math for the past three years but the new concepts on that test befuddled me. that score lowered my high confidence to nothing. i started to worry about getting into the college i wanted, and if i was going to turn into a bum the rest of my life. i value education as greatest aspect of life besides my religion, and to be humbled this way really depressed me.

i am still young and i know that many of you older pr members have had much worse experiences than me. i just wanted to share this with you guys....

thanks again dark. that piece really lifted my spirits.

re # 6 - damn, busted !