NOTE ...And I offer a whole list of personally created "Therapies" to help you.

Roller Coaster of Life

Roller Coaster of Life
Life's Ups and Downs
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Friday, July 25, 2008

Movies...my life saver



I watch one or more movies each day. I don’t care what others say about watching movies being a waste of time. For me it is my life saver. I can relax, un-stress, totally and fully enjoy, and get thoroughly LOST in a movie. It doesn’t matter what movie it is, I enjoy a lot of types.

I think perhaps the most therapeutic type of movie is a good comedy that makes me laugh till my sides ache. My view point about watching movies as a therapy measure, is that it takes my mind OFF of what is troubling me for awhile so that my mind can relax and calm down and regroup itself. So, movies are for me !

I have started another blog devoted to the movies I have seen. I give the description of each movie and offer my own opinion about it. If you are interested, here is the link to my movie blog:

Monday, July 21, 2008

Can't I just work through it myself ?


I don’t want to be on any meds for my depression. True, my form of depression is mild compared to other peoples, still it sometimes leaves me not able to function quite like I used to. But I can accept it and deal with it.

I feel the methods I use, explained on this blog, works for me, even though I turn sometimes within myself. I can handle that because I am not a people person anyway and most of the withdrawal/escape happens when I know that I will be in a large group of people. STRANGE HOW THAT DOESN’T BOTHER ME WHEN I SIT IN A MOVIE THEATER FULL OF PEOPLE AND GET LOST IN A FILM !!!

Some of the places/activities where there will be large groups of people, is generally places/activities that appear to no longer interest me like it use to, due to the fact that I am getting older and my interests have changed anyway. So, I choose to just work through my depression episodes by myself, without the aid of meds. By the way, I am also an introvert by nature.

Monday, July 14, 2008

Depression...such an elusive illness



I wish I could completely and fully understand the complexities of depression. Without medication, I deal with mine…and I know my depression is very mild compared to other peoples.

One of my friends, who also has chosen NOT to take meds for depression, is right now suffering terribly. For now, he has shut himself off from others, saying that his depression and mental pain are more than he wants to deal with.

It is so puzzling to me. Why does it have to be such a varied problem? Why does almost everyone suffer with depression in different ways and degrees? Why does one person that I know, who is ON depression meds…still does not feel and act right and has trouble functioning in his life? Why does another person I know, who is also ON meds…lives a fairly normal life, contributes to society and can enjoy doing the things she likes?

The human mind is so complex.

Tuesday, July 8, 2008

On the other hand, maybe we MUST




Continuing from my previous post:


Then, there are many, many times… and situations…when I begin to feel claustrophobic and nervous in a group setting or when the noise level starts getting high. I have realized that my sanity depends on getting OUT and away from that setting. Many times I just have to leave, or not participate at all. I figure my emotional well being is far more important than the social event. I have also realized that in really tough situations it does not do me any good to try to stay and just “get over it”, as it stresses me out even more. So, as far as I am concerned, it’s OK to leave if it starts getting out of your control.

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Try harder

Do we play tug of war with ourself?


The other day I talked to a friend who also struggles with depression. Her depression is a little different and more difficult than mine; she takes depression meds, also, but I don’t.

I guess the medication helps her deal and function with the illness. She is able to accomplish most of the things that she desires, and talks herself through unpleasant and uncomfortable moments.

Though my depression mainly brings me down in the winter (I have SAD…Seasonal Affective Disorder), I still have brief sad moments throughout the rest of the year and I have a lot of trouble feeling motivated to do anything. I had made the decision many years ago that I did not want to be on meds.

When my friend said that she talks herself through uncomfortable situations, a light came on for me. I wondered if I give in too easy with the “avoid it” solution. I must try harder to talk myself through MY uncomfortable situations….and not be so quick to take the easy way out, which is to not do it at all. I know that growth comes when we can overcome a difficulty.