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Depression Self Help

Sometimes it gets so hard that you just want to give in. This is all part of depression, please don't succumb to the desire to hurt or kill yourself. I've devised a list of all the things I did to help take my mind off it and to not harm / attempt suicide. This list should be used as a supplement only and you really should find professional help. If you don't want anyone you know knowing then what I have done is seek help over the internet, there is a links page which will be created soon. You don't have to be brave and do this alone. No one will think less of you if you get help.

It is best to talk to a professional, you don't have to do this alone

Do something expressive

• Play an instrument or sing, this has helped me a lot
• Draw or paint
• Write out your feelings in a journal, another thing that I've used a lot. I do this every day to stop and major feelings building up, one paragraph a day will do. At first, it may feel strange so write about anything, what the weather is like or what's on the news for example. You will soon find your thoughts flying across the page.

Talk to someone

• I have learnt to rely on this the most. I have a trusted group who support me through everything. Talk to a counselor, something I've just begun doing. Talk to us, talk to a mate, a teacher, a parent. Anyone! It really helps.
• Be around people, I couldn't imagine cutting myself in front of an audience!

Pray

• Since I started this journey I have become a great believer in God. I think it helps to have something you can believe in and no matter what it will be there. I pray each night and basically talk to God about everything I've been feeling. I feel I can tell God anything.

Meditate

• I've tried this and it's quite hard to do but once you get the hang of it it's really good to collect your thoughts and to relax.

Sleep

• If it is late at night, just go to bed! You wake up feeling a lot better for it. Fatigue can be a big part of depression so sleeping helps control it.

Do something that you can do automatically

• This helps a lot because you can let your mind wander. This might help or make things worse, so I guess you have to judge it for yourself. Ideas for this include:
• Walking
• Cleaning the house
• Gardening

Or try doing something you can't take your mind off

• If number 6 doesn't work, maybe doing the opposite would help. Concentrate all your thoughts on one thing, which is hard or simply involves a lot of concentration. For example:
• Chess
• Mind puzzles
• A detailed pen and ink drawing

Goals

• Set you realistic goals to beat (For example I would say "I won't cut myself for a week" and then gradually it grew to a month and so on). Don't set a goal like 'I won't cut ever again' because you probably won't be able to achieve it and it will demoralize you.

Self-harm substitutes

• Run your hand under cold water until it aches
• Draw over yourself in red ink
• Warm some food coloring and put it in a pipette, draw it over your arm as if you're cutting yourself
• Have a cold shower
• Hold an ice-cube against your wrist until its melted completely

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