Why is my depression getting worse?

Question

I've felt depressed due to what I think is an inferiority complex for about 10 years, and am just now trying to help myself out of it. At the start of the summer I stopped drinking, joined a gym, and have managed to successfully keep at both tasks. It's been nearly three months now and I don't feel any better about myself, worse in fact. I don't understand and it's extremely discouraging. I realize that it really hasn't been that long, but I thought I'd at least feel a little bit better about myself, definitely not worse. I really want to get over this because it's beginning to affect my life in ways that it never has before and I'm getting scared. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

Well, like you said, unfortunately 3 months isn't going to immediately change 10 years.

First, pat yourself on the back.  Doing things like giving up drinking and starting at a gym can be major changes for people...and hardly any of them even make it as long a 3 months.  How long do most people keep New Year's resolutions for?  How many times in the last 3 months have you seen completely new sets of faces come and go from the gym?  After 3 months you're already a rarity in your success!

Next, look at the inevitable.  Not drinking plus working out will always, always lead to you feel physically better.  It's pretty much guaranteed.

Finally, be careful of the "trying to help myself out of it".  If you had an issue for 10 years, it may not be something you're meant to simply fix on your own.  Seek a few sessions of therapy and give it a shot.  If you like it, perfect you're on your way.  If you don't, then find another therapist.

Remember, your body is going through a ton of changes, so that is going to leave everything out of whack for awhile.  I'm sure muscles you never knew you even had are now sore.  I'm also sure you can make it up a flight of stairs faster than you could before.  It's a lot on the body's chemistry that's changing after 10 years, so you're naturally just going to have some things "out of limbo" until the long term results take effect.  Your brain and body have a lot of new things to get used to, and they, just like you, need a little bit more time to figure it all out.

Answer 2

I know how you fell man! I had to start taking ssris or meds bout six years ago. I am coming off them shortly. Do not go down down this road with meds. If i was you I would start doing everything to find a solution to your probs. Make it a goal and a long term one at that. Make it your hobby to find an answer. visualize finding the answer. read books, internet, alternative health, accupunture etc. Just build the goal into your life and dont think it will happen overnight it coul;d take years.

regards jesse

Answer 3

Here's a quick 12 step guide I used to get over it.

1. Yourself - Only you can fix your own depression, your commitment, your fortitude, your will to live and love life for what it is.

2. Secondary help - Omega - 3 acids are said to help act as an anti-depressant, you can get it straight up or you can get it through Fish (Anywhere, at home or at jack in the box :P)

3. Psychologists - They can listen to you and hear what you have to say and contrary to popular belief, they do understand what you're going through and want to help you and also have great exercise tips to help you re-affirm the fact that you want to feel better.

4. Exercise / Chores - Endorphins are a great kick in the rear for depression. Anything from jogging to simple push-ups. h**l, if you can't get out, do the dishes or take out the trash, clean your room. Do something!!! Don't wallow in your own sorrow. Kick it in the butt!

5. Friends - Friends can make you feel like you belong and help you through your tough times, but you have to trust them and be there for them as much as they are for you.

6. Family - Sometimes people are less fortunate in this area but for the ones who have truly loving family whether it be brothers / parents / grandparents, they will be your guiding light through all of this (Unless this is the cause of the depression)

7. Sleep - Sometimes sleep is just a good 8 hour "Get away from it all" scenario where you don't have to think about anything. Sometimes it has a nasty side-effect of making your more depressed when you wake up though, so warning about that.

8. Tranquility - Try to find peace during your busy day, this way you can see that life is more calm than it feels, take a quiet dip in the pool late at night, or sit on the patio in the middle of the day and look at the trees and clouds. Or h**l, stare at a wall! :D

9. Yourself - Again, none of the above stated tactics will work unless you yourself actually want to feel better and don't want to feel the way you do anymore.

10. Unless a Psychiatrist really suggests it, don't take medications like zoloft or whatever the top dollar ones are these days. They are more like placebo drugs to trick your mind into thinking your okay because if you think the pill will actually do something, they will, why? Because again "Your life is what your thoughts make it" I fought my depression without a single pill, because I wanted to be better, I didn't look for sympathy or an easy way out. It has to be done not only naturally but from the soul, not the pill.

11. Music - Music is a huge healer, find anything that suits you

12. TV - Sometimes tv can help, I used to watch the show scrubs because they seemed to hit on every point I was dealing with.

Answer 4

Good for you-great choices you made.

The gym should help you feel better.

I would look at your diet and see if you need to make some changes -fast food an make you feel bad.

Read your best life now by Joel Osteen.

Also, church is very uplifting for me.

God bless you!

Answer 5

become Buddhist very very uplifting or any other religion but try and stick with what your doing and don't let yourself be unhappy ur not getting happier cuz it causes u to be more unhappy... obviously. also you should go to a doctor and get some anti depressants or a doctor to talk to