How should I deal with depression?

Question

I have a manic depressive condition.

Some of my friends are trying to help me, and as annoying it can get sometimes (it's embarrassing when your friends try to 'diagnose' you), they brought up an interesting point.

When I get depressed, I've learned to take a deep breath, close my eyes, and say to myself "In the end, tomorrow morning, I will be all right. Forget about this sad feeling and focus on something good." and it usually takes my mind off of whatever is making me depressed.

My boyfriend says that it's unhealthy to forget my problems like that and I should feel my feelings. He wants me to be more affectionate toward him and he says that my repressing my bad feelings is preventing that from happening. However, as I am trying this new technique, I feel horrible every single day. Is he correct? What should I do?

Answer 1

"Good Friends And A Bottle Of Pills" Just kidding. If you feel the need, go to a counselor. Your boyfriend is right in a sense, but not completely. There is a point where you need to step outside yourself and look in to see everything that is going on, and all the contributing factors. But those thoughts can't be on your mind all the time, if you feel sad, you should immediately think of something that is funny, or makes you smile, your method seems to work which is good. I find that if you set goals for yourself (possibly offbeat ones) and you go out and do something everyday, and immerse yourself in your interests, you might eventually ask yourself why you were even depressed in the first place.

Answer 2

I don' t mean to criticize another contributor, But to Latasha, it doesn't help someone that's depressed to tell them to think of people in Africa etc or how they've got no reason to be depressed. I only know this because I have depression and it's just hard to deal with. I am sorry for unfortunate people , but it doesn't make depression go away

To Aiko, good luck, maybe go to doctor and tell him how you feel

Answer 3

If you were repressing your bad feelings then you wouldn't be depressed because those feelings would be repressed... so your boyfriend is wrong... and he sounds g*y.  You could go to any family practice doctor and get something prescribed for you but the best long term solution would be going to a psychiatrist for a combination of drugs and therapy.  If you don't want to go to a doctor or psychiatrist drugs and alcohol are both great temporary solutions to your problems.  

Answer 4

it's sad to know that you're depressed..

i think he needs to understand you more. just continue what you are doing, thinking of something positive. no one could help you out if you won't help yourself..

Answer 5

Punch your boyfriend and ask him if he felt that. Tell him that you just felt a bad feeling.

Answer 6

When you think you are depressed, think of like kids in africa or iraq that have nothing, and then tell me your life sucks. I mean, at some point, you havr to realize that you only have one life to live, and to make the best of it instead of being a depression obsessed person.

Answer 7

There are lots of different ways for different people.

You should see a professional or several and see what they recommend. Good luck.

Harriet